Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia
We will issue a Reduced Threat message when the threat to the community has reduced.
All bushfire incidents that have had an Advice, Watch and Act or Emergency Warning message issued will be finalised with an Advice – Reduced Threat message.
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
This year’s Spring Festival travel rush is poised to set new records for travel numbers, marked by several notable changes, according to China’s transport authorities.
The world’s busiest travel season, driven by the Chinese ritual of family reunions, kicked off on Jan. 14 this year. China is anticipating a record-breaking 9 billion inter-regional trips during this year’s Spring Festival travel rush, with significant shifts, noted Wang Xiuchun, an official with the Ministry of Transport, who joined the latest episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency.
Participants in the 40-day travel season not only include those traveling for family visits, but also a growing number of leisure tourists, Wang said. Additionally, the rise of self drive trips and the expansion of travel modes have changed the transportation mix, Wang added.
Air travel has become an increasingly popular choice during the Spring Festival season, driven by rising demand for higher living standards, according to Shang Kejia, an official with the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
The number of flights and passengers are expected to reach new highs this year, Shang said. Daily flights are projected to exceed 18,500, an 8.4 percent increase compared to last year, with passenger trips surpassing 90 million.
Additionally, the diversity of air travel routes has expanded, spurred by new demands, including the rise of “reverse Spring Festival travel,” in which people travel against the flow of typical holiday movement, and the growing tourism boom, Shang explained.
Shang noted that more international tourists are flocking to China, marking a new highlight in this year’s Spring Festival travel rush.
The vast railway network, the backbone of China’s transport system in handling with Spring Festival travel rush, has further improved its coverage and capacity, according to Zhu Wenzhong with the China State Railway Group.
This year, more than 14,000 trains will be on the move each day, with over 10 million seats offered, representing an almost one-third increase in capacity compared to five years ago, Zhu said.
When highlighting new trends for this year’s travel season, Zhu noted that passenger flow toward the northeastern region is increasing, partly driven by the thriving ice and snow economy and the upcoming Asian Winter Games, which will be held in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
“Boonie Bears,” an enduring animated franchise featuring the titular sibling bears, is set to return to the domestic film market next week with its 11th installment, “Boonie Bears: Future Reborn.”
The creative team poses for a photo with the audience at the premiere of “Boonie Bears: Future Reborn” in Beijing on Jan. 22, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Fantawild Animation]
The new film carries forward the franchise’s recent venture into sci-fi storytelling, exploring themes of time travel and dystopia. The story centers on Vick the logger, alongside Xiao Liang, a teenager thrust from the future into an unexpected adventure. Joined by the lovable bears Briar and Bramble, they find themselves a century in the future, where Earth is overrun by monstrous mutant spore plants. Together, they must find and defeat the villain threatening the plaet’s safety.
Opening on Jan. 29, the first day of the Chinese New Year, this film serves as the finale for the franchise’s sci-fi subseries, which includes five installments. “We have explored themes of artificial intelligence, aerospace, and multiverse timelines. The decision to choose an apocalyptic theme for this new installment reflects our perspective on reality,” said Shang Linlin, the film’s chief producer and executive president of Fantawild Animation, during the premiere in Beijing on Jan. 22.
Shang continued: “In recent years, many people have likely felt a sense of powerlessness and confusion, feeling as if we, as individuals, are insignificant. Despite this, I believe we all yearn for hope and light. By setting this story 100 years in the future during a time of disaster, we show that even in the face of great difficulties, hope endures. With the arrival of the Chinese New Year, we hope the film will bring joy and warmth to everyone and inspire us to embrace a beautiful life in the new year, encouraging us to forge an even better future.”
Shang added that these sci-fi titles are designed to spark imagination and creativity in both children and adults, encouraging innovation and paving the way for the future.”
Director Lin Yongchang explained that in an effort to transcend the usual monotonous and bleak depictions of dystopia, the creative team crafted a vivid and colorful world for the film, emphasizing their goal to make it a joyful experience for families. In portraying Vick the logger, they aim to showcase the character’s growth, demonstrating how an ordinary person can overcome difficulties and confront challenges.
“He represents everyone around us, which aligns perfectly with our storyline, especially when he asks, ‘Can I be brave again?’” Lin said. “I hope his change of heart and newfound bravery can inspire courage and hope in those facing hardships.”
