NewzIntel.com

Category: Universities

  • MIL-OSI: Surety Health Brings Profits to Corporations and Newfound NIL Funds to Universities and Colleges

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Surety Health, Inc. has recently partnered with Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Boca Raton, FL, a Tier 1 National Research Institution by supporting the university’s athletic departments in the NCAA’s American Athletic Conference. This partnership will cause a percentage of corporate profits from other companies to help increase the university’s athletic department NIL initiative which refers to the rights of college athletes to control and profit from their name, image and likeness.

    J. Stephen Leach, CEO founded the company in 2022 through a vision to use a specific tax law in the American Healthcare Act of 2017 passed by the 115th congress to increase profits in excess of $100 million for employers in the Palm Beach County area. This partnership with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is also causing greater exposure to some of the nation’s largest employers to help increase company profits while also benefiting their employees.

    Surety Health will also partner with a dozen or so other universities in a similar capacity to increase the company’s value by $1 billion per university for its shareholders.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Cohen Calls for Allowing Ukrainian Use of NATO-Supplied Weapons in Russia

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), the House Ranking Member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today called for allowing NATO-supplied weapons to be used by Ukraine within Russia during a commission hearing on “Russia’s Shadow War on NATO.”

    In his opening remarks, Congressman Cohen said that, now more than ever, Vladimir Putin “wants to weaken and destabilize the West,” including through the use of disinformation campaigns aimed at interfering in our elections to help Donald Trump.

    Congressman Cohen also noted that Ukraine is asking to use offensive weapons inside Russia, adding: “and I support their request.”

    He continued: “I think they need to go forward with offensive weapons and strike into Russia and bring the war home to the Russian people. This is ludicrous – to allow Russia to attack and kill Ukrainians, destroy cultural objects, destroy cities with reckless disregard for life. Hit schools, hit hospitals and senior facilities – and Ukraine is not supposed to go into Russia? That’s crazy. I mean both your arms are tied behind your back and tied behind it, unfortunately, by my government, our government, which is supporting Ukraine — and we’ve done a lot — but we’ve been slow in doing it…This war would have been much closer to ending – on Ukraine’s terms, but ending – if we’d have given them those weapons earlier.”

    See his entire opening statement here.

    See his questions to the witnesses here.

    Witnesses at today’s hearing were:

    • Mr. Erkki Tori, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Estonia;
    • Dr. Benjamin L. Schmitt, Senior Fellow, Department of Physics and Astronomy and Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, University of Pennsylvania; and
    • Mr. Michael Weiss, Investigative Journalist and Author

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES $387,750 IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO MERCER UNIVERSITY TO HELP TREAT DRUG ADDICTION

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

    MACON, Ga. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) is pleased to announce that Mercer University has been awarded $387,750 in federal funds by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through its Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs for biochemistry research that will help address the opioid epidemic and the additional complications arising from illicit contamination with fentanyl and xylazine.

    “I am pleased that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is supporting the amazing research being done at Mercer University,” said Congressman Bishop. “Through the tireless efforts of faculty and staff to better understand the biochemistry of illicit drugs, we can develop new ways to treat addiction and help prevent drug abuse.”

    “The widespread adulteration of fentanyl with xylazine has worsened the ongoing U.S. opioid epidemic, as the addition of xylazine causes new clinical consequences, including severe skin necrosis,” said Dr. Nader H. Moniri, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research at Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Co-Principal Investigator of the study. “This NIH grant is vital for advancing the understanding of how xylazine use destroys skin tissue at a molecular level. By investigating these processes, we aim to identify pathways for developing more effective treatments and interventions.”

    Xylazine is a non-opiate sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant only authorized in the United States for veterinary use according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is not currently a controlled substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the prevalence of xylazine is increasing, spreading beyond the traditional white-powder heroin markets in the northeastern United States where it has been seen for several years.

    The research supported by this grant will help better understand how xylazine affects individuals. The findings may be helpful in developing clinical treatments to counteract the negative effects seen with illicit use of the drug or substances contaminated with it.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: UNICEF – Leading global businesses and organisations join UNICEF to demand increased investment and action on child and youth mental health

    Source: UNICEF Aotearoa NZ

    An open letter, signed by more than 40 entities and published at the UN General Assembly, calls for a multi-sectoral approach to tackle the mental health funding gap.
    Today, (overnight NZ time) at an innovative financing for mental health event at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), UNICEF and the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health launched an open letter, signed by more than 40 businesses and organisations, calling for greater investment and action on child and youth mental health globally.
    Supported by UNICEF Coalition members, including Jo Malone London, lululemon, Pinterest, Spotify, Zurich Insurance Company Ltd and Z Zurich Foundation, and joined by global businesses and organizations, such as Capgemini, Dove, Kleenex, LEGO Foundation, Les Mills, Movember, Pandora, Tim Bergling Foundation, and United for Global Mental Health, the letter urges a coordinated multi-sectoral response to address the global mental health funding gap of at least US$200 billion.
    Increased funding is critical to supporting child and youth mental health, especially in the face of continued challenges that existed long before the pandemic, including climate change, global humanitarian crises, online risks and historic underinvestment in its promotion, prevention and care.
    One in seven adolescents worldwide are living with a mental health condition – with most cases going undetected and untreated. This is exacerbated by limited resources. On average less than 2 per cent of global government health expenditures is spent on mental health for the general population, while only a very small proportion of these funds goes towards children’s mental health services.
    “The private sector has a unique capacity to foster mental health and wellbeing, through their substantial influence within their workforces, through their services and customers, and globally. By leveraging their resources, expertise and influence, UNICEF and partners can contribute to comprehensive, accessible, and effective solutions that address the diverse needs of children, young people, caregivers and communities at large to promote mental health and wellbeing on a global scale,” said UNICEF Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships Carla Haddad Mardini.
    UNICEF’s Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health and its members are calling for wider recognition, investment and responsibility from the business community, and private and public sectors to drive forward progress.
    Jo Dancey, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Jo Malone London said: “Too many children and young people are living with mental health conditions, but don’t have access to support or treatment. As a global brand and a UNICEF Coalition member, we care deeply about this issue and the need for change. By signing this letter alongside over 40 businesses and organizations, we are highlighting the need for global leaders to act early to support the mental health of children, young people and caregivers globally.”
    Katarina Berg, General Manager Sweden + CHRO, Sustainability, Global Workplace Services at Spotify, said: “We are proud of our ongoing partnership with UNICEF and we remain committed to making a meaningful impact on improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes for our listeners, artists, and creators.”
    Wanji Walcott, Chief Legal and Business Affairs Officer at Pinterest, said “At Pinterest, we’re creating an inspirational and positive online experience for young people everywhere. Supporting youth mental health and wellbeing is foundational to our mission and this work requires everyone coming together. We’re proud to partner with UNICEF and other coalition members to leverage our collective resources and help tackle the mental health funding gap.”
    Gary Shaughnessy, Chair of the Z Zurich Foundation, said: “We are dedicated to relentlessly contributing to mental wellbeing programmes which can best support youth to thrive in all aspects of their life. It’s encouraging to witness the positive response from various sectors to our call for increased investment in mental health globally. Although there is still much work to be done, these efforts will significantly help to address the mental health needs of all young people, particularly those who are most vulnerable.”
    Other supporting signatories of the letter include Orange and the Solterre Foundation, as well as key global mental health actors, such as the MHPSS Collaborative, the Healthy Brains Global Initiative, Prospira Global and Vertentes, among others.
    This is a critical year for addressing child and youth mental health as a global issue, with actions taken now paving the way to the United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health in September 2025, which will culminate in the publication of an outcome document with commitments across member states.
    The Open Letter to global leaders gathering for UNGA 79 and the Summit for the Future says:
    ‘As you gather for the United Nations General Assembly High Level Week and the Summit of the Future, we, over 40 businesses, organizations and supporters from over 20 countries, together with the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health led by UNICEF – are calling for increased investment in and action on child and youth mental health globally. Historic underinvestment in mental health promotion, prevention and care and ongoing stigma and discrimination, accompanied by the impact of COVID-19 and persisting global challenges, are affecting child and youth mental health in every country. While demand for support is increasing, global investment is not even meeting the current levels of need.
    Mental health determines emotional, intellectual, physical and social well-being. It shapes how we think, feel and act and confers our ability to handle stress, build and manage relationships, and make choices that affect not only our own lives, but also those of the
    people around us. Mental health is important at every stage of life, especially for children and young people. When child and youth mental health is prioritized the impact on young lives both now and for the future is significant, including improved quality of life, increased likelihood of completing education, long-term economic returns, and lower rates of premature mortality [1]. However, the consequences of failing to address child and youth mental health conditions extend into adulthood. Fifty per cent of mental health conditions develop before the age of 14 and have the potential of impairing both physical and mental health and limiting children’s opportunities to lead fulfilling lives.[2] Additionally, suicide is the 4th leading cause of death among 15- to 19-year-olds globally.[3]
    The global annual mental health finance gap is estimated to be at least $200 billion.[4] Most countries around the world allocate relatively small budgets to support health systems, and within those budgets an even smaller proportion, just 2 per cent on average [5], is directed towards mental health support – including much-needed child and youth mental health services. This critical funding gap must be addressed so we can collectively meet the urgent mental health needs of future generations.
    It is estimated that, due to mental health conditions, we lose nearly US$390 billion worth of human capital that could go towards national economies each year.[6] We must promote a multi-sectoral response to achieve change. Both the private and the public sectors have a key role to play through investment and influence, to break this cycle and shape our collective future.
    The Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health calls for increased investment in mental health across all countries and in all sectors and settings, including in humanitarian crises, that meets the mental health needs of all young people, especially those most in need. We urge governments to increase their domestic spending on mental health within relevant budgets including health, education and social services, as well as scale funding for mental health and psychosocial support within international development assistance. This should include targeted financing for children and youth.
    Acting early to support children, youth and caregivers is the best investment we can make to promote good mental health, prevent poor mental health, and respond to the complex mental health issues children face today. We urge you to prioritize child and youth mental health now.
    We are calling for global leaders across the public and private sectors to invest in:
    – Ensuring every child, youth and caregiver globally can access support for their mental health: This means increasing access to quality and holistic mental health support provided across sectors, by investing in promotion, prevention and care for children, youth and caregivers, with a focus on community-based care that is effective, sustainable, age sensitive and culturally appropriate.
    – Filling the evidence gaps on child and youth mental health: This means improving data and increasing research to better understand who is affected in each context and what works for specific at-risk groups, and to further expand our ability to respond across age groups, with a focus on promotion and prevention. This investment should aim to future-proof our response, ensuring resilience during pressing global challenges such as in humanitarian emergencies and climate and ecological crises.
    – Developing internal strategies and practices: This includes fostering employees’ mental health and well-being by encompassing mental health support within the workplace and developing and adapting products or services offered by the company and in the wider community. This includes initiatives tailored for youth and caregivers employed in the organizations.
    Though our inner worlds are often unseen, our actions should not be. Child and youth mental health is ‘On Our Minds’.’
    Full list of signatories:
    UNICEF Coalition Member signatories:
    Jo Malone London, lululemon, Pinterest, Spotify, Z Zurich Foundation, Zurich Insurance Company Ltd
    Supported by:
    Cape Mental Health, Capgemini, ChildFund International, Darbar Sahitya Sansada, Dove, Family first nurseries, Global Mental Health Lab, Columbia University, Health Brains Global Initiative, Health Poverty Action, Instituto Vita Alere de Prevencao e Posvencao do Suicidio, Kleenex, League for Mental Health in Slovakia, LEGO Foundation, Les Mills International Ltd, Little Lions Child Coaching NPC, Mental Wealth Initiative, The University of Sydney, MLAC institute for Psychosocial Services, Movember, Northern Cape Mental Health Society, Orange, Pandora, Partnership for Children, Professionals for Humanity (PROFOH), Prospira Global, Sehat Jiwa Bahagia, Soleterre Foundation, SoulBeeGood, Tanzania Community Health Information and Support (TaCHIS), The MHPSS Collaborative, Tim Bergling Foundation, Trusts Motion, United for Global Mental Health, Vertentes, War Child Alliance, Youth Association for Development Pakistan, YouthConnektAfrica.
    About the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health
    The Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health was established by UNICEF, with the support of the Z Zurich Foundation, to address the increasing global burden of mental health in young people by calling for investment and action on mental health. Current Coalition members include Jo Malone London, Pinterest, Sony, Spotify, Zurich Insurance Group and Z Zurich Foundation.
    Since its launch, the Coalition members have collectively invested over US$30 million in child and youth mental health, catalyzing significant impact in numerous countries. Its direct investment has globally empowered children and young people with tools, training, and awareness initiatives. This means that young people worldwide are equipped with the necessary resources to navigate their mental health and wellbeing, enabling them to face life’s challenges with resilience and confidence.
    About UNICEF UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org. Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
    UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Wicker Introduce Resolution Commemorating the 30th Anniversary Of the Eradication Of Polio In The Americas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    09.24.24

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) today introduced a resolution commemorating the 30th anniversary of the eradication of polio in the Americas, in which the World Health Organization (WHO) certified the region as being “polio-free” on September 29, 1994.  Nearly 60,000 children in the United States were reported to have polio in 1952, with more than 20,000 cases of paralysis.  The polio vaccine was discovered at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania by Jonas Salk and his research team between 1952 and 1953.  The resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Patty Murray (D-WA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

    “Polio is a cruel disease, one that has historically caused considerable pain here in the United States, and abroad,” Durbin said. “But thanks to the effort of groups like Chicago’s Rotary International, today, polio remains endemic in only two countries worldwide: Afghanistan and Pakistan.  The complete worldwide eradication of polio is imminently achievable.  I’m pleased to introduce this resolution with my colleague, Senator Wicker, recognizing the important achievements we have made and urging a sustained commitment to finally eradicate this disease once and for all.”

