Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Juan Ciscomani (Arizona)
Tucson, AZ – U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) hosted a Women’s Health Roundtable alongside experts from the University of Arizona, the National Institute of Health (NIH), and Women’s Health Access Matters (WHAM) to discuss the need to advance research initiatives, expand healthcare access, and promote innovation in women’s healthcare.
While at this event, Ciscomani met with Maria Martinez, a two-time survivor of breast cancer who is fighting to expand access to critical care after she was denied an MRI by her insurers. In 2024, Maria Martinez awarded Ciscomani the Breast Cancer Guardian Award. Watch their video together here.
“As your Representative and a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, I am committed to pushing legislation, funding, and other efforts to address the gap in women’s healthcare innovation,” said Ciscomani. “It was an honor to host this roundtable and hear directly from distinguished panelists, experts, and my constituents about the best ways to improve women’s healthcare and support women and families in southern Arizona, and across the nation.”
Background
As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Ciscomani:
Voted to fully fund the National Institutes of Health at $48 billion in Fiscal Year 2025.
Voted to fully fund the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program at $238 million.
Prioritized the critical cancer research efforts at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), proposing $7.9 billion total for NCI, or an increase of $650 million.
Ciscomani co-led H.R.8839, Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act with Rep. Caraveo (CO-08) to address the drastic increases in syphilis cases nationwide, especially in Arizona, and its impacts on maternal and infant health. Directs HHS to issue guidance to states on best practices for screening and treatment of congenital syphilis under Medicaid/CHIP.
Ciscomani co-led the introduction of H.R. 9335, the Maternal and Infant Delivery: Wellness, and Integration with Vital Expertise Support (MIDWIVES) for Servicemembers Act with Rep. Kilmer (WA-06) to expand midwifery care to servicemembers and their families.
Ciscomani cosponsored H.R.4534, the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act introduced by Rep. Boyle (PA-02) to address a leading cause of cancer death in women by assessing the status of existing research and gaps in current lung cancer research in women, as well as identifies new opportunities for research and initiatives.
Ciscomani cosponsored H.R.6749,the Menopause Research and Equity Act of 2023 introduced by Rep. Clarke (NY-09) which directs the NIH to evaluate the results and status of completed and ongoing research related to menopause, perimenopause, or midlife women’s health, and to conduct and support additional research. Specifically, NIH will highlight any gaps in knowledge and what treatments there could be for menopause-related symptoms.
At a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Ciscomani questioned Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra about initiatives to promote and expand access to women’s healthcare.
Ciscomani joined a bipartisan letter to Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) and Ranking Member Richard Neal (MA-01) urging the inclusion of the Child Care Investment Act in the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Geoff Bertram, Visiting Scholar, School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Getty Images
Economists working on macroeconomic policy – things like taxes and spending, interest rates and border controls on flows of trade and money – often refer to a set of key relationships governments can influence. In the textbooks, each of those relationships is drawn as a curve in a graph.
First is the IS (“investment–saving”) curve. This says that if everything else stays the same, the Reserve Bank can increase economic output and employment by lowering the interest rate. Or it can cause a recession by raising the interest rate. (For simplicity’s sake, the curves here are depicted as straight lines.)
Second comes the Phillips Curve, which is usually drawn sloping upwards to suggest that if everything else stays the same, inflation will rise during economic booms and fall in recessions. In other words, the Reserve Bank or the government can apparently bring inflation down by causing a recession.
Third comes the trade balance – the current account of the balance of payments (investment income and traded goods and services between New Zealand and the rest of the world).
If everything else stays the same here, as the exchange rate of the dollar falls, the current account strengthens by moving towards or expanding a surplus. If the exchange rate rises, the current account weakens: exports fall and imports increase.
However, it’s a mistake to suppose each of these relationships will stay where it is while the government and Reserve Bank each tinker with their own policy settings. So, what could go wrong?
The effect of austerity
Start with the IS curve – the way output and employment are affected by interest rates, assuming the government makes no big budgetary changes. But what if the government embarks on an austerity program, slashing its spending and cancelling projects, which shrinks the economy?
At any given interest rate, output and employment will be lower, shifting the whole curve “leftwards” towards lower economic activity (see above).
Even if the Reserve Bank lowers the interest rate, that won’t expand the economy because the government’s fiscal policy is killing off its expansionary effect. The recession created by the austerity program rolls on.
Along the way, it increases costs to government from unemployment, paying other benefits, and lower tax revenue. If the government responds with further austerity, we enter a downward self-reinforcing spiral.
Wages and inflation
Second, take the Phillips Curve and ask what happens if inflation isn’t, in fact, sensitive to how the economy is doing.
In this case, driving the economy into recession has no effect on the inflation rate. When the Reserve Bank changes the interest rate, inflation just stays where it is because the Phillips Curve is flat, not upward-sloping. Reducing inflation requires completely different policy interventions.
Back when the Phillips Curve was invented, it was reasonable to think inflation fell during recessions because workers could get higher wage increases in booms than in slumps.
Bringing on a recession would reduce the bargaining power of workers, result in slower wage growth, and thereby tame inflation (given that wages are an important part of the costs of production).
But workers today have lost the bargaining power they used to have when unions were strong and welfare-state thinking prevailed.
In a paper fellow economist Bill Rosenberg and I published this year, we show the bargaining power of labour was killed off in 1991 by the Employment Contracts Act and has not recovered since. Wages no longer drive inflation in contemporary New Zealand.
Interest rates and inflation
Could the Phillips Curve work because producers of goods and services push up prices and profits faster in booms and cut their margins in recessions?
It’s possible: there’s plenty of evidence of big companies using their market power to price-gouge consumers. But it’s not clear this exercise of market power is greater in booms and lesser in slumps.
In fact, the opposite could be true. Small businesses are most likely to be driven out of the market in recessions, leaving big companies with increased market share and less competitive pressure on their margins.
Forces both locally and in international markets have clearly been pushing the Phillips Curve down, producing lower inflation. Local forces include the current government’s abrupt cancellation of major construction activities, dismissal of public servants, the constant negative messaging on the state of the economy, and rising outward migration as a consequence of all these.
International markets, including falling prices for imports such as oil, have also clearly been pushing the Phillips Curve down. While the Reserve Bank will claim credit, it’s not at all clear the bank’s interest rate policy has made that much difference.
Finally, what about the international balance of payments? One thing the Reserve Bank can do by changing the interest rate is change the exchange rate between the New Zealand dollar and other currencies.
If New Zealand’s interest rates increase relative to elsewhere in the world, short-term money flows in to take advantage of the higher rates. This raises the exchange rate, and in turn weakens the external balance by cutting the return on exports and increasing the volume of cheaper imports.
Producers of goods and services that face international competition are squeezed. Meanwhile, what used to be called the “sheltered” or “non-tradeable” industries – including the big banks, insurance companies, electricity suppliers, supermarkets, consultancies – are unscathed.
Deeper recession
The Reserve Bank may not have much effect on inflation, but it can certainly affect the structure of the economy. Using the interest rate as the weapon against inflation squeezes manufacturers, tourism and farmers, but leaves non-tradables largely untouched.
Right now in New Zealand, the IS curve is remorselessly shifting left as the economy plunges into a deeper recession exacerbated by government austerity – an ideologically driven quest for instant fiscal surpluses, low public debt and a shrinking public sector relative to GDP.
Falling interest rates will struggle to make expansionary headway against that austerity.
Meanwhile, corporate profiteering and rising government charges continue to put upward pressure on the Phillips Curve, and the balance of payments is weakening. This means the country as a whole is piling up increasing debts to the rest of the world (largely through the Australian-owned banks).
The question is, does the current government understand where its policies are taking us?
Geoff Bertram does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A perspective piece published in PLOS Medicine looks at ultra-processed foods and public health warnings.
Dr Ian Johnson, Nutrition researcher and Emeritus Fellow, Quadram Institute, said:
“The term “ultra-processed food” (UPF) encompasses a very broad and poorly defined category of manufactured food products ranging, for example, from canned soft drinks to highly processed breakfast cereals, cakes, and commercially prepared ready meals. In recent years, many epidemiological studies conducted across the industrialised world have shown associations between high consumption of UPF and various adverse health outcomes, but the associations, though statistically significant, are often not particularly strong. The broad and imprecise definition of UPF, coupled with the limitations of observational research, have so far made it extremely difficult to identify causal mechanisms associated with particular foods. Having considered the current state of knowledge, which is based largely on observational studies, the authors of this timely and thoughtful opinion piece are right to draw attention to the current dearth of definitive mechanistic research on this topic, and to emphasise the difficulties and possible adverse consequences of issuing blanket advice to consumers to avoid such a wide range of foods.”
Dr Hilda Mulrooney, Reader in Nutrition & Health, London Metropolitan University, said:
“This is an important and timely paper, given the current level of interest in UPFs and their potential effects on health. I think this is a reasonable and realistic perspective of where we are at the moment. It summarises a lot of complex discussion and presents a rational and cautious viewpoint, in my opinion. It is sensible not to rush to judgment on the basis of data which does not yet demonstrate causality. It is important to acknowledge the fact that for some groups in particular, foods classed as UPFs make very significant contributions to nutrient intakes, and these would be difficult to achieve otherwise.
“Much of the research available shows associations between UPFs and health outcomes and cannot demonstrate causality. This distinction is important, given that many UPFs (e.g. breakfast cereals, breads) make substantial contributions to nutrient intakes in the UK population. The contribution will be greater for some groups than others, and as the authors suggests, a group likely to be most affected by blanket advice to avoid UPFs is those on lower incomes, who are already at greater risk of poor health and health inequalities.
“The potential mechanisms of action of UPFs in relation to ill health are unknown, although several have been suggested. If causality between poor health outcomes and intake of UPFs is demonstrated – and it has not been so far – then understanding how this is happening will be an important aspect of the health messages crafted. Much of the research on UPFs focuses on the NOVA classification, a system which has been criticised for failing to include or acknowledge the nutritional contributions of UPFs, focusing instead on the extent and type of processing involved. This ignores the emerging evidence that different groups of processed foods may have different effects in the body. There may well be stronger evidence in the future which will allow focused messages in relation to specific types of UPFs and health, but at the moment we do not have this information. Given this, and the potential for harm to already vulnerable groups of a blanket message about UPFs, the balanced approach of these authors is sensible. What we know now does not change the messages we have already had in place for some years – to cut down on the UPFs which are high fat, salt and sugar foods and drinks as much as possible and include whole foods in the diet where possible. We need to understand what the effects of different groups of UPFs on health may be, whether relationships observed are causal or not, and how any relationships are mediated. We are not there yet.”
