Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
WASHINGTON – Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) today introduced the Jobs and Opportunities for Medicaid Act. The bill would require able-bodied adults without dependents who receive Medicaid benefits to work or volunteer for at least 20 hours per week. This change could save taxpayers more than $100 billion over 10 years.
“Medicaid doesn’t work the way it should. Able-bodied adults without dependents are better off with jobs than with hand-outs, and so are their communities and American taxpayers. My Jobs and Opportunities for Medicaid Act would help pave a path out of poverty for millions of Americans,” said Kennedy.
“By incorporating work requirements for able-bodied adults, Medicaid can serve as a bridge to self-sufficiency, fostering pathways to employment, job training, and community engagement. This not only helps recipients gain financial independence but also preserves resources for the most vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities,” said Schmitt.
“The goal of this bill is straightforward: if you’re a healthy adult on Medicaid, we want to make sure you have every opportunity to find employment that leads to better health coverage. Welfare programs shouldn’t incentivize people against working. This is about empowering Americans—helping them become independent, thrive in the workforce, and reach their highest potential,” said Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), who introduced the bill in the House of Representatives.
Background:
The CBO estimates that Medicaid work requirements would save $109 billion over 10 years.
A 2023 Axios-Ipsos survey revealed that 63% of Americans, including 49% of Democrats, supported work requirements for Medicaid and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits.
Kennedy also penned this op-ed in the National Review explaining the need for Medicaid work requirements.
Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
WASHINGTON – Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today led 14 colleagues in introducing the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act. The bill would prevent veterans from losing their Second Amendment right to purchase or own firearms when they receive help managing their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.
“Our veterans should not receive less due process rights than other Americans just because they served our country and asked the federal government for a helping hand. Under the VA’s interpretation of the law, however, unelected bureaucrats punish Louisiana and America’s veterans by forcing them to choose between their Second Amendment rights and getting the help they need as they manage their financial affairs. I’m proud to introduce the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act to stand up for veterans’ constitutional rights by ending this unfair practice,” said Kennedy.
“Veterans should never be forced to choose between receiving assistance from VA to manage their benefits and their fundamental Second Amendment rights. Our nation should be encouraging veterans to utilize VA services, not discouraging them by denying them due process. The Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act makes certain that the rights of those who have served are protected, and that veterans are not penalized for receiving support that they have earned and deserve. I thank Sen. Kennedy for his partnership in this effort,” said Moran.
Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced the bill in the House of Representatives.
“It should go without saying that veterans should not be treated like second-class citizens simply because they need help managing their books—but under current law they are. Without a permanent fix in place, VA bureaucrats can continue to strip veterans with fiduciaries of their Second Amendment right with no court ruling in place that they are a danger to themselves or others. It’s as simple as that. I have heard from too many veterans that VA’s current NICS reporting measures prevent them from seeking mental health care at VA—we must change that. I want to thank Chairman Moran, Senator Kennedy, and my House colleagues for working with me last Congress to pass a temporary solution, but veterans need a permanent fix. House and Senate Republicans will fulfill the American people’s mandate to get this bill to President Trump’s desk to protect veterans’ due process and constitutional rights for good,” said Bost.
Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Mike Rounds (S.D.), Kevin Cramer (N.D.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) cosponsored the legislation.
“I take the constitutional right to bear arms very seriously. Our bill would preserve due process for veterans and put a stop to unelected bureaucrats unjustifiably stripping away the Second Amendment rights of those who’ve served,” said Grassley.
“Veterans must not be required to forfeit the Second Amendment without a careful, constitutional process. Attempting to deprive former servicemembers of firearms for protection or recreation simply because they require assistance managing the benefits they have earned is bureaucracy at its worst. Our legislation would correct this injustice and preserve these law-abiding patriots’ rights,” said Boozman.
“The veterans who served our country shouldn’t lose their 2nd Amendment rights just because they need financial help,” said Cassidy.
“Veterans who have served our country deserve the same Second Amendment rights and protections as every other American. This commonsense legislation ensures that veterans aren’t punished simply because they need assistance managing their benefits and guarantees they are not denied their constitutional rights without due process,” said Tillis.
“Our veterans have sacrificed so much to defend this great country, and it is critical their God-given right to protect themselves and their families doesn’t rest on judgement of unelected bureaucrats. It takes a lot of courage and humility for our brave veterans to admit that they need help managing their financial benefits. But it shouldn’t place their constitutional freedoms in jeopardy. This bill ends the ability of government workers to take away the Second Amendment freedoms of our veterans when they ask for help with their money unless a judge finds them to be a danger to himself or others. I stand with our veterans and will continue to fight to preserve the freedoms they fought for on the battlefield,” said Tuberville.
“I’m proud to stand with our veterans to ensure equal protection of their rights with the Second Amendment Protection Act. Our veterans have fought to protect our nation and defend our rights, and they deserve to be treated fairly with the same due process under the law,” said Scott.
Because of the VA’s interpretation of current law, the VA sends a beneficiary’s name to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) whenever a fiduciary is appointed to help a beneficiary manage his or her VA benefit payments.
Ultimately, VA employees decide whether veterans receive help from a fiduciary.
The bill would prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting a veteran’s personal information to NICS unless a relevant judicial authority rules that the beneficiary is a danger to himself or others.
Vietnam Veterans of America, National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, Black Veterans Empowerment Council, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, AMAC Action, Turning Point Action, Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition, National Disability Rights Network and the National Association for Gun Rights support the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act.
Background:
In the 116th Congress, Kennedy introduced the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act.
In the 118th Congress, Kennedy and Moran re-introduced the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act with six co-sponsors.
In Oct. 2023, the Senate passed Kennedy and Moran’s amendment to the Consolidated Appropriations Act based on the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act. The same language passed into law as part of an appropriations package in March 2024.
The language included in the appropriations package only provided a temporary solution tied to appropriations. The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act would make the fix permanent and prevent future VA administrations from undoing the work to restore veterans’ due process and Second Amendment rights.
Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
Legislation would improve space traffic coordination in low-Earth Orbit, reduce congestion
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, John Cornyn, Gary Peters, Marsha Blackburn, Eric Schmitt, Mark Kelly, Roger Wicker, and Ben Ray Luján introduced the Situational Awareness of Flying Elements in (SAFE) Orbit Act. The legislation would improve space traffic coordination (STC) in low-Earth orbit by directing the Office of Space Commerce (OSC), which operates within the U.S. Department of Commerce, to acquire and share unclassified information on space activities in low-Earth orbit.
“The boom in commercial space activities has filled low-Earth orbit with more debris and satellites than ever,” said Hickenlooper. “A cutting-edge traffic coordination system will help preserve our leadership in space.”
Our current government space situational awareness (SSA) services have not kept pace with the accuracy our space industry needs. The SAFE Orbit Act would fix that.
Specifically, the legislation would:
Make basic-level SSA data, analytics, information, and services available for public use through an easily accessible, free web interface
Maintain a public catalog of SSA data and information using data from diverse sources
Facilitate the development and adoption of voluntary industry consensus standards to ensure data standardization among satellite owners and operators, commercial service providers, the academic community, and nonprofits
Foster collaboration with U.S Government and foreign government operators to encourage participation in data-sharing with respect to their assets in orbit
Prioritize purchasing data, analytics, information, and services from commercial SSA providers
Ensure any licensing agreements allow private U.S. firms to continue market growth and protect proprietary commercial systems and data
The Commercial Spaceflight Federation has endorsed this legislation.
“Commercial space objects in low-Earth orbit can help scientists make new discoveries and spur technological innovation, but this hinges on the ability to conduct safe and effective space traffic coordination,” said Cornyn. “The SAFE Orbit Act would prevent dangerous and costly accidental collisions in low-Earth orbit and improve access to data collection and analysis to help propel the United States into the next phase of space exploration.”
“To continue as a global leader in commercial space activity, the United States must lead the way to protect astronauts in orbit and space-based assets,” said Peters. “This legislation would provide important data that can help inform space exploration decisions and promote safe expansion.”
“The world is entering a new space race, and we must equip American innovators with every resource to win,” said Blackburn. “The SAFE Orbit Act would take an important step to centralize and improve space traffic coordination, ensuring there are no tragic collisions in space. As we enter this new frontier, we must be certain that we prioritize safety and coordination with our partners around the globe.”
“As the commercial space industry continues to grow, we need to safely track and manage objects in orbit and prevent collisions,” said Kelly. “We’re providing the tools for critical space situational awareness that will safeguard public access to orbital data, empower scientists and innovators to advance this critical frontier, and strengthen American leadership in space.”
“Future expansion in space requires better technology and data coordination. Currently, companies lack the awareness of other objects such as space junk, which could collide with valuable satellites,” said Wicker. “This new emerging business sector represents the new economic frontier, but we must make sure we are prepared to tap its potential.”