Shang also underscored the film’s focus on environmental issues, highlighting the urgent message it conveys. “We are witnessing increasingly frequent extreme weather and an alarming rise in global temperatures. The Antarctic glaciers are melting. If we continue to ignore these signs, we cannot guarantee what the world will look like in 100 years. Every decision we make today, whether good or bad, will impact future generations,” she said.
Lin further noted the incorporation of Chinese cultural elements throughout the film, emphasizing the importance of familial bonds. “Our ‘Boonie Bears’ films carry the responsibility of telling great Chinese stories and showcasing our culture to the world,” he said. The new installment will also be released internationally, although specific dates have not yet been announced.
A poster for “Boonie Bears: Future Reborn.” [Image courtesy of Fantawild Animation]
In just over a decade, the ambitious film franchise launched in 2013 has grown from a budding concept into a major player, shifting from child-focused animal animation to action-packed family entertainment.
The first 10 theatrical releases have collectively grossed over 7.7 billion yuan ($1.06 billion), with last year’s “Boonie Bears: Time Twist” earning a remarkable 1.98 billion yuan, making it the highest-grossing installment to date. The franchise also includes 19 animated series, spanning about 2,000 episodes, which have been exported to more than 130 countries and broadcast on over 300 TV networks and platforms in multiple languages.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Mainland confirms Taiwan inspection tour applications by tourism operators in Fujian, Shanghai
BEIJING, Jan. 24 — A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Friday confirmed that tourism operators in eastern Fujian Province and Shanghai Municipality had submitted applications to Taiwan authorities for inspection tours of the island.
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said in response to a media query that tourism industries on both sides of the Taiwan Strait had shown high enthusiasm for restoring cross-Strait tourist trips, adding that tourism operators of the two sides have been actively coordinating with each other.
On Jan. 17, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced that the Chinese mainland would soon resume group tour services to Taiwan for residents of Fujian and Shanghai.
“We hope that the tourism operators’ inspection trips to Taiwan will be successful, thereby laying a good foundation for the upcoming resumption of group tours by Fujian and Shanghai residents to the island,” the spokesperson said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Jan. 24 — Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s 2024 New Year reception at the Beijing Performing Arts Center on Friday.
The event was attended by Yin Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, along with diplomatic envoys from various countries, representatives of international organizations in China, and representatives of Chinese government departments. Around 400 people attended the event in total.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that China’s foreign service has held high the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind, strived for peace, and fulfilled its responsibility for development. China’s diplomatic efforts have brought more stability and positive energy to a turbulent world, he added.
Wang noted that in the past year, diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations have visited different parts of China to build bridges of friendship between the peoples, and devoted and contributed their strength to the friendship and cooperation between China and the countries they represent.
China will work with all countries to bear in mind the well-being of the entire world and rise above estrangement and conflict. “Together, let us promote friendship and cooperation, enhance mutual learning among different cultures, and build a community with a shared future for mankind,” he said.
Martin Mpana, dean of the foreign diplomatic corps in China and Cameroon’s ambassador to China, sent best wishes to the Chinese people for a happy New Year on behalf of the diplomatic corps. He said that China’s diplomacy demonstrates its responsibility as a major country and makes important contributions to addressing the growing uncertainties and challenges in the world. Countries around the world are willing to deepen friendship, intensify exchanges and strengthen cooperation with China to build a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Jan. 25 — China’s meteorological authority renewed a yellow alert for a cold wave on Saturday, as most parts of the country will see temperatures plunge by 8-12 degrees Celsius over the next three days.
During the period, some areas in the eastern part of northwest China, as well as western sections of north China and Sichuan plateau are expected to experience declines of over 14 degrees Celsius, said the National Meteorological Center (NMC).
The NMC has advised the public to keep warm, and called for necessary measures to protect crops and aquatic products.
The center also renewed a yellow alert for heavy fog, warning that visibility in some areas including the Qiongzhou Strait, the coastal waters of the Leizhou Peninsula and Guangxi will be reduced to less than 1 kilometer, and in some instances, even below 500 meters from Saturday morning to evening.
Drivers have been asked to maintain safe speeds, while airports, freeways and ports have been instructed to take appropriate safety measures.
China has a four-tier color-coded warning system for severe weather, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
One person has died following a two-vehicle crash in Hei Hei this afternoon.
Police were called to Buchanans Road at around 1.40pm.
Sadly, one person died at the scene.