    “We are closer than ever to eliminating polio – thanks in part to consistent U.S. investments over the last 30 years. I will continue working to build on this momentum and strengthen eradication-initiatives, especially in Afghanistan and Pakistan,”Wicker said.

    “The Shot@Life campaign thanks Senators Durbin and Wicker for introducing this bipartisan Resolution and for their longstanding leadership in the fight to end polio,” said Cara Ciullo, Senior Director for Shot@Life.  “The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is a critical leader in the global effort to ensure children everywhere have access to polio vaccinations.  U.S. government support for these activities protects vulnerable children and strengthens global health security, keeping Americans safe at home and abroad.”

    “Rotary is delighted to see this resolution highlighting progress toward ending polio,” said Michael McGovern, Chair of Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee. “While we celebrate the fact that the Americas have been polio free for more than a generation, we can’t become complacent. Polio anywhere is a risk everywhere. A polio free world is Rotary’s top priority and we are grateful for continued US leadership toward that shared goal.”

    In the resolution, the Senators highlight Rotary International, an international association founded in 1905 in Chicago, Illinois, and now headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, which has made eradicating polio globally one of its top priorities.  Rotary International has been a key contributor to reducing outbreaks of polio worldwide, including contributing more than $2.7 billion in the global fight against polio.  Since 1988 the number of cases of polio around the world has been reduced by 99 percent, as a result of the efforts and support from Rotary International, WHO, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Foundation, the United States, and other national governments.

     Text of the resolution can be found here.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee On Supreme Court Ruling In Donald Trump Immunity Case

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    09.24.24

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “‘When the President Does It, that Means It’s Not Illegal’: The Supreme Court’s Unprecedented Immunity Decision.”  The hearing explored the ramifications of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. United States.  Durbin began by questioning Mary McCord, Executive Director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, a Visiting Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center, and a former Department of Justice (DOJ) official about the Supreme Court majority opinion in Trump v. United States, which established a framework for determining presidential immunity.  In the framework, the justices stated that there is no immunity for unofficial acts; but evidence of immunized official conduct is inadmissible to secure convictions for prosecutable conduct, such as unofficial acts.

    “Professor McCord, as a former prosecutor, could you walk us through what prosecutors need to establish to successfully secure convictions, and exactly how this prohibition on evidence in Trump v. United States would prevent prosecutors from doing so?”  Durbin asked.

    Professor McCord responded that a prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt “every element of the offense charged.”  The majority’s opinion in Trump v. United States will hamstring prosecutions of conduct that the opinion does not immunize by prohibiting the introduction of evidence of official acts that would “help secure [a President’s] conviction, even on charges that purport to be based only on [their] unofficial conduct.”  In Professor McCord’s response, she referenced Justice Barrett’s concurrence, which argued that, “[t]he Constitution, of course, does not authorize a President to seek or accept bribes…[y]et excluding from trial any mention of the official act connected to the bribe would hamstring the prosecution.”

    Durbin continued, “Justice Barrett went on to argue that the majority’s concern that ‘allowing into evidence official acts for which the President cannot be prosecuted may prejudice the jury’ is already addressed by the rules of evidence, which ‘are equipped to handle that concern on a case-by-case basis.’  Do you agree with that?”

    Professor McCord responded that she agreed.  She continued to say, “that includes when evidence might be prejudicial than probative.”

    Durbin then asked Philip Lacovara, a former Deputy Solicitor General of the United States for criminal and national security matters and Counsel to the Watergate special prosecutor, about finding the basis of presidential immunity in the Constitution. 

    Mr. Lacovara replied that “this is one of the great ironies of the decision by Chief Justice Roberts.”  He continued to say, “it’s not just a question of not being able to find authority in the text of the Constitution—any form of immunity… for commission of crimes by a president—the Constitution clearly says the opposite.  The president is subject to impeachment… [the] text [of the Constitution] goes onto to say, ‘but the party convicted, that includes the president, should nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgement, and punishment according to law.’”  He states that the framers of the Constitution clearly demonstrated that the president is subject to the normal course of law. 

    Durbin concluded the hearing by stating, “Holding a hearing on the Supreme Court decision is almost routine in this committee… History will judge that it was the right thing to do in light of the gravity of this decision.  And secondly, questioning the ethics of the Supreme Court happens to be our responsibility under the Constitution.”

    Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

    Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

    Footage of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here for TV Stations.

    On July 1, the Supreme Court’s rightwing supermajority ruled that not just Donald Trump—but also future presidents—may be immune from abusing the levers of government to overturn an election or engage in other misconduct. The Court held in a misguided 6-3 decision that “the nature of Presidential power entitles a former President to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority. And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.”

    Durbin previously condemned the ruling and announced this hearing, describing the decision as “judicial activism unmoored from the text of the Constitution and intentions of our framers” that “Congress cannot turn a blind eye to.”

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Smith urges U.S. to independently investigate the fatal shooting of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash) sent a letter, cosigned by 102 of his colleagues, to urge the U.S. to investigate the fatal shooting of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.  

    See below for the full letter. 

    Dear President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Attorney General Garland: 

    On September 6, we learned about the fatal shooting in the West Bank of American citizen Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Seattle resident and recent graduate of the University of Washington. We extend our deepest condolences to Ms. Eygi’s family during this moment of tragedy, and our thoughts are with her family and loved ones. 

    We are deeply disturbed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) preliminary investigation that found “it is highly likely” Ms. Eygi “was hit indirectly and unintentionally by IDF fire which was not aimed at her” during a “violent riot.” This contradicts credible, independent eyewitness accounts that suggest the shooting was intentional without provocation. A Washington Post investigation based on interviews with eyewitnesses and West Bank residents, photos, and videos indicates the shooting occurred “more than a half-hour after the height of confrontations in Beita, and some 20 minutes after protesters had moved down the main road — more than 200 yards away from Israeli forces.” 

    Given the evidence, we believe the United States must independently investigate whether this was a homicide. To walk away without asking further questions gives Israeli forces unacceptable license to act with impunity. There must be accountability for Ms. Eygi’s death. We therefore call on the White House, State Department, and Department of Justice to lead an independent, thorough, credible, and transparent investigation into the killing of Ms. Eygi. This investigation should include all evidence found and rationale for how findings were determined in a written report to the family. 

    We request a written explanation provided to the family and the undersigned members to the following questions no later than October 4, 2024: 

    1. What does the U.S. government currently know about the circumstances surrounding Ms. Eygi’s killing? 

    1. Will the U.S. government conduct an independent, thorough, credible, and transparent investigation into the killing of Ms. Eygi? 

    1. What would be the proposed timeline and plan for such an investigation? 

    1. How will the U.S. government seek accountability if the Israeli government refuses to cooperate with such an investigation? 

    We appreciate your attention to these matters and look forward to your prompt response.” 

    A full copy of the letter can be found at the link above.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New undergraduate course for optometrists

    Source: Scottish Government

    UK-leading course to support delivery of wider range of services.

    A new Master’s undergraduate degree has been launched to increase the skills, knowledge and experience that optometry students will have when they graduate.

    The course at Glasgow Caledonian University, which has just accepted its first cohort of students, is the first in the UK to offer an integrated optometry with independent prescribing qualification.

    Among other things, graduates will be able to prescribe medications for eye conditions previously referred to the GP or hospital ophthalmologists. This will support more patients to be managed in the community closer to home without further referral, helping to get patients treated quicker and ease pressures on NHS waiting lists.

    Higher Education Minister Graeme Dey and Public Health Minister Jenni Minto met the new cohort of students and representatives from the university at its Vision Centre facilities.

    Mr Dey said:

    “It’s exciting to see Scotland is ahead of the game when it comes to upskilling our optometry workforce and this new course will ensure they will have the right skills, knowledge and experience to meet future challenges.

    “Graduates of this groundbreaking course will play an important role in establishing a wider range of community-based ophthalmic care. Patients will be able to be treated closer to home, helping to reduce the pressures on GPs and hospital waiting lists.

    “I’m delighted that we’re able to support Glasgow Caledonian University’s new course. The Scottish Government continues to invest over £1 billion in university teaching and research.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Thousands of deaths could be avoided with new vaccine Older people should take a new vaccine to protect them against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) according to new research from the University of Aberdeen and the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Older person being vaccinatedOlder people should take a new vaccine to protect them against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) according to new research from the University of Aberdeen and the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research.

    In new research published in Age & Ageing today, a team of scientists led by Professor Roy Soiza, Consultant Geriatrician and Honorary Chair at the University reviewed the evidence on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines against RSV in older and frailer individuals. They found the vaccines to be 86 percent effective in preventing RSV-related lower respiratory tract infections in the first year after vaccination. 

    If uptake of the vaccine reaches 70 percent, evidence suggests that up to 2,800 deaths could be prevented in the UK every year.  Additionally, with at least 70 percent uptake, around 36,000 GP consultations, 4,600 hospitalisations and 1,000 ICU admissions could be avoided.   

    However, the authors warn of a culture of ‘vaccine fatigue’ as well as ‘vaccine hesitancy’ which could impact on the numbers of older people accepting the vaccine.  

    The review paper comes in response to the UK launch of a new vaccination programme against RSV for 75 to 79-year-olds. Known to cause serious lung infections in very young infants, there is growing evidence that RSV can also cause serious chest infections in the elderly population contributing to an estimated 8000 deaths and 175,000 GP interventions every year in the UK.  

    Professor Roy Soiza who led the research at the University of Aberdeen explains: “The NHS is badly stretched, so efforts to reduce the healthcare burden from avoidable communicable diseases such as RSV infection are highly desirable. Although some sections of social media are often dominated by anti-vaccine messages, it is important that reliable public health messages cut through the noise. 

    “Our review found that the vaccines are safe and effective and we are calling on healthcare professionals and carers to encourage those invited to receive the vaccine to take up the opportunity.   

    “There is evidence of effectiveness in preventing RSV-related lower respiratory tract infections of around 86 percent in the first year after vaccination.  

    “Trials have been conducted in people aged over 60 years of age, including those with underlying medical conditions, but the number of volunteers aged 80 or over was too small to be certain of the extent of benefit. Nevertheless, we saw in the covid pandemic that the effectiveness of vaccines in trials of younger and healthier people was replicated in those who were much frailer and older.   

    “We therefore urge those with an interest in the care of older people to encourage those eligible and invited to have the new vaccine to take it.” 

    Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Immunisation and Vaccination at Public Health Scotland, said: “The recent launch of Scotland’s new RSV vaccination programme marks another significant step forward to protect the health of the population.    

    “RSV can be very serious for those who are more vulnerable, such as older adults. In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in those aged 75 years and over being hospitalised for RSV. That’s why we’re asking all those who are eligible for the RSV vaccine to take up the offer to protect themselves against the more serious complications of an RSV infection.” 

    Antonia Ho, Professor of Infectious Diseases at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, who collaborated on the research said: “The availability of the first effective RSV vaccines in the UK is really exciting. Along with existing influenza and covid-19 vaccines, they will allow us to protect vulnerable groups from serious lung infections, and reduce the enormous pressures faced by the NHS in the winter months. 