“This legislation will help make essential improvements to how we track objects in Earth’s orbit, enhancing space safety through better tracking and coordination to reduce collision risks,” said Luján. “As the commercial space activity grows, in New Mexico and across the country, access to critical space data is necessary to ensure safety and security.”
New Zealand Sugar Company, trading as Chelsea Sugar, has been fined $149,500 for manufacturing, distributing and selling sugar products contaminated with lead.
In November and December 2021, the company recalled thousands of packs of sugar products because of potential low level lead contamination.
Two other product recalls were needed when it was later discovered New Zealand Sugar Company provided incorrect information to supermarkets, resulting in more sugar products being released to consumers.
“These recalls had a significant impact on consumer access to certain sugar products, such as brown sugar. It also affected a large number of other businesses which had to recall products made with the contaminated sugar,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle.
In the Auckland District Court, the company was sentenced on 2 charges it pleaded guilty to in May last year, including breaching its National Programme (NP) – designed to manage any food risk to consumers – along with negligently endangering, harming, creating, or increasing risk to consumers by distributing its product.
A sentencing hearing was held in September last year and the court has released its reserved decision today.
“New Zealand Sugar Company knew what its responsibilities were to consumers – ensuring the safety and suitability of its products and managing any potential risk to consumers.
“It failed to properly detect the extent of lead contamination until after the imported sugar had been used in production.
“Offending at this scale is rare, and the Court’s sentence today sends a strong message that it will not be tolerated,” says Vincent Arbuckle.
In September 2021, the New Zealand Sugar Company imported sugar from Australia that became contaminated with lead during sea transport. From this sugar it manufactured and distributed 971 tonnes of contaminated sugar products to businesses in New Zealand.
The sugar had been freighted to New Zealand from Australia aboard the cargo ship Rin Treasure – a vessel that had been used to ship metal sulphide concentrates (lead and zinc) on its previous voyage.
Before choosing this ship, New Zealand Sugar Company was advised the vessel failed a survey report on 3 September, meaning it was not fit to load and transport bulk sugar. Prior to its departure, the vessel was cleaned, and a cleanliness report certified the vessel’s hold was in a fit state for the stowage and carriage of raw sugar.
However, the cleaning was not effective, and the cargo of sugar became contaminated with lead during the journey from Queensland. This contamination may have been potentially exacerbated by a broken pipe aboard the vessel that spilled water into the sugar during the cargo unloading process by contractors.
Samples of the sugar were collected between 15 and 24 September for testing but New Zealand Sugar Company followed its normal process of producing sugar products from the cargo for distribution and sale.
“The test result on 7 October showed high readings of lead contamination, but rather than take immediate action and stop production and distribution, they instead sought more testing which confirmed the same result.
“Some of this product was sold between October and early November. We were not informed of the lead contamination until 3 November, which is unacceptable.
“New Zealand Sugar Company’s lack of definitive action resulted in a consumer level recall of sugar products on 4 November – around 6 weeks after the contaminated product arrived in New Zealand.
“Although the short-term exposure to increased lead levels through these sugar products would not have endangered people’s health – we cannot afford to take a chance on public health,” says Vincent Arbuckle.
If you have concerns about a food product, you can contact New Zealand Food Safety on 0800 008 333 or use our online food complaint tool
For further information and general enquiries, emailinfo@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — James Lane Winslett, 66, of Corning, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta to three years in prison to be followed by a year of supervised release for unlawfully dealing in and manufacturing firearms without a license, selling a firearm to a convicted felon, and possession of an unregistered firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
According to court documents, Winslett was a firearms trafficker who sold hundreds of firearms and silencers without a license to deal in or manufacture firearms. Winslett purchased firearm parts online and from licensed dealers, privately manufactured firearms using his home equipment and tools, and sold completed firearms to other people. In 2020, Winslett sold an AR‑15 style privately made firearm to a customer whom Winslett knew was prohibited from possessing firearms because the customer had previously been convicted of a felony.
Winslett also sold silencers, which he falsely labeled as “fuel filters” or “solvent traps.” In 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized a parcel addressed to Winslett’s house in Corning. The package contained 25 firearm silencers that were erroneously described as “car fuel filters.” ATF tested the items and determined they were all firearms silencers. Law enforcement later searched Winslett’s home and found 36 silencers, over 30 firearms, additional firearms parts, ammunition, and tools used to privately manufacture firearms.
Winslett did not and does not have a license to deal in firearms, and none of the silencers he possessed were registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by federal law.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily G. Sauvageau and Justin Lee prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
LOS ANGELES – Two men have been arrested on a criminal complaint by federal law enforcement for allegedly participating in a conspiracy to smuggle contraband from China into the United States via the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the Justice Department announced today.
Zhongliang Wang, 39, of Hacienda Heights, was arrested Wednesday. Chenyu Zhao, 31, also of Hacienda Heights, was arrested last Thursday as he was boarding a plane on a one-way ticket to China. Both defendants were charged with conspiracy and illegally removing goods from customs custody. Wang and Zhao allegedly directed cargo shipping containers flagged for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) secondary inspection to unauthorized off-site locations, where they unloaded the contraband in the containers, replaced it with filler cargo, and then returned the cargo containers to CBP for inspection, in an attempt to deceive customs officials and evade law enforcement.
To date, law enforcement has seized more than $1.3 billion worth of contraband associated with this and similar cargo-swapping schemes. According to the court documents, a search of one warehouse used by the group charged in this case led to the seizure of significant quantities of counterfeit goods, including luxury handbags and footwear, as well as approximately 19.5 kilograms of enobosarm, an illicit steroid.
“Protecting our nation’s borders from illegal smuggling is a top priority,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally. “These arrests highlight the unrelenting efforts of law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks that seek to exploit our trade system and endanger American businesses and consumers.”
According to court documents, Zhao and other co-conspirators maintained and operated warehouses to store, conceal and sell large amounts of contraband goods that were illegally imported into the United States from China. When the contraband containers were selected by CBP for inspection, the defendants hired commercial truck drivers to transport the containers from the ports to locations that the conspirators controlled, including at least one warehouse in the City of Industry that was controlled or managed by Zhao and others.
At these locations, co-conspirators broke the security seals on the shipping containers and removed the contraband from inside. Then, they affixed counterfeit security seals onto the containers to conceal that the cargo had been tampered with. Wang, Zhao and others then directed co-conspirators to transport the containers – after they had been emptied of much of their original cargo and re-secured with counterfeit seals – to CBP-authorized locations for the “filler” cargo to be presented to customs officials for inspection.
Wang, Zhao and others paid fees to co-conspirators that were substantially above normal trucking fees to transport the contraband shipping containers. As alleged in the complaint, Wang paid $15,000 to divert a single cargo container in December of 2024.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted of all charges, Wang and Zhao would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each conspiracy count and up to 10 years in federal prison for each count of breaking customs seals.
Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Coast Guard Investigative Services are investigating this matter.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Assistant United States Attorneys Colin S. Scott and Amanda B. Elbogen of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section are prosecuting this matter.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – Today, Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chair Mark Warner (D-VA) joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-MI), in sending the following letter to the new Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, after the Treasury Department’s inadequate responses and evasive answers to a request for information following the hostile takeover of the Treasury Department by Elon Musk and the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (“DOGE”). Specifically, the Senators are concerned about “DOGE” having access to the management and disbursement of trillions of dollars and the highly sensitive information of millions of Americans.
“The Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment system is absolutely vital to our economic and national security. Any infiltration or manipulation must be immediately addressed. Frankly, the information your Department has provided on the matter to date is woefully inadequate,” said the Senators. “We speak for not just the caucus, but for the millions of impacted Americans, when we say this is an urgent matter and your participation is necessary for the American people to have confidence that our government will continue to function effectively and that their privacy remains protected.”
The full text of the letter can be seen here and below.
Dear Secretary Bessent:
Senate Democrats are deeply concerned with the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (“DOGE”), Elon Musk, and his unnamed team’s seemingly hostile takeover of the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s central payment systems. As you know, this is a highly sensitive government system that manages, processes, and disburses trillions of dollars, including Social Security and Medicare payments, tax refunds, and other highly sensitive information for millions of Americans. The seemingly illicit penetration of the system under the guise of an “operational efficiency assessment” demands your immediate attention, and Congress requires answers about the purpose and scope of “DOGE’s” activity. To that end, we request your attendance at a meeting with the Democratic Caucus as soon as possible.
Although we know that you and your Department have been made aware of these concerns, we have found the Department’s written response to Finance Committee Ranking Member Wyden and Banking Committee Ranking Member Warren wholly insufficient, and even illusive, and evasive and, in many cases, the responses stand in direct conflict to Elon Musk’s public statements about the work of “DOGE.” As you know, the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment system is absolutely vital to our economic and national security. Any infiltration or manipulation must be immediately addressed. Frankly, the information your Department has provided on the matter to date is woefully inadequate.
We speak for not just the caucus, but for the millions of impacted Americans, when we say this is an urgent matter and your participation is necessary for the American people to have confidence that our government will continue to function effectively and that their privacy remains protected.
