Hybrid threats require hybrid solutions: A roadmap for healthcare security.

A paradigm shift in the discussion of law, justice, and governance has resulted from the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into judicial systems. Even though AI has been successful in increasing productivity, simplifying case management, and helping judges with research, using it to make decisions in court presents serious ethical and legal issues. The constitutional protections of due process and fair trial, which protect individual rights from caprice and guarantee openness, impartiality, and accountability in decision-making, are at the heart of this discussion. The ethical and legal ramifications of using AI in court decision-making are examined in this paper. It looks at how the idea of equality before the law may be threatened by algorithmic tools that, despite their promise of objectivity, may replicate or even worsen systemic biases present in training data. The constitutional requirement of reasoned judgments is challenged by the "black box problem," in which algorithms generate results without comprehensible reasoning, undermining public confidence in the legal system. Furthermore, there are serious concerns about who is responsible for incorrect or unfair results when accountability is distributed between algorithmic systems and human judges. The study examines developments in China, India, the United States, and the European Union using a comparative methodology. Both the advantages and disadvantages of AI-driven adjudication are highlighted in the study, ranging from the US controversy surrounding COMPAS risk-assessment tools to China's smart court experiment and India's cautious use of AI through SUPACE. It contends that although artificial intelligence (AI) can increase judicial efficiency, human conscience, empathy, and interpretive reasoning—all of which are essential components of justice—cannot be separated from adjudication. In order to ensure that technological innovation does not undermine constitutional values but rather strengthens the accessibility, fairness, and credibility of judicial systems, the paper ends by suggesting safeguards such as regulatory frameworks, transparency standards, and a "human-in-the-loop" principle.

Fintech offers unique opportunities to advance financial literacy education, however its broader application is dependent on a range of socio-economic factors. This study aimed to investigate. This study aimed to uncover to what extent certain socio-economic conditions are prevalent in a developing country, such as South Africa, which are necessary for fintech-based financial literacy education interventions. To this end, a quantitative research design was used with a positivist approach with a total of 1,141 respondents. The findings indicate that South Africa possesses a solid foundation for advancing digital financial literacy, supported by widespread internet access, high levels of digital competence, and a reasonable prevalence of financial literacy skills. While current usage of digital financial education tools and apps remains limited, those who do engage with them recognize their value and potential impact. However, efforts are still needed to boost public interest and confidence in these platforms. This study could attract the interest of policymakers, researchers, advocacy groups, financial institutions and fintech companies that are intent on developing more user-friendly and accessible digital financial literacy educational content.

This paper examined the historical progression of criminology and its impact on the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria, focusing on the challenges and possible solutions to enhance the system. The study utilizes a dialectical review method utilizing qualitative research design, within the Social Disorganization Theory. It delves into early criminological theories, such as the theological explanations, the classical school of thought, biological theories, psychological theories, and crime in primitive societies, tracing their effects on contemporary criminology. The research also addresses the development of criminology in Nigeria, the contributions of criminology to societal advancement, and the obstacles faced by the Nigerian criminal justice framework. The results indicate that criminology has greatly aided society by elucidating human behavior, advocating for justice, and promoting social order. Nonetheless, Nigeria's criminal justice system encounters several issues, including corruption, insufficient recruitment in law enforcement, and a lack of public confidence. To tackle these challenges, the study suggests improving accountability, boosting funding and resources, implementing community-based programs, and reinforcing anti-corruption agencies. By embracing these suggestions, Nigeria's justice system can become fairer and more effective, ultimately fostering justice and safety for its citizens.