‘Ultraprocessed food (UPF), health, and mechanistic uncertainty: What should we be advising the public to do about UPFs?’ by Eric Robinson and Alexandra Johnstone was published in PLOS Medicine at 19:00 UK time on Tuesday 15 October 2024.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004439
Declared interests
Dr Ian Johnson: “I have no current conflicts of interest. I have previously acted in an advisory capacity both to a leading food manufacturer (Barry Callebaut), and to government agencies including SACN, but I have received no funding of any kind from the food industry in the last 5 years.”
Dr Hilda Mulrooney: “I have no conflicts of interest to declare.”
Professor Alexandra JohnstoenScientists say issuing blanket advice against UPFs would be prematureLeast well off could actually end up switching to LESS healthy foodsMore research is needed first into the links between these products and poor health:east well-off may be most affected if blanket pubic health warnings issued without more scientific evidence.
Premature warnings to consumers to avoid eating all ultra-processed food products have likely social costs and may harm the health of people facing food poverty – at least in the short term.
This is the clear message to policymakers in a newly-published perspective article from Professors Alexandra Johnstone from the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen and Eric Robinson of the University of Liverpool.
They say that until the link between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and poor health is better understood, the focus of official public advice should remain on avoiding known threats: high fat, sugar and salt content.
Issuing formal warnings about UPFs in the UK – which some other countries have done – could be counter-productive, leading some people to switch to alternatives that are not classified as ultra-processed but are less nutritious than what they were consuming before, they argue.
And they highlight the potential “social cost for many people with more limited resources” of removing convenient options and the possible negative mental health impacts on “those who worry about their health or live with eating disorders, particularly if social circumstances make avoiding UPFs difficult”.
The article – published by PLOS Medicine as part of a collection on the subject of UPFs – concludes: “Based on the balance of current evidence, we do not believe it is appropriate to be advising consumers to avoid all UPFs and we await further evidence to inform consumer guidance on the need to limit consumption of specifics foods based on their degree or type of processing.
“We know with certainty that foods which are energy dense and/or high in saturated fat, salt or sugar are detrimental to health and we should continue to advise consumers to limit consumption of these foods. Likewise, we should be encouraging consumption of health promoting foods, like fruits, vegetables and wholegrains.
We must guard against the possibility that the people in our society who are already most at risk of not being able to afford to eat healthily are not put in an even worse position as we continue to investigate the links between some ultra-processed foods and poor health.” Professor Alexandra Johnstone
“Mechanistic uncertainty over food processing and health should not prevent immediate and much needed public health policy to regulate the food industry in order to dramatically reduce the advertisement, availability and dominance of foods high in energy and/or saturated fat, salt or sugar on national diets.
“However, mechanistic uncertainty should determine how the public are communicated to and play a central role in determining public advice and emerging national dietary guidance on UPFs and food processing health risks.”
Pressure to issue guidance against eating UPFs – which account for a significant part of national diet – has mounted in the media and elsewhere because of consistent evidence from a growing number of observational studies that they are linked to poor health outcomes.
But many UPFs are also high in fat, sugar and salt and as yet, the Food Standards Agency believe other possible causes of ill health from consuming them “have not yet been fully explained by the science” and so specific public guidance has not been issued.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) warned in March that “there is a risk that the emphasis on ultra-processed foods creates a distraction from the key diet issues where there is robust evidence for action, i.e. high fat, salt and sugar foods, thereby providing further impetus for FSS to provide clear consumer messaging on this issue.” FSS has since published its organisational position on the topic, alongside consumer facing advice, reaffirming these conclusions.
Professor Johnstone said: “We must guard against the possibility that the people in our society who are already most at risk of not being able to afford to eat healthily are not put in an even worse position as we continue to investigate the links between some ultra-processed foods and poor health.
“We need more high-quality mechanistic research in humans, using controlled diets, to tease out the effects of nutrient profile and ultra-processing per se. Diet reformulation and diet quality are two key aspects of our food environment and alongside affordability, these remain food system challenges.”
Professor Robinson said: “Foods classed as ultra-processed which are high in fat, salt and/or sugar should be avoided, but a number of ultra-processed foods are not. We should be thinking very carefully about what advice is being given to the public, as opposed to providing simplified and potentially misleading messages that grab headlines.”
Some patients who have limited knowledge of digital technology rely on a caregiver to facilitate virtual appointments.(Shutterstock)
Seventy-five per cent of health care in Canada is provided at home by unpaid family caregivers. Not only is this essential health-care work often unrecognized and under-supported, it is rapidly changing.
While a lot of policy and research has focused on the impact of this transition on doctors and patients, these changes also have important implications for caregivers.
With a growing portion of Canadians opting to age in place at home, family members will increasingly be relied upon to provide care. However, unlike professional health-care workers, family caregivers are generally not compensated for their labour.
With a growing portion of Canadians opting to age in place at home, family members will increasingly be relied upon to provide care. (Shutterstock)
To better understand the needs of caregivers, our research team reviewed existing studies, and conducted interviews and workshops with caregivers and others taking part in virtual health. Our findings shed light on how virtual care has so far interacted with existing inequities to create opportunities and challenges for caregivers.
However, caregivers also report encountering challenges with virtual care. Among these are experiences overcoming the “digital divide,” which acknowledges differences in access to technology (such as limited internet access) and/or a lack of operational knowledge of digital devices.
Establishing rapport with health-care professionals during virtual health consultations can be a challenge. (Shutterstock)
Although technology and internet usage have become increasingly ingrained in the day-to-day lives of Canadians, individuals living with limited incomes, or who live in remote areas, still face barriers to reliable internet.
Our research suggests this limits options for accessing virtual forms of health care. Meanwhile, some patients who have more limited knowledge of digital technology rely on a caregiver to facilitate virtual appointments.
Other challenges with virtual care identified by caregivers include difficulty establishing rapport with a clinician during virtual meetings. This can be especially true for those without a designated family physician, who instead regularly meet with virtual walk-in doctors.
For caregivers of diverse languages, we found that virtual appointments outside of formal health-care spaces where interpretation services are more readily available often mean that they are called upon to translate language and cultural nuances with clinicians, adding to their responsibilities as caregivers.
Barriers and stressors
Many caregivers are seniors themselves, who are taking care of a spouse or an elderly parent. (Shutterstock)
One community support worker we interviewed for our study noted that most caregivers in their program were seniors themselves, who were taking care of a spouse or an elderly parent. “So, they are seniors, too … they may not have the technology skills to access to the virtual care.” This includes hardware. The support worker noted that older caregivers may not have smartphones, tablets, laptops or even internet. This can create a financial barrier as well as a technological one: “For some low-income seniors, it’s very difficult,” they said.
These experiences make clear that, although virtual health care brings new opportunities that can alleviate access barriers for caregivers, there is also a risk of new challenges being introduced.
Health policymakers and clinicians must be attentive to caregivers’ unique needs if we are to have truly equitable models for virtual care. Meaningful engagement with caregivers of diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds is a necessary first step.
Alexandra Selinger receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Julia Smith receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Health Research BC
Lindsay Hedden receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Social Sciences and Health Research BC.
Muhammad Haaris Tiwana receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
The names of the winners will be announced at a ceremony on October 28. The organizer of the annual event is the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia.
“In the Decade of Science and Technology, announced by President Vladimir Putin, the popularization of research and development is of particular importance. The “For Loyalty to Science” award helps to encourage journalists, bloggers, and popularizers, who, among other things, help to raise the prestige of the scientific profession and attract new personnel to the field for the technological leadership of our country. This year, more than 1.8 thousand applications from 80 regions of Russia were submitted for the award – almost 1.5 times more than last year. The most popular nomination was “Science for Children”. It was held for the first time and accepted applications from projects for the youngest. The emergence of such nominations and topics is an important trend, since the development of the country and our common future depend on what the younger generation will be interested in, what knowledge and skills they will develop,” emphasized Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.
The winners of the award will receive a cash reward and special prizes from the competition partners: a trip on a nuclear icebreaker, a trip to one of the Russian cosmodromes, an excursion to one of the high-tech facilities of PJSC Gazprom, a tour of an aircraft manufacturing plant with the opportunity to test their strength on the MC-21 pilot training complex.
“In the last few years, our award has been breaking records in terms of the number of applications submitted. This year, the most popular nominations were: “Science for Children”, “Author of Digital Content”, “Recognition”, “Scientific Press Service of the Year”, “Work with Experience: Protecting Historical Truth”, “Russian Science for the World”. Such a wide range of applicants’ interests speaks of the great attention paid to the activities of scientists and researchers in completely different industries and spheres. Thanks to your work, dear participants, the number of people interested in Russian science is growing, especially among the younger generation, and this is especially valuable,” said Minister of Education and Science Valery Falkov.
The applications received were evaluated by journalists who widely cover scientific topics, scientists, representatives of government authorities, private foundations, companies, non-profit organizations, press services of universities, and research institutes. The laureates and diploma winners will be determined by the prize organizing committee.
The event’s partners are the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center, and Lomonosov Moscow State University. For more than five years in a row, the award has been supported by the Art, Science, and Sport Charity Foundation. The award is held as part of the Decade of Science and Technology announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The founders of special prizes are traditionally the state corporations Roscosmos, Rostec, and Rosatom. Since 2024, PJSC Gazprom and PJSC VTB Bank have become the new partners of the award.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
China’s relentless economic growth used to be the marvel of the world. Oh, what a memory.
The past couple of years have seen China contend with an economic slowdown amid colliding crises, many of which make it internationally unique. Consumer prices have been approaching deflationary territory, there’s an oversupply of housing, and youth unemployment has soared.
Mounting pressure has forced the Chinese government to step in. Over the past month, Beijing has put forward a set of significant economic stimulus measures aimed at reviving China’s faltering economy.