We eagerly await your confirmation and are looking forward to your addressing the Senate Democratic Caucus.
We request your response by tomorrow, Thursday, February 6, 2025.
Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
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WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today outlined his plan to hold China accountable through his Foreign Pollution Fee and addressed the need to protect Louisiana ricers and shrimpers from foreign competitors during U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) nominee Jamieson Greer’s confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.
“You have been concerned—expressed skepticism—about the need for binding dispute mechanisms at the WTO, but my rice producers and others have won decisions at the WTO on commitments by other countries on agricultural subsidies, and yet they’re not enforced. And so, are my agricultural people just out in the cold? … Help my rice producer here. How are we going to handle that?” asked Dr. Cassidy.
“Senator, I think you’re exactly right, and that’s part of the reason why I show skepticism sometimes about the WTO,” replied Greer. “We have to have enforcement, and at the end of the day, what that means is USTR has to go to the country and enforce the law, and sometimes that means imposing tariffs on them.”
“About 40 percent of the imported shrimp to the United States come from India. Now the EU, Japan, and the U.S. finds illegal antibiotics in their shipments. And there’s also allegations that they use forced labor at every step of the supply chain… Would you commit to putting a— slapping a tariff on the shrimp if we can show that it’s being imported under those circumstances?” asked Dr. Cassidy.
“If we have an investigation and it shows their unfair trading practices, you can certainly impose a tariff or other measures if that trade practice isn’t remedied. I think it’s really important to work with you and the shrimpers because if they feel like they’re not getting the relief they need from trade remedies or other venues, then we need to explore whether it’s section 301, or other tools, to make sure that we’re detecting the unfairnesses and addressing it,” said Greer.
When discussing Cassidy’s Foreign Pollution Fee Act, Greer recognized the unlevel playfield that requires the use of tariffs to hold other countries accountable for unfair trade practices.
“[O]ne thing I am concerned about is that China is not using, not enforcing environmental regulations… [I]t lowers their cost of manufacturing by not enforcing those environmental regulations by 20 percent, and our industry moves there because they just lowered their manufacturing costs by 20 percent by dumping their air pollution on us. Now if this is classical economics, you would tax the externality, and I have proposed a fee on the carbon-intense product from countries which do not enforce internationally accepted norms on pollution control. Any thoughts upon that?” asked Dr. Cassidy.
“I think you’ve articulated the problem statement very well. I think there’s an unlevel playing field, and I think that other countries take advantage of total lack of environmental regulations,” said Greer.
Background
In December, Cassidy and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) released a new discussion draft of their Foreign Pollution Fee Act to level the playing field with Chinese manufacturing and expand American production. In addition, the Steel Manufacturers Association, which represents 70 percent of the nation’s steel production, called on President-elect Trump and Congress to institute a foreign pollution fee.
The Foreign Pollution Fee Act was a key topic at Cassidy’s Louisiana Energy Security Summit last fall. The summit featured ten panels that explored protecting U.S. interests from unfair trade practices, Louisiana’s low-emission manufacturing advantage, and the role of natural gas in strengthening U.S. geopolitical influence. Panelists included the CEOs of Entergy, First Solar, Buzzi UnicemUSA, Orsted, and Aluminum Technologies, former Trump administration officials, and leaders from Louisiana trade associations and major energy and Fortune 500 companies.
In 2023, the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution urging Congress to pursue an industrial manufacturing and trade policy to counter competition from China.
On Louisiana shrimp and rice, Cassidy introduced two bills last Congress to protect both industries against China and India’s dumping of cheap agricultural products into U.S. markets. The Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act and the India Shrimp Tariff Act will protect the Louisiana agricultural industry while ensuring that food that appears on U.S. store shelves meets U.S. health standards.
Last year, Cassidy worked to secure $27,152,411.00 for Louisiana fisheries, shrimpers, and fishing communities affected by natural disasters between 2017 and 2022.
In April 2024, Cassidy advocated for Louisiana shrimpers and rice producers at a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing with USTR Ambassador Katherine Tai. He pressed her on progress USTR is making to prevent shrimp dumping from Asia. Cassidy also highlighted a whistleblower report on the safety of shrimp imported from India.
Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Gary Peters (D-MI) reintroduced the Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Actto enhance investment options for 403(b) retirement plans. 403(b) plans are a type of retirement savings plan, similar to a 401(k), offered to employees of non-profit organizations like public universities, hospitals, churches, and charities.
“Non-profit employees should have the same access to investment strategies for their retirement plans as private sector employees,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Social Security is going insolvent. We need to give Americans every tool to help make their retirement more secure.”
“The Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act would level the playing field so more hardworking Americans can access retirement resources that best fit their needs. Our legislation would allow Americans in the non-profit sector to access the same investment options available to those in the private sector,” said Senator Britt. “This commonsense bipartisan bill would help Americans who work for non-profits, including many of our hospitals, achieve long-term financial stability.”
“America’s retirees deserve the peace of mind that comes with financial security when they transition into retirement. This is especially true for non-profit workers who dedicate their lives to serving their communities— they deserve access to the same retirement investment opportunities private sector employees have,” said Senator Warnock. “That’s why I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan legislation which provides equal opportunity for non-profit employees and helps ensure they can retire with dignity.”
“Hardworking public service and non-profit employees who support our health care and human services, arts and culture, civic engagement, and more deserve access to all available financial tools that can help them plan for retirement,” said Senator Peters. “This legislation would put those using a 403(b) plan on a level playing field with other retirement plan participants by allowing them to invest in collective investment trusts, giving them an equal opportunity to achieve their financial goals.”
The Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Actwould expand retirement savings opportunities for non-profit employees by allowing 403(b) plan participants to invest in collective investment trusts (CITs). A CIT is a tax-exempt investment vehicle that provides a diversified, pooled investment option—similar to a mutual fund. CITs offer greater flexibility in investment strategies for retirement plans and reliable, often higher, net returns for plan participants.
Under current law, unlike 401(k) holders, 403(b) plan sponsors are not able to use this stable investment option in their plan. This legislation would create parity between 403(b) and 401(k) retirement savings plans, benefitting over 15 million hardworking employees at hospitals, universities, charities, and other non-profit organizations.
The Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Actis supported by the American Bankers Association, American Benefits Council, American Heart Association, American Life Insurance Association, American Retirement Association, Aon, Church Alliance, Great Gray, Insured Retirement Institute, Investment Company Institute, March of Dimes, MetLife, Mercer, Mission Square, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, National Council of Nonprofits, Nationwide, Prudential, SPARK Institute, Stable Value Investment Association, United Way, and Vanguard.
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined RFD-TV to discuss this week’s Senate Ag Committee hearing, the challenges farmers are facing, trade agreements, and President Trump’s tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada.
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You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full interview.
Highlights from Senator Marshall’s interview include:
On the challenges farmers are facing:
“I don’t have to tell your listeners that we had a record drop in net farm income that was basically due to high interest rates and high input costs. Again, you’re all well aware of those as well and the regulatory environment we’re drowning in.”
“The mental health of farmers, the farmer suicide issue comes to mind. The right to work on your own property and work on your own tractors and machinery. All those little issues add up, the average age of the farmer, I think is in the 60s now. So plenty of challenges out there, and our challenge up here now is just to prioritize those and do what we can to help the American farmer and rancher.”
On the importance of trade agreements benefitting farmers:
“We got to talk about trade. And certainly, we’re grateful for the past trade agreements. President Trump got done with USMCA, South Korea, Japan…And Joe Biden didn’t do any new trade agreements. So for four years, we’ve sat idle, and we’re looking forward to President Trump hopping back in there and doing some strong bilateral trade agreements.”
On President Trump’s tariffs on Mexico and Canada:
“This is a drug war and not a trade war. And first and foremost, my farmers and ranchers, they’re parents and grandparents. And this is about the fentanyl drug war, that we’re losing 200 Americans every day from fentanyl poisoning. We’re losing 75,000 Americans every year from fentanyl poisoning, more than we lost in the entire Vietnam War. So President Trump has asked Canada, Mexico, and China, to stop the nonsense.”
“These precursors were mostly made in China, but now a lot of the precursors are in laboratories in Canada. So we need those countries to step up. And they are.”
“I think as long as over the next 30 days, we see significant progress that the tariffs on Mexico and Canada won’t come to fruition, at least I hope they don’t. But I do appreciate President Trump worried about our national security, and I appreciate that our farmers and ranchers are patriots and still supporting him.”
“And don’t forget one last thing, the last time we had it out with China, President Trump gave farmers and ranchers $28 billion from that tariff money. He’s not forgotten about us. We’re a huge priority to President Donald J. Trump.”
On China promising retaliatory tariffs:
“China is just next to impossible to deal with, and America needs to divorce from China as much as possible. You know, they’re constantly stealing our intellectual property. We talked about the fentanyl issues already. They’re trying to buy up American farmland. They don’t play fair. They simply don’t.”