    “The vaccination catch-up campaign for 76 to 79 years is due to end on 30 September 2024 and I would urge those who are eligible to attend their vaccination appointment.”

    Our review found that the vaccines are safe and effective and we are calling on healthcare professionals and carers to encourage those invited to receive the vaccine to take up the opportunity.” Professor Roy Soiza

    To find out how you can help support medical research at the University of Aberdeen please contact giving@abdn.ac.uk. If you would prefer to make a gift of your time, please contact alumni@abdn.ac.uk to find out more about our alumni volunteering opportunities.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Adams, Grassley, Merkley, Booker, and Hinson Shine Light on Stillbirth Prevention

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

    WASHINGTON, DC. – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC-12) and Ashley Hinson (R-IA-01) teamed up with U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing September 19th as National Stillbirth Prevention Day.

    Earlier this year, the bipartisan Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act (H.Res.1474) —led by Hinson and Adams in the House and Merkley in the Senate — was signed into law by President Biden to help save the lives of mothers and babies across America. With at least 25 percent of stillbirths being potentially preventable, this resolution stresses the need for continued stillbirth prevention activities in the United States.

    “I was proud to co-lead the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act and see it pass into law this year, which will increase awareness for families on how to prevent this painful, yet common experience,” said Rep. Adams. “Today we recommit to ending stillbirth and to giving more families a chance to be whole. This is just the beginning, and I am committed to doing my part on behalf of all of America’s families.”

    “A single family affected by stillbirth is one too many. Yet this tragedy impacts thousands across America, upending the lives of individuals and families from all walks of life,” said Senator Merkley. “Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was an important first step, but we must do more to reduce the alarming rate of stillbirth, which disproportionately impacts Black, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native women. This National Stillbirth Prevention Day we recommit to doing everything we can to end this public health crisis, so no one again ever has to experience the trauma of stillbirth.”

    “Thousands of families grapple with the unimaginable pain of stillbirths, and, devastatingly, Black women and underserved communities are disproportionately impacted by these tragedies,” said Senator Booker. “By designating September 19 as National Stillbirth Prevention Day, we will help raise awareness, promote research and develop solutions so all mothers and babies, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to the care and support they deserve.”

    “Iowa has made strides towards reducing stillbirths in our state. This bipartisan resolution recognizes researchers like we have in Iowa, as well as care providers and advocates. It also reaffirms our goal to improve maternal care resources, particularly in rural areas,” said Senator Grassley. “No mom should know the heartbreak of a stillbirth. I’m glad to be partnering on a number of federal legislative efforts to help target contributing factors and save babies’ lives.”

    “Over 21,000 babies are stillborn in the U.S. each year. This rate is unacceptably high, and we must do more to ensure more women experience healthy pregnancies and have healthy babies. I am proud to lead this bipartisan, bicameral effort to recognize September 19th as National Stillbirth Prevention Day to raise awareness about stillbirth prevention so we can help save more moms and babies,” said Rep. Hinson.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 175 U.S. births tragically result in stillbirth—accounting for nearly 21,000 stillbirths a year—more stillbirths annually than the number of babies who pass away during their first year of life. In the last two decades, the stillbirth rate in the United States declined by a negligible 0.4 percent. In a report published by the World Health Organization comparing progress in improving stillbirth rates, the United States ranked 183 out of 195 countries.

    “For the third year in a row, and under Senator Merkley’s leadership, we pause to recognize the crisis of stillbirth in this country and celebrate progress on stillbirth prevention efforts. When Congress recognizes this important day, when buildings and bridges are lit up across the country, and moms and dads make their voices heard through OpEds and sharing their personal stories of loss — progress happens and lives are saved. We mourn the tens of thousands of babies who should be with their families right now and accelerate progress so no other family has to endure the tragedy of stillbirth,” said Emily Price, Healthy Birth Day Inc. CEO.

    In the Senate, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM). In the House, the resolution is cosponsored by Congressman Wiley Nickel (D-NC-13). Healthy Birth Day Inc., Charles Martin Corvi Fund, Birth and Breastfeeding in Color Inc, American College of Nurse-Midwives, Aaliyah in Action, Yale University Reproductive and Placental Research Unit, Yale University, The Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood Foundation, Nitamising Gimashkikinaan Our First Medicine Indigenous Perinatal and Lactation Support Circle, Division of Indian Work, Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, 1st Breath, 2 Degrees, Dieudonne Foundation, Jace’s Journey, Start Healing Together, In the Arms Of Jesus Grief Support, Healing Our Hearts Foundation, Matties Memory, Society for Reproductive Investigation, March of Dimes, Measure the Placenta, Nurturing Babyhood N’ Beyond LLC, PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, March for Moms, Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, Gifts from Liam, Mera’s Mission, and Kansas Birth Justice Society also endorsed the resolution.

    The full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here.

    ### 

    Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County) and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, where she serves as ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Adams Hosts White House Cabinet Officials at HBCU Braintrust

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

    Secretary Miguel Cardona (Education), Secretary Xavier Becerra (Health & Human Services) and Administrator Michael Regan (EPA) to join ALC event

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) hosted three members of the White House Cabinet yesterday for her annual “HBCU Braintrust,” a panel event and conversation within the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, at the Walter Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.  

    U.S. Secretary of Education (USED) Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan each joined Rep. Adams on Thursday for separate conversations about how to support and sustain the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). 

    “I was honored to welcome Secretary Becerra, Secretary Cardona, and Administrator Regan to discuss how the federal government is helping build a better future for HBCUs, their students and graduates,” said Rep. Adams. “The Biden-Harris administration has helped deliver $17 billion to our schools and I look forward to making more progress in the years ahead to even out the playing field.” 

    “I want to applaud Chair Adams for her visionary leadership and collaboration, which has been absolutely instrumental to this administration’s efforts to Raise the Bar for Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Our nation’s HBCUs have long punched above their weight and driven Black excellence in fields from law to medicine, arts to engineering.  I am very proud that the Biden-Harris Administration has invested over $16 billion in HBCU schools and students – a historic investment – and in close partnership with leaders like Chair Adams, we will continue to fight tooth and nail for HBCUs to get the support and resources they deserve.” 

    “Congresswoman Alma Adams has been a champion for HBCUs in Congress for her entire career,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA is proud to be delivering on the Biden-Harris administration’s charge to uplift HBCUs, and along with my fellow HBCU-alum Vice President Harris, this work is deeply personal and significant. Through historic investments secured by President Biden, we are ensuring HBCUs have the resources to foster innovation and cultivate the next generation of environmental leaders.” 

    “HBCUs graduate more Black health professionals than any other institutions of higher education”, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, “That is why at HHS, instead of waiting for folks to find us, we go out and find students and let them know what their future could look like when they join the healthcare workforce and how we can support them financially to give back to their community.” 

    The HBCU Braintrust on Thursday was a 90-minute session featuring three separate fireside chats with the three Cabinet officials. The conversations centered around the HBCU Braintrust’s theme: MORE for ‘24 and Striving for ‘25: What We Must do for and with HBCUs to Build on Our Progress.  

    Rep. Adams hosted three events over three days, beginning with her kick-off event on Wednesday, as part of the larger Annual Legislative Conference. 

    Today she hosted the Second Annual Bipartisan HBCU Luncheon, with a keynote address from Dallas Mavericks’ CEO and published author Cynt Marshall. The event continued with a panel discussion titled, When Women Lead, featuring three HBCU presidents:  

    The panel was moderated by Dr. Lisa Herring, President of the PROPEL Center. Dr. Harold L. Martin (North Carolina A&T State University), Dr. Charlotte P. Morris (Tuskegee University) and Dr. Larry Robinson (Florida A&M University) were also recognized at the luncheon for their contributions to their respective universities and the larger HBCU community. 

    ### 

    Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County) and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, where she serves as ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. For more information contact the Office of Congresswoman Alma Adams: (202)225-1510. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Reproductive coercion is a form of gender-based violence. It’s likely more common than we realise

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Desireé LaGrappe, PhD Candidate & Coordinator, Reducing Gender-based Violence Network | NHMRC and Fulbright grantee, La Trobe University

    Peopleimages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    From contraception access to safe abortion, there is growing awareness about reproductive health and rights.

    Around the world, reproductive rights and justice are issues of political debate and on the electoral ballot. But for some, the greatest threat to their reproductive autonomy is being wielded by those closest to them.

    Last week, preliminary findings were presented from the Australian Study of Health and Relationships on the prevalence of reproductive coercion and abuse nationally. This form of gender-based violence is where someone seeks to control another person’s reproductive choices using physical, sexual, and/or emotional violence or threats. The study included 4,540 participants aged 16–69 years.

    Early analysis showed one in 20 reported experiencing controlling behaviours over contraception, pregnancy and abortion.

    So what makes these controlling behaviours different from other forms of abuse? And how can we find out more?

    What is it?

    Reproductive coercion and abuse is mostly perpetrated against women, girls and LGBTQIA+ people, usually by a partner, parent or in-law.

    Someone might do this by trying to coerce or force the other person to become pregnant or have an abortion. This can look like:

    • relentlessly pressuring the person to have a baby when they don’t want to

    • refusing to let them use birth control, or withholding or destroying it

    • harassing or stalking them to find out if they had an abortion.

    The recent rapid review for government on approaches to prevent gender-based violence does not mention the words “reproductive coercion and abuse”. But it has been clearly identified in several domestic and family violence-related deaths in Australia.

    These controlling behaviours intersect with domestic, family and sexual violence. However, reproductive coercion is unique, because it weaponises someone’s reproductive capacity in order to control them.

    Partners can be coerced into going through with a pregnancy against their wishes.
    Tapao/Shutterstock

    What we don’t know

    The Australian Study of Health and Relationships is only undertaken every ten years and the latest survey is the first to estimate how common controlling another person’s reproductive rights might be on a national scale. The results of the survey provide essential data for sexual and reproductive health policies and programs across Australia.

    However, there are no data for comparison yet to look for trends over time.

    The reported one-in-20 prevalence is likely an underestimation. This is because we know people tend to under-report abuse and might not recognise or process what’s happening to them at the time, a typical trauma response.

    And subtle emotional manipulation or pressure can be difficult to capture in broad population surveys.

    Previous studies have conflated reproductive coercion and abuse with sexual violence or have failed to ask about abortion or the different types of relationships where this abuse occurs.

    Any measure should be developed with people with lived experience and designed so communities like First Nations Australians, LGBTQIA+ people, people living with disability, migrants and refugees, and young people are properly represented. Too often they are not included in co-design processes or their experiences are made invisible by data gaps.

    Last month, the report into Missing and murdered First Nations women and children revealed that Closing the Gap data on violence against women and children is out of date and the actual number of Indigenous women and children murdered or disappeared is unknown.

    Last year’s Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability similarly drew attention to the increased prevalence of abuse suffered by women with disability and the lack of proper consultation to involve them in solutions.

    Our La Trobe and University of Melbourne team is developing a new rigorous measure to better capture the complex behaviours missed by other measures. It’s intended to compare reproductive coercion and abuse prevalence across different countries and strengthen how we measure the effect of future interventions.

    Once developed, testing will start in maternal and child health settings. This is because the risk of abuse is heightened around childbirth and nurses and midwives are well positioned to safely identify and support patients.

    Additional steps will be needed to determine what questions are best for health-care workers to ask to identify at-risk patients and respond – without putting them in more danger.

    Coercion is happening within a global context – a fight for reproductive rights.
    Benjamin Clapp/Shutterstock

    Where to from here? And where to get help

    Reproductive coercion and abuse needs to have a larger focus in the current national discussion on gender-based violence and prevention.

    A 2023 Senate inquiry into universal access to reproductive health care called for more research into reproductive coercion and abuse to inform guidelines and training for health-care workers. This will require better measurement of the full extent and patterns of the problem. We hope policy makers appropriately resource these areas critical to ending gender-based violence.

    People experiencing reproductive coercion and abuse can contact 1800 My Options (VIC), Children by Choice (QLD) or 1800 Respect (National) for professional help.

    Desireé LaGrappe is a PhD candidate of La Trobe University and the SPHERE CRE. She is employed casually by La Trobe and receives funding for this research from the NHMRC and previously from the US Dept. of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. She is affiliated with the SPHERE Coalition, Family Planning Australia, the Nursing Network on Violence Against Women International, Sigma, and the Australian Fulbright Alumni Association.