According to a research note by Deutsche Bank, this stimulus could potentially become “the largest in history” in nominal terms. But there’s still a lot we don’t know. So what kinds of measures that are in this package so far, and has China been here before?
What’s in the package?
On September 24, Pan Gongsheng, governor of China’s central bank, unveiled the country’s boldest intervention to boost its economy since the pandemic.
The initiatives included reducing mortgage rates for existing homes and reducing the amount of cash commercial banks are required to hold in reserves. The latter is expected to inject about 1 trillion yuan (A$210 billion) into the financial market by letting the banks lend out more.
China has been grappling with an oversupply of housing and a property sector crisis. Charles Bowman/Shutterstock
On top of this, 800 billion yuan (A$168 billion) was announced to strengthen China’s capital market.
This comprised a new 500 billion yuan (A$105 billion) monetary policy facility to help institutions more easily access funds to buy stocks, and a 300 billion yuan (A$63 billion) re-lending facility to help speed up sales of unsold housing.
Further signs of economic revitalisation became evident at a Politburo meeting of China’s top government officials, two days after this announcement.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the urgency of economic revival. Xi even encouraged officials to “go bold in helping the economy” without having to fear the consequences.
That same day, seven government departments released a joint policy package to stabilise China’s 500 billion yuan (A$105 billion) dairy industry, which has been severely impacted by declining milk and beef prices since 2023.
A market rollercoaster
Initially, the market’s response was overwhelmingly positive. Perhaps too positive. In the last week of September, stock markets in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong saw their biggest weekly rise in 16 years.
On October 8, following China’s National Day holiday, turnover on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges hit an unprecedented 3.43 trillion yuan (A$718 billion). However, expectations for further stimulus measures were met with disappointment.
China’s National Development and Reform Commission brought forward 100 billion yuan (A$21 billion) in spending from the 2025 budget. That wasn’t enough to sustain market optimism. On October 9, Chinese stocks saw their most severe drop in 27 years.
This downturn only worsened a few days later, when China’s Ministry of Finance hinted there was “ample room” to raise debts but did not specify any new stimulus measures.
Still thin on the details
The market remains deeply uncertain about the future direction of China’s economic policies and what they might mean for the world. Hopes that more details might be released over the weekend were largely dashed.
Back in July, Chinese authorities asserted in their Third Plenary Session communique that China “must remain firmly committed” to achieving this year’s economic growth target of 5%. Compared to the country’s reform-era economic performance, that’s a modest goal.
But facing a persistently sluggish economic outlook, Xi later seemed to subtly shift the tone, changing the language from “remain firmly committed” to “strive to fulfill” in September.
Over the past decades, China has frequently employed massive-scale stimulus measures to revive its economy during downturns. These policies have been able to significantly rejuvenate the economy, though occasionally with some worrying side effects.
In response to the 2008 global financial crisis, China’s State Council released a 4 trillion yuan (A$837 billion) stimulus package. This successfully helped China stand firm through the crisis and was credited as a key stabiliser of the global economy.
But it also accumulated trillions of yuan in debt through local government financing and accelerated the rise of “shadow banking” – unregulated financial activities.
China also spent big on stimulating its economy in 2015, following stock market turbulence, and then again in the wake of the pandemic.
What should we expect?
What should we expect this time? How balanced or sustainable will any ensuing growth be?
We are still waiting on many of the details about the size and scope of the package, but any big increase in Chinese economic demand will likely have “spillover” effects.
As we’ve discussed, many of the measures announced to date will have their most immediate effect on borrowing, lending and liquidity in China’s stock markets.
That suggests we should watch for what’s called the “wealth effect” in economics. This is the theory that rising asset prices – such as for housing or shares – make people feel wealthier and therefore spend more.
If China’s big stimulus spend causes sustained increases in asset values, it could give rise to economic optimism. Chinese consumers – and investors – may become less anxious about the future.
From Australia’s point of view, that could see increases in demand in areas where our economies are interlinked – iron ore, tourism, education and manufactured food exports.
More broadly, Chinese demand could contribute to growth in other global economies, with a self-reinforcing effect on the world as a whole.
Beware financialisation
On the other hand, China’s shift to depending more on volatile asset price rises in its capital markets to sustain growth could have destabilising effects. Where asset price increases benefit those at the “top end of town,” they can breed inequities and imbalances of their own.
China’s “Black Monday” stock market crash in 2015 raised alarm in Beijing. Partly reflecting a wariness of excess financialisation, Xi cautioned at the time that “housing is for living in, not for speculation”.
So far, China is still navigating its path towards a more sustainable development model, striving to strike a balance between sustaining economic growth and stabilising its domestic markets and political landscape. As for the outcome, it remains a profound uncertainty for us all – perhaps China itself included.
Wesley Widmaier receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Wenting He 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: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By AD Narayan, Visual Effects Artist and Lecturer in Digital Communication, Auckland University of Technology
IMDB
From the mind-bending reality warps of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) to the breathtaking alien vistas of Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), visual effects have transported us to worlds beyond imagination. Yet the future of visual effects (VFX) could hang in the balance as artificial intelligence is subsumed into screen production processes.
Lionsgate’s recent partnership with AI startup Runway has sparked controversy in the visual effects industry.
By allowing Runway to train AI on Lionsgate’s vast film and TV catalogue, the collaboration promises increased efficiency and financial savings – but at what cost?
Growing apprehension among workers
According to a research report published in January, 75% of 300 entertainment industry leaders surveyed said generative AI tools, software and models had contributed to the elimination, reduction or consolidation of jobs within their business divisions.
The report highlighted the visual effects sector as being particularly vulnerable, as AI techniques are often applied in post-production processes. This vulnerability was typified in our own research published today.
Our work reveals visual effects artists have serious concerns about generative AI’s integration into screen production. These include worries over job insecurity, creative devaluation, and the potential for AI to produce derivative content that fails to meet audience expectations.
Challenges of AI in the VFX industry
Our findings reflect growing concerns that AI’s use in filmmaking could magnify existing industry problems. It could, for instance, exacerbate unfair working conditions. Or it could undermine creativity if artists are expected to “clean up” AI-generated work rather than create their own.
Visual effects artists, who have typically been early adopters of new technologies, acknowledge AI could bring both opportunities and challenges. While it could help streamline certain tasks, it could equally impact on the overall quality of their work.
The artists we spoke to were worried a reliance on AI might stifle creativity and skill development, by making the work “more mechanical and less creative”. In a recent example, the AI-generated title sequence for Marvel’s Secret Invasion series was widely criticised for lacking artistic merit.
There were also questions about how artists would be compensated if their work is used to train AI models.
Some senior supervisors were particularly concerned about the ethical and legal considerations of using AI on commercial projects. They were uncertain around intellectual property rights for AI-generated content, as well as the potential for copyright infringement.
On the creative and technical front, artists recognised AI’s value in generating ideas and automating repetitive tasks. However, nearly all of them said AI tools weren’t yet production-ready, and highlighted difficulties with integrating said tools into existing pipelines.
The next steps
The VFX industry was already struggling with profits and sustainability before the AI boom. Visual effects companies often face bankruptcy – even Oscar-winning ones. In many cases, artists will get laid off once a project is complete.
Life of Pi (2012) won an Oscar for its visual effects work – but the company responsible for it went bankrupt. IMDB
The partnership between Lionsgate and Runway represents the industry’s collective failure to address concerns over AI. But there’s still time to fix things.
The first step is developing clear industry guidelines for AI’s use in visual effects. Above all else, AI should help augment human creativity, rather than replace it. And artists should be fairly compensated if their work is used to train AI models.
Investment in training programs could also help artists adapt to new AI tools without compromising their creativity. As one interviewee told us, human expertise and creativity remain important in visual effects.
“Understanding the why behind certain choices, the creative decision making, that’s something I haven’t really seen AI effectively do,” they said.
As the industry stands at a technological crossroads, it must balance the pursuit of efficiency with genuine creativity. Otherwise, we risk losing the human touch that brings our favourite films to life.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
On October 16 1843, the Irish mathematician William Rowan Hamilton had an epiphany during a walk alongside Dublin’s Royal Canal. He was so excited he took out his penknife and carved his discovery right then and there on Broome Bridge.
It is the most famous graffiti in mathematical history, but it looks rather unassuming:
i
²
= j
²
= k
²
= ijk =
–1
Yet Hamilton’s revelation changed the way mathematicians represent information. And this, in turn, made myriad technical applications simpler – from calculating forces when designing a bridge, an MRI machine or a wind turbine, to programming search engines and orienting a rover on Mars. So, what does this famous graffiti mean?
Rotating objects
The mathematical problem Hamilton was trying to solve was how to represent the relationship between different directions in three-dimensional space. Direction is important in describing forces and velocities, but Hamilton was also interested in 3D rotations.
Mathematicians already knew how to represent the position of an object with coordinates such as x, y and z, but figuring out what happened to these coordinates when you rotated the object required complicated spherical geometry. Hamilton wanted a simpler method.
He was inspired by a remarkable way of representing two-dimensional rotations.
The trick was to use what are called “complex numbers”, which have a “real” part and an “imaginary” part. The imaginary part is a multiple of the number i, “the square root of minus one”, which is defined by the equation i ² = –1.
By the early 1800s several mathematicians, including Jean Argand and John Warren, had discovered that a complex number can be represented by a point on a plane. Warren had also shown it was mathematically quite simple to rotate a line through 90° in this new complex plane, like turning a clock hand back from 12.15pm to 12 noon. For this is what happens when you multiply a number by i.
When a complex number is represented as a point on a plane, multiplying the number by i amounts to rotating the corresponding line by 90° anticlockwise. The Conversation, CC BY
Hamilton was mightily impressed by this connection between complex numbers and geometry, and set about trying to do it in three dimensions. He imagined a 3D complex plane, with a second imaginary axis in the direction of a second imaginary number j, perpendicular to the other two axes.
It took him many arduous months to realise that if he wanted to extend the 2D rotational wizardry of multiplication by i he needed four-dimensional complex numbers, with a third imaginary number, k.
In this 4D mathematical space, the k-axis would be perpendicular to the other three. Not only would k be defined by k ² = –1, its definition also needed k = ij = –ji. (Combining these two equations for k gives ijk = –1.)
Putting all this together gives i ² = j ² = k ² = ijk = –1, the revelation that hit Hamilton like a bolt of lightning at Broome Bridge.