Motivated by the pressing question of whether audit quality can be safeguarded during systemic crises, this study examines how institutional pressures shape auditors’ actions and professional judgments in a developing-country context. Drawing on the audit quality framework, which conceptualizes audit quality through its inputs, processes, and outcomes, the study explores how each dimension was reconfigured during the COVID-19 disruption. Using an interpretivist qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with 15 audit partners and managers from the Big Four firms in Ghana. The findings reveal that audit inputs, including auditor competence, ethical judgment, and resource capacity, were stretched by lockdown restrictions and heightened uncertainty. Audit processes, encompassing planning, risk assessment, evidence gathering, and going-concern evaluations, underwent significant adaptation through remote technologies, analytical procedures, and scenario-based testing. Meanwhile, audit outcomes, particularly the tone and content of audit opinions, reflected a more cautious and judgment-driven approach aimed at maintaining legitimacy and public confidence. Institutional theory helps explain how auditors responded to coercive, normative, and mimetic pressures through acquiescence and compromise strategies, balancing conformity with professional innovation to safeguard audit quality. Overall, the study advances understanding of how crises reshape audit work by highlighting the emergence of hybrid audit practices that blend compliance, technology, and professional discretion to preserve the credibility and reliability of financial reporting under systemic uncertainty.

Abstract Vaccination is an effective public health intervention, yet vaccine hesitancy remains a major challenge. Defined as the detention or turndown of vaccines despite vacuity, vaccine hesitancy is honoured by the World Health Organization as a top global health trouble. Vaccine acceptance is shaped by individual, socio-artistic, political and systemic factors. Trust in healthcare professionals, threat perception and cognitive impulses impact stations, while education, misinformation, artistic beliefs and religious views also play a part. Socio-profitable difference, including income, healthcare access and employment status, further impacts uptake. Furthermore, the political climate, vaccination programmes and institutional trust affect public confidence, especially when public health becomes politicised. This review explores crucial determinants of vaccine acceptance and highlights substantiation-grounded strategies such as effective communication, community engagement and policy enterprise, to alleviate hesitancy, make trust and enhance vaccine uptake, eventually reducing the burden of vaccine-preventable conditions encyclopaedically.

Racial prejudice during the selection of jurors continues to impair the impartiality and fairness of the legal system, with far-reaching effects on judicial decisions as well as public confidence. Though legal reforms like Batson v. Kentucky have sought to de-emphasize explicit discrimination, unconscious racial prejudices remain, frequently unalleviated by conventional legal systems. This research examines how intercultural communication approaches based on communication theories of framing theory, narrative persuasion, and critical discourse analysis can help address systemic racial differences in jury formation proceedings. Through redefining the problem from a legal perspective to a communication-oriented research inquiry, this research addresses how juror decision-making is shaped by cultural stories, cognitive biases, and mediation representation of race and justice. Following a qualitative approach, the current research utilizes a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) that adheres to the PRISMA guidelines. The 50 identified studies yielded eight that qualified and were included based on inclusion criteria and analyzed via thematic analysis. The results identify three main themes: (1) the persistent persistence of racial discrimination in jury formation throughout jurisdictions; (2) the contribution of intercultural communication to providing culturally competent juridical atmospheres; and (3) the effect of structural reforms, which include intercultural training and diverse compositions of juries, to induce fairness. Moreover, this research compares global outlook, examining jury selection procedures and communication-oriented interventions within Europe, South America, and Asia. The implications support institutional incorporation of intercultural communication tactics towards countering racial bias and increasing the legitimacy of legal decision-making world-wide.

This review paper examines how bail and pretrial detention are applied in the United States and Canada, with attention to fairness, equality before the law, and the protection of individual rights. Bail decisions determine whether a person accused of a crime is released or held in custody while waiting for trial, even though they are legally presumed innocent. In the United States, the bail system relies solely on cash bail, meaning that many people remain in jail simply because they cannot afford to pay for their release. However, research shows that this approach affects low-income individuals and underrepresented groups, leading to unnecessary detention, loss of employment, family disruption, and a higher likelihood of conviction before trial. In contrast, Canada’s bail system is based on constitutional principles that emphasize the right to reasonable bail and the presumption of release. Canadian law requires that detention be justified by clear legal reasons, such as ensuring court attendance, protecting public safety, or maintaining public confidence in the justice system. Monetary bail plays a limited role, and courts are encouraged to use the least restrictive conditions possible. By comparing these two approaches, this paper highlights how legal frameworks shape real-world results in pretrial justice and discusses lessons that can inform ongoing reforms aimed at improving fairness and reducing unnecessary detention.

