Classification Review Board ordered to re-access ‘Gender Queer’ book

Arts & Culture, Books

The Federal Court of Australia has ordered the Classification Review Board to revisit it’s decision to allow the book Gender Queer by author Maia Kobabe to be viewed by Australian audiences.

Conservative activist Bernard Gaynor has been campaigning to have the book removed. Since he first raised objections the book has been given a classification by the Australian Classification Board who ruled in April 2023 that the graphic novel should be given a rating of Unrestricted, with consumer advice of ‘M (Mature)—Not Recommended for Readers under 15 Years’. – Advertisement –

That decision was taken to the Classification Review Board who upheld the decision to give the book its assigned rating. That decision has now been challenged in the Federal Court with Justice Ian Jackman finding in Gaynor’s favour.

In his ruling Justice Jackman said the Review Board had erred when it described the public submissions against the book as “overwhelmingly anti-LGBTIQA+”.

The were 611 public submissions to the review, and the court heard that only 35 submissions were supportive of the book, and only 52 could be classified as being 52 could fairly be described as anti-LGBTIQA+. The Minister for Communication has also passed on 14 additional public comments, of which only 14 could be classified as anti-LGBTIQA+.

Justice Jackman found that the Review Board had not given the right weighting to the submissions and has ordered for the book to be reclassified, and for the government to cover Gaynor’s court costs.

Bernard Gaynor.

Bernard Gaynor has welcomed the decision.

“Today ordinary Australians have won a great victory. It is first time that Classification bureaucrats in Australia have ever had a decision overturned. And I believe that it marks the end for Gender Queer. “There is still work to be done but we are well on the way to having this book taken off every book shelf in every library and bookstore in Australia for good.” Gaynor said after the ruling was handed down.

Gaynor has previously been a political candidate for the Bob Katter party, and also stood for the short-lived right wing party Australian Liberty Alliance. Back in 2014 he shared his views on homosexuality, telling OUTinPerth he was in favour of public displays of homosexuality being made illegal.

In recent year’s he turned his attention to monitoring Australian book stores and libraries for content that he feels should not be available to Australian audiences. Recently he’s served as a mentor to the Albany based group Keeping Children Safe Albany who have been pushing for sex education books to be removed from their local library.

Gender Queer is one of the most banned books in the USA

Maia Kobabe’s graphic novel memoir is one of the most challenged books in the USA in recent years. Complaints about the novel largely focus on one panel in the story.

It shows Kobabe, lying down, fully clothed, with hands played over eir abdomen. A thought bubble appears overhead depicting a fantasy which is similar to a depiction on an ancient Greek vase.

When the Classification Review Board considered this section of the work they said that the colour and framing of the image indicated that it “is a stylised depiction of the flat, inanimate pottery art, and sets the artwork within its historical context”, and that while clearly a historical artefact and not real characters from within the narrative of the memoir, the image “likely depicts a sexual encounter between an ancient Greek scholar and his student”. They did not believe that this was enough reason to ban the book across Australia.