Quaternions and vectors
Hamilton called his 4D numbers “quaternions”, and he used them to calculate geometrical rotations in 3D space. This is the kind of rotation used today to move a robot, say, or orient a satellite.
But most of the practical magic comes into it when you consider just the imaginary part of a quaternion. For this is what Hamilton named a “vector”.
A vector encodes two kinds of information at once, most famously the magnitude and direction of a spatial quantity such as force, velocity or relative position. For instance, to represent an object’s position (x, y, z) relative to the “origin” (the zero point of the position axes), Hamilton visualised an arrow pointing from the origin to the object’s location. The arrow represents the “position vector” xi + yj + zk.
This vector’s “components” are the numbers x, y and z – the distance the arrow extends along each of the three axes. (Other vectors would have different components, depending on their magnitudes and units.)
A vector (r) is like an arrow from the point O to the point with coordinates (x, y, z). The Conversation, CC BY
Half a century later, the eccentric English telegrapher Oliver Heaviside helped inaugurate modern vector analysis by replacing Hamilton’s imaginary framework i, j, k with real unit vectors, i, j, k. But either way, the vector’s components stay the same – and therefore the arrow, and the basic rules for multiplying vectors, remain the same, too.
Hamilton defined two ways to multiply vectors together. One produces a number (this is today called the scalar or dot product), and the other produces a vector (known as the vector or cross product). These multiplications crop up today in a multitude of applications, such as the formula for the electromagnetic force that underpins all our electronic devices.
A single mathematical object
Unbeknown to Hamilton, the French mathematician Olinde Rodrigues had come up with a version of these products just three years earlier, in his own work on rotations. But to call Rodrigues’ multiplications the products of vectors is hindsight. It is Hamilton who linked the separate components into a single quantity, the vector.
Everyone else, from Isaac Newton to Rodrigues, had no concept of a single mathematical object unifying the components of a position or a force. (Actually, there was one person who had a similar idea: a self-taught German mathematician named Hermann Grassmann, who independently invented a less transparent vectorial system at the same time as Hamilton.)
Hamilton also developed a compact notation to make his equations concise and elegant. He used a Greek letter to denote a quaternion or vector, but today, following Heaviside, it is common to use a boldface Latin letter.
This compact notation changed the way mathematicians represent physical quantities in 3D space.
Take, for example, one of Maxwell’s equations relating the electric and magnetic fields:
∇
×
E
= –∂
B
/∂
t
With just a handful of symbols (we won’t get into the physical meanings of ∂/∂t and ∇ ×), this shows how an electric field vector (E) spreads through space in response to changes in a magnetic field vector (B).
Without vector notation, this would be written as three separate equations (one for each component of B and E) – each one a tangle of coordinates, multiplications and subtractions.
The expanded form of the equation. As you can see, vector notation makes life much simpler. The Conversation, CC BY
The power of perseverance
I chose one of Maxwell’s equations as an example because the quirky Scot James Clerk Maxwell was the first major physicist to recognise the power of compact vector symbolism. Unfortunately, Hamilton didn’t live to see Maxwell’s endorsement. But he never gave up his belief in his new way of representing physical quantities.
Hamilton’s perseverance in the face of mainstream rejection really moved me, when I was researching my book on vectors. He hoped that one day – “never mind when” – he might be thanked for his discovery, but this was not vanity. It was excitement at the possible applications he envisaged.
A plaque on Dublin’s Broome Bridge commemorate’s Hamilton’s flash of insight. Cone83 / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA
He would be over the moon that vectors are so widely used today, and that they can represent digital as well as physical information. But he’d be especially pleased that in programming rotations, quaternions are still often the best choice – as NASA and computer graphics programmers know.
In recognition of Hamilton’s achievements, maths buffs retrace his famous walk every October 16 to celebrate Hamilton Day. But we all use the technological fruits of that unassuming graffiti every single day.
Robyn Arianrhod 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.
With less than three weeks to go before Election Day, the polling at this point is clear: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are effectively tied.
Harris has led the Democratic ticket for less than three months, but in that short time she has galvanised Democratic voters and significantly increased the popularity of the Democratic ticket. Yet, current levels of US political polarisation and, perhaps more notably, calcification, make one wonder just how much more support she could win.
In other words, few Americans are undecided in their views of Donald Trump – he galvanises both his base and his opponents alike – so there are simply not many American voters remaining for Harris to try to win over.
Initial momentum has plateaued
When 81-year-old Joe Biden led the Democratic ticket in early 2024, only 55% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters were enthusiastic about the election.
While the 2020 presidential election between Biden and Trump broke records for US voter turnout, the 2024 redux was looking like it would break the opposite sort of records – for voter disinterest.
That is, at least, until Harris assumed the top of the Democratic ticket on 21 July 2024. Within a month of Biden stepping down as the party’s nominee, Democratic enthusiasm for their significantly younger candidate jumped 23 points to 78%. This eclipsed not only levels of enthusiasm that Democrats had for Barack Obama in 2008, but also the levels of enthusiasm that Republicans currently have for Donald Trump.
Harris’ momentum saw the race quickly move on from deep analysis of the “double haters” – the record 25% US voters who disliked both Trump and Biden and were simply deciding which they hated less. With a much closer contest now likely, attention shifted to key swing states such as Pennsylvania, where Harris closed Trump’s five-point lead over Biden to now be around even.
Small changes can make a big difference
Harris’ ability to make the Democratic ticket competitive should not be undervalued. After all, as recently as June 2024, she was one of the few Democratic politicians who actually had a lower national approval rating than Joe Biden.
With that said, the momentum for Harris should not be seen as a sea change across the country. As much as she energised a previously lacklustre Democratic ticket, approval of Harris among self-described Independent voters only increased from 36% to 43% in the same timeframe. Republican approval of Harris decreased slightly from 6% to 4% over the same period.
Ultimately, even the slightest of changes can completely shift the nature of the race, particularly given how slim the margins have been in the last two presidential elections. In the 2016 presidential election, for example, Trump’s margin of victory was some 75,000 votes across three swing states. In 2020, Biden’s margin of victory was about 45,000 votes across three swing states.
Harris or Trump’s 2024 margin of victory very well may be less than 0.03% of the US electorate, making this potentially the closest US election in decades.
Has support for Harris peaked?
For the first half of 2024, Trump polled considerably ahead of Biden in the key swing states that will most likely decide the US election. Then, within weeks of Harris becoming the presidential nominee in July, the difference in the swing states between Trump and his opponent shrank to around 1-2 percentage points.
Now, nearly three months later, the polling is essentially unchanged – remaining well within the standard margin of error of around ±3%.
As much as Harris has eclipsed Biden in the race against Trump, there is no denying the statistical reality that Harris is no longer gaining ground on Trump in the way that she was in the early weeks of her candidacy.
Some have argued that Harris’ liabilities – and perhaps the reason she has stalled in the polls – are that Americans remain fairly negative on the economy, she is in the incumbent administration instead of on an outsider ticket, and that many view her as simply too progressive.
Yet judging by the fact that Harris appears to be polling better than “a generic Democrat” – who generally are more popular than any other Democrats because they are not real people with real positions – it’s perhaps more likely that in these polarised and calcified times, Harris very well may have simply peaked as high as any other Democratic candidate possibly could.
With American voter intentions barely shifting after an insurrection, pandemic and assassination attempts, it’s hard to imagine Harris can do much better than she already is doing.
Harris’ best strategy for success on November 5 may therefore need to be less focused on winning over more of the very few undecided voters remaining, and instead more focused on simply getting her energised supporters to turn up on Election Day.
Jared Mondschein 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.
Last week the Australian government cancelled the registration of all products containing chlorthal dimethyl, a weedkiller commonly known as dacthal.
No phase out period applies. The cancellation is immediate, due to the risks it poses to human health – primarily unborn babies.
This means using dacthal as a chemical agricultural product “is now illegal”, according the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
So what has changed? What are the health risks of being exposed to dacthal – and how long have we known about them?
What is dacthal?
Dacthal and chlorthal dimethyl are alternative names for dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, or DCPA. This is a herbicide registered to control weeds in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings.
Dacthal works by inhibiting auxin, a growth hormone in plants which promotes the development of buds, roots and lengthening cells.
It is used to selectively kill annual grasses and many other common weeds, without killing turf grasses, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Dacthal is applied before weeds emerge, often when still in their seed stage.
In Australia it is used in twelve herbicide products. All have been cancelled as of October 10 2024.
Farmers and retailers are allowed to hold products until they’re recalled, but must not use them. The government says it will provide information about product recall shortly.
What are the health risks?
As dacthal targets a hormone found only in plants, for adult humans and mammals the chemical has limited acute and subchronic toxicity. This means brief exposure to high levels of dacthal, or longer-term exposure to modestly high levels, have no effect.
However there is a health risk for unborn babies whose mothers have been directly exposed. This could be through mixing the chemical, loading and applying it, or from residue on treated crops – for up to five days after first applied.
The chemical has been linked to low birth weight, and life-long impacts, which can include impaired brain development and motor skills.
The government has advised pregnant agricultural workers who are concerned to speak to their clinician.
What changed?
Safety data for chemicals such as pesticides are periodically reevaluated. This is to see if any new risks have become apparent with advances in technology and our understanding of biology.
In 2013, the United States Environmental Protection Agency called for fresh safety data to look at effects of dacthal on thyroid hormones.
Fast forward to 2022. In that time, the company producing dacthal had failed to produce the required study. So the US Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice it would suspend technical-grade products containing dacthal.
In response, the company submitted a thyroid study performed in rats. This study showed dacthal could affect thyroid function at doses lower than previously known.
The US government determined this did not change recommendations for adults. However dacthal may affect thyroid function of a fetus at lower doses than those those that harm adults.
What did the study in rats find?
Dacthal was found to inhibit two thyroid hormones in rat pups whose mother had been exposed while pregnant.
There was a 35-53% decrease in the hormone triiodothyronine, known as T3. And for thyroxine (T4), rat pups experienced a 29-66% decrease after their mother’s exposure.
Decreases in these two hormones are associated with risks to unborn children including low birth weight and impaired brain development, IQ and motor skills.