This policy paper analyzes the strategy for relocating Indonesian Civil Servants (ASN) to the National Capital City of Nusantara (IKN) within the context of early-stage development and public policy dynamics. Although significant progress has been achieved in building core infrastructure within the Central Government Core Area (KIPP), the relocation process remains suboptimal due to regulatory uncertainty, incomplete supporting infrastructure, the absence of additional incentives, and limited individual and family readiness among civil servants. The study applies Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to identify fundamental challenges and utilizes the USG (Urgency, Seriousness, Growth) framework to prioritize policy issues. Furthermore, a grid analysis based on effectiveness, efficiency, and appropriateness criteria is conducted to determine the most strategic policy alternative. The findings indicate that the provision of integrated transportation infrastructure ranks as the top priority, obtaining the highest evaluation score and functioning as a catalyst for optimizing residential, office, social, and economic ecosystems. Reliable transportation not only accelerates asset utilization but also enhances quality of life and strengthens public confidence in the sustainability of IKN development. Therefore, accelerating ASN relocation requires a holistic strategy that integrates infrastructure readiness, regulatory certainty, and adaptive change management oriented toward family well-being.

Analyse the perceived threat of COVID-19, vaccination coverage and associated factors among nurses in Barcelona (Spain) in 2021 after the start of the vaccination campaign. Multicentre cross-sectional study using an anonymous online questionnaire accessible from 26 February to 31 May 2021. Cherries guidelines were followed. Three hundered and eighty nine hospital and primary care nurses participated using an anonymous online questionnaire accessible from 26 February to 31 May 2021. The questionnaire included ad-hoc questions and the validated Questionnaire on the Perceived Threat of COVID-19. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed based on the type of variable. Perceived threat was higher among female nurses, the 35-49 age group and the hospital setting. Being a woman, living with a dependent and believing oneself vulnerable to falling ill were all associated with this perceived threat. Vaccination coverage was high in general and even higher among women despite having higher scores for anxiety from thinking about vaccination. Most nurses trusted the efficacy and safety of the vaccine. No patient or public contribution. Despite having already been vaccinated, the nurses presented a significant perceived threat, with women with dependents feeling the most threatened. The attitude of the nurses towards vaccination was good since they trusted the efficacy and safety of the vaccine. Nurses are frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) in any pandemic, so strategies are needed to (1) help them manage perceived threat and (2) debunk false beliefs that prevent vaccination. Training might have been offered on how to manage the physical and mental overload of the pandemic and how to improve the consultation of scientific resources to obtain accurate, evidence-based information. Public confidence should be increased through communication and education, such as vaccination reminders and debunking fake news-social networks are a major channel among young people and useful for sharing scientific information. This study adheres to the EQUATOR Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E- Surveys (CHERRIES).

Public health systems are assessed not only for outcomes but also for their ability to sustain legitimacy and trust. Trust supports long-term cooperation, while mandates can secure immediate adherence but risk eroding trust and weakening future willingness to comply. Italy illustrates this paradox, combining strong outcomes and extensive COVID-19 mandates with comparatively low public confidence. To examine how trust, compliance, and intention to comply interact in the Italian health system, in the context of policies that rely on obligation rather than persuasion. We analyzed data from the People's Voice Survey conducted in Italy on a representative sample of 1001 adults. Outcomes were trust in the National Health Service, compliance with COVID-19 vaccination, and intention to comply with future directives. Determinants included perceptions of public influence, trust in scientists, vaccine attitudes, and past healthcare experiences, with education and income as moderators. Trust in the NHS was predicted by public influence, trust in scientists, and positive experiences, while negative experiences reduced it. Compliance was driven mainly by vaccine attitudes, with negative experiences lowering adherence. Intention to comply was associated with both general and policy-specific beliefs. Education moderated the role of trust in scientists, and income shaped the effect of experiences. Trust sustains future cooperation, whereas reliance on obligation may erode it even in high-performing systems. Policies should foster transparency, responsiveness, and patient experience, and strengthen education as a stable foundation, since mandates ensure short-term adherence but not long-term cooperation.