SS United States prepared for move to Florida, reef sinking

Technology

Work is underway to prepare the iconic ocean liner SS United States for a move from its longtime Philadelphia berth to Norfolk, Va., and ultimately a final resting place on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.At an Oct. 12 press conference on the ship’s aft main deck, the SS United States Conservancy and Okaloosa County, Fla., Board of Commissioners announced they had closed on an agreement for the county to acquire the once-luxury 1950s passenger vessel for $10.1 million. Plans are to tow it to Virginia, and then to Florida to sink it for an artificial reef – a future attraction for recreational fishing and diving – off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach region on the Florida panhandle.The non-profit SS United States Conservancy has worked for more than a decade in hopes of relocating and renovating the ship as a museum and East Coast urban waterfront attraction. But demands for increased rent from owners of its Philadelphia pier and an ensuing federal court order to move the ship left no choice, the group said in a Oct. 11 statement. “Faced with no options to save the SS United States in her current state and under a binding court order, we were left with the painful but unavoidable choice between scrapping America’s Flagship or converting her into an artificial reef in tandem with a land-based museum. We chose the latter as the most dignified path,” the group said.“We understand that this decision is deeply challenging and emotional for our community of supporters. It certainly was for our Board of Directors, many of whom have been working for more than a decade to redevelop the ship. While this is not the outcome we envisioned, we are grateful that the ship will have a future.”Along with the reef building project, Okaloosa County and the conservancy are to work together on an onshore museum telling the story of the United States and maintaining the ship’s many artifacts and original artwork.Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy, with members of the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners finalized an agreement Oct. 12 to move the ship to Florida for an artificial reef. Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners photo.Then the epitome of American maritime prowess, the 992’x101’ liner was the world’s fastest passenger ship when it entered service in 1952, clocking a trans-Atlantic crossing at a sustained 35 knots, powered by Babcock & Wilcox boilers and Westinghouse geared steam turbines. The liner was subsidized by the U.S. government, and capable of rapid conversion to a troopship. World War II and the battle of the Atlantic was still a vital memory for U.S. defense planners, who thought the SS United States could sealift reinforcements – up to 14,000 troops – to any future  confrontation in Europe while outrunning the danger of Soviet submarines. Capable of crossing the Atlantic in three and a half days, the ship was a popular ride with celebrities of the day.The United States, like other trans-Atlantic liners, faced competition from the growing airline industry, and it went out of service in 1969.The aging ship passed through several owners before winding up in Philadelphia in 1996, and various  proposals for reuse followed over the years. The conservancy envisioned the ship restored for its historical and educational mission, combined with creative commercial uses, such as hotel or tech businesses.In late 2023 the conservancy said it had worked for five years on a new plan for moving the United States to New York City for conversion into a mixed-use waterfront destination with shopping and hotel accommodations near the historic Manhattan West Side piers, the ship’s homeport during its glory days in the 1950s“But the difficulty of securing the planned pier location and unwillingness of government entities to prioritize the project prevented the plan from being launched,” according to the conservancy.Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy, with members of the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners on the SS United States in Philadelphia Oct. 12, 2024. Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners photo.Led by its president Susan Gibbs, the granddaughter of the ship’s designer, William Francis Gibbs, the conservancy sought to memorialize that great age of U.S. sea power. Despite the end of its hopes for preserving the ship whole, the plan for a landside museum in Florida will keep that history alive, the conservancy says.The ship will be “the world’s largest artificial reef in tandem with the Conservancy’s land-based museum and visitor center. Tens of thousands of people visiting annually from around the world will experience her and learn her story both on land and as a vibrant habitat for marine life,” that group said. “Once deployed by Okaloosa County, more people will be able to visit and learn about the ship in the space of one year than have had that opportunity since she left seagoing service more than a half century ago.”In a statement the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners said a sunken United States “will be a home for a diverse range of marine life and attract divers and anglers from around the world. The purchase of the SS United States will continue the growth of Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s robust artificial reef program, the most active, and one of the largest vessel artificial reef collections in the United States.”The SS United States has been tied up at a pier in Philadelphia since 1996. Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners photo.

Stocks market down as oil prices, tech shares fall

Technology

NEW YORK — Wall Street pulled back from its records on Tuesday after the price of crude oil tumbled and technology stocks faltered.The S&P 500 fell 0.8%, a day after setting an all-time high for the 46th time this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 324 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1%.Exxon Mobil shares dropped 3%, and energy stocks fell to some of Wall Street’s sharpest losses after oil prices tumbled more than 4%. A barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, has fallen back below $75 from more than $80 last week.Crude prices have been weakening as China’s flagging economic growth raises concerns about demand for oil. At the same time, worries have receded about Israel possibly attacking Iranian oil facilities as part of its retaliation against Iran’s missile attack early this month. Iran is a major producer of crude, and a strike could upend its exports to China and elsewhere.Nvidia was the heaviest weight on the S&P 500 and fell 4.5%. It’s a cooldown for the chip company, whose stock is still up 166.2% for the year so far on euphoria about the profits created by the boom around artificial-intelligence technology.Stocks for companies across the chip industry fell after Dutch supplier ASML reported its latest quarterly results. Chief Executive Officer Christophe Fouquet said AI continues to offer strong upside potential, but “other market segments are taking longer to recover,” and ASML’s stock trading in the United States fell 16.3%.Also dragging on the U.S. stock market was UnitedHealth Group. The insurer’s shares dropped 8.1% despite reporting better results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It lowered the top end of its forecast range for profit over the full year.Helping to keep the S&P 500 and Dow close to their records set on Monday were gains for several financial companies following better-than-expected profit reports for the summer.Charles Schwab jumped 6.1%. More customers opened brokerage accounts at the company, helping to bring its total client assets to a record $9.92 trillion. Bank of America added 0.5%, and CEO Brian Moynihan said his company benefited from higher average loans and fees for investment banking and asset management.Shares of Walgreens Boots Alliance rose 15.8%, after topping analysts’ forecasts. The drugstore chain also said it will close about 1,200 locations over the next three years as it tries to turn around its struggling U.S. business.Chipmaker Wolfspeed’s shares jumped 21.3% to trim its loss for the year to 68.3% after the Biden-Harris administration announced plans to provide up to $750 million in direct funding to the company. The money will support its new silicon carbide factory in North Carolina that makes the wafers used in advanced computer chips.In the bond market, trading of Treasurys resumed after a holiday on Monday, and yields sank following a weaker-than-expected report on manufacturing in New York state.The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.03% from 4.10% late Friday. Manufacturing has been one of the areas of the U.S. economy hurt most by high interest rates caused by the Federal Reserve in its efforts to slow the economy enough to stamp out high inflation.Now, though, the Fed has begun cutting interest rates as it’s widened its focus to include keeping the economy humming instead of just fighting high inflation. It looks set to continue cutting rates through next year, which would ease the brakes further off the economy.Because of expectations for continued growth for the U.S. economy, as well as the effects that lower rates can give to corporate profits and prices for stocks, strategists at UBS raised their forecast for how high the S&P 500 could go this year and next.Led by Jonathan Golub, they’re calling for the S&P 500 to rise to 5,850 by the end of the year, up from their prior forecast of 5,600.The S&P 500 finished Tuesday at 5,815.26 after falling 44.59 points. The Dow dropped 324.80 to 42,740.42, and the Nasdaq composite sank 187.10 to 18,315.59.