Of particular concern was the effects occurred at much lower levels than previously thought. The decreases in T3 and T4 occurred in rat pups exposed to levels of dacthal ten times lower than the safe threshold for their mothers. This means pregnant rats exposed to dacthal at those levels had no adverse effects, but their unborn babies did.
Exactly how the chemical caused decreases in T3 and T4 in rat pups is not clear.
However the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority considers this study relevant to humans. The changes in regulation are based on the potential harms if unborn babies are exposed via their mothers.
The health risk is to the development of an unborn baby exposed to dachtal via their mother. Fox_Ana/Shutterstock
What exposure is safe?
The rat study was used to calculate maximum levels of exposure for pregnant workers. This maximum – 0.001 mg dachtal/kg body weight/day – was considered appropriate to reduce risk to the unborn child (and was not expected to harm adults).
However, the maximum acceptable level was exceeded in all estimates of exposure to dachtal. This was the case even when the person was wearing protective clothing, gloves, and using a respirator.
Even under stringent safety conditions, potential harms to an unborn child could not be ruled out. For this reason the US stopped sale of dacthal via an Emergency Order on 6 August 2024. Australia has since followed suit with its own ban.
How long have we known about this?
The US government only received the thyroid information in 2022. It then had to determine whether the levels of exposure under real world conditions would equate to risk in humans.
This is not straightforward, as the pesticide is used under a variety of conditions, including:
mixing and preparing the pesticide using personal protective equipment
downstream spay drift
treatment of lawns and exposure to the lawn after treatment.
Each of these scenarios requires careful analysis of potential risks.
In addition, exposure can be through inhalation and/or skin contact. All this must be taken into account and these calculations take time.
Should I be worried?
If you were not pregnant and using personal protective clothing while using or applying dacthal herbicides, this is little cause for worry. Your exposure is below the maximum limit.
But if you were pregnant when using dacthal pesticides, please consider consulting your child’s paediatrician.
Ian Musgrave has received funding from the National health and Medical Research Council to study contaminants in herbal medicines. He has received ARC funding for studying Alzheimer’s disease in the recent past. He is a member of the Science Communicators South Australian Branch.
The Australian Human Rights Commission wants to see schools address racism, as part of a broader push to address the problem across Australian society.
As it says in a recent report,
People are not born with racist attitudes or beliefs […] Addressing racism in schools is crucial to ensure that victims do not leave education facing lifelong disadvantage, and perpetrators do not enter adulthood believing racist behaviours are acceptable […].
But racism is hardly mentioned in the Australian Curriculum – for example, it is noted in passing in the health and physical education curriculum for years 5 to 8. However, there is no consistent approach across subject areas, or at the state level.
This means teaching about racism is largely left up to individual schools and teachers.
Yet research shows they can be reluctant to speak about these issues with students. This is for a range of reasons, such as worrying they will say the wrong thing.
How should school systems, schools and teachers address racism? Here are four ways.
So we need to start teaching children and young people about racial literacy skills from the first year of schooling. This means they grow up to have the knowledge and language to talk about and confront racism.
Some of these skills include:
being able to identify how racism appears in everyday interactions, the media and society more broadly
debunking common myths about racism, such as it is a “thing of the past”. Or “everyone has equal access to the same opportunities and outcomes if they work hard enough”
understanding the impacts of racism, including on people’s opportunities, education and their health and wellbeing
We also need to teach children how to react when they witness racism with age-appropriate tools.
For both primary and secondary students, the first question should always be, “Is it safe for me to act?”, followed by “Am I the best person to act in this situation?”. Depending on their answers, they could:
report the incident to an appropriate adult or person in authority
show solidarity with the victim by comforting them and letting them know what happened was not OK
interrupt, distract or redirect the perpetrator
seek help from friends, a passerby or teacher.
3. Create safe classrooms and playgrounds
Teachers need to ensure classrooms and schools are safe spaces to discuss racism.
This can include:
acknowledging how our own experiences, biases and privileges shape our world views
clearly defining the purpose of a discussion and the ground rules
using inclusive language.
In particular, schools have a unique duty of care for minority students, who need to know they can talk openly about these issues with their peers and teachers without fear or judgement.
This includes addressing sensitive topics like how they might experience or witness racism, the effect it can have on their health and wellbeing and those around them, and the consequences of talking about or reporting racism.
4. Develop teachers’ skills
As part of creating safe classrooms, teachers need to be able to confidently discuss tricky topics in an age-appropriate way.
Our current (as yet unpublished) research on anti-racism training with classroom teachers suggests they can increase their confidence to talk and teach about racism if given appropriate, and sustained training.
What needs to happen now?
We need anti-racism education to be an official part of school curricula. To accompany this, we need genuine commitments and modelling from policymakers, school leaders, teachers, parents and carers to address racism in schools.
We need to talk openly about racism in schools. That means explicitly naming it, calling it out, and not getting defensive when it is identified and action is required.
Aaron Teo is Convenor for the Australian Association for Research in Education Social Justice Special Interest Group, Queensland Convenor for the Asian Australian Alliance, member of the Challenging Racism Project, and member of the Advisory Committee for the Australian Human Rights Commission’s study into racism in Australian universities
Rachel Sharples has received funding from the Australian Research Council and the NSW Department of Education. She is a member of the Challenging Racism Project (CRP) and the Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Communities (CRIS).
Great Lakes Science Center, home of the visitor center for NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, hosted the final phase of NASA’s Watts on the Moon Challenge on Sept. 20. NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen attended to help acknowledge the top winners. NASA awarded a total of $1.5 million to two U.S. teams for their novel technology solutions addressing energy distribution, management, and storage as part of the challenge. The innovations from this challenge aim to support NASA’s Artemis missions, which will establish a long-term human presence on the Moon. This two-phase competition challenged U.S. innovators to develop breakthrough technologies that could enable long-duration Moon missions to advance the nation’s lunar exploration goals. The winning teams are:
First Prize ($1 million): Team H.E.L.P.S. (High Efficiency Long-Range Power Solution) from University of California, Santa Barbara , won the grand prize for their hardware solution, which featured the lowest mass and highest efficiency of all competitors.
Second prize ($500,000): Orbital Mining Corporation, a space technology startup in Golden, Colorado, earned the second prize for its hardware solution that also successfully completed the 48-hour test with high performance.
Four teams were invited to refine their hardware and deliver full system prototypes in the final stage of the competition, and three finalist teams completed their technology solutions for demonstration and assessment at NASA Glenn.
NASA Glenn’s Mary Wadel, director of Technology Integration and Partnerships, recognized the work involved to bring this challenge to its conclusion. Rob Button, deputy chief of Glenn’s Power Division and his team of experts, formulated and executed the challenge and oversaw testing. The technologies were the first power transmission and energy storage prototypes to be tested by NASA in a vacuum chamber mimicking the freezing temperature and absence of pressure found at the permanently shadowed regions of the Lunar South Pole. The Watts on the Moon Challenge is a NASA Centennial Challenge led by NASA Glenn. As the agency’s lead center for power systems technologies, NASA Glenn has been involved in the Watts on the Moon Challenge from its inception.
The Ohio State University (OSU) teamed up with NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland for a multi-faceted tribute to NASA on Sept 21. During a home football game against Marshall University, OSU’s Marching Band recognized the agency with a NASA-themed halftime show, in-game salute, and tribute to Glenn and two alums who play significant roles in NASA’s spaceflight operations.
The event kicked off in the morning during the Skull Session (pep rally) at St. John Arena on OSU’s campus. Public Address Announcer Wes Clark talked with Center Director Dr. Jimmy Kenyon, who shared information about Glenn and thanked OSU for the honor. During a special spotlight, Kenyon and OSU alums who now work at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center – Jeff Radigan, a NASA flight director, and Molly Radigan, deputy chief of Space Flight Systems – came onto the field to be recognized.
At halftime, a special astronaut video from the International Space Station introduced the NASA-themed show. The band then blasted off with its space-themed performance that included several songs — from “Fly Me to the Moon” to “Starman.” The talented band members marched in formations that included an astronaut and spaceship blasting off, garnering excitement for NASA and cheers from the audience.
NASA’s Glenn Research Center Director Dr. Jimmy Kenyon met with students and faculty at Morehead State University (MSU) in Kentucky on Sept. 19. Kenyon provided the keynote address on the topic of NASA’s exploration efforts and regional economic impact during the ASTRA-Con (Appalachian Space Technology & Research Advancement Conference). He also moderated a panel, which included Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef Lead Dr. Randy Lillard, MSU’s Dr. Pamela Clark (formerly of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Goddard Space Flight Center), and Glenn European Service Module Manager Logan Larson.
Dr. Benjamin Malphrus, executive director of the Space Science Center at MSU, provided Kenyon, along with House Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers’ staff and members of industry, with a tour of the space center and its capabilities. Kenyon learned about MSU’s space systems engineering program where students gain hands-on experience designing, constructing, and testing satellites before they launch into space. Members of NASA Glenn’s Technology Transfer Office also staffed an informative exhibit during the conference.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Join us for a day of professional learning, cultura and inspiration at Secretary Miguel Cardona’s “Educación En Acción” Summit on from 10am – 5pm ET, in the LBJ Auditorium!
Hear from Secretary Miguel Cardona, federal education leaders, community change makers, leaders in higher education, and recognized teachers of the year.
Learn from best-selling authors as they discuss the importance of telling YOUR story.
Hear from Latino influencers and celebrities who are using their platform to advocate for Latino communities.
Enjoy student performances by Los Tigres de Tolleson Elementary School District Mariachi (AZ), Estrellitas de Sorto Latin dancers (DC), and Nino Clamp and the Hartt Salsa All-Stars from the University of Hartford (CT).
Connect with students, staff, and community members from all over the nation!
Canada-India relations have suffered a major setback after Canadian law enforcement authorities accused Indian agents of involvement in “homicides, extortion, and violent acts” on Canadian soil.
In a tit-for-tat move, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, rejecting Canada’s allegations as “preposterous” and politically motivated, particularly given the Sikh diaspora’s political significance as a key voting bloc for Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government.
India has consistently denied the accusations and refused to co-operate with the Canadian investigation, which ultimately compelled the federal government to make these allegations public.
But without a shared understanding of the pro-Khalistan issue, the relationship between the two countries is likely to remain strained. Both nations continue to approach the situation from fundamentally different perspectives.