    Angela Taft received funding from NHMRC as a CI on the SPHERE Centre for Research Excellence (CRE) on Sexual and Reproductive Health and the Safer Families CRE. She is affiliated with the SPHERE Coalition and PHAA.

    Kristina Edvardsson receives funding from the NHMRC as an investigator on the SPHERE CRE.

    Laura Tarzia receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and is an investigator on the SPHERE CRE. She is collaborating with the ASHR team on their research into reproductive coercion and abuse. She is affiliated with the Safer Families Centre and the Royal Women’s Hospital.

    Leesa Hooker receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Department of Social Services. She is affiliated with the SPHERE CRE and the Safer Families Centre.

    – ref. Reproductive coercion is a form of gender-based violence. It’s likely more common than we realise – https://theconversation.com/reproductive-coercion-is-a-form-of-gender-based-violence-its-likely-more-common-than-we-realise-239606

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Can we find hidden graves of murder victims with soil imaging? New Australian study gives it a try

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Victoria Berezowski, Lecturer, Forensic Science, Deakin University

    Kyle Towns/Shutterstock

    To avoid being caught, murderers often attempt to hide bodies using various methods. This can include shallow or deep burials, submersion in water, encasing in concrete or even disposing of remains in rubbish bins and suitcases.

    Finding the body is a key part of any murder investigation, as it helps to identify, prosecute and charge the killer. Unfortunately, the task can be immensely difficult.

    To help tackle the problem of locating hidden graves, we have trialled two innovative techniques for searching underground: ground-penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography, or ERT. Our results are now published in the journal Remote Sensing.

    Borrowing tools from geology

    The tools we used are known as geophysical methods because they measure the physical properties of materials in the soil under the surface.

    The use of geophysical techniques for peering under Earth’s surface is not new – engineers, geologists and archaeologists have used the tools we tested for decades.

    But geophysical techniques are not typically used for forensic investigations because directly finding a body with these methods is very difficult.

    However, both of the tools we tested can help to locate a grave indirectly – by looking at the differences between the disturbed soil of the grave and the undisturbed soil around it. When the techniques encounter disturbed soil and/or the presence of body fluids, the resulting data will show as an anomaly – something different to the areas surrounding it.

    To figure out whether the identified anomaly is a grave, researchers can then consider the size, shape and depth of the anomaly to make sure it correlates with a human body.

    Tori Berezowski using a ground penetrating radar to survey the ‘hidden’ graves.
    Author provided

    Pigs at the ‘body farm’

    At the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER), Australia’s only “body farm” – a facility that uses donated bodies for forensic research – we buried five pigs in various configurations to mimic clandestine graves.

    This included two single graves (a “shallow” grave of just half a metre, and a “deep” grave of almost two metres) and a mass grave with three pigs at one metre deep. We used pigs as they are a good body analogue in terms of size and mass to humans.

    We surveyed the graves with ground-penetrating radar and ERT before and directly after burial, and then one, eight, 14, and 20 months later.

    In forensic research, pig cadavers are a suitable proxy for human bodies, as they have a similar size and mass.
    Author provided

    Our findings revealed that geophysical imaging of hidden graves can work, but with varying results. This depended on the size, depth and age of the burial, and the amount of rainfall before the survey.

    The grave containing the three pig cadavers was the easiest to observe due to its larger size and volume. This indicates geophysical techniques may be particularly useful in humanitarian investigations that involve searching for mass graves.

    A shallow single grave was the next most observable. This is also an encouraging finding because most graves of hidden victims are only around half a metre deep. For both techniques, the two-metre-deep single grave was the most difficult to image.

    Although both tools could detect some graves on some occasions, neither located all of the graves during the entire length of our survey. This was likely due to a combination of factors, including the soil type at the site and unprecedented weather conditions during the research period – La Niña flooded the research site multiple times.

    We did, however, confirm that pig cadaver graves are good proxies to human donor graves when investigating geophysical techniques for finding them.

    To do this, we compared the ground-penetrating radar and the ERT responses of the pig burials to those of human burials (all part of existing research projects at AFTER). We found no obvious differences between the two.

    This is a very important result, because it means we can further test these tools in Australia and worldwide without being constrained by highly limited access to human donors.



    Read more:
    Secrets wrapped in fabric: how our study of 100 decomposing piglet bodies will help solve criminal cases

    More work needed

    Similar studies have been done in the United Kingdom, the United States and South America. However, ours is the first systematic, multi-technique, geophysical survey of covert graves in an Australian environment. The only other similar Australian study was in 2004, however, it only used ground-penetrating radar and didn’t check back on the graves at multiple time points.

    Our results clearly demonstrate that geophysical methods can be effective for locating unmarked graves under some circumstances, but don’t always work. To try and work out why, we will continue our research using the latest geophysical instruments and monitoring the moisture conditions inside the graves.

    Ultimately, we believe using these tools can increase the chances of locating missing and murdered victims. Then, we can finally provide answers to their families and loved ones, and increase the chances of prosecuting their killers.

    The team would like to thank Justin Ellis, Gabriel C Rau, Dilan Seckiner, and Isabella Crebert for their contributions to this research. Additionally, we would like to thank AFTER for the space to conduct the research and to Soren Blau and Jon Sterenberg for allowing us to scan your graves.

    Victoria Berezowski receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. This work was also funded by a Vice Chancellor Higher Degree by Research PhD Training Scholarship from the University of Newcastle.

    Ian Moffat receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and Flinders University.

    Xanthe Mallett has received funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Can we find hidden graves of murder victims with soil imaging? New Australian study gives it a try – https://theconversation.com/can-we-find-hidden-graves-of-murder-victims-with-soil-imaging-new-australian-study-gives-it-a-try-224274

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – New research targets end-of-life decision making – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    As Aotearoa grapples with a strained healthcare system and an ageing population, a new research project is setting out to improve end-of-life care for older people.

    Led by University of Auckland Associate Professor Julie Harrison, the study aims to help older people, their families and clinicians make informed decisions about interventions like surgery or extended hospital stays.

    “End-of-life decisions are tough, especially in stressful situations,” says Harrison, who specialises in performance measurement within health services, health funding models, and costing systems in healthcare settings.

    “We want to find ways to better support kaumātua and their whānau to make choices that align with their values.”

    The project, funded by the Health Research Council, will be conducted at Waikato Hospital and involve researchers from the University of Auckland and the University of Waikato.

    The researchers will examine how kaumātua and their whānau make health decisions, gather insights from the families of those who have died after a hospital visit, and explore clinicians’ views on informed decision making.

    The goal is to create a pathway that supports better decision making, allowing more people to spend their final days at home and reducing unnecessary hospital interventions.

    With an ageing population creating a higher demand for health and social care, the project also aims to identify potential cost savings within the healthcare system, which could be redirected to other vital services.

    Harrison, who works in the Business School’s accounting and finance department, will focus on identifying the cost side considerations.

    “A lot of healthcare costs are incurred at the end of life,” she says, “and decisions around treatment options are challenging for everyone involved.”

    Some of the decisions people face in the final year of their life include what kind of health interventions they want – whether they wish to have all possible treatments and potentially spend more time in the hospital or undergo less treatment and spend their final days at home.

    “These are hard conversations to have, and we’re doing this study to help understand what people actually want, whether they have the information they need, and the costs of the different options for the system and for families.

    “It’s about helping kaumātua and their families to better understand the treatments available and to select the care pathway that best fits what they’re looking for and the way in which they want to spend their final months and days.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – Combating ‘climate burnout’ – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    As the occurrence of weather extremes continues to escalate, the climate change movement now grapples with a new challenge, ‘climate burnout’.

    The troubling trend of despair and fatigue among those who work for environmental and climate change – a phenomenon described as ‘climate burnout’ – could jeopardise vital commitment to the cause.

    New Flinders University research explored the exacerbating and attenuating factors of despair-induced climate burnout to learn how people can overcome despair and maintain motivation to fight climate change.

    “Our research highlights the growing issue of climate burnout, where people involved in the climate justice movement experience sheer exhaustion and disengagement due to feelings of despair about the crisis,” says lead author, Dr Lucy Bird from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.

    “We found that people are more likely to experience burnout when they feel despair and exhaustion about tackling climate change.

    “But importantly, our findings show that when people contemplated pragmatic steps, such as using their car less and reducing waste, as well as acting collectively to encourage organisations to make changes, they felt markedly less disengaged.

    “When people focus on actionable steps and fostering a sense of community and shared purpose, they can combat burnout and continue to make meaningful progress in addressing one of humanity’s most defining challenges,” she says.

    The research involved two studies using over 1,200 participants to examine whether despair about the climate crisis is associated with experiencing burnout.

    It also explored whether thinking about a positive future where the climate crisis has been addressed (utopian thinking) or considering the steps necessary to address climate change (pragmatic thinking) could reduce climate burnout.

    In some instances, the findings show that simply imagining a climate utopia could reduce peoples’ urge to disengage from the climate movement.

    “Given the urgent need to address the climate crisis, it is important to protect people from experiencing despair induced burnout and disengaging from the climate movement,” says Dr Bird.

    “This approach aligns with evolving strategies within the climate advocacy community, focusing on actionable solutions rather than overwhelming sentiments of despair.

    “As communities around the globe strive for impactful climate policies and initiatives, it is imperative that they foster an environment that encourages sustained engagement and mutual support.”

    She says that future research needs to consider different interventions to reduce peoples’ exhaustion and fatigue regarding climate change as this was not always reduced by engaging in pragmatism and utopian thinking.

    Dr Bird sums up her research by referencing street artist Banksy’s mural near London’s Hyde Park in support of Extinction Rebellion protests in 2019, “From this moment despair ends and tactics begin.”

    The article, ‘Thinking about the future: Examining the exacerbating and attenuating factors of despair-induced climate burnout’ by Lucy H. Bird, Emma F. Thomas, Michael Wenzel and Morgana Lizzio-Wilson has been published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology (2024), DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102382

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fostering a love of stories in a child’s first years is key to lifelong reading

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elaine Reese, Professor of Psychology, University of Otago

    Children’s literacy rates are falling around the globe. In response, a number of governments, including New Zealand’s, are overhauling the way reading is taught in primary school.

    One key change is a renewed focus on phonics (mapping sounds to letters).

    But an overemphasis on phonics could dampen children’s motivation to read for enjoyment and understanding.

    In my new book, I show how important it is to foster a love of books and stories in young children if they are to become lifelong readers.

    The science of reading

    Reading isn’t natural for humans. Instead, it is a recent skill in our evolutionary history.

    Today, children’s lifelong academic and occupational success depends on becoming literate.

    Learning to read in English is devilishly difficult. Many words that sound the same are spelled differently (team and teem, for example) and the same group of letters can be pronounced differently (dough versus through).

    Most reading scientists and teachers agree direct instruction in letter-sound relationships (phonics) is necessary for children to become readers. Skilled reading also involves comprehending the meaning of words.

    But because reading is difficult and requires practice, children must also want to put in the time and effort needed to become a fluent reader.

    This motivation to read begins much earlier than the first day of school.

    Reading instruction needs to connect with the ingrained human love of oral stories if it is to turn into a love of reading.

    Growing a love of books

    Children’s love of the sounds, melodies and emotions in stories is innate and has existed throughout human history. Hunter-gatherer tribes with a higher per capita rate of storytellers were more likely to thrive.

    In my book, I drew on findings from Growing Up in New Zealand, Aotearoa’s largest longitudinal study of child health and wellbeing. I also included the latest data from Origins of Language and Memory of New Zealand children – the longest-running study in the world of children’s story development.

    My findings highlight the critical role that families play in turning a love of oral stories into a love of books.

    Although a love of stories starts in the womb, most parents wait until their babies are born to start reading books to them.

    To successfully share a picture book with a baby, the adult needs to follow the infant’s gaze and react to what is on the page, then wait to let the baby take a turn – whether through a coo, a look or a smack of the book.

    At this tender age, the goal is to establish a book-sharing routine and enjoy back-and-forth “stories” rather than to get through a whole book.

    In the toddler years, stories begin to flow more fluidly. Toddlers who have experienced stories from books and conversations will initiate stories readily with an adult, either by talking about a recent event or by bringing their favourite book to read together.

    If these conversations are responsive, both types of stories strengthen children’s language, literacy, and social and emotional development.

    In the preschool years, children with consistent book-sharing and reminiscing routines will acquire advanced skills including abstract vocabulary, print concepts, awareness of the sounds of words and understanding of characters’ emotions and actions. They are also able to link stories from books to their own lives.