“We’ve given them huge breaks for decades now. They’ve had 25-50, 75% tariffs on American goods and products forever, and now we just want it to be fair and equal. They’re no longer a developing nation, so we have to play hardball with them before they’re going to come to the table.”
“This is why USMCA was so important – that Canada and Mexico are our number one trade partners now for agriculture…at the end of the day, I have faith in President Trump that he’s going to take care of the American farmer and rancher. I think we could come back and talk about 45Z someday, and how we’re hoping President Trump will support that in the biofuels industry, rolling back regulations. I think that you can count on President Trump to champion that so we can’t look at all these issues in little single silos.”
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. spoke on the Senate floor before passing a resolution to honor the memory of the 67 lives lost in the tragic mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a United States Army helicopter on January 29, 2025.
The resolution also commemorates the bravery, dedication, and swift action of the first responders who played a critical role in the recovery efforts under harsh conditions. Shortly after speaking, the resolution passed unanimously through the Senate.
The full text of the resolution can be found HERE.
You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full remarks.
Quotes from Senator Marshall’s remarks include:
“It’s been more than a week since that horrific night, but it feels as if it just happened hours ago. It doesn’t seem possible. In the blink of an eye, we lost 67 brave souls. Each morning I wake up hoping it was all just a nightmare, that somehow it wasn’t real, but we all know it was, and it is.”
“The psalmist writes in the 34th chapter, the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit…It’s times like these, when grief is overwhelming that we hold on to the promise of Scripture and the faith passed down from generation to generation, a faith that’s carried Kansans through hardship and loss.”
“We remember 1955 a tornado leveled the little city of Udall and 75 Kansans lost their lives. Another horrific plane crash in 1970 carrying the Wichita State University football team and 31 souls were lost, the tornadoes, the storms, the floods, the wildfires, all these disasters have taken too many lives and left so many hearts shattered, and yet through it all, one thing has remained: our faith and the love and support of our families and our communities. That’s what’s carried us before, and that’s what will carry us now.”
“I fear for the loved ones left behind, because I know this pain never truly goes away, and I know, like my colleagues have said, there’s truly no words that can capture the depth of our sorrow that we all feel right now, and we can’t begin to imagine the grief of these family members. But yet we want you, each to know you don’t stand alone, that we’re with you. We stand beside you. We’re mourning with you. Our communities are wrapping their arms around you in prayer and support.”
“To speak to the family specifically, we too are broken hearted just like you, and that we’re also crushed in spirit, but yet there’s hope, and we want you to know this, that even in this tragedy, God has not deserted us. He walks with us through these darkest of valleys, and he weeps with those who weep. We’re praying for your strength. We’re praying for God’s comfort and peace to cover you all as we mourn together.”
“I want to express my deepest gratitude for all the emergency responders and especially the divers who I really believe risked their own lives by jumping into a dark, fast, cold river in search of survivors. Thank you so much for doing that and for doing your job so well. Your courage will not be forgotten.”
“I said this the night of the tragedy. When one life is lost, it is a tragedy. When many are lost at once, it’s an unbearable sorrow. It’s a heartbreak beyond measure. Again, to the families, we’re with you, and so is our Father in Heaven.”
Passengers are seen at the waiting hall of Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] As China celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Snake, the festive atmosphere was reflected in a surge in travel and consumer spending. With tourism booming, restaurants bustling, and box offices setting new records, the festivities showcased China’s economic vitality. The Spring Festival, China’s most important festival, sparked a nationwide travel surge as families reunited and celebrations took place across the country. Official data showed that more than 2.3 billion passenger trips were made nationwide during the eight-day Spring Festival holiday, which concluded on Tuesday. Official projections estimated over 9 billion passenger trips during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush that officially began on Jan. 14. The annual migration — once dominated by homebound travelers — now sees a growing number of people opting for holiday getaways, filling train stations, highways, and airports in celebration of the Year of the Snake. Tourism soars on heritage charm With China’s Spring Festival now on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, cultural exploration-centered tours have become increasingly popular. Online searches for “intangible cultural heritage tourism” jumped 174 percent since the beginning of this year, while folk craft-related searches spiked 321 percent, according to Meituan Travel. On the popular video-sharing platform Douyin, demand for intangible cultural heritage tours led to a 462 percent year-on-year rise in group tour bookings for folk fairs. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, China saw a record 501 million domestic tourist trips during the just-concluded holiday, up 5.9 percent year on year. Tourist spending reached a record high of over 677 billion yuan (94.43 billion U.S. dollars) during the period, a 7 percent increase from the previous year. The cultural allure extended beyond domestic travelers, attracting visitors from around the globe. The latest data from the National Immigration Administration showed about 14.37 million cross-border trips were made during the holiday, up 6.3 percent from last year’s Spring Festival holiday. Of these, 958,000 trips were made by foreign nationals, marking a 22.9 percent increase.
Foreign tourists try to make tofu during a folk celebration of the Spring Festival in Wayaogang Village, Yongding District of Zhangjiajie City, central China’s Hunan Province, Jan. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] According to Chinese online travel service giant Trip.com Group, inbound travel orders during the Spring Festival holiday rose 203 percent year on year, underscoring the growing international appeal of China’s cultural and natural landmarks. Among the top destinations was Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province, renowned for its spectacular mountain scenery that inspired scenes in global blockbusters. Malaysian tourist Vincent Koh Swee Sam was among the many international visitors drawn to cultural heritage in Zhangjiajie. Immersing himself in local festivities, Sam joined villagers in writing Spring Festival couplets, pounding glutinous rice cakes, and making tofu. Sam’s hands-on experience with Chinese calligraphy deepened his appreciation for the art. “I used to know China only through textbooks and maps,” he said. “But now that I have stepped into it myself, it feels so good.” Dining boom feeds festive spirit No Spring Festival is complete without a grand feast, and this year, more families chose to dine out for ease and variety, driving a surge in restaurant bookings. In Shanghai’s bustling city center, all 91 tables at the renowned Cantonese restaurant Xinya were packed with diners on Chinese New Year’s Eve, according to executive chef Huang Renkang.
People have a reunion meal at a restaurant in Nanjing City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] According to the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), the revenues of key restaurants tracked by the ministry climbed 5.1 percent year on year in the first four days of the holiday. Online platforms saw a similar rise. Meituan reported a 305 percent year-on-year increase in online bookings for Chinese New Year’s Eve dinners, while high-end restaurants featuring Chinese culinary experiences saw significant growth. Notably, orders for “intangible cultural heritage” meal packages searched on Meituan soared over 12 times year on year since the beginning of this year. Box office hits record high From Chinese mythology to homegrown animation, this year’s Spring Festival film lineup drew massive crowds and posted record-breaking sales. China’s box office sales jumped to an all-time high of 9.51 billion yuan over the holiday period, while attendance also set a new record, with 187 million moviegoers packing theaters.
People watch a film at a cinema in Feidong County, Hefei City, east China’s Anhui Province, Feb. 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] Leading the charge was the animated feature “Ne Zha 2,” which grossed around 4.84 billion yuan. “The moviegoers’ enthusiasm indicates vibrant consumption during the holiday as well as the consumers’ confidence in domestic productions,” said Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association. Experts attributed the success to strong audience anticipation, beloved characters and stories, and high-quality storytelling. “The strong performance of these films lays a solid foundation for the steady growth of China’s film market in 2025,” noted Chen Jin, a data analyst from box office tracker Beacon. Policy boost sparks shopping spree Festive cheer and consumer enthusiasm energized the market even before the holiday began. With the country’s trade-in program driving demand, shoppers eagerly seized the opportunity to upgrade cars, home appliances, and digital devices, ushering in a vibrant holiday shopping season.
People visit a flower market in Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] The MOC reported receiving subsidy applications for 10.79 million electronic devices over a four-day period starting Jan. 20. This follows the inclusion of mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches in the trade-in subsidy program, marking a significant expansion of the initiative launched in March last year. Moreover, according to the ministry, automobile trade-ins reached 34,000 while home appliance trade-ins reached 1.04 million units as of Jan. 23. Building on this momentum, online retail sales grew by 5.8 percent during the eight-day holiday, while sales of home appliances and communication equipment at key retailers jumped by over 10 percent. “Spring Festival offers a glimpse into the year’s economic trends,” said Chen Lifen, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council. In this holiday season, a blend of cultural experiences and new consumption scenarios has helped reinforce the economic recovery momentum, injecting confidence into the economy and setting a strong foundation for the year ahead, Chen noted.