Canada-India relations have been strained since Trudeau’s bombshell statement in September 2023, when he accused India of being involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan leader based in Canada.
The Khalistan movement is a separatist movement that aims to establish an independent Sikh state in northern India.
The assassination led to the expulsion of a senior Indian diplomat linked to the case and a rapid deterioration of bilateral ties, with India expelling Canadian diplomats and suspending visa services. India later demanded the repatriation of 41 Canadian diplomats, citing the principle of diplomatic parity.
India has long accused Canada of being too lenient on the Khalistan movement, which it views as a serious threat to its national security and territorial integrity.
The Sikh diaspora in Canada, the largest in the world, includes elements that have supported the pro-Khalistan cause, fuelling India’s concerns. Canada, however, emphasizes the right to freedom of expression, including peaceful protests, as a core tenet of its democratic values.
India’s strategic significance, particularly in counterbalancing China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, adds complexity to its diplomatic relations.
India views its alliance with the United States as essential for safeguarding its interests, given the power imbalance with China. The U.S., in turn, sees India as a cornerstone of its Indo-Pacific strategy, with initiatives like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). It includes the U.S., India, Japan and Australia and is designed to promote the region as an “arc of democracy.”
Bipartisan support in the U.S. for deepening ties with India has led to expanding defence and economic partnerships, with a growing emphasis on technology transfer as a critical pillar of this relationship.
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington, D.C. in June 2023, President Joe Biden’s administration finalized an agreement for the joint production of General Electric (GE) F-414 jet engines.
At present, only four nations — the U.S., U.K., Russia and France — have the capability to manufacture jet engines, with China still lacking this advanced technology. The GE F-414 collaboration is intended to strengthen U.S.-India defence co-operation and improve their collective ability to counter China’s advancements in defence technology.
India also plays a central role in Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, unveiled in 2022. In the official document outlining the strategy, Ottawa described China as a “disruptive power” and emphasized the need to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific nations, particularly India.
The strategy highlights “India’s growing strategic, economic, and demographic importance” as key to achieving Canada’s geo-strategic objectives. As part of this approach, Canada committed to negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India. But due to the diplomatic tensions sparked by Canada’s allegations, these negotiations have been suspended.
The West’s disapproval
The Modi government may have calculated that India’s strategic value to the West would shield it from criticism over its handling of pro-Khalistani activists abroad. However, the unequivocal response from both the U.S. and Canada suggests otherwise, with the West making it clear that such actions are unacceptable, regardless of India’s strategic significance.
India will probably continue to deny Canada’s accusations and further sever diplomatic ties in an enduring dispute that will affect all aspects of the bilateral relationship.
From Canada’s perspective, Indian actions on Canadian soil represent a blatant violation of sovereignty. Ottawa expects co-operation and assurances from India that such transnational repression will not occur in the future. From India’s point of view, it’s a matter of national security issue as Canada appeases pro-Khalistan elements.
While the Indian diaspora has generally been an asset for the Modi government in fostering relations with western countries, the Sikh diaspora in Canada has been a significant hurdle in improving ties.
Without a common denominator to reconcile these differing perspectives, the relationship between the two countries is likely to remain strained, despite broader strategic factors that would otherwise encourage closer ties.
Saira Bano 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.
Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman to leave tonight for an official visit to Mexico and USA from 17th to 26th October 2024 Union Finance Minister to attend Annual Meetings of the IMF-World Bank
FM will also take part in G20 Finance Ministers & Central Bank Governors meetings besides bilateral meetings with many countries and organisations
Smt. Sitharaman will engage in multilateral discussions on multiple fora and also showcase India’s attractiveness as an investment destination
Posted On: 15 OCT 2024 5:38PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman will embark on a visit to Mexico and USA on an official visit beginning 16th October, 2024.
During the official leg of her maiden visit to Mexico from 17th to 20th October 2024, the Union Finance Minister will lead an Indian delegation of officials from the Ministry of Finance, underscoring a positive trajectory of growing bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries.
Beginning her visit in Guadalajara, Union Finance Minister Smt. Sitharaman will chair the Tech Leaders Roundtable that will bring together global technology leaders, including the major Indian IT giants present in Guadalajara. Later, Smt. Sitharaman will also visit the TCS headquarters in Guadalajara — a significant contributor to the Mexican IT ecosystem and known as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of Mexico with a significant presence of major global IT and tech companies.
Smt. Sitharaman will also hold a bilateral meeting with her counterpart H.E. Mr. Rogelio Ramirez de la O, Minister of Finance and Public Credit of Mexico. Besides, the Union Finance Minister will also hold discussions with several members of the Mexican Parliament to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and foster economic development.
In Mexico City, Smt. Sitharaman will deliver a keynote address at the India-Mexico Trade and Investment Summit with participation from key industry captains from both the countries. Separately, Smt. Sitharaman will also engage with leading business figures and industry representatives from Mexico. These meetings with leading business leaders and investors are aimed at highlighting India’s policy priorities, and deliberate on measures to facilitate foreign investment by showcasing India’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
In the last leg of her maiden visit to Mexico, the Union Finance Minister will participate in a community event, being hosted by the Indian diaspora.
During the official leg of her visit to the USA from 20th to 26th Oct. 2024, Smt. Sitharaman will participate in the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the 4th G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governor (FMCBG) Meetings, besides the G20 Joint Meeting of FMCBGs, Environment Ministers, and Foreign Ministers; and G7 – Africa Ministerial Roundtable.
In the course of her two-city visit to New York City and Washington D.C., the Union Finance Minister will participate in the Pension Funds Roundtable at New York Stock Exchange; interact with students and faculty at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and also at the Columbia University; and the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR) and take part in discussions organised by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) respectively.
The Union Finance Minister will take part in bilateral meetings with several countries, including United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Germany, besides holding one-on-one meetings with heads of World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and CEOs of banking and financial institutions.
In a high-level event, the Union Finance Minister will participate in a World Bank Group discussion ‘From Idea to Implementation: New Financial Solutions to Accelerate Development’.
The Union Finance Minister will also share her thoughts during a discussion on Bretton Woods Institutions (BWI) with other panelists, Mr. Lawrence H. Summers; Mr. Carlos Cuerpo, Minister of Economy, Trade and Business, Spain; and Ms. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Egypt. The event is organised by the Centre for Global Development (CGD).
The Scientific and Technological Hub, Martyr Ihaddaden Abdelhafid University of Algeriaconferred the Degree of Honorary Doctorate on the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at a function held at Sidi Abdellah today (October 15, 2024). President Droupadi Murmu was conferred the degree of Honorary Doctorate in Political Science in recognition of her advocacy of science and knowledge for all social groups in India.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that it is an honour for India more than for her as an individual. She thanked Scientific and Technological Hub for this honour.
The President said that education is a means not only for individual empowerment but for national development as well. With the objective to develop students as enlightened citizens and to lead India into the ‘Knowledge Economy’, the Government of India has brought several reforms in the education sector. The goal of the new National Education Policy 2020 is to transform the education system at all levels. The policy also opens avenues for collaboration with foreign educational institutions.
The President said that India provides quality education at a fraction of the cost of Western institutions and also offers several scholarships and fellowships to African students. She invited educational institutions, governmental departments and the youth of Algeria to take advantage of various initiatives of the Government of India.
The President said that India-Algeria relations are a long way from reaching their potential. She expressed confidence that the youth of India and Algeria would achieve it and they will eventually become the bridgeheads for enhancing our robust people-to-people ties.
Tomorrow, the President will leave for Mauritania.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will participate in the celebration of International Abhidhamma Divas and recognition of Pali as a classical language at around 10 AM on 17 October at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. He will also address the gathering at the occasion.
Abhidhamma Divas commemorates the descent of Lord Buddha from the celestial realm after teaching Abhidhamma. The recent recognition of Pali as a classical language, along with four other languages, enhances the significance of this year’s Abhidhamma Divas celebrations as Lord Buddha’s teachings on Abhidhamma are originally available in Pali language.
The International Abhidhamma Divas celebration, organised by Government of India and International Buddhist Confederation, will see participation of academicians and monks from 14 countries and a significant number of young experts on Buddha Dhamma from various Universities across India.
Question for written answer E-001986/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Pascal Arimont (PPE)
The third most important greenhouse gas – after carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) – is nitrous oxide (N2O), which is also known as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide traps heat particularly effectively; as a result, the greenhouse effect it produces in the atmosphere is up to 300 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. The main sources of nitrous oxide emissions are nitrogenous fertilisers used in agriculture and livestock farming.
In an article entitled ‘Unlocking bacterial potential to reduce farmland N2O emissions’, published in the journal ‘Nature’ in May 2024, a research team from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences explained how Cloacibacterium bacteria (CB-01) specially cultivated from organic waste, which are capable of degrading N2O, reduced N2O emissions caused by fertilisation by 50 to 95% in field experiments, depending on soil type.
On the basis of modelling based on its findings, the research team then estimated potential reductions for the EU. According to the authors, this method would be relatively inexpensive and straightforward and, if extended to all types of mineral and natural fertilisers, could reduce N2O emissions within EU agriculture by up to 20%.
Is the Commission aware of this study and, if it is, what is its view of it?
HONOLULU, Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Hawaiian, Inc. (NASDAQ: FHB), announced today the appointment of Tertia Freas to serve on its Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of First Hawaiian Bank. Freas also was appointed to the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee. All appointments are effective October 15, 2024.
“We are pleased to welcome Tertia Freas and thank her for agreeing to serve on our Board,” said Bob Harrison, First Hawaiian, Inc. Chairman, President and CEO. “Her deep expertise in accounting and finance and her commitment to community service make her an outstanding addition to our leadership team. I look forward to collaborating with her as we continue to move First Hawaiian Bank forward.”
Tertia Freas is the executive director of The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, a private foundation that provides grants to nonprofit organizations in Hawaii for education, healthcare, children, youth and family, sustainability, housing and arts, culture and innovation. She has 35 years of experience in public accounting, working for Deloitte & Touche LLP. During her career at Deloitte, she served as an audit partner for more than 20 years, Honolulu office recruiter, national trainer, and was the leader for the Honolulu office Women’s Initiative program.
