Source: Universities – Science Po in English
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Source: US Geological Survey
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – U.S. Geological Survey experts project that Hurricane Milton, expected to make landfall on Florida’s west coast as early as Wednesday, will bring significant coastal change.
Currently, 95 percent of the sandy beaches on Florida’s west coast are forecasted to become inundated—meaning continuously covered by ocean water—from Milton, according to a USGS coastal change forecast issued Monday. This is the most severe level of coastal change and can cause flooding behind sand dunes that may impact coastal communities.
USGS experts estimate Milton’s waves and surge have the potential to cause both 100 percent of all ocean-facing beaches in Florida to experience erosion and overwash. Overwash occurs when water levels reach higher than the top of dunes. When a beach is overwashed, sand can be pushed and deposited inland, causing significant changes to coastal landscapes and blocking roadways. Overwash can reduce the height of protective sand dunes, alter beach profiles, and leave areas behind the dunes more vulnerable to future storms.
“The significance of the coastal change forecast for Milton’s impact to the Florida west coast cannot be overstated as I believe communities are more vulnerable to this storm’s impacts due to the erosion that occurred recently from Helene,” said Kara Doran, a USGS supervisory physical scientist who works on the coastal change forecast. “Our initial analysis looking at imagery collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration after Helene shows most of the west coast experienced overwash or inundation and complete erosion of dunes, so those protective dunes are no longer in place for many locations.”
According to the National Hurricane Center, Milton may bring life-threatening storm surge along with hurricane-force winds, and heavy rain.
This USGS coastal change forecast for Milton is a worst-case scenario that can provide vital insights to help emergency management officials make informed decisions.
USGS coastal change forecasts will continue to be updated (here: https://marine.usgs.gov/coastalchangehazardsportal/ui/alias/ptc92024) as the storm approaches land and real-time coastal change forecasts for individual locations along the coast are available in the Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecast Viewer.
As the USGS continues to take all appropriate preparedness actions in response to Milton, those in the storm’s projected path can visit Ready.gov for tips on creating emergency plans and putting together an emergency supply kit.
Learn more about USGS hurricane science.
Source: Universities – Science Po in English
Come meet our teams and students at our campuses.
Meet faculty members, students and representatives and learn more about our 30 Master’s programmes.
Source: United States Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DoD) today announced a one-year pilot program to provide no-cost supplemental health support services to DoD civilian employees serving in Japan after a yearlong effort to identify and address concerns regarding access to medical care.
“The Department recognizes the significant contributions of our DoD civilian workforce around the world,” said Ashish Vazirani, who is performing the duties of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. “In keeping with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s commitment to taking care of all our people, we owe it to our civilians to facilitate access to health care no matter where they are. The support from this pilot program will help enhance the patient experience for the approximately 11,000 civilians stationed in Japan through the new pilot.”
This pilot is called the Pilot Health Insurance Enhancement for DoD Civilian Employees in Japan and will assist eligible civilian employees with health care navigation and upfront costs associated with accessing Japan’s healthcare system.
To be eligible, the employee must be enrolled in a participating health plan through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. The enrollment window for eligible employees will be the Federal Benefits Open Season, which runs this year Nov. 11 through Dec. 9. Federal Benefits Open Season allows federal civilians to enroll in or change health care options.
The services provided under this pilot will begin Jan. 1, 2025, when participants can use the services and access support through a call center. The call center will be open 24/7 and staffed with bilingual service representatives who will assist callers with identifying their needs, make appointments with provider offices, and issue payment guarantees up front. Dependents are not eligible for services during the pilot, which runs through Sept. 29, 2025.
Employees working in Japan with the following military departments, defense agencies and DoD field activities are eligible for this supplemental coverage:
“We are excited to offer this program,” said Seileen Mullen, who is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. “This is a no-cost supplemental service, and we encourage civilian employees in Japan to use it.”
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs will oversee the pilot program and has awarded a $4.2 million contract to International SOS Government Services Inc., which is also the prime contractor for the TRICARE Overseas Program. The contract for this pilot is being funded by the military departments, defense agencies and DoD field activities that have civilian employees working in Japan.
Active-duty service members and TRICARE Prime beneficiaries have prioritized access to health care in military hospitals and clinics based on current federal law and DoD policy. DoD civilians who are not TRICARE beneficiaries may use military health facilities on a space-available basis.
Agreements with FEHB insurance carriers who currently provide coverage for DoD civilian employees in Japan will be established to provide direct billing agreements. Non-appropriated Fund (NAF) employees are eligible for this program if enrolled in an Aetna International plan.
Additional details dedicated to this pilot program will be announced before Federal Benefits Open Season begins. This information will also be posted to web sites for military hospitals and clinics in Japan in their “Getting Care” section.
Source: United States Navy
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Admiral Caudle. Thank you everyone. Thank you so much for such an incredible welcome. And let me just echo what Admiral Caudle just said. Happy birthday, Navy.
Honorable Kiggans, Mary Dyer, Mayor Alexander Admiral Caudle, lieutenant general Shea, flag general, officers Senior enlisted leaders, distinguished guests, industry partners, allies and partners. All of our active and reserve sailors, Navy civilians, and all of our families that are here. It is truly an honor for me to be here with you tonight and celebrate the Navy’s 249th birthday, 249 years.
As you saw in the video, Warfighting Strength and Readiness. I do want to start tonight by also echoing a few thank yous. So let me say first, thank you to the Sea Cadets who are our color guard our tonight. You are the future of our Navy. Great to see you all. And I also want to say thank you to the Fleet Forces Command Band.
I hope you’re getting a chance to eat now, because we know we’re looking forward to that great concert later on tonight. So how about fleet forces command band.
And also to echo Admiral Caudle to Lou and Mary Ellen and many of our teammates here from the Navy League and all the sponsors, but to the Navy League in particular. Thank you for putting together another spectacular birthday celebration. And thank you for your continued support, commitment and advocacy for our sailors and our Navy families every day, not just on our birthday.
How about a big round of applause for the Navy League and everything you all do, Thank you.
Of course, the most special guests here tonight are all of our sailors, our Marines, our midshipmen, our Navy, civilians, and other teammates. Thank you for answering our nation’s call to service. Every single one of you has a choice in what you decide to do in your life. And you all have chosen to serve something greater than yourself. And I am grateful for each and every one of you.
And to all of our families and our big support networks out there, whether you’re here tonight or you’re at home. I also want to extend my thanks to you. Thank you for your own service and your sacrifice. Those of us in the uniform, we cannot do what we do every day without your encouragement, without your love, and without your incredible support.