The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: US State of California
Friday, January 24, 2025
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement in response to President Trump pardoning 23 individuals convicted under the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, his U.S. Department of Justice limiting enforcement of that law, and the President issuing new Executive Orders targeting abortion rights:
“President Trump may say that he cares about law and order, but his recent pardons tell a very different story. He has pardoned over 1,500 individuals who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Not only did those individuals try to stop the peaceful transfer of power, many of them violently assaulted law enforcement officers. Now, he has pardoned people whose actions threatened, harassed, and harmed abortion patients, providers, and clinics.
California has been and will continue to be a safe haven for reproductive rights. With the news that the Trump Administration will also be limiting enforcement of the federal FACE Act and that the President has signed Executive Orders targeting abortion rights, we will not hesitate to take up the mantle of safety and access that they are abandoning. State law — specifically, the California FACE Act — requires that people have access to abortion care safely, confidentially, and in a timely manner. If any person infringes on that right, they can and will be held accountable by my office or local prosecutors.”
BACKGROUND AND RESOURCES
The California Attorney General’s Office has also put together a training video on the California FACE Act, which can be viewed here. A copy of the training video materials can be accessed here and here.
The following resources also provide relevant information:
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
01.24.25
Groundbreaking of Cora Whitley Family Center Promises More Job Opportunity in Tacoma, Says Cantwell
Cantwell secured $3 million for the project in the FY2024 budget; Will nearly double capacity at one of Tacoma’s top day cares, so more local parents can seek full-time work
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released this statement in advance of tomorrow’s groundbreaking of the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center’s Cora Whitley Family Center in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood.
“Once complete, the Cora Whitley Family Center will open up nearly 250 more spots at one of Tacoma’s best day cares — nearly doubling the previous capacity – and hire about 100 more people. The expanded day care will give more Tacoma parents the freedom to seek full-time jobs, helping the local economy grow and thrive. The new family center will also free up space in the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center’s existing building, so the organization can provide more family resources, veteran services, and homeless outreach to uplift the community,” Sen. Cantwell said.
Sen. Cantwell advocated for and secured $3 million in funding for the project as part of the FY 2024 congressionally directed spending process. The Cora Whitley Family Center project was one of dozens of community-led projects across the state that received funding thanks to Sen. Cantwell’s efforts.
The Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center currently provides child care for about 250 children. The expansion will open up at least 242 more spots, and create more than 100 new jobs.
With child care moving to the new 32,000 sq. ft. building, the center will have more space in its current building for their many other services including parenting services like classes, a diaper bank, and free Sunday grocery store, as well as intervention and outreach services ranging from peer therapeutic drug court services, homeless street outreach, mental health services, veteran services, and substance support programs.
Sen. Cantwell is a strong advocate of expanding child care options in the State of Washington to meet the needs of individual communities. In June, she visited Rosemary’s Place in Dayton to meet with child care providers and discuss how to make care more accessible and affordable for families.
Source: South Australia Police
Police are investigating a domestic assault at Hendon this afternoon.
About 12.20pm Saturday 25 January emergency services were called to a home on Avro Avenue after reports that a person had sustained a stab wound.
The victim has been taken to hospital in a critical condition, while the suspect was arrested at the scene.
More details will be provided when known.
Avro Avenue is currently closed while police are at the scene.
Anyone with information that may assist is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous
Source: US State of New York
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) Amanda Hiller today announced the sentencing of Guy Kennedy Nicolas of Colonie, New York and his business, G&A Auto Care, Inc., for stealing over $160,000 in sales tax by underreporting more than $2 million in taxable sales. An investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Nicolas failed to file annual sales tax returns for his car dealership business for all but two years from 2013 to 2023. Nicolas and his company pleaded guilty to felony charges in November 2024 and yesterday judgments were entered against them requiring them to pay back the full amount of the stolen sales tax. Nicolas was also sentenced yesterday to five years of probation.
“When New York businesses fail to pay taxes, they cheat New Yorkers out of critical resources that support education, health care, transportation, and other essential services,” said Attorney General James. “Guy Nicolas and his business violated the law and failed to pay over $160,000 in sales tax, and he was ordered to pay back what he owes. My office will continue to hold anyone accountable who attempts to defraud the tax system and cheat hardworking New Yorkers.”
“We appreciate the efforts of the Attorney General’s office in prosecuting those who seek to evade tax laws,” said Acting Tax Commissioner Amanda Hiller. “This case and others like it will help level the playing field for honest business owners across the state.”