This study assessed the effectiveness of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Community and Service-Oriented Policing (CSOP) operational initiatives in Negros Occidental, with a focus on fostering trust, promoting collaboration with local communities, and improving public safety. Employing a descriptive-correlational research design, data were gathered from 262 respondents representing local government units (LGUs), police workforce, and community leaders in Bacolod City, Silay City, and Bago City. The study measured perceptions of key CSOP initiatives—including town hall meetings, patrol frequency, police responsiveness, and community engagement—and evaluated their impact on public trust and confidence in the police from 2020 to 2023. Results indicated that while CSOP initiatives were generally perceived as effective, patrol frequency received average ratings, highlighting the need for enhanced police visibility. Trust and confidence in the PNP were moderate overall, with police fairness rated highly but police effectiveness perceived as average. Statistical analyses revealed that perceptions of effectiveness significantly varied by age and designation but not by sex, civil status, or location. The effectiveness of CSOP initiatives was found to be a significant predictor of public trust and confidence in the police force. The findings underscore the importance of tailored strategies to increase patrol visibility, strengthen community engagement, and address demographic factors influencing perceptions. This research provides actionable recommendations for refining CSOP implementation and developing targeted programs to enhance peace, safety, and collaborative governance at the barangay level in Negros Occidental.

The appointment of Acting Regional Heads in Indonesia is regulated by Minister of Home Affairs Regulation Number 4 of 2023, which is a response to the need to maintain continuity of regional government during the transition period leading up to the implementation of simultaneous regional elections. This regulation outlines the mechanism for appointing Acting Regional Heads, which involves a proposal from the Minister of Home Affairs to the President for Acting Governors, and from the Governor to the Minister of Home Affairs for Acting Regents/Mayors. Criteria that must be met by acting candidates include being from high-ranking officials at the middle or pratama levels. In the context of simultaneous regional elections, the appointment of Acting Regional Heads must take into account aspects of neutrality and independence. Acting Regional Heads are required to refrain from engaging in practical political activities, not using state facilities to support certain candidates, and not making significant changes to the bureaucratic structure that could affect the neutrality of the State Civil Apparatus (ASN). Strict monitoring and reporting mechanisms are implemented to ensure that Acting Regional Heads carry out their duties with integrity and transparency. The implementation of this regulation aims to ensure that the simultaneous regional elections process runs fairly and democratically, without any intervention that could undermine public confidence in the election results. The Acting Regional Head plays a key role in maintaining the stability of regional government during the transition period, as well as supporting the implementation of regional elections that are free from fraud and violations.

This study examined the effect of audit quality on the financial performance of selected Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria, covering the period 2017–2024. Specifically, the research analyzed how audit independence influences financial performance indicators, including Return on Assets (ROA), Earnings per Share (EPS), and Profit after Tax (PAT). Secondary data were obtained from annual reports of listed banks and analyzed using Robust Least Squares Regression. The findings revealed that audit independence has a negative and statistically significant effect on ROA, indicating that increased independence may impose strict controls that reduce short-term profitability. Conversely, audit independence exhibited a positive but statistically insignificant effect on EPS and PAT, suggesting minimal contribution to shareholder value and post-tax profitability. It recommends strengthening audit governance frameworks, improving communication between auditors and management, and enhancing professional competence through continuous training. The study contributes to existing literature by providing recent empirical evidence on audit independence and public confidence within Nigeria’s banking sector and by offering methodological insights using robust regression techniques.