So how about a big round of applause for all our families out there tonight.
Ladies and gentlemen, the birth of our navy came nearly a year before our nation’s independence. And on October 13th, 1775. In the early months of the Revolutionary War, our navy embarked on what would eventually become an congressionally mandated mission to man, train, and equip our forces for prompt and sustained combat incident to operations at sea. With a fleet of just two armed vessels and 80 sailors each.
Our Navy moved forward with a strong sense of purpose and urgency, protecting American trade, seizing enemy supplies, and attacking British vessels at sea. Equally inexperienced, but driven by their patriotism, these bold and courageous sailors delivered our nation its very first dose of warfighting advantage. Effectively cutting the redcoats off from their supply lines at sea and challenging the British fleet’s superiority, our newly established Continental Navy found immediate success.
And from that point on, there was no turning back. The great American experiment was truly underway, and with it, the legacy of America’s warfighting Navy over the many centuries, battles, and wars since then, our Navy sailors have continued to deliver warfighting advantage, operating far forward and always ready. As you saw in the video and you’ve lived it yourselves.
To preserve the peace, respond in crisis, and win decisively in war when called. They did it in the Great War when our convoys of battleships, submarines and auxiliaries crossed the U-boat infested waters of the Atlantic, escorting soldiers and supplies to the Western Front, they did it during World War Two, when our massive fleet of aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers and submarines delivered decisive combat power in consequential campaigns like the Battle of Midway, Operation Overlord, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
And they did it again in the Cold War, when our team of sailors, civilians and industry partners created the most lethal and combat credible force the world had ever seen. When you fast forward to today. This year has been no different. We have continued that great legacy of our Navy and demonstrated another year of warfighting strength and readiness, as you’ve all seen, and maybe you’ve been there.
Our Navy and Marine Corps team is in high demand in the Middle East under Operation Prosperity Guardian. Our sailors worked tirelessly with over 20 nations to save lives, to defend the rules based international order and ensure the free flow of commerce, knocking down hundreds of missiles and drones at a level of intensity not seen since World War two.
So tonight I’d like to recognize a few groups, and you’ll see there’s a lot of thanks in here and a lot of applause in here, but we can’t say thank you enough. So I want to recognize our sailors and our teammates here tonight. Both those who deployed all around the world this year, as well as those who got them ready for that deployment and supported them from here ashore.
So there were many commands that deployed. I’ll just name a few. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, Carrier Air Wing three and its nine squadrons, the Philippine Sea. You can clap if you’re from there. The Destroyer Squadron 22, USS Gravely Mason, Laboon, Carney, the Florida, military Sealift Command, the supply of the Kanawa and the Alan Shepard who delivered munitions, supplies and goods to sustain our people in our fleet and many other forces.
So if you deployed in the past year, you are year 249 leading up to year 250. Stand up so we can give you a round of applause for your warfighting prowess. Thank you.
But there’s also that second group, those commands that we don’t always ask to stand up. They play an incredibly important role ashore, preparing our fleet to deploy and supporting them while they are deployed, like afloat training group Atlantic, Carrier Strike Group four. You can clap if you’re from their Nordic Semitic, the regional maintenance center. All of our fleet readiness centers and all of our medical folks that got our people, ready and out the door.
Your efforts ensured the readiness of our fighting forces. And let me tell you, their successes would not happen without you. So if you had a hand in making these deployments so successful, please stand up so we can thank you.
The story of these sailors, civilians and teammates that we just talked about over the last year and we saw in the video really the story of all the war fighters here tonight. Those are just a small sampling of the many stories that are being told all across America’s war fighting Navy and it’s a Navy that works around the globe and around the clock.
And as we celebrate tonight, thousands more of our sailors and Marines continue to operate far forward, at risk and in challenging environments all around the world, from the eastern Mediterranean to the Red sea to the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean everywhere in between. Our team is standing the watch in every domain on, under and above the sea. So let’s all send a quick thought to them.
A thought of thanks to all the sailors and Marines for standing the watch and keeping us safe so we can enjoy this wonderful evening together. I could not be more proud of this amazing Navy team, active, reserve sailors, our civilians, our families. There is no other Navy in the world, no other joint force in the world who can train, deploy and sustain such a lethal combat.
Credible force at the pace, scale and tempo that we do. So that’s why I’m so happy to be back here in Norfolk to celebrate our Navy’s birthday with all of you, with the fleet, with the warfighting fleet who have been operating far forward at that point of friction with our adversaries and at the point of friendship with our allies and partners in every corner of the globe.
You are America’s warfighting Navy in action. And as we look to the future and to the decisive decade ahead, I am confident that our team will continue to serve with honor, courage and commitment. Building on the proud legacy of our heroic sailors and working tirelessly to raise our baseline level of readiness for potential conflict anytime and anywhere. Tonight, like every night for the last 249 years, our Navy is standing the watch deterring aggression, defending our nation’s security and preserving our way of life.
And this year, like every year in our storied history, we celebrate the birth of our service and take pride in being part of the world’s preeminent fighting force. So as we gather tonight in the company of family and friends sharing a bunch of sea stories and lots of memories from our time in the fleet. Let us also remember that we are here to honor all of our sailors past, present, and future who answer our nation’s call to serve a cause greater than themselves.
To wear the uniform that symbolizes freedom all around the world, and to ensure that America remains that beacon of freedom and democracy for all to see. We will continue to build on their contributions and share the story of our Navy. The story of 249 years about warfighting strength and readiness. So let me again wrap up by saying thank you.
Thank you for what you do. Thank you for your support, your service and your sacrifice. Each of you plays a vital role in our Navy and what you do every single day matters to our Navy and to our nation. As your 33rd CNO, I could not be more proud to serve alongside you. And as we head into our 250th birthday next year, I can’t wait to see what this year brings.
Thank you very much. Have a wonderful evening. Get to that rock concert. I’m excited about that. And all ahead, flank. Thank you very much.
Source: US Department of Labor
Employer: La Flor de Mexico Inc.
Investigation site: 5121 Commerce Drive
Baldwin Park, CA 91706
Investigation findings: A U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation found the wholesale tortilla manufacturer in Los Angeles County failed to pay minimum wage to 72 employees for all hours worked and overtime premium rates for hours over 40 in a workweek, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Investigators also discovered a joint employment relationship between La Flor de Mexico and Employee Force Provider, a staffing agency the manufacturer used to hire most of its workers and co–manage the day-to-day operation of the tortilla manufacturing business.