    All these skills are critical for their later reading success.

    Time to read

    Even children with this solid foundation may find it challenging to learn to read in the first year of school.

    The goal is to help them “crack the code” (mapping sounds to letters) as quickly as possible. Only then will a child be able to integrate their knowledge and love of stories with the sounds of words on a page.

    For this leap to happen, a child must want to read on their own. Children with a rich story bank will be able to push past the difficulty of decoding to reading for understanding and enjoyment.

    Phonics is a necessary step in the lifelong timescale of literacy development. Yet, according to reading expert Sebastian Suggate, early reading instruction with a child who doesn’t love stories or books is like sowing seeds on parched earth.

    For children to become successful readers, we need to enrich the soil by instilling a love of stories and books in the first five years of life and beyond — long after the phonics work is finished.

    Elaine Reese has received funding from the Marsden Fund of the Royal Society of New Zealand.

    – ref. Fostering a love of stories in a child’s first years is key to lifelong reading – https://theconversation.com/fostering-a-love-of-stories-in-a-childs-first-years-is-key-to-lifelong-reading-239495

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China diversifies rural elderly care with localized solutions

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, Sept. 24 — In a village in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a center whose name translates as “happy mutual aid” offers two meals a day to over 20 senior citizens.

    Each day, the elderly villagers of Wenhua Village gather in the center to enjoy their meals and chat. Some also bring vegetables they have grown or help in the kitchen, which largely relies on social donations for its operations.

    Li Huizhi, a retiree who pioneered the institution two years ago, said the place not only helps feed the elderly customers, but also helps them feel less lonely. “Many of the elderly live alone because their children have left home in search of better job opportunities,” Li added.

    With 120 million people in rural areas aged 60 or above, China has been exploring diverse and targeted solutions to care for seniors scattered across vast rural areas. They generally have lower incomes than their urban peers and are less willing to live in commercial institutions for daily care.

    In June this year, the Chinese government issued a national-level guideline specifically on promoting rural elderly care. The document called for joint participation from the government, villages, non-profit organizations, companies and financial institutions to support the cause.

    Data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs shows that China currently has around 16,000 rural elderly care nursing homes that collectively provide over 1.68 million beds. The rural areas are also home to around 145,000 mutual-aid elderly care facilities.

    Lu Jiehua, deputy director of the Peking University Center for Healthy Aging and Development, expects China to find the most suitable models of elderly care in the coming years based on grassroots experiences, which include pooling together villagers for mutual aid and integrating medical and elderly care services.

    Li Yuqing, 54, is a member of the mutual aid team in a village in the mountainous Miyun District, Beijing. She often visits the homes of her more senior neighbors and checks on their state of health.

    “Our team members carry medical kits containing common drugs and tools to test the blood pressure and blood sugar levels of the seniors,” Li said.

    They are part of the local government’s effort to employ public-spirited villagers in their 40s and 50s to help elderly neighbors living alone. Each of the younger villagers is designated 10 neighbors nearby to help with cleaning, shopping and accessing medical services.

    Zhang Hao, an official with the civil affairs bureau of Miyun, said this model of villagers helping their elderly neighbors suits areas like Miyun because the villages are far away from each other and the elderly are not willing to live in commercial nursing homes.

    Apart from mobilizing rural residents, local governments are also pinning hopes on eligible businesses providing door-to-door services to rural seniors.

    Lang Zhizun, who runs an elderly care service company in Beijing, said they provide door-to-door services for rural elderly people four times a month, and the local civil affairs bureau pays for it. “We talk to the seniors first and offer help according to their requests,” he said.

    Experts believe more input is needed from both the government and social organizations to increase elderly care services and facilities in rural areas, and to optimize the whole system.

    In the June document, China set the targets for the further improvement of its rural elderly care service network by 2025. The overall coverage rate of elderly care service centers at the township level will be no less than 60 percent, it noted.

    Lu Zhiyuan, minister of civil affairs, has pledged greater efforts to shore up the weaknesses in rural elderly care and ensure the accessibility of basic elderly care services to all senior individuals.

    Since 2016, China has also piloted and expanded its trials for long-term care insurance that provides recipients with caregiving guarantees and fiscal subsidies. The initiative prioritized the group of disabled or partially disabled elderly people. China also provides assistance to the low-income rural population with special difficulties, including the elderly.

    “I hope more public financial resources can be directed to rural areas to genuinely improve the sense of security and happiness for the elderly there,” said Lu Jiehua.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Padilla Denounces SCOTUS Presidential Immunity Ruling During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    WATCH: Padilla Denounces SCOTUS Presidential Immunity Ruling During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

    WATCH: Padilla warns immunity decision contradicts fundamental democratic principles and basic accountabilityWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee (SJC), joined a hearing titled “‘When the President Does It, that Means It’s Not Illegal’: The Supreme Court’s Unprecedented Immunity Decision,” to question witnesses on the Supreme Court’s dangerous ruling in Trump v. United States that now grants former presidents — including Donald Trump — criminal immunity for a wide range of activities taken while in office.
    Padilla sharply rebuked the decision, underscoring the Supreme Court’s upending of centuries of history and tradition that presidents can be held accountable for crimes committed while in office. He criticized the Court for inventing a new form of presidential criminal immunity and for declining to designate a single action that Donald Trump took in the lead-up to the January 6th riot at the Capitol as “unofficial.”
    Padilla asked Professor Mary B. McCord, Executive Director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University Law School, about dangerous potential scenarios that could exploit this immunity ruling, including a president ordering the Department of Justice to stop investigating their family for criminal conduct or directing the military to attack a political rival.
    Key Excerpts:
    PADILLA: Let’s be clear, the court’s decision to effectively let Trump off the hook has already caused devastating harm for our country, especially to voters and election workers. Trump has essentially been given a pass for weaponizing the Department of Justice to bully states into drumming up false election fraud charges for his attempts to pressure Vice President Pence into helping him steal the election and for inciting a violent mob to storm the Capitol on January 6.
    […]
    PADILLA: I want to ask a few simple yes or no questions about hypothetical, but not farfetched scenarios. If a future President were to order the Department of Justice to cease investigating their spouse, their child, or themselves for alleged criminal conduct, would that be an official act?
    PROFESSOR MCCORD: It would appear that under the court’s ruling, yes, that would be immune. Actually, even more than official act as core constitutional powers.
    PADILLA: Because the president directs the executive branch. Scenario number two: if a future President were to direct the Armed Services to attack the home of a political rival, would that be an official act?
    MCCORD: I think that is one of the questions the court leaves open for us, if…
    PADILLA: The fact that it’s not a clear ‘no’ is the problem because the President is the Commander in Chief. Look, Mr. Chair, I can go on and on with example after example that should alarm us and the American people. But I will conclude by just acknowledging this: It’s particularly auspicious that this committee is meeting today to examine this wildly consequential and wildly unprecedented decision, 235 years to the day since the Supreme Court was established by an act of Congress. So in closing, I’ll just echo Justice Sotomayor’s powerful words. Every president in our history has governed with the understanding shared by the American people that they could be held accountable for crimes committed while in office. And with that no longer the case, I share her fear for our democracy, and I stand firmly with the spirit of her dissent.
    Video footage of Senator Padilla’s full remarks is available here.
    The Supreme Court issued a misguided 6-3 decision in July that “the nature of Presidential power entitles a former President to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority. And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.”
    The ramifications of the Supreme Court’s decision have already harmed voters and election workers. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s election integrity unit recently led targeted raids of several Latino voting rights organizers, officials, and candidates on the basis of unfounded allegations of widespread voter fraud. In Florida, law enforcement has targeted individuals who signed a petition for a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights. Across the country, there has been a surge in abusive public records requests aimed at election offices.
    In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s unprecedented decision, Senator Padilla criticized the ruling and traveled with President Biden to Austin, Texas as the President announced three proposed reforms to restore trust in, and accountability for, our judiciary, including a constitutional amendment making clear that no President is above the law or immune from criminal prosecution. Padilla also joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and 32 of his Democratic Senate colleagues in introducing the No Kings Act, which would reaffirm that Presidents and Vice Presidents do not have immunity for actions that violate federal criminal law and clarify that Congress, not the Supreme Court, determines to whom federal criminal laws may be applied.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Construction on track for Fairy Meadow’s new ambulance station

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 25 September 2024

    Released by: Minister for Health

    Construction of Fairy Meadow’s new ambulance station is on track for completion, with local paramedics soon to be handed the keys to the new purpose-built ambulance station.

    Fairy Meadow’s first ambulance station will be co-located at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.

    The state-of-the-art ambulance station will feature internal parking bays including an internal wash bay, administration and office areas, staff rest facilities, gym, logistics and storage areas and on-site parking.

    With construction almost complete, landscaping and other finishing touches will be underway in the coming months. Finalising the IT infrastructure and cabling systems will be a priority during this time to ensure seamless connectivity and functionality for the new ambulance to operate effectively.

    The new ambulance station is being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program. 

    The RAIR program is delivering 54 new or upgraded ambulance stations and is the single largest infrastructure investment in regional NSW Ambulance’s almost 130-year history.

    The NSW Government is recruiting 2,500 additional staff including paramedics, nurses, doctors and support staff to optimise ambulance response times and meet current and future demand.

    Additional stations are also planned to bolster the network of stations across the Illawarra at Warilla and Unanderra as part of the NSW Government’s $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program.

    Expressions of Interest for suitable sites to build a new ambulance station at Unanderra are open until 3pm Thursday 10 October 2024.

    To find out more, or to lodge an Expression of Interest, visit the Health Infrastructure website

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

    “Fairy Meadow’s new ambulance station will provide paramedics with a high-quality base with the latest facilities and equipment to meet the current and future emergency care needs of the local community.

    “The new ambulance station on Innovation Way will significantly enhance access to mobile emergency health care for the growing community across the Illawarra.

    “The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in rural and regional health infrastructure to support better health outcomes for local communities.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:

    “I’m pleased Fairy Meadow’s first ambulance station is nearly complete and look forward to the day when paramedics can move in to this state-of-the-art facility and add to the local ambulance network.

    “As Wollongong grows, it is important that we invest in health infrastructure to meet the needs of the community.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Octopuses work together with fish to hunt – and the way they share decisions is surprisingly complex

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Culum Brown, Professor, Macquarie University

    Karen Willshaw/iNaturalist, CC BY-NC

    A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution lifts the veil on what happens when octopuses and fish hunt together. As it turns out, this cross-species relationship is more complex than anyone expected.

    Animals of the same species often cooperate – work together to reach some kind of goal. But it’s relatively rare to find cooperation between individuals from different species.

    A classic example you’ll be familiar with is the close relationship between dogs and humans, whether in the context of herding sheep or hunting. In these situations, the dog and the human work together to achieve a goal.

    That’s mammals. But underwater species also sometimes cooperate. A nice example is the joint hunting behaviour of moray eels and grouper. The grouper approaches the moray and signals that it wishes to hunt. The eel responds in kind, and off they go.

    During these hunting forays, the grouper uses signals to indicate where prey may be hidden in the coral matrix. It’s a synergy made in heaven: the eel can scare the prey fish from hiding places among the coral, while the grouper patrols over the top. There is literally no place for prey to hide.

    For the eels and grouper, the chances of catching their dinner are greatly improved when hunting together compared to hunting on their own.

    Who’s in charge here?

    While researchers have described these behaviours before, one question remains unanswered. Who, exactly, is in charge of these cross-species interactions?

    Who decides what they are going to do, where and when? Are the different players “democratic”, in that they come to some form of compromise, or does one species take the lead and the other simply follows (that is, they are “despotic”)?

    In an international collaboration, biologist Eduardo Sampaio and colleagues have investigated cross-species interactions between the usually solitary day octopus (Octopus cyanea) and several fish species, such as goatfish and groupers.

    A day octopus hunting with a blacktip grouper and a gold-saddle goatfish.
    Eduardo Sampaio and Simon Gingins

    The fish and the octopus share a common goal – to increase their hunting efficiency. The traditional view of octopus-fish hunting groups assumed that the octopus is the producer, and the fish simply follow along and opportunistically pick up the scraps.

    With its long, flexible arms, the octopus explores all the nooks and crannies of the hunting ground, flushing out prey the fish can then take advantage of. In this scenario, the octopus would be solely in charge of decisions and the fish just follow (that is, it’s an exploitative, despotic relationship).