A Chinese research team has proposed new strategies for sustainable water treatment with a focus on chemicals of emerging concern (CECs). CECs such as pesticides, industrial additives and disinfection byproducts have been increasingly detected in drinking water and blood serum samples. Existing water treatment technologies are generally limited in their ability to remove CECs, and often face challenges such as high energy consumption, excessive chemical use and increased carbon emissions. Researchers from the Harbin Institute of Technology’s Shenzhen campus proposed that integrating riverbank filtration with reverse osmosis could effectively mitigate the water-quality and health risks posed by CECs. They noted that after this proposed treatment, cancer and non-cancer disease risks in drinking water would both fall below the safety thresholds recommended by the World Health Organization. Additionally, their study found that by utilizing membrane-based water treatment technology that minimizes chemical usage and enhances efficiency, while also extending the lifespan of membrane modules and improving energy recovery, the environmental impact on the atmosphere, water and soil ecosystems throughout the entire water treatment life cycle can be reduced significantly. The research team also noted that these approaches could facilitate the development and application of safe, sustainable, low-carbon water treatment systems — particularly in countries and regions that have advanced clean energy technologies, and where renewable energy has a high proportion in the overall energy capacity. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
Delivery of China’s liquid oxygen kerosene engine, named Liqing-2, has been completed, its developer CAS Space said on Thursday. The delivered piece of equipment is a 110-tonne pin engine, according to the company. Pin injection was applied in both the gas generator and thrust chamber of Liqing-2, the first stage engine of the company’s Lijian series rockets. The engine thrust ratio ranges from 50 to 100 percent, CAS Space revealed, while adding that the ground thrust can reach 110 tonnes. The Liqing-2 engine development project was approved in the second quarter of 2023 — and production started in the first quarter of 2024. At the beginning of 2025, the engine completed the whole machine liquid flow test, assembly and delivery review. As the main rockets used in China’s commercial space industry, the Lijian-1 series has now launched a total of 57 satellites in the course of five flight missions. CAS Space is a commercial spaceflight company established by the Institute of Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Chinese police arrested more than 11,000 suspects in the course of the investigation of 45 major cross-border gambling cases in 2024, the Ministry of Public Security announced on Thursday. Public security authorities across China investigated and handled a total of 73,000 cases related to cross-border gambling and associated crimes last year, with over 4,500 online gambling platforms dismantled in the process, according to the ministry. The ministry added that these efforts had further strengthened the “overwhelming crackdown” on cross-border gambling activities — as the police had eradicated multiple recruitment networks and underground financial channels operated by major overseas gambling syndicates within China. In response to certain overseas cities luring Chinese tourists for gambling activities, relevant Chinese authorities introduced a tourism destination blacklist targeting cross-border gambling risks, imposing restrictions on listed destinations such as the suspension of outbound group tours. Restrictive measures targeting the first batch of blacklisted destinations were implemented in August 2020.
The U.S. imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese exports and its tweaking of “de minimis” exemption policy will drive up the costs for American consumers and dampen their shopping experience, He Yongqian, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, said on Thursday.
When asked to comment on the erratic behavior of the U.S. Postal Service, which suspended accepting parcels from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong but reversed its decision a few hours later, He told a regular press conference that cross-border e-commerce has distinct advantages.
Cross-border e-commerce caters to the personalized demands of consumers, offers quick delivery, and cuts down on costs. It has emerged as a significant trend in the development of international trade, He said.
“No matter how a country adjusts its trade policies, the inherent advantages and features of cross-border e-commerce remain intact,” He said. “It still boasts strong competitiveness, and the overarching trend of digital transformation in international trade is here to stay.”
China hopes that the United States will align with the development trends of international trade, streamline its regulatory mechanisms, and foster a fair and predictable policy ecosystem for cross-border e-commerce. By doing so, the United States can offer its domestic consumers a more convenient consumption environment, with high-quality products at reasonable prices, He added.
Thailand has tightened border control to prevent possible adverse effects after it suspended power supply to five areas in Myanmar as part of its effort to combat illegal operations, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Thursday.
Thai border patrol police and military forces have strengthened security along the border and all relevant agencies have been fully engaged in implementing the measures to tackle drug trafficking and border-related crimes, Phumtham said during an inspection visit to the Tak province bordering Myanmar.
Phumtham cited one example where power usage visibly decreased by half in one of Myanmar’s areas where online scams are concentrated, after the electricity supply was cut off on Wednesday, indicating the impact of the measure.
He noted that the Thai telecom regulatory body would terminate all problematic Internet connections by the end of this month, while essential services would face reduced connectivity.
Thailand’s National Security Council resolved on Tuesday to cut electricity, fuel supply, and Internet services to five locations across three Myanmar states identified as bases for illegal activities, including human trafficking, call center scams, money laundering and transnational crimes.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar informed the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Thursday that Israel will no longer participate in it.
Israel’s move came two days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced his country’s withdrawal from the top UN human rights body.
Sa’ar wrote to UNHRC President Jurg Lauber that “the decision was reached in light of the ongoing and unrelenting institutional bias against Israel in the Human Rights Council, which has been persistent since its inception in 2006.”
Sa’ar mentioned that the council “has become a political tool and a convenient platform, cynically used to advance certain political aims, to bash and delegitimize Israel.”
He claimed that Israel has been subject to over 20 percent of all condemnatory resolutions ever passed in the council, “more than (those) against Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and Venezuela, combined.”
He added that since Oct. 7, 2023, “the council has employed every platform to spread misinformation and blood libels against Israel.”
The Israeli minister wrote on social media platform X that “joining President Trump’s just decision, Israel will no longer tolerate the council’s blatant antisemitism.”
Today the Department for Transport has given the green light of £35.709 million funding to enable Leeds City Council to make improvements to the Dawsons Corner junction and complete joint replacement work on the Stanningley Bypass.
This forms part of a £42.679 million total package with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority of £6.970m and contribution from the council.
Changes to the junction will reduce congestion and delays helping to support economic growth across Leeds and Bradford. The reduction in congestion will also lead to a better environment in terms of improved air quality. Improvements are also planned to see better traffic flow, with bus journey times also reduced and improved safer crossing facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.
The scheme was granted planning permission in October 2022 and business case was submitted in March 2024 with preparatory ground investigation work underway and the safety critical repair works to Stanningley ByPass have been on-going since May 2021.
All the third party land required to build the scheme has been purchased. Subject to contractor approvals the main works are planned to start later this year take up to 15 months to complete.
The scheme will:-
Provide pedestrian and cycling facilities at the Dawsons Corner junction linking in with the Leeds Bradford Cycle Superhighway
Improved bus facilities with dedicated bus lanes on the A647 Bradford Road
Widen the carriageway on the A6120 Ring Road to improve the junction and accommodate a shared pedestrian / cycle route
Widen the A647 Stanningley Bypass to accommodate additional traffic lanes
Replace joints on the A647 Stanningley Bypass to mitigate potential road traffic collisions thereby enabling the current 50mph speed limit to be kept; and
Provide landscape mitigation for the enlarged site at Dawsons Corner.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “I am delighted with the news that the Department for Transport £35.709 million funding has been granted. The need to improve Dawsons Corner junction has been a major priority for some time. It’s important not only to improve traffic flow and air quality, but also support essential links to future housing growth and developments and for people to be able to access jobs more easily with consistent travel times.
“Alongside the recent junction improvements to Fink Hill, Dyneley Arms, the Armley Gyratory and A6120 routes, together with the M621 National Highways works that remain vital for keeping our city moving and directing traffic away from the city centre.”
The Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: “Road users in Leeds and Bradford have experienced slow speeds on the A647 for too long, discouraging people from using local buses on the road.
“We’re giving this vital scheme the green light, and providing £35m, which will improve local journeys in Yorkshire and boost the economy beyond.”
Cllr Peter Carlill, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “It’s great to support this scheme and see it secure further funding to help improve transport so that people can get around more easily.
“This will help us create a greener, better-connected region through improved walking and cycling routes, cleaner air, safer roads, and reduced traffic congestion.”
Katie Day, Deputy Chief Executive at Transport for the North, said: “We welcome this investment which will deliver vital maintenance work, improving safety and reliability for people and businesses using Dawsons Corner and Stanningley bypass.
“As every journey involves a road at some point, our highways need to be safe, resilient and efficient to enable economic growth.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 6, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Beijing on Thursday.
Xi said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations as well as the “Golden Jubilee of China-Thailand Friendship.” The two sides should build on past achievements and work together to advance the building of the China-Thailand community with a shared future to deliver more benefits to the two peoples, the region and the world at large.
In the face of profound changes unseen in a century, China and Thailand should consolidate strategic mutual trust, firmly support each other, and respond to uncertainties in the external environment with the stability and certainty of China-Thailand relations, Xi said.
China is ready to work with Thailand to align development strategies, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, implement well flagship projects such as the China-Thailand Railway, and promote the vision of interconnected development of China, Laos and Thailand to achieve more fruitful outcomes as soon as possible, he said.
Xi called for concerted efforts to deepen cooperation in emerging industries such as the digital economy and new energy vehicles, and build more stable and smooth industrial and supply chains.