In 2005, Freas was inducted to the University of Hawaii, Shidler College of Business Alumni Hall of Honor. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Hawaii Society of CPAs. She currently serves on the Board of Directors and as the Chair of the Finance Committee for First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu.
About First Hawaiian First Hawaiian, Inc. (NASDAQ:FHB) is a bank holding company headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. Its principal subsidiary, First Hawaiian Bank, founded in 1858 under the name Bishop & Company, is Hawaii’s oldest and largest financial institution with branch locations throughout Hawaii, Guam and Saipan. The company offers a comprehensive suite of banking services to consumer and commercial customers including deposit products, loans, wealth management, insurance, trust, retirement planning, credit card and merchant processing services. Customers may also access their accounts through ATMs, online and mobile banking channels. For more information about First Hawaiian, Inc., visit http://www.FHB.com.
Investor Relations Contact: Kevin Haseyama (808) 525-6268 khaseyama@fhb.com
Gov. Doug Burgum and Korea Research Association for Unmanned Vehicles (KRAUV) Chairman Choi Myungjin today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the state of North Dakota and KRAUV to establish a partnership and promote collaboration in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) research and development.
KRAUV is focused on the advancement of UAS technology in Korea and the continued development of the country’s UAS ecosystem. Much like the state of North Dakota, the South Korean government is a strong proponent of UAS development, investing well over $1 billion to grow the industry and establishing policies supportive of UAS research, development and commercialization. The nation has also invested millions of dollars in its own UAS military fleet to protect its borders.
“Working together with KRAUV to advance UAS research and development will help North Dakota further cement our status as a global leader in this industry while also strengthening our relationship with the Republic of Korea, one of our state’s top trading partners and a key U.S. ally,” Burgum said. “From monitoring crops and assessing risks to energy infrastructure, to emergency response and defense capabilities, the list of UAS applications continues to grow, and we’re grateful for KRAUV’s partnership in exploring and developing those possibilities into jobs and economic growth.”
Myungjin highlighted the strategic importance of this collaboration, stating, “North Dakota is recognized for its world-class UAS infrastructure, particularly in testing capabilities. Through this partnership, we are confident that Korean companies will build a strong foothold in the international market, beginning with North Dakota. Today’s agreement will stimulate greater investment between Korea and North Dakota, supporting sustainable growth and serving as a crucial step towards creating a vibrant global unmanned vehicle ecosystem. KRAUV remains committed to fostering the growth and progress of the global unmanned vehicle industry.”
The signing ceremony in Seoul was attended by Burgum, Myungjin, Commerce Commissioner Josh Teigen and North Dakota Trade Office Executive Director Drew Combs, among others.
North Dakota is a UAS leader in the United States. The Northern Plains UAS Test Site in Grand Forks constitutes the hub of the state’s UAS ecosystem. A designated FAA partner, the Test Site boasts the nation’s first Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) system in Vantis. Additionally, the University of North Dakota’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences offers the first UAS degree program in the nation, and Grand Sky Business Park is the first of its kind, offering commercial UAS business and aviation services adjacent to the Grand Forks Air Force Base.
The MOU signing was part of a weeklong trade and investment mission to the Republic of Korea for Burgum and fellow members of the North Dakota delegation from the North Dakota Department of Commerce, North Dakota Trade Office, Energy & Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota, and North Dakota companies representing agriculture, energy, manufacturing, aerospace and technology.
Ms. Shereen Miller is a human rights lawyer by training, with more than 20 years of experience in various executive roles with the Government of Canada.
Prior to her appointment as Commissioner of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, Ms. Miller served as Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of Service Innovation at Shared Services Canada.
From 2019 to 2023, she was Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of Next Generation Human Resources and Pay at Shared Services Canada. From 2017 to 2019, Ms. Miller was Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada’s Deputy Chair of Refugee Protection; and, from 2013 to 2017, was Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Assistant Deputy Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Market Place Services.
Ms. Miller has extensive expertise shaping strategic policy, conceptualizing, guiding and directing key programs, working with financial institutions and overseeing operations in both service delivery and regulatory bodies. She led the creation of the Build in Canada Innovation Program and the Innovative Solutions Canada Program.
Her extensive experience includes driving initiatives that empower businesses to grow by providing the capital and tools they need. During her time at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), she implemented game-changing endeavors such as the Venture Capital Action Plan and the Accelerated Growth Service. She has also managed regulatory functions and was responsible for the Office of Consumer Affairs while at ISED.
In addition, Ms. Miller led the creation and launch of the Canadian Innovation Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace. Her leadership experience includes process and organizational change, digital transformation, executive team management, and strategic partnership building.
Ms. Miller holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University, a Master of Arts in Criminology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School. She is a long-standing advocate for human rights, diversity, and inclusion.
ATLANTA and ATHENS, Ga., Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Georgia Athletic Association and The Piedmont Bank are congratulating former athletes who’ve pivoted from the field of play to become leaders in the world of business. Joining a host of male and female athletes selected before them are former football player C.J. Byrd and golfer Nick Cassini.
“We seldom hear from our college sports heroes after they’ve left the game and entered the all-important next phase of their lives and careers,” said Monty Watson, Chairman and CEO, The Piedmont Bank. “While we revel in their athletic success, it’s important to elevate what comes next after the education and the lessons learned competing. This award is a way of honoring college athletes who’ve successfully navigated what comes next in life, providing examples for those to follow.”
Arch Award recipients for 2024 were recognized on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium on October 12th against Mississippi State. The sponsorship program creating the Arch Award presented by The Piedmont was recently extended another four years.
Earning an undergraduate degree followed by a master’s degree in business, C.J. Byrd started all games as a junior and senior, and played in every game during his time on campus. Today he is a Senior Principal Lead at the Chick-fil-a Corporate Support Center in Atlanta – helping new owners and operators opening restaurants. His journey with the restaurant began in 2014 through a temporary role in their Leadership Development Program with his responsibilities progressing and evolving to where he is today. Prior to Chick-fil-a, he worked with the UGAA, Metro Atlanta Chamber and Texas A&M Athletics.
A 2001 SEC Player of the Year, two-time All-American, three-time All-SEC honoree and former Nationwide PGA tour member, Nick Cassini is a partner at the firm that bears his name, Cassini Holdings Inc. Previously he held leadership positions at Ansley Developer Services, IMI Worldwide Properties, Porto Montenegro and IMI Resort Holdings. This year, Cassini co-founded The Rose, a private golf club with fellow golfers Bubba Watson, Brendon Todd and Chris Kirk. He and his wife, Beth, also joined the Magill Society this year.
“In 2024, it’s more important than ever for student athletes to understand the importance of sound business decisions, often starting now while they are still in school,” said Josh Brooks, J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics at the University of Georgia. “The Arch Award provides concrete examples of UGA athletes who’ve been in their shoes and are applying their lessons learned on and off the field of play to become savvy business leaders. Nick and C.J. are continuing that rich tradition.”
To learn more about previous winners of the Arch Award Presented by The Piedmont Bank and their success on and off the field, please visit here.
About The Piedmont Bank
Piedmont Bancorp, Inc. is a $2 Billion asset bank holding company headquartered in Peachtree Corners, GA. Through its subsidiary, The Piedmont Bank, the company operates 16 branches in the Atlanta area and North Georgia dedicated to exceptional service and innovative products for both businesses and personal banking. For more information, visit http://www.piedmont.bank.
Nearly 50,000 dockworkers from the International Longshoremen’s Association went on strike across the United States Eastern Seaboard in October. The strike, which lasted three days, ended on Oct. 3 after a tentative wage agreement was reached between the union and the United States Maritime Alliance.
However, this trend is not isolated to the shipping industry. In retail, frictionless stores are reducing the need for cashiers, while self-driving trucks are poised to replace drivers, at least on some routes.
The dockworker strike may have been resolved for now, but it was neither the first, nor will it be the last, showdown between labour and automation.
May Day holds particular significance in the southern Indian state of Kerala, a heartland of Indian communism. It had one of the earliest democratically elected communist governments in the world. In 1957, the Communist Party of India won the Assembly election in Kerala, setting a precedent for parliamentary communism in the country.
Commonplace until recently, nokku kooli literally translates to “wages for looking on.” It was a practice where private individuals and businesses were forced to compensate worker unions for using industrial equipment towards productive ends, even if no labour was done.
For instance, a construction company moving material using cranes was still expected to pay wages at negotiated or union mandated rates to the workers who would have otherwise been needed to load and unload goods.
In response, powerful unions backed the nokku kooli system, with the government turning a blind eye. The system ensured workers would still receive a share of the economic pie, even as technology rendered their labour increasingly unnecessary.
Kerala’s nokku kooli practice, however, serves as a cautionary tale. What may have started as a natural immediate response of organized labour facing a rapid industrial transition eventually became increasingly extortionary, with predictable and damaging economic consequences.
In the decades that followed, the state’s reputation for militant trade unionism hindered its ability to attract private investment. Kerala experienced labour shortages in several sectors, while workers in automated roles, such as loading and unloading, continued to expect compensatory wages for little effort.
Same old fears
Today, fears of automation causing job losses are still prompting calls for policy fixes. Bill Gates and others have called for a “robot tax” — a tax on automation.
The revenue from such a tax would offset reduced income tax collections. Proponents argue it could be invested in worker retraining programs or for income replacement. These proposals mirror the spirit of nokku kooli: businesses should compensate workers, directly or indirectly, when machines replace their jobs.
This speaks to a tension between short- and long-term approaches in addressing the impacts of technological disruption. Short-term fixes, like a robot tax, may mitigate immediate job losses and give workers a safety net.
However, some economists argue this is a misguided response to a “techno-panic” and risks stifling innovation, which could reduce productivity and hinder companies that rely on efficiency to stay viable in a global market.
Moreover, safety nets such as replacement incomes for displaced workers can also have unintended consequences in the long run, as seen in Kerala. While easing the transition, these measures risk creating a dependent workforce disincentivized to adapt to new economic realities.
Short-term fixes better than none
Still, perhaps short-term fixes — even ones that may eventually need undoing — are better than entirely ignoring the immediate and real impacts on workers, or offering glib solutions such as asking displaced industrial workers to learn to code.