    However, when researchers took a closer look, it appeared perhaps this relationship is not as simplistic as previously believed. But without fine-scale analysis providing hard evidence, it is difficult to work out the precise details of how this cooperation works.

    A day octopus hunting with a blue goatfish, while a blacktip grouper waits.
    Eduardo Sampaio and Simon Gingins

    What did the new study find?

    Using sophisticated behavioural analyses of 3D videos captured from 120 hours of diving, Sampaio and team found that each partner in the interaction plays a specific role. There was, in fact, no true leader – they are democratic.

    The fish were responsible for exploring the environment and deciding where to move, while the octopus would decide if and when to move. Interestingly, controlled experiments showed the octopuses were guided by social information provided by the fishes.

    When partnered with blue goatfish, the octopus foraging tactics where more focused and efficient. When partnered with blacktip groupers, they were less so. So, the nature of the hunting relationship varied depending on who’s involved.

    The researchers concluded that, overall, success rates for capturing prey were higher for the octopus when foraging with fishy partners.

    The details revealed by this study suggest this relationship is far more sophisticated than other cross-species hunting associations examined to date.

    Despite the huge evolutionary gap between these animals (the equivalent of about 550 million years), both fish and octopus show clear signs of social competence and advanced cognition.

    Culum Brown 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.

    – ref. Octopuses work together with fish to hunt – and the way they share decisions is surprisingly complex – https://theconversation.com/octopuses-work-together-with-fish-to-hunt-and-the-way-they-share-decisions-is-surprisingly-complex-239723

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How do women with disability and LGBTQIA+ people experience menopause?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate O’Reilly, Director International (Programs & Engagement) | Lecturer School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University

    pikselstock/Shutterstock

    After hearing about the experiences of the diverse spectrum of people across Australia, the Senate inquiry into issues relating to menopause and perimenopause has released its final report with 25 recommendations.

    The first recommendation is to establish a comprehensive evidence base to better understand the experiences of under-served groups, including LGBTQIA+ people and women with disability.

    Gaps in knowledge of menopause can be significant barriers to diagnosis and treatment. More than 85% of people with distressing menopause symptoms do not receive appropriate care. These barriers can be compounded for people, women and those presumed female at birth who have a disability and/or are LGBTQIA+.

    Here’s what we know so far about how people from diverse groups experience menopause and the health-care gaps they face.

    Remind me, what is menopause?

    Generally menopause is experienced across three phases.

    Perimenopause (meaning around menopause) starts when hormones, particularly oestrogen, fluctuate.

    Menopause occurs when a person has their final menstrual period. These stop because the person’s ovaries no longer release eggs. This definition reflects the different ways menopause can occur (natural menopause, premature ovarian insufficiency, surgery or cancer treatment).

    Post-menopause is the stage after menopause marking the end of the reproductive stage.

    We experience it differently

    Everyone’s experience of menopause is different. People living with disability can experience unique symptoms and challenges.

    Autistic people, for example, may describe the experience of menopause as turbulent or catastrophic. Symptoms for this group include intensified sensory stimuli and increased difficulty with:

    • executive functioning (planning, concentrating and multitasking)
    • recognising or regulating emotions and internal body cues
    • communication
    • socialising.

    As one research participant explained:

    [O]ur society doesn’t talk about, address, understand women our age (menopausal onset) in general very well. And so when you have the added dimension of autism […] there’s no resource […] to tell me how to handle that. And there’s no room in society for it either […] we don’t talk about menopause, let alone autistic menopause.

    LGBTQIA+ experiences of menopause and ageing are diverse and are often absent in media, health care and research.

    For some trans and gender diverse people, menopause can be positive and affirming. For others, the distress can be profound. As one research participant explained:

    Personally I was fine (gender-identity-wise) with experiencing periods and pregnancy/childbirth, but I have found menopause much more conceptually difficult. I think in large part because the social narrative is so much about ‘menopausal women’ and also often denigratory or shame-laden.

    Barriers to menopause diagnosis and care

    LGBTQIA+ people and people with a disability can face assumptions about their gender, sexuality or anatomy which interfere with the care they require.

    When people have had prior negative experiences of health care, and have experienced stigmatisation and pathologising of their disability, intersex variations, diverse gender or their sexuality, they may delay accessing care for menopause. Such a delay can result in poorer physical and mental health outcomes.

    People with disability can experience earlier menopause with more profound symptoms. And as Women with Disabilities Australia highlighted, when there are pre-existing health concerns, impairments, or other support needs, as is the case with disability, menopause symptom management can be particularly complex.

    Women living with a disability in Australia are far less likely to access health care due to stigma and lack of specialist care. They are not always screened for or routinely asked about their reproductive or menopausal health experiences.

    Lack of clinician education and provider bias can result in a tendency to either ignore menopausal symptoms or attribute them to mental health concerns. This can lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment or a complete denial of care for cisgender women and people who live with disability, and LGBTQIA+ folk.

    The absence of inclusive, accurate language in health promotion information that does not recognise the diversity of experiences of menopause for people who identify as LGBTQIA+ or live with disability can make them more vulnerable to misinformation and contribute to increased health-care disparities.

    What can we do about it?

    Policy responses to reducing health-care disparities must be led by those with lived experience, and focus on:

    Inclusive and accurate language

    Language around menopause should reflect the diverse populations who experience it. Terms such as women and those presumed female at birth can be used to acknowledge trans and gender diverse folk, however all identities should be listed where possible.

    Education

    Undergraduate and postgraduate university and clinical education on menopause and perimenopause is lacking and should include the lived experience of menopause among diverse groups. This may reduce provider bias and prevent assumptions that could result in missed care and poor health outcomes.

    At the individual level, content on menopause should be included in sexual health education programs in schools. This education should reflect the diverse experiences of menopause and use age-appropriate language.

    Affirming and specific care

    Welcoming clinical environments for LGBTQIA+ people who may have had prior negative experiences can ease past concerns. Peer-led credentialed online support networks can provide alternative and complementary safe spaces to seek care.

    For people living with disability specific information for support workers and family carers can help facilitate ongoing affirming care.

    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.

    – ref. How do women with disability and LGBTQIA+ people experience menopause? – https://theconversation.com/how-do-women-with-disability-and-lgbtqia-people-experience-menopause-239485

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: 2024 World Computing Conference opens in Changsha

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    2024 World Computing Conference opens in Changsha

    Updated: September 25, 2024 09:24 Xinhua
    This photo taken on Sept. 24, 2024 shows the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province. Under the theme of  “Calculating the World to Create a New Era — Calculating the New Quality Productive Forces,” the conference opened Tuesday in Changsha. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People watch a robot dog demonstration at an exhibition during the 2024 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Pan Yunhe, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor of Zhejiang University, addresses the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Visitors look at a robot on display at an exhibition during the 2024 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit an exhibition during the 2024 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A woman experiences AI technology during the 2024 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit an exhibition during the 2024 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A man experiences AI technology during the 2024 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Wang Huaimin, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Science and a professor of the National University of Defense Technology, addresses the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Guan Gong Cultural Festival celebrates Chinese heroism

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The 35th Guan Gong Cultural Tourism Festival kicked off on Monday in Guan Gong’s hometown of Yuncheng city, Shanxi province, attracting over 1,000 domestic and international devotees.

    The three-day event aims to pass on the culture of Guan Gong and promote national spirit.

    In Chinese folklore, Guan Yu, a general from the late Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), also known as Guan Gong or Guan Di, stands as a revered figure and a superhero in the eyes of the Chinese people.

    Around 30,000 Guan Gong temples are spread across approximately 168 countries and regions worldwide.

    “Yuncheng will take the festival as a new starting point to promote the integrated development of culture and tourism,” Wang Ligang, the city’s deputy Party secretary, said at the opening ceremony. “We will continue to optimize cultural services and the supply mechanism of cultural products, aiming to develop the cultural tourism industry into a strategic pillar industry and a source of happiness for residents.”

    After the opening ceremony, devotees paid tribute at the Guan Gong Temple in Haizhou township, which has a history of over 1,400 years.

    “I have been influenced by the culture of Guan Gong since I was young, and I come to worship the ancestral temple at least twice a year,” said Wu Dongdong, a devotee from Quanzhou city, Fujian province. “The qualities of loyalty and integrity displayed by Guan Gong have had a major impact on my life.”

    A Guan Gong culture-themed symposium was held on Monday afternoon.

    “Guan Gong embodies various excellent moral qualities,” said Wang Juan, a professor from the Chinese Department of Peking University. “The devotees, domestic and abroad, who advocate Guan Gong’s beliefs provide possibilities for dialogue, exchange and integration among various social strata.”

    Fu Wenyuan, director of the Haizhou Guandi Temple Cultural Relics Protection Institute said: “We will collaborate with relevant departments to accelerate the application for the declaration of Guan Sheng Cultural Sites as World Intangible Cultural Heritage.”

    “Furthermore, we are striving to develop Yuncheng into a research center for Guan Gong culture, a pilgrimage site for the spirit of Guan Gong and a cultural tourism destination for the loyalty and righteousness of Guan Gong,” said Fu.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: TWO-THIRDS OF CHILDREN INTERACT DAILY ONLINE WITH PEOPLE THEY DON’T KNOW DESPITE GROOMING FEARS – REPORT

    Source: Save The Children

    SYDNEY, 25 Sept 2024 – Over six in 10 children with access to the internet interact with “unknown others” daily despite concerns about online grooming, according to new research released by Save the Children and Western Sydney University that highlighted children’s demands for better online protection.  

    The research team held in-depth consultations with about 600 children and young people aged 8 to 18 from Australia, Finland, the Philippines, Cambodia, Colombia, Kenya, and South Africa, who shared their views and experiences of facing inappropriate requests online for personal information or images. 

    The report, ‘Protecting Children from Online Grooming’, was written by the Young & Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, and funded by the global child online safety investment vehicle Safe Online as part of the Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund. 

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, incidents of online grooming and child sexual and financial exploitation have reached an all-time high [1], with an 82% rise in online grooming crimes against children reported in that period [2]. Online grooming practices have also transformed, with the fastest growing form of online grooming targeting young men for financial extortion [3]. 

    The report revealed children were more inclined to connect with strangers – or “unknown others” – online as they matured and became more social, motivated by a desire for friendship, fun and play, followed by a wish to stay informed about trends and events, and to connect over shared interests.  

    The findings also showed that while children across all cultures and age groups were more suspicious of people they didn’t know online than people they knew in person, most (66%) of the study participants still interacted with “unknown others” daily online.  

    Children in high-income settings were twice as likely to use privacy settings to protect themselves from unwanted contacts, compared to children from some low-income settings, but the potential to derive financial benefits was an incentive for children in middle-income countries to connect with strangers online, potentially compromising their safety.  

    While children have come up with numerous ways to protect themselves, they are calling for widespread, accessible and targeted online safety education for themselves and their caregivers. In the discussions the children also made concrete suggestions about how technology platforms and governments can implement changes that will keep them safer online.  

    Sonisay*, a girl aged 11-12 from rural Cambodia, said: 

    “Adults should know that children interact with strangers, monitor them, and read their chats.”  

    Angel* aged 15-17 from a city in the Philippines said: 

    “Adults need to know about the children of today who are highly computer-savvy… To be able to support and protect the children, adults need to understand that children are comfortable with using the internet which pushes to interact with strangers.” 

    Charlie* aged 14 from Australia emphasised the need to start online safety education earlier: 

     “Having young children educated about the safety of technology and the dangers … adults only start this education for older kids on social media when the problem can be on video games played by young kids.” 

    Children reported that it was very difficult to ascertain the intentions of strangers online. Children were also particularly worried about being asked for personal information or nude pictures, being drawn into inappropriate sexually-oriented exchanges, or exposure to criminal activities. 

    The report found that children want and need better online protection, with children primarily using intuition and background checks rather than seeking help from trusted adults to manage their online interactions with people they don’t know.  

    The data also showed that children distinguish people they know well both online and in person from those they only know online, with 86% approaching the latter with caution. Yet despite this wariness, children were still three times more likely to ignore or decline an inappropriate or unwanted request than they are to report or block it. 

    Steve Miller, Save the Children’s Global Director of Child Protection, said: 

    “Children deserve to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment – both online and offline. As the digital landscape evolves, so do the challenges and threats, including the threat of online grooming and exploitation. We need to foster a digital environment that is not only safe but also enriching, allowing children to explore, learn, and grow without fear. Policymakers need to listen to the voices and experiences of children when developing policies that protect them.” 