Noting that China appreciates Thailand’s effective measures against online gambling and telecom fraud, Xi said that both sides should continue to strengthen law enforcement, security and judicial cooperation to safeguard the safety of people’s lives and property as well as the orderly exchanges and cooperation among regional countries.
Xi called on both sides to launch a variety of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and increase the mutual understanding and amity between the two peoples.
China supports Thailand’s role as co-chair of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and congratulates Thailand on becoming a BRICS partner country, Xi added.
China stands ready to work closely with Thailand to firmly defend the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, enhance unity and cooperation in the Global South, safeguard world peace and promote common development, he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 6, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Paetongtarn said she is delighted to visit China at a time when the two countries are celebrating the “golden jubilee” of their friendship. Thailand and China have forged a special friendly and cooperative relationship over the past five decades.
Reaffirming Thailand’s adherence to the one-China policy, she said Thailand looks forward to working with China to boost high-level exchanges, enhance cooperation in the fields of connectivity, economy, trade and agriculture, and promote people-to-people exchanges to usher in the next five decades of shared peace and prosperity.
Thailand is willing to strengthen law enforcement cooperation with China and other neighboring countries, and take resolute and effective measures to crack down on cross-border crimes, including online gambling and telecom fraud, she said.
Calling China a responsible major country in international affairs that firmly safeguards the interests of developing nations, Paetongtarn said Thailand is willing to strengthen coordination and collaboration with China to address global challenges.
New Zealand and Flinders University experts have deployed artificial intelligence and 3D laser scanning to accurately map planted pine (radiata) forests for most of NZ’s North Island.
The results, which distinguish planted large estates, small woodlots and newly established stands as young as three years old, showcase a new way of using remote sensing with other technology to reveal forest growth and update growth information.
This approach is just as relevant for Australia, where radiata pine is also widely grown, says Dr Grant Pearse, Senior Lecturer in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at Flinders University.
“In New Zealand, where radiata pine plantations dominate the forestry sector, the current national forest description lacks spatially explicit information and struggles to capture data on small-scale forests,” says Dr Pearse, from the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia.
“We combined deep learning-based forest mapping using high-resolution aerial imagery with regional airborne laser scanning data to map all planted forest and estimate key attributes.”
The spatially explicit forest description provides wall-to-wall information on forest extent, age, and volume for all sizes of forest. This facilitates stratification by key variables for wood supply forecasting, harvest planning, and infrastructure investment decisions – applications equally valuable for other forestry industries.
The research, with New Zealand timber industry researchers from Rotorua, Christchurch and Auckland, was carried out on planted forests in the Gisborne region, which has publicly available aerial imagery and airborne laser scanning data.
This region is particularly significant as it was severely impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023, which caused widespread landslides and forest debris flows.
For such vulnerable terrain, knowing exactly where forests are located in the landscape, their age and condition is key to managing the risks of harvesting operations on the region’s steep slopes.
“We propose satellite-based harvest detection and digital photogrammetry to continuously update the initial forest description. This methodology enables near real-time monitoring of planted forests at all scales and is adaptable to other regions with similar data availability,” researchers say in a new article.
Along with the economic importance of NZ’s 1.8 million hectares of radiata pine forestry for export timber and fibre, these planted forests are a key part of the country’s emission trading scheme and are expected to play a significant role in achieving the government’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
The forest map derived from artificial intelligence can be viewed at: www.forestinsights.nz
In South Australia, plantation estates covering about 40,000 hectares support a $3 billion industry and employ 18,000 people as well as construction, manufacturing, tourism and regional communities.
The article. ‘Developing a forest description from remote sensing: Insights from New Zealand’ (2024) byGrant D Pearse (Flinders University), Sadeepa Jayathunga, Nicolò Camarretta, Melanie E Palmer, Benjamin SC Steer, Michael S Watt (all Scion), Pete Watt and Andrew Holdaway (both Indufor Asia Pacific) has been published in the journal Science of Remote Sensing. DOI: 10.1016/j.srs.2024.100183. (ref. https://www.forestinsights.nz/ )
Acknowledgements: This project was funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Strategic Science Investment Fund (administered by Scion, the New Zealand Forest Research Institute Ltd) and through the MBIE Programme (grant number C04X2101).
Covering period of Friday 7 – Monday 10 February – Severe thunderstorms are possible for the central North Island this afternoon and evening (Friday), but MetService is forecasting more warm and dry weather for most during the weekend.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in place for the central North Island this afternoon and evening, covering Taupō, Waikato south of Tokoroa, Taumarunui, inland Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Taihape. Scattered heavy showers, thunderstorms and localised downpours (25 – 40 mm/h) are expected within this area.
MetService meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon comments, “Not everywhere within the Watch area will see a thunderstorm or downpour today, but the potential is there. Localised downpours can cause surface flooding, especially in low-lying areas, so it’s worth keeping an eye on metservice.com as our expert meteorologists will be issuing localised Warnings for severe thunderstorms as they occur.”
It’s shaping up to be a sunny day for the rest of the North Island today, with toasty forecast high temperatures in the mid-high twenties. The South Island is cloudier, especially over Canterbury and Marlborough where temperatures remain in the teens, but this cloud is forecast to break up this afternoon. The remains of a front over western South Island areas means cloud and a sprinkling of rain will stick around into the weekend.
Over the weekend, a ridge of high pressure over the North Island means more sunny and warm weather. There will still be a few showers in central areas. Down south, showers continue in the west while eastern areas get sunny, warm weather to start the weekend. Alexandra has a forecast high of 31°C on Saturday, before temperatures drop as a band of rain reaches Southland at night.
Wotherspoon details, “Brief rain spreads over Southland and Otago tomorrow night as a front moves north, but it slows and begins to break up heading into Sunday morning. There will be a dip in temperatures for the South Island with this front; Christchurch has a forecast high of 29 °C on Sunday, but is only expected to reach 19 °C on Monday.”
The remnants of this front will linger into next week, keeping conditions in the South Island cool and cloudy, while the North Island is in store for more warm and dry conditions.
On January 21, 2025, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) officially opened its new Metrology Laboratory in Xizhi. The opening ceremony was attended by Director-General Chen Yi-Ling, along with representatives from related laboratories and industry leaders. This new facility marks an important step forward in maintaining accurate measurements that benefit both businesses and consumers.
According to the Weights and Measures Act, devices like water meters, gas meters, scales, weighbridges, and breath alcohol testers must pass official verification before they can be sold or used for legal or trade purposes. The Xizhi Metrology Laboratory will take over the work of the Chengde Road lab, which served the public for more than 36 years. The new lab will continue providing important services like testing, calibration, and verification to help ensure fair trade and accurate readings for law enforcement.
As technology advances, many traditional mechanical devices-like water and gas meters-are being replaced by electronic systems. To keep up, the new lab offers updated testing services that meet the latest international standards developed by the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). This helps confirm that electronic meters are accurate and reliable. A key feature of the new lab is the addition of Asia’s first electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing system in real-flow conditions. This means that it can evaluate how external signals affect measurement accuracy under actual water and gas flow scenarios, a vital step in ensuring reliable readings and supporting the development of next-generation metering technologies. For local businesses, the Xizhi lab is also good news. Manufacturers can now perform important tests locally instead of sending equipment abroad, which saves both time and money.
BSMI is committed to running the lab efficiently and keeping it equipped with the latest technology. The goal is to protect consumers from inaccurate measurements, promote fairness in trade, and support local industries as they adopt new technology. With the Xizhi Metrology Laboratory in operation, the public can feel confident that the products they rely on-whether it’s for buying groceries, paying utility bills, or ensuring public safety-are measured accurately and fairly.
Peta Crewe, incoming Regional Manager for UniSA’s Mount Gambier campus
PIRSA regional development lead Peta Crewe is joining the University of South Australia to head up its Mount Gambier campus as new Regional Manager.
From forestry to vines, livestock and community, Crewe’s connection to the Limestone Coast region spans a quarter of a century including roles in Government, at ForestrySA, and on strategic working groups and committees.
Her current role is General Manager, Regions for SA’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), where she oversees regional development across 11 regional offices.
Crewe will commence in her UniSA role on 3 March.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd is delighted to welcome her to the University community.
“Peta has an outstanding track record delivering successful regional programs and addressing the key issues in regional communities, including workforce shortages, lack of affordable housing, industry development, and community capacity building,” Prof Lloyd says.
“Her experience and connections in the Limestone Coast region, a region of enormous social, cultural and economic significance to SA, will be a great asset to our University and the local community.”
Ian McKay, Mount Gambier’s current Regional Manager, will retire on 14 March after eight years in the role.
“Ian has been a wonderful advocate and ambassador for UniSA and has made a significant impact in the Mount Gambier community,” Prof Lloyd says.
“UniSA’s regional engagement and connections to the Mount Gambier community have greatly expanded under Ian’s leadership. On behalf of the University, I thank him for his contributions and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
Crewe has an agriculture degree from the University of Adelaide and a Master in Forest Science. Her previous roles include PIRSA’s regional coordinator for the Limestone Coast. Among her many community roles and professional memberships, she is team manager for the Blue Lake Soccer Club’s Senior Women’s team.