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has amplified concerns around trust, transparency, and accountability in automated decision-making systems. This paper explores the foundational concept of AI with Trust, examining how ethical governance, data integrity, and algorithmic transparency can be strengthened through technological and policy interventions. Drawing from emerging frameworks such as the OECD AI Principles and scholarly insights on trustworthy AI, the study highlights blockchain as a key enabler of verifiable and tamper-proof AI processes. By linking blockchain’s decentralized auditability with AI’s need for explainability and fairness, the paper argues for an integrated approach that enhances public confidence in AI systems. The discussion positions transparency and accountability as cornerstones of responsible AI adoption and offers a roadmap for aligning innovation with ethical and societal values.

The article studies the features of administrative and legal support for counteracting the impact of non-performing (default) bank assets on the stability of the banking system of Ukraine under martial law and establishes that such assets are a significant problem for modern regulation of banking relations. The accumulation of a significant amount of these assets undermines the financial stability and investment attractiveness of banks, public confidence in the banking system and threatens the economic stability and development of the country. It is established that, due to their socio-economic content, the assets under study are designated by the international scientific and public community as NPL from «Non-Performing Loans», which translates as «non-performing (overdue) loans» or «non-performing assets». The available statistical (reporting) data on the share of NPL in the banking sector are analyzed, their high volume and a significant total volume of the loan portfolio as a result of the war, economic crisis and energy terror of our state by the aggressor. The socio-economic challenges of the presence of a high level of non-performing assets under martial law are identified. It is established that the NBU policy is aimed at introducing European regulatory and legal principles for regulating relations with non-performing assets and increasing the transparency of the domestic financial and banking sector. An example of such introduction is the implementation of the European Union initiative “Ukraine Facility”, introduced by Regulation (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) of 29.02. 2024 No. 2024/792, as well as Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) No. 575/2013 of 26.06.2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions. Proposals (monitoring of credit portfolios, debt restructuring, asset sales, improvement of financial instruments, implementation of best practices, etc.) are substantiated to improve the relations of administrative and legal support for the management of non-performing assets by amending the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated April 15, 2020 No. 281 and the Resolution of the Board of the National Bank of Ukraine dated July 18, 2019.

National integration and equitable development have long been hampered by Nepal's mountainous terrain and historical regional disparities. This study looks at how the NA contributes to the development of road infrastructure as a means of fostering connectivity, national cohesion, and socio‑economic change. The main issue discussed is the continuation of insufficient transport networks, which are made worse by poor governance, scarce resources, and regional disarray. The study intends to assess the effects of army‑led road projects on social cohesion, state legitimacy, and inclusive growth, guided by important research questions about the opportunities, difficulties, and ramifications of these projects. Using a mixed-method, exploratory design, the study combines analysis of policy documents, planning reports, and secondary literature with questionnaire surveys and KIIs with local communities, army officials, and policymakers. Results show that army-led initiatives have improved local economies, decreased center‑periphery divides, increased physical connectivity, and increased public confidence in state institutions. But there are still issues, from threats of militarization in development governance to poor interagency coordination and a lack of democratic oversight. According to the study, the NA's developmental role is crucial to accomplishing the balanced growth and integration objectives of the National Planning Commission's Sixteenth Plan (2023/24–2028/29), but it also necessitates institutional safeguards to maintain environmental integrity and democratic accountability. Environmental evaluations, community involvement, open communication, and civil‑military coordination mechanisms are all emphasized in policy recommendations. The importance of the study lies in establishing army‑led infrastructure as a social and strategic tool for promoting harmony, adaptability, and sustainable national growth in Nepal.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a key technological pathway for achieving net-zero goals, yet its success depends as much on public trust and social acceptance as on technical feasibility. This study investigates how trust in CCS stakeholders (scientists, institutions, and industry) influence social acceptance through perceived benefits and risks. Data were collected from 800 participants in Poland and the Czech Republic, two countries developing CCS as part of their industrial decarbonization strategies. Using Structural Equation Modeling, we tested a model in which trust predicts perceived benefits and risks, which in turn influence social acceptance, and conducted an exploratory moderation analysis to assess whether trust shapes the relationship between perceived risks and social acceptance. Results showed that trust strongly increased perceived benefits (β = .58) and was positively associated with perceived risks (β = .15), suggesting that trust can coexist with awareness of technological risks. Both perceived benefits and risks significantly mediated the relationship between trust and acceptance, and a direct effect of trust on acceptance (β = .28) remained significant. Perceived benefits emerged as the strongest predictor of acceptance (β = .66), while perceived risks had a weaker negative effect (β = −.10). The moderation analysis revealed that higher trust enhances sensitivity to risks without reducing support, consistent with the notion of reflexive trust. These findings suggest that trust does not eliminate risk perception but promotes informed and legitimate acceptance. Strengthening transparent communication and participatory governance may therefore enhance public confidence and support for CCS deployment across Europe.