We still lack mechanisms to adequately redistribute economic gains due to technological innovation. Ignoring the disruptive impacts, however transitory, could still leave entire segments of the workforce behind, compounding inequality and social unrest.
In the end, the lesson from Kerala might not just be about avoiding excess. It is also a reminder that policies that no longer work can, and should, be undone. As we embrace technological progress, we must not risk losing sight of the real people whose livelihoods are at stake in the here and now.
Sanjith Gopalakrishnan 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: The Conversation – Canada – By Kerry McCuaig, Fellow in Early Childhood Policy, Atkinson Centre, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
The world is witnessing some of the highest levels of conflict in decades, with more than 110 armed conflicts occurring across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and Europe.
The impact of these wars on children is vast and multifaceted. The trauma inflicted is enduring and will shape the rest of their lives — and by extension, the societies in which they, and we live.
As researchers who study how public policies can intervene to reduce adverse outcomes for children, we contend that wars are not bound by geography. Airstrikes terrorize children in conflict zones, while those living in the nations involved in these conflicts also experience trauma in the form of poverty, neglect, and discrimination.
Modern conflicts are markedly lop-sided where often only one combatant has fighter jets, tanks, and explosives. Entire cities become war zones where children are not just caught in the crossfire, but are deliberately targeted.
The United Nations Children’s Fund and other global humanitarian organizations have raised the alarm, saying women and children “are disproportionately bearing the burden” of the violence.
Beyond direct violence, children are subjected to the toxic stress of war. Suspended supply chains and agricultural production leave besieged populations vulnerable to acute and chronic malnutrition, with devastating consequences for children’s growth, immune and metabolic systems, and cognitive development. The destruction of schools, hospitals, and homes compounds the trauma, while attacks on humanitarian assistance eliminate any respite.
The disruption of vaccination programs allows preventable diseases to proliferate. Polio, once on the verge of global eradication, is spreading in Gaza. The direct targeting of sanitation and water treatment facilities creates conditions ripe for cholera outbreaks. Mpox, a deadly virus that causes painful blistering rashes, kills children at a far higher rate than adults and is prevalent in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The situation is particularly dire for infant and maternal health. Pregnancy in war zones is associated with fewer live births, increased preterm delivery, and low birth weight. War-generated pollution has been linked to birth defects. The fallout reaches beyond the war zone. A study found greater incidents of pregnancy complications and birth defects in the children of U.S. war veterans.
The psychological toll of war
Witnessing constant violence, death and destruction can permanently change how a child’s brain develops. Research has shown that trauma in early childhood particularly affects the areas of the brain responsible for stress responses. This means that children who experience war are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and stress disorders.
As they grow into adulthood, these mental health issues can manifest in more profound ways, increasing the likelihood of depression and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Extreme stress also affects parenting, putting children at risk for maltreatment and neglect. Even when the fighting stops or families leave combat zones, parental substance abuse or deteriorating mental health can leave children vulnerable. Studies have documented increased physical and emotional mistreatment among the children of returning U.S. military personnel.
The experiences of trauma are cumulative and far-reaching, not only affecting children’s immediate mental health, but also their ability to form relationships, learn, and thrive later in life.
Impact on education
Armed conflicts devastate the critical infrastructure needed to support healthy child development. Children can spend months fleeing war zones or sheltering against bombardment disrupting their education. Schools are often destroyed or repurposed. Teachers are displaced or killed. For many, attending school is simply too dangerous, leaving millions of children without basic education, significantly reducing their future opportunities.
Girls are more likely to be kept out of school to fill in for absent or deceased adults. Those separated from their family are at increased risk for gender violence, exploitation, and teen pregnancy, further entrenching cycles of poverty and inequality that are difficult to break even after the conflict ends.
A BBC news report about a school in Yemen destroyed during the war.
Children in other countries also suffer, as public revenues are diverted from schools, health care, and other poverty-reduction measures to finance the machinery of war.
The long-term societal impact is profound. Education is one of the strongest tools for reducing violence and rebuilding societies. Yet tragically, less than three per cent of humanitarian aid funding goes towards education in war zones.
Despite the enormous challenges, there are pathways to reduce the harm inflicted on children. Humanitarian organizations work to provide safe spaces for children to play, learn, and heal.
These interventions, while often simple, are crucial for giving children a sense of normalcy during chaos. Supporting caregivers is another essential element, as the mental health of parents and guardians directly affects their children’s well-being.
While invaluable, these efforts are only band-aid solutions. The international community must increase funding for child protection and education in humanitarian responses and undertake serious action to eliminate the causes of war.
Kerry McCuaig receives funding from the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation, the Atkinson Foundation and the Lawson Foundation.
Emis Akbari receives funding from The Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation, The Lawson Foundation and The Atkinson Foundation.
The African Development Bank Group has appointed Dr Anthony Simpasa, a Zambian economist, as Director of Macroeconomics Policy, Forecasting and Research, effective 1 September 2024.
Simpasa is a thought leader with over two decades of experience in academia, central banking, and international development. He has deep knowledge of Africa’s development and policy landscape, leading teams on complex flagship projects, country operations, and research initiatives.
He joined the African Development Bank Group in 2011 as Principal Research Economist and has held several positions. Most recently, he served as Division Manager of Macroeconomics Policy, Debt Sustainability, and Forecasting since March 2023. From February 2022 through March 2023, he doubled as acting division manager, Macroeconomics Policy, Debt Sustainability and Forecasting, and lead economist for the Nigeria Country Department.
Simpasa has played a pivotal role in producing the annual African Economic Outlook, the Bank’s flagship publication; he was also the founding Manager of Africa’s Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook report, which debuted in 2023.
Before joining the African Development Bank Group, he was Manager of Market Studies in the Financial Markets Department at the Bank of Zambia, where he led efforts to enhance monetary policy implementation. He also served as a lecturer in the Economics Department at the University of Zambia and was a visiting scholar at the International Monetary Fund.
Throughout his career, Simpasa has contributed significantly to policy development. He produced the African Development Bank’s inaugural Country Diagnostic Note and co-led Nigeria’s COVID-19 Crisis Response Budget Support. He currently leads a team of Bank staff and external experts for the flagship “Measuring the Green Wealth of Nations Natural Capital and Economic Productivity in Africa” project.
Simpasa holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Cape Town, South Africa (2010), a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Botswana (1998), and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Zambia (1996).
Upon his appointment, Simpasa said: “I am greatly honored by President Adesina’s mark of confidence in entrusting me with the responsibility of leading the Bank’s analytical work and policy dialogue, as well as generating knowledge to support its operations. This role will accord me an opportunity to work with colleagues to reposition the Department as the center of intellectual excellence in delivering on the Bank’s knowledge strategy and building its franchise value as an institution and partner of choice for advisory services and policy dialogue in Africa.”
Commenting on the appointment, the President of the African Development Bank Group and chairman of its board of directors, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, said: “I am pleased to appoint Dr Anthony Simpasa as Director, Macroeconomics Policy, Forecasting and Research Department. He is a versatile and passionate applied economist with sound knowledge of Africa’s socio-economic landscape, which he has gained through a career spanning more than 20 years in academia, central banking, international development, and policy research. He will play a critical role in helping to provide strategic vision, delivery and leadership on economic policy and research at the Bank Group, and to inform and shape its work with sound analysis and direction. His vast experience in leading country policy dialogue coupled with the ability to build strong partnerships and networks will be a key asset in enhancing and developing the Bank Group’s knowledge profile, influence and impact.”
Burundi has joined other African countries in commemorating the 60th anniversary of the African Development Bank (AfDB), marking six decades of partnership and unveiling plans for future collaboration with the premier development finance institution.
The celebration, held under the patronage of Burundi’s Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning Audace Niyonzima, brought together representatives of government and civil society, development partners, and academics in the capital, Bujumbura.
The occasion also marked the presentation of the Bank’s 2024-2029 Country Strategy Paper for Burundi, which aims to support the country’s efforts towards a more inclusive and sustainable future, aligning with its National Development Plan 2018-2027.
Six decades of fruitful cooperation
Since joining the AfDB in 1968, Burundi has benefited from 173 projects financed by the Bank, totaling $1.52 billion in critical sectors such as energy, transport infrastructure and agriculture.
Pascal Yembiline, head of the Bank’s country office in Burundi, reaffirmed the AfDB’s ongoing commitment to Burundi’s development. “The successes achieved, particularly in infrastructure and access to energy, testify to our commitment to Burundi,” Yembiline stated during the launch ceremony.
Damas Bakuranimana, Permanent Secretary at Burundi’s Ministry of Finance, commended the Bank’s ongoing support, highlighting the progress made in strategic sectors such as energy and agriculture. “We hope that this cooperation will continue and will help to accomplish our vision for Burundi as an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060,” he said.
The two-day celebration included a conference debate at the University of Burundi, featuring representatives of the Bank, UNDP, IMF and the World Bank, as well as academics and students from the Faculty of Economics and Management. Discussions focused on the role of international financial institutions in Africa’s development, particularly in Burundi.
An open-day event for Burundian civil society organizations (CSOs) showcased the Bank’s policies and partnership opportunities. Bernard Ndiho, representing Burundi’s Youth Association for Peace through Development, praised the Bank’s efforts to engage with local CSOs.
Participants visited the East African Nutrition Sciences Institute – an important project that illustrates the Bank’s commitment to health and nutrition in Burundi
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Wiley Nickel (NC-13)
Today, Congressman Wiley Nickel (NC-13) announced $422,235 in funding from the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) for North Carolina State University to perform a study on DNA quantification in forensic science.
This study aims to improve performance on DNA quantification techniques to allow for the analysis of a wider range of samples. DNA quantification determines the amount of DNA present in a given sample to ensure further analysis is accurate for profiling, comparison, and when working with damaged DNA from crime scenes. This funding provides essential support to overcoming traditional barriers in forensic science in an effort to make the field more accurate and timely in critical situations.
“I’m pleased to announce that NC State is putting our federal dollars to good use by advancing studies in forensic sciences,” said Congressman Nickel. “This investment not only supports North Carolina’s educational institutions, but also strengthens our commitment to justice and safety in our communities.”
The OJP supports the DOJ’s criminal and juvenile justice-related science and programmatic agencies, while providing funding, research and statistics, training, and leadership to advance safety, increase access to justice, and promote civil rights and equity.
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