The Development of Islamic Finance in USA: A journey of growth and opportunity

Technology

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Wednesday October 16, 2024By: Muhammad Zubair MughalIslamic finance, established in the 1960s, has gained global traction due to its universal ethical principles. Even in the United States, it has been widely embraced, thanks to favorable environments and political backing. The country, known for financial innovation and economic prowess, has seen a surge in Islamic finance, rooted in ethical principles and Sharia compliance. This alternative financial system has piqued the interest of both Muslim and non-Muslim communities across the nation. Of particular appeal are Sukuk (Islamic bonds), which can be utilized by American entities and the US government to raise funds for various business, social, and educational initiatives. The inception of Islamic finance in the United States can be traced back to the 1980s when two West Coast institutions began offering small investment funds and serving as financial service providers for Muslim communities. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the market saw substantial growth, in line with the increasing Muslim population in the US, which rose from 50 percent to 66 percent during this period. However, it was after the 2008 financial crisis that the Islamic finance sector truly flourished. The quest for more ethical and transparent financial frameworks drove many individuals and institutions to embrace Islamic finance principles, such as profit-sharing, risk-sharing, and asset-backed financing.The landscape of Islamic finance in the US is seeing significant growth, with approximately 43 institutions providing Sharia-compliant financial products and services. Major players in terms of asset size include LARIBA American Islamic Finance and University Bank’s subsidiary, University Islamic Financial. JP Morgan was an early adopter in 2013, launching Islamic banking services, while Standard Chartered Bank introduced Islamic banking products through its Saadiq division in over 70 countries, spanning Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the USA. International institutions headquartered in the USA, such as the IFC, USAID, IMF, UN Bodies and the World Bank, are pivotal in facilitating Sharia-compliant financing for infrastructure, trade, and development projects in vulnerable regions worldwide. The United States has emerged as a significant participant in Islamic finance within the last 30 years. American companies have introduced seven Islamic funds with a total asset under management of $3.6 billion. Additionally, 15 US financial institutions now provide Sharia-compliant products such as home financing and investment services. Furthermore, five US issuers have accessed the Sukuk market, generating $1.1 billion. The US clearly embraces Islamic finance as a viable and expanding segment of the financial system. Domestic demand is a key driver for the US Islamic finance market, particularly in the realm of home financing. Approximately 10,000 Sharia-compliant home purchases have been carried out over the past decade. Islamic indices have been introduced in the U.S. to meet the growing demand for Shariah-compliant investment options. Notable examples include the S&P Dow Jones Islamic Market US Index and the MSCI USA Islamic Index, which serve the needs of Shariah-compliant investors. Established in 2000, the S&P Dow Jones Islamic Market US Index, as of August 30, 2024, included 508 constituents with an average total market capitalization of USD 73.321 billion, with major technology companies like Apple and Microsoft holding significant weight. Meanwhile, the MSCI USA Islamic Index, as of August 30, 2024, comprised 123 constituents and recorded a 25.66% gain in 2023. These indices offer Islamic investors a structured, Shariah-compliant way to access U.S. equities.Islamic financial institutions in the US have faced challenges in engaging in deposit-taking activities due to regulatory barriers. The lack of a specific regulatory framework for Islamic finance in the United States has hindered the industry’s growth and development. The current regulatory framework designed for traditional finance does not perfectly accommodate the distinctive characteristics of Islamic financial products and services. This misalignment can lead to ambiguity, regulatory non-compliance, and diminished market trust. Ensuring rigorous adherence to Shariah principles is a challenging endeavor that necessitates specialized knowledge and proficiency. Financial institutions are required to navigate a continuously changing regulatory environment and solicit advice from qualified Shariah scholars to sustain compliance. Non-compliance with Shariah principles can harm the institution’s reputation and have legal ramifications.The United States, as a prominent global economic and financial hub, offers substantial prospects for the growth of Islamic finance. Its exceptionally sophisticated and liquid financial markets encompass diverse sectors such as banking, asset management, insurance, and venture capital. Notably, US asset managers command over 67% of the OECD pensions market and maintain strong ties to international financial trends, rendering the US market crucial for the advancement of Islamic finance. Additionally, Islamic banking has the potential to resonate with both the Muslim community in the US and individuals seeking ethical financial solutions. The increasing Muslim population in the United States represents a significant market opportunity for Islamic finance. As the Muslim population grows, there is a greater demand for financial products and services that align with their religious and cultural values. The statistics indicate that the Muslim population in the US is currently at 1.1% (approximately 3.45 million people) and is expected to reach 6.2 million people by 2030, so there is a growing market for Islamic finance. Moreover, increasing government support and recognition of Islamic finance can create a more favorable environment for its growth. Government policies that promote financial inclusion, support Shariah-compliant products, and provide regulatory clarity can play a crucial role in fostering the development of Islamic finance in the United States.However, a significant challenge lies in highlighting the ethical value propositions of Islamic finance to broaden its appeal beyond earnest Muslims. Islamic banking prohibits involvement in activities considered unethical, such as alcohol consumption, gambling, and certain industries like weaponry production. The United States serves as a centre for financial innovation, presenting an opportunity for