Headline: Bathurst refuge expanded to support more women and children escaping domestic violence
Published: 7 February 2025
Released by: Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Housing, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
More than 30 women and children fleeing abusive relationships each year will benefit from the expansion of The Orchard in Bathurst, with three new emergency refuge units opening today.
The first five units at The Orchard, Bathurst were developed and built by Housing Plus and opened in January 2023, with service delivery funded by the NSW Government’s Core and Cluster program.
Since then, it has provided accommodation for over 100 women and children escaping violent and unsafe homes.
An additional $1.95 million under the Core and Cluster program has enabled an additional three units to be built on the site.
The Core and Cluster refuge model promotes independent living by providing self-contained accommodation located next to a ‘core’ of support that facilitates access to services such as counselling, legal assistance, education, and employment support.
Plus Community, the community service arm of Housing Plus, will deliver tailored, on-site support to help victim-survivors rebuild their lives and heal from trauma.
The Minns Labor Government is building a safer New South Wales by addressing domestic and family violence at all stages, including through primary prevention, early intervention, crisis responses and recovery.
Ensuring women and children have access to safe housing and support when they leave violence is critical to helping them rebuild their lives.
The NSW Government has invested $426.6 million over four years in the Core and Cluster program to support an additional 2,900 women and children fleeing domestic and family violence across the state each year.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
“No woman should have to choose between staying in an abusive relationship or becoming homeless.
“This expanded refuge will help more domestic and family violence victim-survivors in the Bathurst region feel safe and supported as they leave violent situations and rebuild their lives.
“Under the Core and Cluster program, the NSW Government has committed to building 49 new refuges across the state by 2026, helping to ensure that all women and children fleeing violence can find a safe place to call home.”
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
“Securing safe housing remains a critical hurdle to overcoming domestic and family violence.
“The NSW Government is supporting women and children escaping domestic and family violence by making sure they have access to housing and support services, particularly in regional areas like Bathurst.
“The Core and Cluster model not only provides safe and secure accommodation, but also tailored support on-site to help victim-survivors recover.
“Emergency refuges like The Orchard are crucial in helping women and children take their first step towards escaping violence, regaining their confidence, and rebuilding their lives in their community.”
Labor spokesperson for Bathurst Stephen Lawrence MLC said:
“The funding for and opening of three new emergency refuge units at The Orchard today is welcome support for women and children fleeing abusive relationships in my duty electorate of Bathurst.
“This a vital program funded by the Minns Labor Government securing the safety of victim survivors and supporting their recovery.”
Justin Cantelo, CEO of Housing Plus and Plus Community, said:
“The need for safe, supportive housing has never been more urgent.
“We are proud to play a part in helping women and children find safety and start the journey towards healing in the aftermath of domestic violence.”
Jenna Hattersley, Domestic Violence Services Manager at Plus Community, said:
“The addition of these three units means more women and children will have the chance to escape violence and find refuge in a place where they feel safe and supported.
“Every day, we see the difference that safe housing can make in helping people rebuild their confidence and their lives.”
A resident of The Orchard Bathurst, said:
“Thank you for everything.
“Your dedication and support to women in need of help is where The Orchard stands out.”
Support:
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Richard Forno, Teaching Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, and Assistant Director, UMBC Cybersecurity Institute, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), President Donald Trump’s special commission tasked with slashing federal spending, continues to disrupt Washington and the federal bureaucracy. According to published reports, its teams are dropping into federal agencies with a practically unlimited mandate to reform the federal government in accordance with recent executive orders.
As a 30-year cybersecurity veteran, I find the activities of DOGE thus far concerning. Its broad mandate across government, seemingly nonexistent oversight, and the apparent lack of operational competence of its employees have demonstrated that DOGE could create conditions that are ideal for cybersecurity or data privacy incidents that affect the entire nation.
Traditionally, the purpose of cybersecurity is to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of information and information systems while helping keep those systems available to those who need them. But in DOGE’s first few weeks of existence, reports indicate that its staff appears to be ignoring those principles and potentially making the federal government more vulnerable to cyber incidents.
Technical competence
Cybersecurity and information technology, like any other business function, depend on employees trained specifically for their jobs. Just as you wouldn’t let someone only qualified in first aid to perform open heart surgery, technology professionals require a baseline set of credentialed education, training and experience to ensure that the most qualified people are on the job.
Currently, the general public, federal agencies and Congress have little idea who is tinkering with the government’s critical systems. DOGE’s hiring process, including how it screens applicants for technical, operational or cybersecurity competency, as well as experience in government, is opaque. And journalists investigating the backgrounds of DOGE employees have been intimidated by the acting U.S. attorney in Washington.
DOGE has hired young people fresh out of – or still in – college or with little or no experience in government, but who reportedly have strong technical prowess. But some have questionable backgrounds for such sensitive work. And one leading DOGE staffer working at the Treasury Department has since resigned over a series of racist social media posts.
Wired’s Katie Drummond explains what the magazine’s reporters have uncovered about DOGE staffers and their activities.
According to reports, these DOGE staffers have been granted administrator-level technical access to a variety of federal systems. These include systems that process all federal payments, including Social Security, Medicare and the congressionally appropriated funds that run the government and its contracting operations.
DOGE operatives are quickly developing and deploying major software changes to very complex old systems and databases, according to reports. But given the speed of change, it’s likely that there is little formal planning or quality control involved to ensure such changes don’t break the system. Such actions run contrary to cybersecurity principles and best practices for technology management.
As a result, there’s probably no way of knowing if these changes make it easier for malware to be introduced into government systems, if sensitive data can be accessed without authorization, or if DOGE’s work is making government systems otherwise more unstable and more vulnerable.
If you don’t know what you’re doing in IT, really bad things can happen. A notable example is the failed launch of the healthcare.gov website in 2013. In the case of the Treasury Department’s systems, that’s fairly important to remember as the nation careens toward another debt-ceiling crisis and citizens look for their Social Security payments.
On Feb. 6, 2025, a federal judge ordered that DOGE staff be restricted to read-only access to the Treasury Department’s payment systems, but the legal proceedings challenging the legality of their access to government IT systems are ongoing.
DOGE email servers
DOGE’s apparent lack of cybersecurity competence is reflected in some of its first actions. DOGE installed its own email servers across the federal government to facilitate direct communication with rank-and-file employees outside official channels, disregarding time-tested best practices for cybersecurity and IT administration. A lawsuit by federal employees alleges that these systems did not undergo a security review as required by current federal cybersecurity standards.
There is an established process in the federal government to configure and deploy new systems to ensure they are stable, secure and unlikely to create cybersecurity problems. But DOGE ignored those practices, with predictable results.
For example, a journalist was able to send invitations to his newsletter to over 13,000 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees through one of these servers. In another case, the way in which employee responses to DOGE’s Fork in the Road buyout offer to federal employees are collected could easily be manipulated by someone with malicious intent – a simple social engineering attack could wrongly end a worker’s employment. And DOGE staff members reportedly are connecting their own untrusted devices to government networks, which potentially introduces new ways for cyberattackers to penetrate sensitive systems.
However, DOGE appears to be embracing creative cybersecurity practices in shielding itself. It’s reorganizing its internal communications in order to dodge Freedom of Information Act requests into its work, and it’s using cybersecurity techniques for tracking insider threats to prevent and investigate leaks of its activities.
Lacking management controls
But it’s not just technical security that DOGE is ignoring. On Feb. 2, two security officials for the U.S. Agency for International Development resisted granting a DOGE team access to sensitive financial and personnel systems until their identities and clearances were verified, in accordance with federal requirements. Instead, the officials were threatened with arrest and placed on administrative leave, and DOGE’s team gained access.
The Trump administration also has reclassified federal chief information officers, normally senior career employees with years of specialized knowledge, to be general employees subject to dismissal for political reasons. So there may well be a brain drain of IT talent in the federal government, or a constant turnover of both senior IT leadership and other technical experts. This change will almost certainly have ramifications for cybersecurity.
DOGE operatives now have direct access to the Office of Personnel Management’s database of millions of federal employees, including those with security clearances holding sensitive positions. Without oversight, this access opens up the possibilities of privacy violations, tampering with employment records, intimidation or political retribution.
Support from all levels of management is crucial to provide accountability for cybersecurity and technology management. This is especially important in the public sector, where oversight and accountability is a critical function of good democratic governance and national security. After all, if people don’t know what you’re doing, they don’t know what you’re doing wrong.
At the moment, DOGE appears to be operating with very little oversight by anyone in position willing or able to hold it responsible for its actions.
Mitigating the damage
Career federal employees trying to follow legal or cybersecurity practices for federal systems and data are now placed in a difficult position. They either capitulate to DOGE staffers’ instructions, thereby abandoning best practices and ignoring federal standards, or resist them and run the risk of being fired or disciplined.
The federal government’s vast collections of data touch every citizen and company. While government systems may not be as trustworthy as they once were, people can still take steps to protect themselves from adverse consequences of DOGE’s activities. Two good starting points are to lock your credit bureau records in case your government data is disclosed and using different logins and passwords on federal websites to conduct business.
It’s crucial for the administration, Congress and the public to recognize the cybersecurity dangers that DOGE’s activities pose and take meaningful steps to bring the organization under reasonable control and oversight.
Richard Forno has received research funding related to cybersecurity from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the US Army during his academic career since 2010.
Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) reintroduced their bipartisan, bicameral legislation to promote geothermal energy. The STEAM Act would expedite geothermal exploration and development in previously studied or developed areas. Representatives Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03) and Celeste Maloy (R-Utah-02) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Nevada’s clean energy economy is spurring innovation and lowering energy costs for residents across the Silver State,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “My commonsense, bipartisan legislation will cut red tape, create good-paying jobs, and let communities take advantage of Nevada’s untapped geothermal potential.”
“Unleashing the full potential of clean, reliable, baseload geothermal will help to bolster our energy independence and power our communities. The STEAM Act takes a step forward to remove unnecessary hurdles for geothermal exploration and cuts through the red tape slowing down deployment of geothermal technologies,” saidSenator Murkowski. “I look forward to continuing to advocate for this legislation to help boost geothermal as a source of domestic energy.”
“Nevada has incredible energy potential and geothermal energy is a key piece of that,” said Rep. Lee. “Yet, red tape has prevented us from fully unleashing its potential. This bipartisan bill will cut red tape, help strengthen U.S. energy independence, and lower costs.”
“Utah’s second district has some of the most abundant geothermal resources in the world,” said Rep. Maloy. “Unfortunately, bureaucratic red tape and inefficiency makes developing geothermal resources risky. The STEAM Act will clear the way for Utah to produce more energy and create more jobs.”
“In 2005, the U.S. faced an energy crisis and rightly granted oil and gas a categorical exclusion to produce more energy to meet demand,” said Jeremy Harrell, CEO, ClearPath Action. “As the U.S. faces new challenges to meet rising demand, this bill helps achieve parity for 24/7, clean, reliable geothermal power. This legislation is important in unlocking American geothermal energy to support our economy and the environment.”
“The STEAM Act is an important step in advancing geothermal energy exploration and development in previously studied or developed areas,” said Jeanine Vany, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Eavor. “By ensuring geothermal exploration can move forward as efficiently and responsibly as other energy resources, this bill paves the way for the expansion of a proven, clean, and reliable energy solution. We’re encouraged by continued bipartisan action that prioritizes domestic geothermal applications as a key part of our future energy portfolio.”
“The bipartisan STEAM Act would extend permitting parity across oil, gas, and geothermal for American generation projects,” said Ben Serrurier, Senior Manager of Government Affairs and Policy, Fervo Energy. “The permitting improvements from the STEAM Act have been tested and perfected for two decades now — and banks, operators, and agencies know how they work. This will help geothermal projects advance more quickly and at reasonable costs with financing and drilling. Fervo applauds Representatives Celeste Maloy and Susie Lee and Senators Lisa Murkowski and Catherine Cortez Masto for their hard work to advance this source of clean, firm energy to power America.”
Right now, there is an expedited review and permitting process for oil and gas development projects on land that has already gone through environmental studies. The Streamlining Thermal Energy through Advanced Mechanisms (STEAM) Act would cut red tape by allowing geothermal projects in previously developed or studied areas to also bypass cumbersome, repetitive environmental impact studies.
Senator Cortez Masto has consistently worked to support Nevada’s battery supply chain and clean energy industry, which has created nearly 42,000 good-paying clean energy jobs across Nevada. Through her Innovation State Initiative, Senator Cortez Masto has been a proponent of renewable and sustainable energy, passing bipartisan legislation to promote Nevada’s mining and emerging battery industries. She has also set up a sustainable critical mineral supply chain and led efforts in the Senate to create good-paying solar energy jobs. Cortez Masto recently announced that the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) has been designated as a Tech Hub for innovation and job creation.
Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto reintroduced legislation to protect American consumers who sue corporations after being defrauded. The End Double Taxation of Successful Consumer Claims Act will help ensure people who win fraud cases receive the full amount of damages they are awarded, rather than being unfairly taxed on fees awarded to their attorneys. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.).
“We should be encouraging Nevadans who are victims of fraud and abuse to hold bad actors accountable,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Right now, the tax code unfairly punishes people who successfully sue corporations for fraud. My bill would make sure consumers who win fraud cases get their award and are not forced to pay thousands of dollars in taxes on funds awarded to their attorneys.”
Currently the U.S. tax code unfairly penalizes people who sue corporations or companies for abuse or fraud. Consumers who win their cases often receive money to cover damages and their lawyer fees. But the tax code makes plaintiffs pay income tax on the full amount awarded by a court, even though most of that money goes to attorneys’ fees and not directly to the consumers. Many consumer fraud cases award only small amounts in damages, and if the consumer is taxed for the total amount they often end up owing more money in taxes than they are personally awarded. The End Double Taxation of Successful Consumer Claims Act will ensure that consumers are not liable for federal income taxes on money awarded to their attorneys.
As the former top law enforcement official in Nevada, Senator Cortez Masto has been a leading voice in the fight to protect consumers from fraud throughout her career. She sounded the alarm on increasing check fraud scams, which cost consumers millions of dollars each year. She introduced legislation to protect and support whistleblowers reporting wrongdoing to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and her bipartisan legislation to deter disruptive and potentially harmful phone calls and texts was signed into law in 2020.
Commissioner Richard Chambers, the Minister of Police, Hon Mark Mitchell, Associate Minister of Police Casey Costello and Wing Patron, Glenn Dunbier ONZM congratulated the 73 graduating constables from wing 381 today. Families and friends joined the newly attested constables at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua this morning to watch them parade out from their initial police training course.
Constable Brent Edwards, Ngāti Awa, recipient of the Minister’s Award for top recruit of the wing, who was previously a police officer is pleased to be back on the front line; “I missed the job and the sense of satisfaction you get from helping people and holding offenders to account. There is no other job like it. But the main reason I’ve returned is the people, the organisation is full of good people, who are doing things for the right reasons. It is great to be part of it again.”
The Commissioner’s Award for Leadership and the Patron’s award was awarded to Constable Aleksandar Banjac. “This recognition is not a reflection of my individual efforts, but a testament to the hard work and commitment of the entire wing. This award is a shared achievement, and I accept it with deep respect and gratitude to my peers for the nominations. I would like to thank everyone involved with their continued support in this journey.”
All Awards: Minister’s Award recognising top student: Constable Brent Edwards, Ngāti Awa, posted to Tasman District. Commissioner’s Award for Leadership and the Patron’s Award for second in wing, recognising second top student: Constable Aleksandar Banjac , posted to Auckland City District. Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award: Constable Lucas Lowe posted to Bay of Plenty District. Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award: Constable Eli Marsters, Ngāti Whanaunga, posted to Bay of Plenty District. Firearms Award: Constable Michael Tooley, posted to Wellington District.
Deployment: The new constables will start their first day of duty in their Police districts on Monday 17 February 2025 and will continue their training on the job as probationary constables. Northland 6, Tāmaki Makaurau a total of 23 and broken down as follows: Auckland – 5, Waitematā – 5, Counties Manukau – 13, Waikato – 4, Bay of Plenty – 8, Eastern – 9, Central – 3, Wellington – 9, Tasman – 2, Canterbury – 4, Southern – 5.
Demographics: 23.3 percent are female, 76.7 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 58.9 percent of the wing, with Māori 16.4 percent, Pasifika 8.2 percent, Asian 11.0 percent, LAAM 1.4 percent and Other is 4.1 percent.
381 Wing Patron Former Deputy Commissioner Dunbier joined Police in 1985. He has worked across frontline, investigative, covert policing, and numerous leadership roles. He was appointed Area Commander for Eastern Waikato in 2006, District Commander for Bay of Plenty in 2010, then promoted to Deputy Commissioner in 2014. He served as lead police liaison officer in Turkey, coordinating the tri-lateral Australia – New Zealand – Turkey commemorations for the Anzac centenary of Gallipoli in 2015. Following a three-year secondment to the Australian Department of Defence in 2017, he became deputy commissioner of operations in early 2020, with responsibility for more than 10,000 New Zealand Police staff. Dunbier led the police response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which included the policing of lockdown restrictions, staffing and managing the managed isolation and quarantine facilities across the country and operating the alert level boundary checkpoints. In 2022, he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to New Zealand Police and the community. Glenn retired from New Zealand Police in 2023. He now volunteers with two organisations – one dedicated to combatting food poverty/food waste and the other caring for the aged, as well as participating on boards and committees.
Watch out for our Ten One story coming soon with more images and stories.