Wages, Damages Recovered: $66,253 in back wages for 72 workers
$66,253 in liquidated damages for 72 workers
Quote: “The U.S. Department of Labor will always be vigilant to ensure all employers comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act,” said Wage and Hour Division Assistant District Director Skarleth Kozlo in West Covina, California. “Workers must be paid correctly and on time for their work.”
Background: The Wage and Hour Division learned about this case thanks to a news segment by television reporter Cecilia Bográn that aired at Univision Los Angeles on May 20, 2024. La Flor de Mexico Inc. is a manufacturer and supplier of wheat, corn, oat and multigrain tortillas, as well as lavash and flatbread.
Workers can use the division’s Workers Owed Wages search tool to see if they are owed back wages collected by the division. Employers and workers can contact the Wage and Hour Division for assistance at its toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE. Workers and employers alike can help ensure hours worked and pay are accurate by downloading the department’s Android and iOS Timesheet App for free in English or Spanish.
This news release is also available in Spanish.
Source: US Department of Labor
ROME, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced Ball Container LLC, a subsidiary of Ball Corp., has entered into a conciliation agreement in which the employer will pay $309,000 in back wages and interest to resolve alleged race-based hiring discrimination at the company’s beverage manufacturing facility in Rome.
A routine compliance review by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs found that, from Feb. 1, 2020, through Jan. 31, 2021, the employer discriminated against 192 Black applicants for production technician positions at the facility. The agency determined Ball Container’s actions violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
In addition to paying back wages and interest, Ball Container agreed to provide four job offers to eligible class members when positions become available, review and revise its hiring process and provide training to all managers, supervisors and other company officials involved in the hiring process.
“Discrimination is preventable when employers have nondiscriminatory hiring procedures in place and see to it that they are followed,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Acting Director Michele Hodge. “OFCCP will use every action available by law to ensure workers and job seekers are treated fairly, and that everyone has access to good paying jobs.”
“Federal contractors that fail to give equal consideration to all applicants – regardless of gender, race or ethnicity – violate the law,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Acting Southeast Regional Director Diana Sen in Atlanta. “There is no gray area for federal contractors, as regulations require them to ensure equal opportunity for all workers and compliance with federal employment laws.”
Headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, Ball Corp. is a federal contractor that supplies aluminum packaging for beverage, personal care and household products, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Since 2020, Ball Corp. has received more than $1.1 billion in contracts with the Department of the Air Force, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Space Development Agency.
OFCCP launched the Class Member Locator to identify applicants or workers who may be entitled to monetary relief and/or consideration for job placement as a result of OFCCP’s compliance evaluations and complaint investigations. If you think you may be a class member, someone who applied for a production technician position with Ball Container LLC at its Rome facility during the investigative period, please use OFCCP’s Class Member Locator to learn more about this and other settlements.
In addition to Executive Order 11246, OFCCP enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. Together, these laws prohibit employment discrimination.
Learn more about OFCCP.
Source: USAID
One year ago today, Hamas orchestrated a brutal terrorist attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, many of whom are still held by Hamas or unaccounted for to this day. Forever seared into our collective consciousness are the memories of young people at a concert running for their lives, seniors and young children huddling in terror in their homes, and the searing sounds of the victims’ final words to their loved ones. We mourn all those that were murdered that day and grieve with all those who have suffered since.
In February, I visited Kibbutz Be’eri, situated on the Gaza periphery, where nearly 100 people were murdered and nearly 30 taken hostage. I saw the horrors that were perpetrated when terrorists attacked a peaceful community and murdered and kidnapped innocent people en masse. I spoke with a father who, in the hours after the attack, attempted to get his children to safety – covering their eyes as they ran so they wouldn’t have to see the carnage around them. He showed me the place where his kids’ grandfather and grandmother were executed at point blank range. We must not forget the lives lost, the families broken, and those who have endured 365 excruciating days of waiting for word of their stolen loved ones.
And in the year since, the human cost of the war that began due to the attacks on October 7 has been unimaginable. Across the region, innocent men, women, and children who wanted nothing more than to live in peace and safety have been killed. We mourn all those who have lost their lives in Israel, the West Bank, and Lebanon, and the tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians killed in Gaza – including more than 11,000 children. When I spoke with Palestinians during a visit to the West Bank earlier this year, one man told me that a single Israeli airstrike killed 16 of his grandchildren. So many in Gaza are hungry, sick, and cold – displaced from their homes, and approaching winter with little to no shelter.
Across our own USAID community, staff have been deeply impacted by the carnage and trauma of October 7 and the past year of war and humanitarian crisis – including by the horrific deaths and serious injuries of family and friends in Israel, Gaza, and Lebanon. In Gaza, USAID-funded local implementing partner staff and volunteers have been among those who have been injured and killed during Israeli military operations.
Looking back over the last year, nothing will bring back those who have died, and nothing can undo the agony people have been living through. Looking forward, all those involved in this conflict must do more to prevent further suffering. The U.S has been the single largest provider of aid to the Palestinian people since October 7, and we continue our relentless push for an enduring ceasefire that will bring home the hostages and end the war in Gaza, as well as our humanitarian efforts and support for diplomacy to provide much-needed relief to people across the region.
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3
research news
UB PhD student Karla Ríos-Bonilla (left) and Diana Aga, director of the UB RENEW Institute, are authors on a study that assessed the mixture toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
By TOM DINKI
Published October 4, 2024
A first-of-its-kind study has measured the toxicity of several types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), better known as “forever chemicals,” when mixed together in the environment and in the human body.
The good news: Most of the tested chemicals’ individual cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity levels were relatively low.
The bad news: The chemicals acted together to make the entire mixture toxic.
“Though they are structurally similar, not all forever chemicals are made equal — some are more potent, others less. When mixed, all components contributed to the mixture’s cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity,” says the study’s first-author, Karla Ríos-Bonilla, a UB chemistry PhD student.
“In the laboratory assays we used in this study, most of the types of PFAS that we tested did not appear to be very toxic when measured individually. However, when you measure an entire sample with multiple PFAS, you see the toxicity,” adds study co-author Diana Aga, SUNY Distinguished Professor, director of the RENEW Institute and Henry M. Woodburn Chair in the Department of Chemistry.
This research was conducted in collaboration with Beate Escher of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Germany, where Ríos-Bonilla did the in vitro toxicity experiments in the high-throughput screening facility CITEPro. It was published Sept. 11 in Environmental Science and Technology, a journal of the American Chemical Society.