Islamic finance to leverage technological progress and new product development. The fusion of Islamic finance with fintech has the potential to drive the creation of groundbreaking financial products and services that cater to the changing consumer landscape. The global fintech industry is experiencing rapid evolution, with considerable focus from US-based entities. While major players like PayPal and Stripe maintain dominance in specific markets, startups in regions like Africa are thriving by incorporating local financial practices into their services. In Muslim-majority nations, fintech firms are increasingly introducing Sharia-compliant options such as Sukuk bonds and ethical micro-investments. This trend extends to the burgeoning cryptocurrency sector, with the emergence of platforms facilitating secure and transparent Shariah-compliant digital asset transactions, despite regulatory hurdles. This intersection of global expertise and regional nuances is reshaping financial inclusion, offering individuals and businesses a wider range of secure and ethical financial instruments tailored to their specific needs. According to a research chapter by the IMF, “In secular jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom and the United States, the courts have demonstrated willingness and capability to enforce Islamic finance contracts, despite the secular nature of these jurisdictions.” This highlights the significance of Islamic finance in advanced nations such as the US.Islamic finance in the US faces significant challenges stemming from conflicts between legal frameworks and religious principles, which impede product development and access to federal funds. In addition, fragmented regulations across jurisdictions and the complexity of financial structures contribute to the turbulent landscape. Regulators often lack the capacity or motivation to ensure Sharia compliance, leading to inconsistencies. Furthermore, limited market liquidity, low investor awareness, and concerns about reputational risks, such as accusations of terrorism financing, constrain operational scope and growth. Proactively collaboration between regulators, financial institutions, and the public is essential to address these challenges. The industry requires clearer regulations, robust Sharia-compliant products, and improved market infrastructure to realize its full potential.Islamic finance has established a promising presence within the US financial system due to its adherence to ethical principles and the increasing Muslim population. While facing regulatory challenges and a lack of market exposure, there is clear potential for substantial future expansion. Building a strong Sharia-compliant ecosystem through collaborative endeavors could unlock this potential and drive Islamic finance toward widespread adoption in the US. This would not only benefit Muslim communities but also non-Muslim populations. The limited awareness of Islamic financial products among both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers may impede their adoption. Many individuals may not fully comprehend the advantages and principles of Islamic finance, thereby constraining market penetration.The current constrained diversity of Islamic financial products in the US, relative to other markets, limits consumer options and impedes industry expansion. Diversifying product offerings to accommodate a broader range of needs and preferences is essential for broadening the customer base. Despite these considerable challenges, the potential of Islamic finance in the United States remains substantial. By tackling these issues through policy reforms, educational initiatives, and innovative strategies, the industry can sustain growth and make significant contributions to the overall financial sector. Overall, despite facing challenges, the future of Islamic banking in the USA looks promising. This optimism is fueled by demographic growth, rising interest in ethical finance, and continuous efforts to integrate and expand within the wider financial industry. Though currently a niche market, Islamic finance in the USA has significant growth potential. Its future success will rely on several key factors, including rising demand for ethical finance, supportive regulatory frameworks, innovative product development, and increased market education. With these components in place, Islamic finance could evolve into a more prominent segment of the US financial landscape. Islamic banking education in the United States has been expanding to meet the rising demand for professionals knowledgeable in Islamic banking and finance. Educational institutions in the U.S. offer a range of programs designed for students & professionals interested in Islamic banking and finance.Strengthening the Islamic Banking and Finance (IB&F) industry in the U.S. presents a unique opportunity to enhance financial ties with the Muslim world, particularly with Gulf countries where Islamic banking already holds a significant market share. Expanding IB&F in the U.S. would not only add value to the current financial sector but also introduce diverse banking and financial products that could boost Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and elevate the industry as a whole. It’s important to note that IB&F is not a religion but a financial model that can be used by both Muslims and non-Muslims. For Muslims, they have an extra advantage that it aligns with their religious beliefs, while for followers of other respected faiths, it offers an ethical and robust alternative for banking and finance. This inclusiveness has contributed to the widespread popularity of Islamic finance across various groups in many countries.Over the decade, the Alhuda Centre of Islamic Banking & Economics (CIBE) has played a pivotal role in advancing the principles of Islamic finance in the United States. In addition to providing high-quality Shariah advisory services and capacity-building training, Alhuda CIBE actively engages with influential U.S. organizations such as the World Bank, IFC, USAID, and UN bodies to shape the landscape of Islamic finance globally. Through their comprehensive Shariah compliance solutions and impactful training workshops, they equip individuals and organizations with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of Islamic finance. Operating in major American cities, including Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Orleans, and San Francisco, Alhuda CIBE regularly hosts workshops and events to extend its reach and impact. (Muhammad Zubair Mughal, a distinguished expert in Islamic banking, currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics in the UAE, he can be contacted at [email protected]) 
 