    Professor Amanda Third, Co-Director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre, Western Sydney University, said:  

    “Keeping children safe from online grooming requires a whole-of-community approach. Governments, NGOs, technology platforms, teachers, parents, caregivers, and children themselves all have an important role to play. However, to most effectively address this issue it is crucial that we listen to the views and experiences of children and young people and engage them as active partners in the research and policy design process. Children and young people are finding their own ways to tackle this issue and devise solutions but they are also calling on us to help equip them and their caregivers with the skills and knowledge needed to be able to safely navigate these rapidly evolving digital environments.” 

    Save the Children has launched a major global effort to support digital inclusion and empower the next generation of resilient digital citizens. Save the Children’s Safe Digital Childhood initiative is includes partnering with schools, communities and tech leaders to break down barriers to digital inclusion by making sure the children with the fewest resources can access devices and connectivity; offering targeted digital literacy and citizenship programs; helping technology industry partners embed child-centric safeguards into their platforms; and empowering children to advocate for their rights in the digital world. 

    The Young & Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University is an Australian-based, international research centre that unites young people with researchers, practitioners, innovators, and policymakers to explore the role of technology in children’s and young people’s lives and how it can be used to improve individual and community resilience across generations.  

    Safe Online is the only global investment vehicle dedicated to keeping children safe in the digital world. Through investing in innovation and bringing key actors together, Safe Online helps shape a digital world that is safe and empowering for all children and young people, everywhere. The Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund, which funded the research, is a groundbreaking collaboration fuelling actionable research and bringing together the tech industry with academia and civil society in a bold alliance to end online child sexual exploitation and abuse. 

    *Names have been changed to protect identities 

    [1] WeProtect Global Threat Assessment Data 2023 

    [2] NSPCC. (2023, August 15). 82% rise in online grooming crimes against children in the last 5 years.

    [3] WeProtect’s Global Threat Assessment Data 2023  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: With The Puzzle, David Williamson shows his continual capacity to satirise the middle-class

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Russell Fewster, Lecturer in Performing Arts, University of South Australia

    Matt Byrne/State Theatre Company South Australia

    Fun, sex, Renoir and a reckoning might be a succinct way to introduce the new play by David Williamson, The Puzzle. As Williamson noted to me in the foyer, “life would be pretty boring without sex”. However, he writes, in the production program that this comes with a proviso that licentiousness without any moral grounding can lead to human beings inadvertently “upending their lives”.

    In other words: be grateful for what you’re got.

    Just last month New Wave Australian playwright Jack Hibberd passed away. Hibberd, in writing one of his best-known works, Dimboola (that Williamson directed for the Pram Factory in 1973), spoke of needing to find a human ritual by putting two competing families together in his rural comedy.

    Williamson, of the same generation of playwrights, similarly has pointed out “the essence of drama – [is] you put people in a room that should never be in a room together and things happen”.

    While Hibberd found this in a country wedding, Williamson has found it, in this instance, in a holiday cruise that appeals as a “lifestyle” change.

    Post-COVID has seen an increase in holiday cruises. Though there are comparatively small offerings of adult only cruises euphemistically titled “lifestyle cruises” (or, to be blunter, swingers cruises), they are subject to increasing demand from both young and old.

    A lively production

    The play’s title is taken from the large Renoir jigsaw puzzle found in the games room of a cruise ship that brings together those wanting to shake up their monotonous lives.

    Of course, this becomes a metaphor for how the middle-aged negotiate themes of sexual boredom, polygamy and parenthood. With shades of Williamson’s earlier satirical get-together Don’s Party (1971), the ensemble expertly navigate the promises that “swinging” might do to enliven their character’s sex lives, trapped as they are in close proximity to each other.

    This is a lively production with uniformly good performances.
    Matt Byrne/STCSA

    This is a lively production with uniformly good performances. Erik Thomson plays Drew, the father trying to improve his relationship with his daughter and provides a solid anchor for the promiscuousness that occurs around him. Ahunim Abebe brings rhythmic physicality to his daughter Cassie as she shocks the father with her own sexual adventures.

    The two would-be swinging couples bring verve and vivacity to their performances. Chris Asimos delights as Brian who flips from depression to reinforced post coital vitality. Anna Lindner brings a refreshing groove as she sashays around the cruise ship as Brian’s wife, Michele.

    Williamson has found the drama in a holiday cruise that appeals as a ‘lifestyle’ change.
    Matt Byrne/STCSA

    Ansuya Nathan’s Mandy provides a moral counterpoint as her character struggles with the concept of swinging, while her onstage partner Craig, played by Nathan O’Keefe, provides both earnestness and excellent comic timing. At one point during the night O’Keefe toasts his glass too hard and loses his slice of lemon on the floor – which he promptly sucks on to the great amusement of the audience. Clearly an accident, but perhaps worth keeping.

    Steady chuckles

    Shannon Rush directs with panache, providing some excellent moments of physical vignettes interlaced with the increasing sexual frisson, accompanied by brisk and sharp lighting from Mark Shelton. This in turn is ably supported by the 70s-style guitar soundtrack from composer Andrew Howard and sound designer Patrick Pages-Oliver.

    Williamson alludes to the garish décor found aboard cruise ships and Ailsa Paterson’s design doesn’t disappoint. She makes spectacular use of colour and proportion that beckons with promises of a new adventure.

    The multi-layered set features tables and chairs with retro 70s/80s feel. The backdrop is a stylised view of the horizon changing with time passing – this is in the form of the Renoir style of brush stroke, neatly linking it to the jigsaw we see being slowly completed.

    Williamson alludes to the garish décor of cruise ships, and Paterson’s design doesn’t disappoint.
    Matt Byrne/STCSA

    The play draws steady chuckles and the occasional guffaw as Williamson builds the expectations of the passengers. In the second half, naturalism gives way to farce as the characters experience both comic and life changing reversals. This comes with the moral reckoning of the unintended consequences intercouple sex may bring.

    Williamson’s capacity to introduce ideas and return to them in new ways in the dialogue demonstrates his expert craft in constructing witty and challenging dialogue.

    This grand old man of Australian theatre shows his continual insight and capacity to satirise the middle-class.

    Kudos should also go to outgoing artistic director Mitchell Butel who had the foresight to see the potential in the finished script submitted by Williamson, followed by further development between playwright and company to bring the play to the stage.

    The playwright, actors and director gain much from being able to work together over a period of time.

    Like the new wave of the 1970s, artists don’t grow in isolation but blossom within a supportive community. In this instance a community Butel has fostered, evident in another fine offering.

    The Puzzle is at the State Theatre Company South Australia, Adelaide, until October 12.

    Russell Fewster co-ordinates the 2nd year course: State Theatre Masterclass in the Performing Arts Major at the University of South Australia. This is a collaboration between the State Theatre of SA and the University of South Australia.

    – ref. With The Puzzle, David Williamson shows his continual capacity to satirise the middle-class – https://theconversation.com/with-the-puzzle-david-williamson-shows-his-continual-capacity-to-satirise-the-middle-class-239195

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China invests heavily in large-scale equipment renewals amid green drive

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    The technological transformation driven by China’s large-scale equipment renewals will enable businesses to make significant strides in areas such as smart manufacturing, new energy and green technologies, further bolstering the country’s economic momentum, said government officials on Tuesday.

    China aims to increase its investment in equipment for manufacturing, agriculture, construction, transportation, education, culture, tourism and medical care by at least 25 percent by 2027, compared with 2023, according to an action plan released by the State Council, China’s Cabinet, in March.

    Complementing these efforts, the government allocated approximately 150 billion yuan ($21.31 billion) in ultra-long special treasury bonds in July to support large-scale equipment renewals, including updating old elevators.

    Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Liu Dechun, director of the department of resource conservation and environmental protection at the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic regulator, said as new industrialization and urbanization continue to advance, the demand for upgrading various types of equipment is surging.

    Liu said that accelerating the implementation of equipment renewal initiatives will effectively promote China’s industrial upgrading and foster the growth of new quality productive forces.

    To drive the upgrading and renewal of energy-consuming equipment, the government will prioritize key sectors such as manufacturing, construction, transportation and energy. It will provide strong support for the modernization of high energy-consuming equipment, including boilers, motors, turbines, transformers, heat exchangers, pumps, compressors and lighting systems.

    Projects that result in annual electricity savings of over 500,000 kilowatt-hours or energy savings of more than 150 metric tons of coal will qualify for support, extending benefits to more small and medium-sized enterprises, he added.

    Large-scale equipment upgrade policies have notably supported investment growth. Investment in the purchase of industrial equipment and tools soared by 16.8 percent year-on-year in the first eight months of 2024, data from the NDRC showed.

    This is 13.4 percentage points higher than the growth of total investment in China, accounting for 64.2 percent of the contribution to the nation’s overall investment growth, according to the commission.

    Zhang Jianhua, deputy director of the department of planning at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said that equipment renewal and technological transformation in the industrial sector are beneficial for expanding effective investment and increasing the proportion of advanced production capacity, offering both short- and long-term advantages.

    The MIIT will encourage industrial companies to seize the opportunity provided by national policies supporting large-scale equipment renewals to carry out initiatives including upgrading advanced equipment, promoting digital transformation and advancing green equipment.

    This will accelerate the renewal and transformation of production equipment and speed up industrial upgrading, said Zhang.

    China’s centrally administered State-owned enterprises will also invest over 3 trillion yuan for large-scale equipment upgrades over the next five years, aiming to stay at the forefront of the latest technological and industrial advancements, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council announced in late July.

    Chen Jianwei, a researcher at the Beijing-based University of International Business and Economics’ Academy of China Open Economy Studies, said these moves will help attract both multinational corporations and domestic companies from the private sector to increase their investments in these fields in China.

    “They are likely to increase spending on promoting technological innovation, green and sustainable development, digital transformation and the circular economy within the country,” said Chen.

    “We are confident of our development in China, which is the world’s largest elevator equipment market. We remain committed to supporting urbanization, smart cities, large-scale equipment renewals and sustainable development in the country,” said Sally Loh, president for China at Otis Worldwide Corp, a United States-based elevator manufacturer.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why is the Reserve Bank independent from government, and why does it matter?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Maher, Lecturer in Politics, Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney

    Negotiations over reforms to the Reserve Bank of Australia this week took an unprecedented turn when the Greens demanded the government use its reserve powers to immediately cut interest rates.

    Labor had initially hoped to pass the reforms with the support of the Coalition. However, after a year of negotiations, they decided against it. Labor’s attempts to salvage the reforms by negotiating with the Greens now seem doomed to failure.

    The Greens’ proposal that the government immediately cut interest rates might sound attractive, especially to the millions of mortgage holders struggling to service loans amid a cost-of-living crisis.

    Yet government taking direct control of setting interest rates would run contrary to both long-standing historical trends and international financial norms, including the independence of the central bank.

    Where did this independence come from?

    The idea of central bank independence has a long history.

    The classical political economist David Riccardo warned as early as 1824 that:

    government could not be safely entrusted with the power of issuing paper money; that it would most certainly abuse it.

    Even the authoritarian French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte claimed in creating the Banque de France that:

    I want the bank to be more in the hands of the government but not too much.

    However, for most of the 20th century, the commonsense view was that monetary policy was an important tool for government management of the economy. According to the Keynesian worldview of the time, it would be absurd for governments to give up such an important economic lever as control over interest rates.

    Even Napoleon Bonaparte thought some degree of separation between the central bank and the government was a good idea.
    Shutterstock

    The prevailing wisdom began to change following the stagflation crisis of the 1970s. Stagflation is the term for high inflation at the same time as high unemployment.

    Neoclassical economists such as Milton Friedman argued that only repeated and long-term increases to interest rates could end the stagflation crisis.

    However, Friedman suggested governments could not be trusted to maintain high interest rates because they would also cause unemployment. Accordingly, an independent central bank was needed. It would be insulated from partisan political control and could do what was necessary to stabilise the economy.

    What about in Australia?

    In Australia, central bank independence emerged slowly and informally.

    The Reserve Bank of Australia was separated from the Commonwealth Bank and started independent operations in 1960. It set up its headquarters in Sydney to increase its autonomy from politicians in Canberra.

    The RBA gained de facto independence from the government following financial deregulation under the Hawke government in the early 1980s. Subsequent declarations from federal treasurers Peter Costello and Wayne Swan affirmed the government’s recognition of RBA independence.