The study is novel in that it assesses mixture toxicity of PFAS. These synthetic compounds have been widely used in consumer products — from nonstick pans to makeup — for decades, and they can take hundreds to thousands of years to break down, if ever. They are estimated to be in at least 45% of the nation’s drinking water and in the blood of practically every American, and they have been linked to cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Earlier this year, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the first-ever drinking water standards for six kinds of PFAS. However, it is estimated that there are over 15,000 varieties present in the environment. Only a handful of these chemicals have standards and are regulated.
“There are six PFAS that can be regulated because we know a lot about them and their toxicity. Unfortunately, we cannot regulate other forms of PFAS until their toxicities are known,” says Aga, who is principal investigator of the EPA STAR grant that funded the research. “We need to set maximum contamination levels for each PFAS that is proportional to their toxicity. To regulate contaminants, it is crucial to know their relative potencies when they occur as mixtures in the environment, along with their predicted environmental concentrations.”
Other co-authors from UB are G. Ekin Atilla-Gokcumen, Dr. Marjorie E. Winkler Distinguished Professor and associate chair of the Department of Chemistry, and Judith Cristobal, senior research scientist.
Ríos-Bonilla is also supported by a graduate fellowship from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
To conduct the study, researchers created their own PFAS mixtures, one that is representative of an average American’s blood serum, and the other of surface water samples found in the U.S. Ríos-Bonilla used data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from the U.S. Geological Survey to determine the average concentration ratios of PFAS in human blood and in surface water, respectively.
They then tested these mixtures’ effects on two cell lines: one that tests for mitochondrial toxicity and oxidative stress, and the other for neurotoxicity.
Of the 12 PFAS spiked in the water mixture, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — commonly used in nonstick pans and firefighting foam — was the most cytotoxic, making up to 42% of the mixture’s cytotoxicity.
On the other hand, both PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) contributed roughly the same cytotoxicity (25%) to the neurotoxicity assay, despite both contributing only 10 and 15% to the mixture in terms of concentration, respectively.
The blood mixture had four PFAS present, but PFOA again was the most cytotoxic to both cell lines. Despite its molar contribution being only 29%, PFOA triggered 68% of the cytotoxicity in the cytotoxicity assay, and 38% in the neurotoxicity assay.
Interestingly, when researchers analyzed the toxicity of the extracts from real biosolid samples collected from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, very high toxicities were observed, despite the measured low concentrations of PFOA and other PFAS in the sample.
“This means that there are many more PFAS and other chemicals in the biosolids, which have not been identified, that contribute to the toxicity of the extracts observed,” Aga says.
One of researchers’ goals was to determine if PFAS acts synergistically. This is when two or more chemicals’ combined effect is greater than the sum effect of the individual chemicals. However, their findings indicate that the effect of PFAS is concentration-additive: meaning that an established mixture toxicity prediction model can be used to predict the combined effect of mixtures.
“As up to 12 PFAS in the mixtures acted concentration-additive for cytotoxicity and specific neurotoxicity, it is likely that the thousands of other PFAS that are in commerce and use are also acting in the same manner,” Escher says. “Mixtures pose more of a risk than individual PFAS. As they act and occur in mixtures, they ought to be regulated as mixtures.”
Researchers say the results of this study will also be very useful in assessing effectiveness of remediation efforts. Breaking down PFAS can sometimes create harmful byproducts that cannot be detected by chemical analysis, so measuring the toxicity of a sample after treatment may be the only way to judge whether a remediation technology is effective.
“Toxicity assays can be a complimentary tool when analytical chemistry doesn’t give you all the answers, especially when the identities of contaminants in the mixture are unknown, which is the case in many polluted sites,” Aga says.
Source: NASA
Whether protecting crops from diseases and pests or sanitizing contaminated surfaces, the ability to spray protective chemicals over important resources is key to several industries. Electrostatic Spraying Systems Inc. (ESS) of Watkinsville, Georgia, manufactures electrostatic sprayers and equipment that make this possible. By licensing NASA electrostatic technology, originally made to water plants in space, ESS’s improved spray nozzles efficiently use basic laws of electricity to achieve complete coverage on targeted surfaces.
ESS traces its origins to research done at the University of Georgia in the 1970s and ’80s. An electrostatic sprayer works by inducing an electric charge onto atomized droplets. Much like an inflated balloon sticking to a wall when it’s gained a charge of static electricity, the droplets then stick to targeted surfaces.
NASA’s interest in this technology originated with astronauts’ need for an easy way to support plant-growth experiments in space. On the International Space Station, watering plants without the help of gravity isn’t as easy as using a garden hose on Earth. In the future, using a system like an electrostatic sprayer on the space station or other orbiting destination could help the water droplets stick to the plants with uniform coverage. However, most spraying systems require large sources of water and air to properly aerosolize fluids.
As both air and water are precious resources in space, NASA needed an easier way to make these incredibly small droplets. Charles Buhler and Jerry Wang of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida led the efforts to develop this capability, with Edward Law of the University of Georgia as a consulting expert. Eventually, the NASA team developed a new design by learning from existing technology called a mister nozzle. The benefit of a mister is that even though the interior volume of the nozzle is small, the pressure inside never builds up, which makes it perfect for enclosed small spaces like the space station.
As the sprayer industry is a tight-knit group, technology transfer professionals at NASA reached out to the companies that could use a nozzle like this on Earth. Electrostatic Spraying Systems responded and later licensed the sprayer design from the agency and incorporated it into the company’s Maxcharge product lines.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Join us for an inspiring afternoon with Ginger Miller, a formerly homeless, service-disabled Navy Veteran and White House Champion of Change for Women Veterans. As President and CEO of the Women Veterans Interactive Foundation, Inc., and CWV 2019 Trailblazer, Ginger will share her powerful journey through breast cancer treatment at the VA. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear her incredible story of resilience and advocacy.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
The Biden-Harris Administration continues to help the communities affected by Hurricane Helene, delivering swift emergency relief to restore damaged roads and bridges. More support is on the way as we assist in rebuilding and recovery efforts.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Join us for an inspiring afternoon with Ginger Miller, a formerly homeless, service-disabled Navy Veteran and White House Champion of Change for Women Veterans. As President and CEO of the Women Veterans Interactive Foundation, Inc., and CWV 2019 Trailblazer, Ginger will share her powerful journey through breast cancer treatment at the VA. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear her incredible story of resilience and advocacy.
Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)
Thousands of active duty troops have joined National Guard across the southeast and Appalachia in response to Hurricane Helene – and our Administration will be with the survivors and communities every step of the way.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel:
“I join Arkansans in commemorating the thousands of Israelis and Americans who were attacked, brutalized, kidnapped, and murdered one year ago today by Hamas. Over the last year, Iran’s terror network has waged war on Israel and besieged our own soldiers and sailors, leading to the death of American troops. The United States has a simple strategic and moral imperative, which is also the best way to rescue the hostages and honor the memory of the lost: back Israel to the hilt and let Israel win.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and all 46 of their Senate Republican colleagues marking the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks that killed dozens of Americans. The senators will introduce a resolution fully condemning Iran-backed Hamas for its actions, supporting the forever survival of Israel and calling for the safe release of American hostages.
The entire Senate Republican Conference stands united in opposing violent antisemitic protests and Iran-backed Hamas’ use of rape as a weapon of war. They also reiterate Israel’s right to defend itself and emphasize the importance of denying Hamas the ability to reconstitute in the region to ensure the horrific events of that day are never repeated.
“Hamas’ brutal attack on innocent victims will never be forgotten. As families still wait to be reunited with loved ones captured one year ago, our resolve is unwavering to bring these hostages home. The United States stands with Israel, one of our closest friends and allies, as it continues to defend itself and its people. I remain committed to supporting our partner in its fight against Iran-backed terrorists,” Boozman said.
“This time last year, I woke up in the Middle East to the unbearable news that Israel was under attack by Iran-backed terrorists and Americans were being killed and taken hostage,” said Ernst. “I immediately traveled into Israel to show that our nation’s friendship is unwavering, in good times and bad. Regardless of whether I have been in Jerusalem, Washington, or Iowa, I have worked around the clock to hold the White House accountable to its ‘ironclad’ commitment, bring our hostages home, and cut off the source of terrorism in Tehran. One year since that day, as Israel remains under attack on all fronts, Senate Republicans stand united with our greatest ally in the Middle East.”
Click here to view the resolution.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined all of her Senate Republican colleagues—led by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-W.Va.)—in a resolution marking one year since the October 7 terrorist attacks that killed dozens of Americans in Israel, fully condemning Iran-backed Hamas terrorists for their actions, supporting the survival of Israel, and calling for the safe release of American hostages.
Senate Republicans stand united in opposing violent antisemitic protests and Hamas’s use of rape as a weapon of war. The senators also reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself and emphasized the importance of denying Hamas the ability to reconstitute in the region to ensure the horrific events of October 7, 2023 are never repeated.
“One year ago today, Israel was brutally and indiscriminately attacked by Hamas terrorists in an act of sheer evil that resulted in more than one thousand innocent people viciously murdered by terrorists. I am particularly sickened by Hamas’s use of sexual violence on this dark day, an inexcusable and disgusting war crime that must be universally condemned and never again used as a weapon of war. One year after these terrorist attacks and more recent attacks against the Israeli state, I unequivocally stand with the Jewish people, including our communities in West Virginia,” Senator Capito said.
Full text of the resolution can be found here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced they secured significant federal funding for Rochester International Airport for infrastructure improvements. The grant provides $15,774,313 to construct 1,647 feet of Runway 31’s safety area, reconstruct 6,450 feet of existing Runway 3/21, construct 2.5 miles of new service road, install 15,000 feet of wildlife perimeter fencing, and extend Runway 3/21 an additional 1,647 feet in length to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.
“Rochester International Airport is an essential link for residents and businesses in Olmsted County and beyond,” said Klobuchar. “This federal grant will make needed infrastructure updates to ensure the airport can continue serving travelers for years to come.”
“I’m glad to see the Biden-Harris administration once again delivering for travelers in Minnesota and around the country,” said Smith. “Small and regional airports like the Rochester International Airport are vital parts of their communities and this funding will go directly towards constructing runways and services to ensure it is safe and functional for travelers.”
This funding is from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides federal grants for airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, signage, lighting, and markings.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
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**Click here or the image above to watch Senator Capito’s video.**
***Click here to download Senator Capito’s video.***
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today shared a video statement marking the one-year anniversary of the brutal attacks in Israel that killed more than one thousand innocent civilians, including American citizens.
Additionally, this month, Senator Capito joined a resolution—led by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)—condemning this attack one year later.
Full video transcript included below:
“One year ago today, Israel was brutally and indiscriminately attacked by Hamas terrorists in an act of sheer evil.
“On what Israelis will forever remember as ‘Black Saturday,’ more than one thousand innocent people in Israel were viciously murdered by terrorists.
“We watched in horror as Hamas and other terror groups took women, children, and elderly Israelis as hostages, many of them gravely wounded.
“Some of these hostages were survivors of the Holocaust.
“I am particularly sickened by Hamas’s use of sexual violence on this dark day, an inexcusable and disgusting war crime that must be universally condemned and never again used as a weapon of war.
“As we mark the one-year anniversary of October the 7th, the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, I unequivocally stand with Israel and with the Jewish people, including our communities in West Virginia.”
Source: Government of Canada News
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal today initiated an expiry review of its order made on October 31, 2019, in expiry review RR-2018-007, to determine if the expiry of the order is likely to lead to continued or resumed dumping of hot-rolled carbon steel plate and high-strength low-alloy steel plate from the Republic of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Romania and is likely to result in injury to the domestic industry.
Ottawa, Ontario, October 7, 2024—The Canadian International Trade Tribunal today initiated an expiry review of its order made on October 31, 2019, in expiry review RR-2018-007, to determine if the expiry of the order is likely to lead to continued or resumed dumping of hot-rolled carbon steel plate and high-strength low-alloy steel plate from the Republic of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Romania and is likely to result in injury to the domestic industry.
No later than March 6, 2025, the Canada Border Services Agency will determine if there is a likelihood of resumed or continued dumping. In the event of a positive determination, the Tribunal will determine, no later than August 13, 2025, whether the continued or resumed dumping is likely to result in injury to the domestic industry.
The Tribunal is an independent quasi-judicial body that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Finance. It hears cases on dumped and subsidized imports, safeguard complaints, complaints about federal government procurement and appeals of customs and excise tax rulings. When requested by the federal government, the Tribunal also provides advice on other economic, trade and tariff matters.
Any interested person, association or government that wishes to participate in the Tribunal’s expiry review may do so by filing Form I—Notice of Participation.
Source: Government of Canada News (2)
On October 4, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of the staff, contraband and unauthorized items were seized at the Federal Training Centre, a multi-level security federal institution.
October 7, 2024 – Laval, Quebec – Correctional Service Canada
On October 4, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of the staff, contraband and unauthorized items were seized at the Federal Training Centre, a multi-level security federal institution.