“The sentencing of Mr. Nicolas sends a strong message that dishonest business practices will not be tolerated in New York State,” said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. “This sentencing demonstrates that collaborative work among law enforcement partners is vital in reaching the same goal: holding those who break our laws accountable. I thank the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Taxation and Finance for their shared commitment to investigating those who deceive others for their own gain.”
“Having a license to operate a car dealership in New York carries a responsibility to follow the law in the process of running that business, including paying your taxes,” said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “I am pleased that our team was able to assist in this case and I applaud the efforts of the Office of the Attorney General and partner agencies to hold this business accountable on behalf of all New Yorkers.”
As the owner of G&A Auto Care, Inc., Nicolas was the sole person responsible for sales tax at his business. Nicolas was required to report all taxable sales, including sales of cars, from his dealership and file sales tax returns on at least a yearly basis. A joint investigation by OAG, DTF, and the New York State Police (NYSP), with assistance from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) found that from at least 2013 through 2023, G&A Auto Care, Inc. and Nicolas failed to file all but two annual sales tax returns. According to an audit conducted by OAG, between June 2013 and March 2023, Nicolas failed to report more than $2 million in total sales and stole over $160,000 in sales tax due.
In November 2024, Nicolas and his business pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony. Yesterday, G&A Auto Care, Inc. and Nicolas were sentenced in Albany County Court before Judge William T. Little. Nicolas was sentenced to five years of probation, and G&A Auto Care, Inc. was sentenced to a three-year conditional discharge. As part of their sentences, both defendants admitted to the full amount of sales tax owed and had judgments entered against them requiring them to pay back the $160,000 owed to the state.
Attorney General James thanks DTF, NYSP Financial Crimes Unit and Special Investigations Unit, and DMV for their invaluable assistance on this case.
This case is the latest example of Attorney General James taking action to ensure all New Yorkers pay their fair share in taxes. In November 2024, Attorney General James secured more than $6 million from Sotheby’s for tax fraud. In December 2023, Attorney General James recovered $1.8 million from the owner of a New York City diner for failing to report more than $650,000 in cash receipts and lying on tax statements. In August 2023, Attorney General James and Acting Tax Commissioner Hiller announced the conviction of a Nassau County auto body shop owner for failing to pay over $700,000 in taxes.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General John R. Healy and Philip V. Apruzzese of the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau (CEFC). Forensic accounting was performed by Senior Auditor Investigator Brenna Magruder, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Auditor Sandy Bizzarro, and Chief Auditor Kristen Fabbri. Analytical work was provided by Legal Support Analysts Kai Tsurumaki and Brooke Starkey, under the supervision of Deputy Supervising Analyst Jayleen Garcia and Chief Analyst Paul Strocko. CEFC is led by Bureau Chief Stephanie Swenton and Deputy Bureau Chief Joseph G. D’Arrigo.
The OAG investigation was conducted by Detective Jason Johnston, under the supervision of Assistant Chief Samuel Scotellaro and Deputy Chief Juanita Bright of the Major Investigations Unit. The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Investigator Oliver Pu-Folkes. Both the Investigations Bureau and CEFC are part of the Division of Criminal Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Jose Maldonado. The Division of Criminal Justice is overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today outlined how Pete Hegseth’s lack of qualifications to serve as Secretary of Defense would put U.S. national security, and our men and women in uniform, at risk.
Some key quotes from the Senator’s remarks include:
“Unfortunately, it is clear that Mr. Hegseth does not have the skills, experience, record, or character to lead a department that has a budget of more than $800 billion, and is the largest employer of men and women in our country, and is tasked with safeguarding our nation’s security and freedom.”
“If Mr. Hegseth could not and did not effectively manage organizations with around 100 employees, surely no one can actually believe that he is ready to manage one of 3.4 million people.”
“In the past, when we have looked for leaders of our armed forces, we have searched for our country’s best and brightest; the most gifted minds of America’s boardrooms, the brightest stars to come out of West Point, the most revered public servants to serve in these halls… we did not need then, nor do we need now to turn to the green rooms of cable TV networks for the Secretary of Defense.”
“Surely the armed forces of the United States of America…the victors of the Ardennes, of Gettysburg, and Midway and a thousand places in between and since…surely, they need a leader who they can have full faith in; surely America’s best deserves the best.”