    The government still maintains the power to overrule the RBA on interest rates, but this “emergency power” has never been exercised.

    Why independence matters

    Though central bank independence is generally associated with lower inflation, the historical performance of independent central banks is not without blemish.

    For example, unemployment rates in Australia were historically lower prior to RBA independence. This reflects the willingness of the RBA to use higher unemployment as an inflation-busting mechanism.

    Independent central banks were also partly responsible for the outbreak of the global financial crisis in 2007. Many commentators have suggested the then US Federal Reserve Governor Alan Greenspan’s decision to hold interest rates at artificial lows was responsible for the US sub-prime housing bubble. That eventually unravelled into a global recession.

    However, the Greens’ attempt to use an interest rate cut as a negotiating chip ironically reinforces the importance of central bank independence. Were governments to take direct control of setting interest rates, we might expect monetary policy to be influenced by short-term electoral concerns, rather than the long-term health of the economy.

    Creating a precedent that interest rates could be cut to suit the government of the day would also have long-term inflationary effects.

    Further, it would likely continue to drive up house prices. This would exacerbate the housing crisis.

    In contrast, the initial reforms proposed by Labor look to strike a balance. They recognise the competing political interests involved in the development of monetary policy while avoiding partisan interference in the day-to-day running of the RBA.

    Though the Coalition has raised concerns about Labor using the reforms to stack the RBA board, both the governor and board are already appointed by the government of the day, acting on the advice of the RBA.

    Finding a workable compromise that improves the bank while preserving political independence should be possible.

    If the alternative is the complete abrogation of central bank independence, the Coalition would do well to return to the negotiating table.

    Henry Maher 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.

    – ref. Why is the Reserve Bank independent from government, and why does it matter? – https://theconversation.com/why-is-the-reserve-bank-independent-from-government-and-why-does-it-matter-239717

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What are ‘rent tech’ platforms? Action on reining in these exploitative tools is long overdue

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linda Przhedetsky, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney

    Bernard Hermant/Unsplash

    This week the New South Wales government announced it would introduce legislation that ensures renters are offered convenient, fee-free options to pay their rent.

    The announcement is just one of many state and territory reforms that aim to address issues arising from the use of rental technology platforms.

    In recent years these platforms and the landlords who use them have come under fire for intruding on renters’ privacy and charging additional fees. While practices such as “rent bidding” have already been outlawed around Australia, governments are now starting to turn their attention to other harmful practices facilitated by new technologies.

    Action on these issues is long overdue, and there’s much more that needs to be done to ensure rental technology platforms actually benefit consumers.

    An expanding industry

    A wide range of digital technology platforms are used to facilitate the use, trading, operation and management of real estate assets. A well-known example is AirBnb, a technology platform that facilitates short-term rentals by connecting hosts with guests.

    The property technology industry in Australia is rapidly expanding. In 2023, there were more than 478 products, start-ups and established companies ranging from marketing tools to data analytics platforms. This was up from 188 in 2019.

    A portion of these companies make services typically designed to be used by renters, real estate agents or landlords.

    A major selling point of rental technology platforms is that they promise to streamline a range of processes. To renters, these technologies are billed as quick, easy and effective ways to submit property applications, request maintenance or pay rent.

    If designed well, these platforms can certainly offer convenience. But many have expressed dissatisfaction with rental technology businesses that pressure renters to pay for costly background checks, collect too much personal data, or use opaque algorithms to “score” applicants.

    People who struggle to access or use technologies may also find these platforms difficult to use. This makes it harder for them to access an essential service.

    Some 41% of renters report feeling pressured to use a third-party rental technology platform to apply for a property. And 29% say they have opted not to apply for particular rentals because they do not trust rental technology platforms. This suggests that the use of these technologies may sometimes deter, rather than attract, applicants.

    Additional fees

    Over 30% of Australians rent their homes, a figure that continues to grow as people find themselves priced out of home ownership. Rising rents and the overall increase in the cost of living have put many renters under substantial financial pressure.

    With this in mind, it’s concerning that some renters have found themselves with little choice but to use rental technology platforms that charge fees to process rental payments.

    For example, renters using a popular platform called Alio are typically charged between 0.25% to 1.50% to make automated rental payments, depending on the method of payment they use. A rough estimate shows that a household paying the median weekly rent (A$627 per week) on a fortnightly basis might see themselves paying between $81.51 and $489.06 in additional fees each year.

    As required by law, Alio does offer a fee-free option to pay rent. But this option is highly inconvenient: it requires renters to enter their bank details anew every month.

    The fee-free options offered by some other rental technology platforms are equally inconvenient. They include paying rent in cash at the local post office.

    For renters who have been asked to use a rental payment platform, this may mean spending additional time and effort every time they pay their rent to avoid paying additional fees.

    The NSW government already requires lessors to offer fee-free ways to pay rent (similar protections are legislated in other states and territories). However, the key element of this week’s announcement is a commitment to making sure these fee-free methods are actually convenient. This should hopefully close the legislative loophole that is enabling these rental technologies to unfairly profit at renters’ expense.

    While the draft legislation is yet to be seen, these reforms might see renters reverting to tried and tested payment methods such as bank transfers and bypassing rental technology payment platforms altogether.

    Effective enforcement

    Introducing laws that ensure renters have access to convenient, fee-free ways to make rental payments is a no-brainer. The next step is ensuring these laws are enforced effectively.

    To achieve this, the regulator must be well resourced to carry out compliance and enforcement activities that ensure lessors and rental technology businesses comply with these protections.

    Beyond these reforms, there is more work to be done to ensure renters are effectively protected from a range of harms that are created or exacerbated by rental technology platforms.

    Issues such as discrimination and unfair treatment through rental technology platforms warrant further attention.

    The key challenge for governments and regulators is to keep up with technological developments so they can identify and address issues as they arise.

    Linda Przhedetsky is a Board Member at the NSW Tenants’ Union, and is a member of the NSW Fair Trading’s Industry Reference Group on Protecting Renter Information. She receives funding from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.

    – ref. What are ‘rent tech’ platforms? Action on reining in these exploitative tools is long overdue – https://theconversation.com/what-are-rent-tech-platforms-action-on-reining-in-these-exploitative-tools-is-long-overdue-239602

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Two-day Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Symposium 2024 of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival to be staged in Hong Kong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    　　The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will host the Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Symposium 2024, one of the highlight events of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival, on October 25 and 26 (Friday and Saturday). The Symposium, organised by the International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong), brings together industry leaders from across the Bay Area and other Mainland cities to explore the latest trends in arts and cultural developments in the region. It aims to provide an interactive platform to promote close co-operation among arts and cultural practitioners, organisations and performing art venues in the Bay Area.　　The Symposium will feature a diverse range of free activities for public participation, including public seminars and a roundtable conference. Details are as follows: Public Seminars———————Date: October 25 (Friday)Venue: Auditorium of Ko Shan Theatre New WingPublic Seminar 1 Topic: Co- Creation: Cultural Integration and Creative CollaborationTime: 2.45pm to 4pmSpeakers: Chen Rui, General Manager, Zhuhai Jinwan Art Center and Producer of Musical “I Am What I Am”                Naomi Chung, Head of Xiqu, Performing Arts, West Kowloon Cultural DistrictModerator: Tseng Sun-man, Chairman of Advisory Group, University Arts Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen　　Artists and producers from different cities are together exploring their creativity and producing new works. This kind of collaboration has become a new trend in the creation of performing arts. Speakers will share their valuable experiences and insights and reflect on the possibilities of co-production in the future. Public Seminar 2 Topic: Sustainability: Cultural Tourism and Audience DevelopmentTime: 4.45pm to 6pmSpeakers: Chang Hsien Ching, Director, Shekou Theatre Festival                Benny Lim, Associate Professor of Practice in Cultural Management and Director of the Master of Arts in Cultural Management Programme at The Chinese University of Hong KongModerator: Anna Chan, Dean, School of Dance, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts　　Speakers will share how to transform cultural resources into sustainable tourism experiences, attract more audiences and stand out from the competition as well as their views on the benefits and challenges of integrating culture and tourism. Roundtable Discussion——————————Date: October 26 (Saturday)Time: 10am to 1pmVenue: Auditorium of Ko Shan Theatre New WingModerator: Louis Yu, Veteran Arts Administrator Part 1: Cultural Space: Cross-boundary Exploration of Memory and CreativitySpeakers: Annie Feng, Consultant of Beijing Nanyang Theatre and Suzhou Suyi Show Zone               Mok Sio Chong, President, Macao Theatre Culture Institute               Liu Hankun, Founder and CEO of Focustage               Liu Xiaoyi, Artistic Director, Emergency Stairs in Singapore　　The four speakers will discuss the operational strategies of emerging cultural spaces in Mainland China in recent years, the advantages and challenges of site-specific creations and mobile performances in Macau, the production and theatre operation of cultural spaces, as well as the benefits of combining culture and space for cultural development from different perspectives. Part 2: Strategies and Perspectives on Audience DevelopmentSpeakers: Li Siyao, Founder and Artistic Director of “Yao Theatre”, drama educator                Joe Li, Producer of Frankenstein by Nick Dear, President of Beijing ATW Culture Media                Mia Shen, Founder of Mad Attic                Yang Xiaoluan, Founder of the drama self-media “Theater Ferris Wheel”                Erik Kuong, Managing & Creative Director, Creative Links Limited　　Based on their own experiences, the five speakers will share strategies for expanding the audience for children’s theatre, analyse the shift in Mainland audience consumption patterns before and after the pandemic and share how producers respond to the shift, as well as how specific themes can stimulate audience reflection and development. The speakers will also analyse the characteristics of Mainland audiences and the role of self-media in audience development, and discuss the characteristics of the Greater Bay Area audience and share how to introduce programmes to target audiences.　　Admission to the above-mentioned public seminars and roundtable discussion is free and members of the public are welcome to join. Online registration is required (www.art-mate.net/doc/77002) with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. For programme details, please visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk/en/programmes/greater-bay-area-culture-and-arts-symposium-2024. For enquiries about event registration arrangements, please contact the International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong) at 2974 0542. 　　The Symposium has also invited industry practitioners to participate in workshops and city walks, with a view to enhancing exchanges among participants and showcasing the unique cultural expressions of Hong Kong. The four topics of the workshops are “Latest Development of Performing Arts Spaces”, “Promotional Collaboration and Social Media”, “Arts Festivals and Exploration of Cultural and Creative Development” and “Art Organisation in Rural Areas and the Revitalisation of Art Space”. The instructors include Drama Producer and Production Director of Real Atypical Omnipotent Theatre, Wang Ruipu; Head of Marketing and Development of Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Tracy Huang; Founder and Manager of Xixi and Vice President of Hangzhou Binjiang District Drama Association, Dong Yunyan; and Producer of Ergao Dance Production Group Pan Xiong. The city walks will explore four communities – Tsuen Wan, Sham Shui Po, Central and Sheung Wan, and To Kwa Wan – examining Hong Kong’s cultural strategies for conservation, revitalisation and community innovation from different perspectives. 　　Hong Kong is the host city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival for the first time this year. It organises and co-ordinates over 260 performances and exchange activities to be held across the “9+2” cities of the Greater Bay Area. The festival aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region and foster cultural exchange and co-operation among the cities. For detailed information about the festival, please visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Appointment to the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Albanese Labor Government has today announced the appointment of Ms Amanda Heyworth as a member of the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council for a three-year term.

    The National Archives is Australia’s federal government record collecting agency, preserving and managing documents and other evidence that record important events in Australian history, and making them available to the public. 

    Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said Ms Heyworth would be a valuable addition to the Council. 

    “The National Archives holds some of our most important records dating back to Federation in 1901, helping to tell the story of our nation. 

    “Amanda’s experience in digital transformation and service design will benefit the National Archives as it works to make collections more digitally available and improve information management.”

    Ms Amanda Heyworth is a professional company director, with expertise in governance, strategy and innovation. Ms Heyworth currently holds Chair positions at UniSA Ventures Pty Ltd and the Centennial Park Cemetery Authority, and is a non‑executive Director at People First Bank and Commissioner of the Essential Services Commission of South Australia. 

    Ms Heyworth has previously held senior executive positions in the venture capital, technology and finance sectors. Early in her career, she served as an economist with the Federal Treasury and as Adjunct Faculty in the Australian Graduate School of Management at the University of New South Wales.

    MIL OSI News –