Corruption remains one of the most critical challenges hindering socio-economic development worldwide. Its effects are complex and far-reaching, weakening state institutions, eroding public trust, distorting resource allocation, and exacerbating social inequality. This phenomenon negatively impacts both individual quality of life and the broader trajectory of national development. The socio-economic consequences of corruption manifest at multiple levels. At the micro-level, it contributes to increased poverty and inequality, as well as the deterioration of essential public services such as healthcare and education. At the macro level, corruption undermines national competitiveness, reduces foreign and domestic investment, impedes innovation, and leads to the inefficient use of public funds. This study examines the multifaceted impact of corruption on society and the economy, with a particular focus on the Republic of Kazakhstan. Despite ongoing reforms and modernization efforts, corruption remains a serious obstacle to strengthening institutions, improving governance, and achieving sustainable economic growth. The legacy of the Soviet administrative system and the complexities of transitioning to a market economy have created structural conditions that facilitate corrupt practices. These issues are common across post-Soviet states, but they are particularly evident in Kazakhstan. In the Kazakhstani context, corruption hampers infrastructure development, diminishes the quality of public services, and reinforces social stratification. As a result, public confidence in government institutions is weakened, while long-term development prospects are curtailed. The inefficient allocation of state resources, limited innovation, and declining investment attractiveness collectively contribute to stagnation in living standards and reduced social mobility. This research aims to analyze the socio-economic implications of corruption in Kazakhstan, identify key drivers behind its persistence, and assess its broader effects on national progress. The findings are intended to inform future anticorruption strategies and support the development of more transparent and accountable governance.

The research explores user perceptions of transparency and interpretability of explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) systems and the quality of the given explanations to understand how trust, understanding, and ethical judgment of automated decisions are formed. Using a qualitative design, 16 participants with different professional experiences were interviewed using semi-structured questions regarding their experience with AI-based decision systems. The data were evaluated using manual thematic analysis in order to determine major patterns and the meaning of narrative in the stories of the participants. The participants underlined the importance of transparency that should be explained in a clear way, and should have a contextual and defensive quality. Clarity and active participation were encouraged through clear communication, whereas the lack of clarity and excessive technicality resulted in confusion and doubt. The research discovered that transparency is seen not just as a technical aspect but as a relationship and moral construct that is linked to fairness and respect for the autonomy of users. The results reveal the significance of conceptualising the XAI systems by focusing on the user interpretability, ethics responsibility, and communicative effectiveness. Clear descriptions of the ways people should be capable of closing the divide between AI logic and human logic to boost public confidence in AI. The study concludes that explainability ought not only to be treated as a form of afterthought in AI design, but also as a pillar of technology innovation that is human-centred.