The contraband and unauthorized items seized included hashish. The total estimated institutional value of the seizure is $64,031.
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) uses a number of tools to prevent drugs from entering its institutions. These tools include ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates, and visitors.
CSC is heightening measures to prevent contraband from entering its institutions in order to help ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone. CSC also works in partnership with the police to take action against those who attempt to introduce contraband into correctional institutions.
CSC has also set up a telephone tip line for all federal institutions so that it may receive additional information about activities relating to security at CSC institutions. These activities may be related to drug use or trafficking that may threaten the safety and security of visitors, inmates, and staff members working at CSC institutions.
The toll-free number, 1‑866‑780‑3784, helps ensure that the information shared is protected and that callers remain anonymous.
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Source: US State of Connecticut
The MSA program is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, a significant milestone for the trailblazing program that consistently ranks among the best in the nation.
“I wish I could take the spirit, the energy, and the interaction that occurs in this program, bottle it and present it to potential students,’’ said accounting professor Steve Pedneault, who owns a forensic accounting firm and has been teaching in the program since 2007. “If they knew how special it is here, they would all come to UConn.’’
He said he speaks with colleagues and students around the country, who confirm that UConn MSA is unique.
“First, our professors are experts in the field. You’re learning forensic accounting from an expert, you’re learning tax law from people who worked at the IRS,’’ he said.
“What we also do better than anyone else is our level of interaction with students,’’ he said. “When I started here, the leadership made it clear if you’re not going to have a high level of interaction with students, you’re not going to be here long!’’
To honor its history and achievement, the MSA program is having a 25th anniversary dinner Oct. 17. Faculty, alumni, students, and business partners are welcome to attend.
“We are very excited to be hosting this event and to recognize the MSA program for how groundbreaking it was,’’ said Professor George Plesko, head of the accounting department. “We’re proud that we have maintained the program’s excellence, despite the increased competition, and regularly receive national recognition among the best online programs in the country. There are many people who have contributed to that success and I am grateful for them all.’’
The MSA program began in-person in 1999 and quickly converted to an online format, an approach to education that was almost unheard of then. In the last decade, U.S. News has consistently ranked the program among the Top 10 in the nation.
Professor Irene Louth ’02, ’03 MSA is the Chief Tax Officer and Vice President of Taxation at Atlas Air and a two-time UConn alumna. She holds the accounting program in the highest regard.
“UConn is a world-class institution, and it was a privilege to be part of the UConn Accounting community,’’ she said. “My accounting degrees opened doors for me, and I had many companies competing for my skills. Because of my education at UConn, I passed my CPA exam on the first try with one of the top scores in the state. My UConn experience was excellent and allowed me to step into the world of accounting.’’
When she was approached about an opportunity to teach in the program two years ago, she didn’t hesitate. She said it was an honor to apply her knowledge and experience and nurture the next generation of professionals.
“The MSA program instills a great sense of readiness for the learners,’’ she said. “UConn prepares you for what comes next, whether it’s the CPA exam or life as a young professional.’’
Alumna Christine D. Gagnon ’02, ’03 MSA , ‘08 MBA is Chief Financial Officer of Roha Group, a New York-based private equity firm, and CEO of Odin Frigg, a boutique agency and advisory services firm. She said that one of the most memorable aspects of the MSA program is the quality and engagement of the faculty.
“The faculty were very caring and invested,’’ she said. “My fellow students were all of a solid caliber and were striving for high performance as they prepared to enter the professional workforce. Having a peer group of the highest quality was helpful. I’m still in touch with many of my classmates today.’’
She also appreciated the convenience and flexibility that allowed her to work in the profession, with all the seasonal and client-related demands, while completing her MSA.
“The Big Four were well connected within the department,’’ she said. “From the university to the profession, everything was well aligned and very relevant. In addition, the program was practical; I could immediately apply the lessons I’d learned.’’
Louth said she thinks more milestones are on the horizon for the MSA program. “I wish the UConn MSA program another 25-, 75- and 125-year anniversary with quality candidates, faculty, and staff,’’ she said. “I’m biased but I think there is no accounting program that’s better.’’
The MSA 25th anniversary celebration on Oct. 17 is open to alumni and current students. Tickets are $25 per person. The event begins at 5:45 and runs until 9 p.m. at the Alumni Center in Storrs. To register, please visit: https://msaccounting.uconn.edu/anniversary/. For more information, please contact Erika Durning at Erika.Durning@uconn.edu.
Source: Government of Canada News (2)
Today, the CRTC is taking action to help make cellphone use more affordable when Canadians travel internationally and within Canada.
October 7, 2024 – Ottawa-Gatineau – Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
Today, the CRTC is taking action to help make cellphone use more affordable when Canadians travel internationally and within Canada.
When it comes to international travel, the CRTC has heard that Canadians pay too much in roaming fees. The CRTC conducted a review to examine these fees. To inform the review, the CRTC obtained and analyzed confidential information from Canadian cellphone companies. It also considered the findings of a number of studies and reviewed public information on roaming.
The CRTC found that Canadians often end up paying high fees when roaming. Roaming fees for Canadian travelers are often inflexible, causing consumers to pay a flat fee of $10 to $16 per day regardless of how much they use their cellphone. The CRTC’s priority is to ensure that Canadians have the flexibility to choose an affordable plan that best meets their needs.
To address these concerns, the CRTC is calling on large cellphone companies to take immediate action to provide affordable roaming options. Companies must inform the CRTC by November 4, 2024, of the concrete steps they are taking to respond to these concerns. If the CRTC finds that sufficient progress is not made, it will launch a formal public proceeding.
The CRTC is also taking steps to help make it more affordable for Canadians to travel within Canada. Domestic wholesale roaming rates are the fees that cellphone service providers pay when their customers travel outside of the provider’s coverage area. These fees are a key factor that providers use when setting prices for cellphone plans.
Many agreements that set the wholesale roaming rates between cellphone service providers are several years old with rates that do not reflect today’s market. The CRTC is therefore requiring providers to set new rates through timely negotiations with each other. If cellphone providers cannot come to an agreement, the CRTC will set the rates using a process known as final offer arbitration. The CRTC expects this will result in lower prices.
The CRTC will continue to actively monitor roaming rates.
“Canadians need to stay connected when they travel, but often come home to high cellphone bills. The CRTC is taking action to help reduce roaming fees and is ready to launch a formal public proceeding if Canadians’ concerns are not addressed.”
– Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, CRTC
General Inquiries
Telephone: 819-997-0313
Toll free: 1-877-249-CRTC (2782)
TTY: 819-994-0423
Source: New Zealand Government
Investment in Apprenticeship Boost will prioritise critical industries and targeted occupations that are essential to addressing New Zealand’s skills shortages and rebuilding the economy, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston say.
“By focusing Apprenticeship Boost on first-year apprentices in targeted occupations, we are providing employers in critical industries with the certainty to hire and retain first-year apprentices, and confidently hire new ones,” Ms Simmonds says.
“Having the confidence to build and strengthen your team is important, especially when many businesses are doing it tough right now.”
The National-NZ First Coalition Agreement includes a commitment to continue Apprenticeship Boost, with $64 million allocated to initiative in Budget 2024.
“The previous government had set time-limited funding until the end of 2024.
“Our investment in Apprenticeship Boost, reinforces this Government’s commitment to fostering a skilled workforce in sectors that are critical to economic growth. First-year apprentices in key industries and occupations will continue to benefit,” Ms Simmonds says.
From 1 January 2025, Apprenticeship Boost will prioritise key sectors and targeted occupations that are crucial to New Zealand’s growth and sustainability. They are:
The targeted occupations are defined by the New Zealand Standard Classification of Education (NZSCED) code, ensuring that the initiative addresses the most pressing skill gaps and supports the long-term success of the economy.
Employers can continue to claim funding for eligible apprentices under the current settings until 31 December 2024. Employers receiving funding for second-year apprentices will continue to receive $500 monthly payments until the same date.
From 1 January 2025, only employers of first-year apprentices in targeted industry areas will be eligible for the $500 monthly subsidy.
These improvements to Apprenticeship Boost reflect the Government’s commitment to deliver a strong economy and support more New Zealanders into jobs.
“Our economy is stronger when more people are in work,” Ms Upston says.
“Industry training plays an important part in making sure our young people have more opportunities to get ahead through work, but we need to make sure the skills and qualifications they are gaining are also in sync with what our country needs.
“Targeting Apprenticeship Boost makes sense as it will strengthen the long-term success of our key industries as we grow a more skilled workforce.”
The Ministry of Education will review the targeted sectors every two years to ensure the programme continues to address skills shortages and aligns with New Zealand’s evolving economic priorities. The first review is scheduled for July 2027.
Notes to editors:
Find out more information: Apprenticeship Boost – Work and Income
Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency
Headline: Disaster Recovery Centers in Florida Will Close Temporarily for Severe Weather
Disaster Recovery Centers in Florida Will Close Temporarily for Severe Weather
TALLAHASSEE,Fla.–In preparation for anticipated severe weather from Tropical Storm Milton, all Disaster Recovery Centers in Florida will cease operations until further notice at each center’s normal close of business time Monday, Oct. 7.
To locate the nearest Disaster Recovery Center and operating hours, visit FEMA.gov/DRC, use the FEMA mobile app, or text “DRC” and your zip code to the number: 43362.
kirsten.chambers
Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency
Headline: FEMA Administrator to Travel to Florida to Direct FEMA Response and Federal Staging Efforts, Meet with State and Local Officials Ahead of Milton Landfall
FEMA Administrator to Travel to Florida to Direct FEMA Response and Federal Staging Efforts, Meet with State and Local Officials Ahead of Milton Landfall
Evacuation Orders Have Been Issued and Others Are Underway, If Locals Issue Evacuations, Please Listen and Evacuate Now
FEMA Senior Leadership Remain in States Impacted by Helene and Being Sent to Florida to Support Operations
WASHINGTON — Administrator Deanne Criswell continues to lead the federal Helene response and recovery efforts and joined North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Department of Defense Assistant Secretary Rebecca Zimmerman, Dual Status Commander Wes Morrison, and NORTHCOM Commanding General Gregory Guillot for a press conference to provide updates on the storm damage assessments and response efforts in North Carolina. Following the event, Administrator Criswell will travel to Florida where she will meet with state and local officials today and direct federal response efforts, before traveling back to North Carolina. FEMA senior leader and Regional Administrator Willie Nunn, who led Hurricane Sandy response efforts will also travel Florida and remain there throughout the duration of Hurricane Milton. John Brogan, the Federal Coordinating Officer for Milton, and Helene, will remain in Florida.
Today, President Joseph R. Biden approved an Emergency Declaration for Florida, authorizing FEMA to save lives, protect the health and safety of those in the storm’s path. FEMA and its federal partners are leaning forward, pre-positioning resources to support local and state response efforts ahead of Hurricane Milton. This includes pre-staging in Florida and the region including six FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams, five FEMA Urban Search & Rescue teams, three U.S. Coast Guard Swift Water Rescue teams, four HealthCare System Assessment Teams, two U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) temporary power teams, USACE debris experts, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and wastewater experts, 300 ambulances and 30 High Water Vehicles with ladders from the Department of Defense. Additionally, FEMA has two incident staging bases with commodities including food and water. Right now, FEMA currently has 20 million meals and 40 million liters of water in the pipeline to deploy as needed used to address ongoing Helene and Milton response efforts with capacity to expand as needed.
Currently, a total of nearly 900 staff are already supporting recovery efforts based out of the Joint Field Office in Tallahassee and operating across the designated counties for hurricanes Helene, Debby and Idalia. This includes over 440 supporting Hurricane Helene recovery, over 300 supporting Hurricane Debby recovery, and over 100 supporting Hurricane Idalia recovery.
FEMA officials are still actively supporting North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Virginia as they respond to and recover from Hurricane Helene and will not divert personnel or resources from these ongoing responses.
The National Hurricane Center warns there is a risk of life-threating storm surge and damaging winds for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning early Wednesday. Areas of heavy rainfall will affect portions of Florida through today well ahead of Milton. There is also increasing concern for coastal flooding for the southeast South Carolina and Georgia coasts on Thursday.
FEMA understands that people in the path of this storm may still be recovering from hurricanes Helene and Debby and urges everyone to protect themselves and take care of others because time is running out to prepare for the hurricane’s potentially deadly impacts.
Counties issue evacuation orders. If you need to evacuate, please “evacuate out, not up.” People should visit FloridaDisaster.org/Know to determine if they live in an evacuation zone.
Administrator Criswell also directed FEMA’s Deputy Director Erik Hooks to travel to North Carolina today to support response and recovery efforts while she travels to Florida. The Deputy Administrator will travel to South Carolina on Wednesday following his North Carolina visit and meet with tribal nations alongside FEMA’s Tribal Affairs Advocate. At the direction of Administrator Criswell, Deputy Administrator Hooks will also go to Tennessee to help with recovery operations.