“There are strong, experienced, and able members of the President’s party whose views align with his who could be exceptional leaders of the Department of Defense. Mr. Hegseth is not one of them.”
Click here to see Senator Hassan’s remarks, or see a transcript below:
Mister President, I rise right now and today for the purpose of joining my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in opposing Mr. Hegseth’s nomination as Secretary of Defense. I appreciate Mr. Hegseth’s military service, indeed when evaluating his nomination, his service was what I appreciated most about his background.
But unfortunately, it is clear that Mr. Hegseth does not have the skills, experience, record, or character to lead a department that has a budget of more than $800 billion, and is the largest employer of men and women in our country, and is tasked with safeguarding our nation’s security and freedom.
We take pride as Americans in the fact that our military is the very best. The standard of excellence and professionalism set by the men and women of our armed forces is central to our military’s success and our country’s success.
This high standard of competency and character, of both unmatched ability and uncommon virtue, is why America’s armed forces command the respect of our friends, the fear of our foes, and the abiding faith of freedom-loving people everywhere.
America boasts the greatest fighting force in the history of the world…the heroes who serve in our armed forces deserve a leader who is worthy of that greatness. And Mr. Hegseth is plainly not up to that task.
Like many of my colleagues, I have concerns regarding Mr. Hegseth’s character – the documented accusations about his excessive and uncontrolled drinking, his sexual harassment, sexual assault, and now, accusations of being abusive to his ex-wife.
It is ironic that Mr. Hegseth and some of my colleagues have dismissed these concerns as partisan, because sadly if this wasn’t a partisan confirmation process – for example, if my Republican colleagues were considering hiring Mr. Hegseth to join their staffs – we would all agree that these accusations would immediately be disqualifying.
Mr. Hegseth dismisses these multiple accusations from disparate people as “a coordinated smear campaign.” I don’t think that the concerns of his former colleagues, friends, and family should be quickly dismissed as smears. And many other of the nominees who are being considered by this body aren’t facing similar accusations even though there are people who vehemently oppose their confirmation. Which begs the question of why Mr. Hegseth continues to face multiple, similar accusations from different sources. But for a moment, let’s do as Mr. Hegseth asks and put aside these accusations.
Let us say for a moment that those who occupy the highest positions in public life shouldn’t be above reproach, though indeed they should;
Let us say that our service members do not deserve a leader whose strength of character matches their own, though I believe they do;
And let us say for a moment that character does not count, though indeed it surely always does.
Let us, in short, ignore everything that Mr. Hegseth demanded we ignore in his hearing. Even if we did that, I would submit that based on experience alone, Mr. Hegseth is plainly unqualified for the job as Secretary of Defense.
The Secretary of Defense is responsible for a budget of more than $800 billion and responsible for 3.4 million employees who serve on every continent across the globe. To lead the Defense Department is a daunting task that requires leadership and managerial skills of the highest order.
However, Mr. Hegseth’s managerial experience begins and ends with his leadership at two small nonprofits. And his tenure at both resulted in concerns about his financial mismanagement at their helm. If Mr. Hegseth could not and did not effectively manage organizations with around 100 employees, surely no one can actually believe that he is ready to manage one of 3.4 million people.
We live in a dangerous and uncertain world. Iran and its proxies continue to menace our forces in the Middle East. Vladimir Putin is on the march in Europe. North Korea persists in testing our allies and testing its missiles. And China…China looks with a conqueror’s gaze toward Taiwan.
To my Republican colleagues, I understand that you wish to support President Trump. But Presidents are sometimes wrong. We are talking about our nation’s vital security. We are considering the confirmation of the person who will be entrusted to marshal our resources as the enemy approaches, attacks our cyber defenses, or invades an ally.
It matters. It matters that we have the right person in this job. It matters that we get this one right. Surely there is someone in this great country of brilliant and brave people of all political stripes who is more capable; who has the experience and character necessary to forge under pressure the judgement that will keep us safe and free.
This is America, we have the finest fighting force ever assembled, we have more strength and power than any fighting force has had in human history.
And in the past, when we have looked for leaders of our armed forces, we have searched for our country’s best and brightest; the most gifted minds of America’s boardrooms, the brightest stars to come out of West Point, the most revered public servants to serve in these halls… we did not need then, nor do we need now to turn to the green rooms of cable TV networks for the Secretary of Defense.
Tomorrow marks the 80th anniversary of the [end of the] