Latest news with #Ab
Hans India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Why Manushi Chhillar calls ‘Maalik' an experience she will never forget
Mumbai: Actress Manushi Chhillar took to social media on Friday to share her experience of working on "Maalik." Taking to her Instagram handle, she penned a sweet note, calling the film an experience she will never forget. Chhillar also mentioned that every individual on this film has added value to her life in ways they'll never know. She shared a couple of her photos with Rajkummar Rao from the gangster saga and captioned it, 'An experience I'll never forget! Every individual on this film has added value to my life in ways they'll never know Grateful Ab film aap sabke hawaale #Maalik in theatres now!!' In the action thriller, Manushi played the role of Rao's love interest. Directed by Pulkit, 'Maalik' follows the story of Ranjan, a dreamy-eyed romantic from Banaras who secures a government job and prepares to marry his childhood love, Titli. However, in his excitement to build a perfect future, he overlooks a sacred promise—one that destiny isn't willing to ignore. Interestingly, the 'Stree' actor takes on a never-before-seen deadly avatar in the film, undergoing a striking transformation for the role. Sharing the thought behind this change, the film's director, Pulkit, revealed that the team wanted the actor to embody a sense of raw, untamed power. 'We wanted Raj to embody a sense of raw power, something that feels lived-in, gritty, and unapologetically real. He committed to the process fully, both physically and emotionally. Rajkummar Rao grew his beard for nearly three months to embody a character bursting with wild energy. What you see in the teaser is just the beginning, there's so much more to this character, and Rajkummar has delivered something truly special.' 'Maalik,' produced by Kumar Taurani under the Tips Films banner and Jay Shewakramani's Northern Lights Films, hit theatres today, July 11, 2025.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
India Will Lead Global Auto Industry In 5 Years, Overtaking US And China: Gadkari
1 2 Nagpur: Union road transport and highways minister, Nitin Gadkari , on Saturday pledged to dedicate his future efforts to ending farmers' suicides, and even projected India's ascent to the number one position in the global automobile sector. "I have worked for infrastructure, roads, ports, and industry, but from now on, I want to ensure that no farmer is forced to take his own life," the senior BJP leader said at a city event to mark the 11 years of the Narendra Modi-led govt at the Centre. Speaking during an interview organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party and conducted by senior journalist Uday Nirgudkar in Nagpur, the city MP laid bare his feelings for rural India. "Suicides by farmers reflect a systemic failure. My work ahead will be centred on transforming agriculture into an enterprise of dignity, self-reliance and income. Ab Tak Trailer Tha, Picture Abhi Baki hai (The work done so far is just a beginning)," he said, while also outlining reforms in irrigation, crop diversification and rural infrastructure. Gadkari highlighted efforts taken for irrigation schemes like Baliraja Jal Sanjeevani Yojana and the massive funding for several irrigation projects in Vidarbha like Jigaon and Gosikhurd. "We are ensuring that water reaches Vidarbha and Marathwada, where thousands of farmers once relied on migration or drought-prone cropping," he said. Citing improved irrigation and water conservation measures, he claimed that previously migrating communities such as the Dhangars are now harvesting three crops a year. Switching gears to India's growing might in the auto sector, Gadkari declared, "India has overtaken Japan to become the third-largest automobile market in the world. In five years, we will overtake the United States and China. I assure you of this." He pegged the sector's current valuation at Rs22 lakh crore, up from Rs13 lakh crore in 2014, attributing the growth to shift towards electric vehicles, ethanol, green hydrogen, and alternative fuels. "Our domestic auto sector has created 4.5 crore jobs so far. Once we reach the top spot globally, we will generate over 10 crore jobs," the Union minister claimed. On India's export strength, he noted, "Companies like Bajaj, TVS, Hero, and Honda are exporting 50% of their production." The senior minister in PM Modi's cabinet revealed that top global manufacturers now view India as a hub for clean vehicle production. "The chairman of Mercedes-Benz has informed me that all of their new electric vehicle platforms will be manufactured in India," he said while emphasizing, "This is not just industrial growth; it's a social revolution." He also highlighted India's potential in reducing logistics costs through highway expansion and multi-modal connectivity. "We have brought logistics costs down from 16% to near 10% and will reach 9% within a year. This alone will boost our exports by 1.5%," he said. Citing ongoing trials of hydrogen trucks and bio-bitumen roads, Gadkari said India is pushing towards developing sustainable infrastructure. "India imports Rs22,000 crore worth of fuel. Our aim is to become an energy-exporting nation," he said, emphasising India's competitive edge with falling logistics costs and expanding multimodal transport hubs. On the top five sectors where the govt delivered the most, Gadkari said, "Airports have doubled, new trains like Vande Bharat are popular, expressways and tunnels have transformed connectivity, tourism has boomed, and infrastructure in education and healthcare has grown significantly. Twenty-five crore people have risen above the poverty line, and we have empowered women and farmers through direct support schemes. " As far as regional development is concerned, Gadkari said that Gadchiroli has attracted Rs7.5 lakh crore worth of investments and is poised to become Maharashtra's most advanced district within five years. For Washim, he announced a medical equipment manufacturing centre that will directly employ 3,000 local youth. Calling Maharashtra's progress under a double-engine govt "unparalleled," Gadkari concluded by reaffirming his commitment to inclusive development. "From building roads in tribal areas to empowering women and diversifying agriculture, our govt has ensured that every corner of India moves forward," he said. Reflecting on his own political journey, Gadkari said, "I have never asked for any post. The party gave me everything. My real satisfaction lies in the work done by me and my team for the country. My commitment is to the ideology and the people. I will accept whatever the party would order, as me and CM Devendra Fadnavis are products of the party and lakhs of its workers who sacrificed everything for the party."
The Advertiser
05-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'We want answers': probe launched into health service's use of grant funding
The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said. The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said. The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said. The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said.
Boston Globe
24-04-2025
- Science
- Boston Globe
MIT astronomers discover crumbling planet; may offer insight into earth-like conditions in space
TESS, launched in 2018, is the first telescope to scan the entire sky for planets by shifting its field-of-view every month. Advertisement The disintegrating planet, named BD+05 4868 Ab, is one of just four planets of its kind that scientists have discovered. Astronomers said the cause of BD+05 4868 Ab's rapid disintegration is its proximity to its star — 50 times closer than Earth is to the sun — and its relatively small size. 'The planet got so close to its star that the heat started evaporating its surface,' said The planet is about 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit and is covered in magma that is boiling off into space, leaving a comet-like trail of debris, the astronomers said. Advertisement This comet-like tail causes an unusual blocking of the light emitted from the planet's star, which researchers first observed in August 2022 and again in August 2024, the astronomers explained. When exoplanets pass in front of their stars, astronomers observe a dip in the total amount of light received from that star, called a transit. Dips in starlight are usually brief and regular, but in the case of BD+05 4868 Ab, a dip in light lingered longer than expected. 'The dimming pattern we observed was as if a comet passed in front of the star,' said This strange observation puzzled Hon, who decided to flag the data set so others on the team could take a look. 'Marc wasn't looking specifically for this kind of object, ... but he was bright enough to understand that it was scientifically interesting,' Shporer said. The tail of debris stretches up to 9 million kilometers long — half of the planet's entire orbit — according to astronomers. The discovery of BD+05 4868 Ab could lead to a host of other discoveries, expanding our understanding of rocky exoplanets as a whole, astronomers said. The TESS team submitted a proposal for the The goal for the Webb telescope's period of observation is to determine the mineral composition of BD+05 4868 Ab's inner layers, made possible because of the planet's disintegrating nature. Advertisement By identifying which colors in the infrared are absorbed as light passes through the dust tail, scientists can identify the type of mineral species present from the planet. 'It's going to be as if we went to that planet and drilled inside,' Shporer said. 'It is one of the only ways possible to have this kind of direct measurement of the internal composition of an exoplanet compared to our theoretical models.' 'Then, we will be able to test the theories we have of far-away planets,' Shporer added. After determining the mineral makeup of BD+05 4868 Ab, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of the potential habitability of planets beyond our solar system, Hon said. 'We've gained an appetite for this now,' Hon said of their discovery. 'We are now starting to be a lot more cognizant of weird events like this. ... Now, the team is going back through the data and looking for other interesting things we might have missed.' Sarah Mesdjian can be reached at