People in Milton’s path should take the forecast seriously and finalize preparation and know how they are going to get information and listen to local officials. Download the free FEMA App available in English and Spanish to receive real-time weather alerts and find local emergency shelters in your area. You can find more hurricane preparedness information on Ready.gov and Listo.gov in Spanish language.
Be in the know about your evacuation route. Act now by learning your evacuation routes and identify where you will stay. If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately because your life may be at risk. Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do in case you need to evacuate and that they are familiar with your family’s emergency plan. Learn more about how to evacuate safely on Ready.gov/evacuation and Evacuación | Listo.gov in Spanish language.
alex.fonseca
Source: Australian Ministers for Education
From today, early learning providers can apply for Commonwealth Government funding to deliver early childhood education and care workers a historic 15 per cent pay rise.
To be eligible to receive the Albanese Government’s funding for the wage increase, early childhood education and care services must agree not to increase their fees by more than 4.4 per cent between 8 August 2024 and 7 August 2025.
This is good for early childhood educators and good for families.
There will also be a limit on fee growth in the second year of the wage subsidy. The percentage limit on fee growth that will apply from August 2025 will be determined by a new ECEC cost index being developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
This is an important condition that will keep downward pressure on out-of-pocket costs for families.
Services must also pass on funding in full to employees through increased wages.
The 15 per cent pay rise will be phased in over two years, starting with a 10 per cent increase from December 2024, with a further 5 per cent increase from December 2025.
This means a typical early childhood educator who is paid at the award rate will receive a pay rise of more than $100 per week this year, increasing to more than an additional $150 per week from December 2025.
This significant wage increase is an important next step in the Government’s reforms to the sector, building on the successful Cheaper Child Care policy.
Latest data shows that Cheaper Child Care has seen the average out-of-pocket costs for families decrease by more than 13 per cent from the June quarter 2023 to the June quarter 2024.
The Government’s Cheaper Child Care policy increased the base subsidy rates from July 2023 for all families earning up to $530,000, and set the maximum subsidy to 90 per cent for families earning $80,000 or less.
Thanks to the increased subsidy, a family earning $120,000, with one child in care three days a week, paid around $2,140 less last financial year than they otherwise would have.
The Government is currently considering the Productivity Commission’s report handed down earlier this month.
For further information on the 15 per cent wage increase, grant eligibility and how to apply visit education.gov.au/early-childhood/workforce/wages/how-apply-worker-retention-payment.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“Early educators shape lives and change lives. They deserve more than our thanks – they deserve to be paid fairly.
“Parents want their children to be safe, happy and to have the very best start in life. This funding is about fair pay for the people who make this possible.
“Importantly, we’re making sure that our early educators are getting fair wages without putting cost of living pressure on families.
“This is part of our Government’s agenda to make sure that Australians are making more and keeping more of what they earn, while providing that vital cost of living relief.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:
“The child care debate is over. It’s not babysitting. It’s early education and it’s critical to preparing children for school.
“They lift our kids up and now we are lifting their pay.
“This means wages up for workers and keeping prices down for families.
“A pay rise for every early childhood educator is good for our workforce, good for families and good our economy.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth Anne Aly:
“We’re boosting the wages of early childhood education workers, while relieving cost of living pressures on Australian families.
“Properly valuing the early childhood education and care workforce is crucial to attracting and retaining workers and vital to achieving the quality universal early learning sector Australian families deserve.
“A quality early childhood education sector is necessary to support children’s learning and development as well as workforce participation in the broader economy – particularly for women.
“I urge all eligible early learning services to sign up to this important initiative, so their hardworking staff get the full benefit of this wage increase.”
Source: New Zealand Government
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has announced a funding boost for Palmerston North ED to reduce wait times and improve patient safety and care, as well as new national standards for moving acute patients through hospitals.
“Wait times in emergency departments have deteriorated over the past six years and Palmerston North Hospital, despite the best efforts of management and staff, has some of the longest emergency department wait times in the country,” says Dr Reti.
“That’s why the Government is investing an extra $6 million in a package of initiatives that will provide extra clinical staff, a more efficient process when patients are discharged from hospital, and a more child-friendly experience for children in ED.”
The initiatives funded by this package include:
Dr Reti says that on average, patients are also staying longer at Palmerston North Hospital than any other hospital across the country.
“Patients are often staying longer in hospital than they need to, which reduces the number of beds that can be used for other acute cases and contributes to long waits in ED for patients to be admitted.
“While it’s a long-standing issue in Palmerston North, it’s not unique to this hospital. That’s why Health New Zealand is establishing new, national standards to improve acute patients’ experience in hospitals, from when they present to when they are discharged.”
Health New Zealand’s new Acute Flow Operational Standards will set a baseline for quality care across the country and help clinicians and hospital managers put the right systems and processes in place to manage acute patients.
The standards include:
Dr Reti says these standards will have a positive impact for patients in hospitals across the country and help Health New Zealand improve both ED wait times and wait times for elective surgery by getting the basics right.
“These standards are part of the work needed to make progress on our health targets, so that we don’t have to cancel elective surgeries to accommodate acute cases and make sure patients presenting to EDs can be more efficiently admitted, transferred or discharged.
“If every hospital across the country is getting these basics right, we can make sure patients are moving through the hospital at the right time, with the right support.
“All these initiatives will further our goal of providing timely access to quality healthcare and ensuring New Zealanders get the public services they need.”
Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
The Informal task group on wood removals was established by the Team of Specialists on Forest Products and Wood Energy Statistics. The ad hoc task group held its second meeting on 28 April 2023.
For more information on this meeting, please contact Mr. Daniel Griswold at [email protected]
Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Hosted by the Czech Ministry of Agriculture and the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences of the Czech University of Life Sciences, participants will learn about the latest best practices in forest communication and trends in forestry in Europe. This will include the role of innovative technology in impactful communication, such as artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, virtual reality and 360° videos. There will be an opportunity to put these new tools into practice in the urban parks and gardens of one of Europe’s greenest cities.
There will also be a unique focus on urban forestry with a half-day field trip to visit the City of Prague Forests (LHMP). LHMP manages over 2,900 hectares of forests and meadows in Prague, cares for the city’s parks, gardens, orchards and memorial trees, and manages a rescue station for wildlife.
In addition, participants are invited to submit proposals for 5-minute lightning talks that show examples of impactful communication on forests, trees and wood. The topic this year will be: “Making a change with powerful communication”. Please send proposals and confirm your participation to [email protected].