Liberia: Foresters Trained to Identify Timber Using Technology Amid Smuggling Rise

Technology

Participants of USFS’ timber identification workshop at CSIR-FORIG in Komasi, Ghana. Picture credit: United States Forest Service
MONROVIA – The United States Forest Service (USFS) has sponsored the training of seven Liberian foresters in identifying timber species using science-based technology through smartphones as part of the institution’s commitment to supporting Liberia in combating illegal timber harvesting and trading.

By James Harding Giahyue, with The DayLight

Drawn from the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), the University of Liberia and the Forestry Training Institute (FTI), participants acquired skills to identify various commercial timber species with the Agritix Xylorix mobile app. The technology is used worldwide for timber tracking and networking.
“As part of the response to address illegal timber trafficking in Liberia, the US Forest Service is providing technical and logistical support to strengthen the capacity of in-country stakeholders, including government ministries, agencies and civil society organizations to achieve Liberia’s policy objectives,” said Dr Benedictus Freeman, USFS Liberia’s Country Coordinator.
Illegal timber trafficking has been on the rise for several years in Liberia, with traffickers exploiting the industry’s capacity gaps. “Kpokolo,” the newest form, involves traffickers shaping timber into blocks and smuggling them through containers, robbing communities and the Liberian government of revenue. 
Illegal logs held by the FDA at the Klay checkpoint in Bomi. The DayLight/James Harding Giahyue
The workshop’s participants acquired skillsets in wood anatomy, imaging, and using the Agritix Xylorix platforms to review timber’s macroscopic features.
Participants also learned how to apply national and international laws and regulations in combating illegal timber trafficking. The Forestry Research Institute of Ghana conducted the training From October 7-11 in Kumasi, Ghana’s Ashanti Region.
“A lot was achieved in wood anatomy,” said Moses Wenyanpulu of the FDA’s Research and Development Department.  
“Like every human, every wood species has a unique and distinct fingerprint called anatomical features found within the wood structure. Understanding these features are very critical to properly identifying timber or lumber,” Wenyanpulu added.
USFS has been active in Liberia since 2003, alongside the USAID on several projects.
Apart from its anti-timber trafficking project, it has helped develop FTI’s curriculum, provided teaching assistance to the institute, and supported students’ programs. USFS also supports the ecotourism development of the East Nimba Nature Reserve and the Lake Piso Multiple Use Reserve.
This story first appeared in The DayLight. It has been published here as part of an editorial collaboration.