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
This Melting Planet Laid a Trail of Destruction Over 5 Million Miles Long
Astronomers have discovered one of the least habitable planets ever. This tiny world is being melted by its host star, leaving a comet-like tail that stretches millions of kilometers behind it. While we're often preoccupied with planets that might be comfy enough for liquid water to pool on the surface, the hellish landscape of BD+05 4868 Ab hosts liquid rock. These magma oceans are boiling right off the surface into space, condensing into a rocky tail. "The extent of the tail is gargantuan, stretching up to 9 million kilometers [5.6 million miles] long, or roughly half of the planet's entire orbit," says Marc Hon, astrophysicist at MIT's Kavli Institute. The unfortunate planet lies about 140 light-years away, orbiting its host star every 30.5 hours. That brings it about 20 times closer to the star than Mercury orbits the Sun – and cuddling up that close could prove to be a lethal mistake. BD+05 4868 Ab may have started out with more than double its current mass, which seems to be less than half that of Mercury, and it's getting smaller all the time. The researchers estimate that it ejects a Mount Everest's-worth of material into space with every orbit, and at that rate it will completely dissolve within 1 or 2 million years. "This is a very tiny object, with very weak gravity, so it easily loses a lot of mass, which then further weakens its gravity, so it loses even more mass," says Avi Shporer, astronomer on the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission. "It's a runaway process, and it's only getting worse and worse for the planet." It's only the fourth melting Mercury exoplanet discovered so far, but it has the poorest prognosis. One orbiting KIC 12557548, for example, has been given about 200 million years to live. But BD+05 4868 Ab's extensive tail is a symptom of a much faster disintegration. Other tailed exoplanets have been discovered before, but they're usually gas giants with plenty of material to spare. HAT-P-32b, for instance, is leaking helium into two tails that span more than 53 times the planet's radius. It will probably take another 40 billion years before it evaporates completely. The hot Jupiter WASP-69b is also losing its atmosphere to a tail, although it's only shrinking by one Earth mass every billion years. It'll likely face other, more pressing apocalypses, like its star blowing up, long before it needs to worry about running out of air. But back to BD+05 4868 Ab. This extraordinary exoplanet was discovered in an ordinary way, using the transit method. This involves watching a star for periodic dips in brightness, caused by a planet passing between it and the telescope viewing it. But in this case, the astronomers didn't just see a brief and regular dimming. It took much longer than expected for the brightness to return to normal after each transit. Weirder still, the amount of light filtering through during each orbit varied. That suggested that a fuzzy, inconsistent structure was trailing behind the transiting object. "The shape of the transit is typical of a comet with a long tail," says Hon. "Except that it's unlikely that this tail contains volatile gases and ice as expected from a real comet – these would not survive long at such close proximity to the host star. Mineral grains evaporated from the planetary surface, however, can linger long enough to present such a distinctive tail." Intriguingly, there's also a much smaller 'leading' tail that stretches out in front of the planet. The team says this could be especially useful to help us understand the dust tail's dynamics and test formation theories. It won't top anyone's list of holiday destinations, but BD+05 4868 Ab may still have something to teach us about more hospitable worlds. After all, it's not often that a planet blasts its innards outwards for us to analyze. JWST could perform this autopsy, studying the spectrum of the star's light as it's absorbed by the dust to reveal what the doomed planet is made of. "This will be a unique opportunity to directly measure the interior composition of a rocky planet, which may tell us a lot about the diversity and potential habitability of terrestrial planets outside our Solar System," says Hon. The research was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Red Planet's Core May Explain Strange Mystery of Ancient Magnetic Field Unusual Gas on Alien World Sparks Hope of Life, And Healthy Skepticism NASA Reveals Stunning Closeup of Bizarre-Looking Asteroid
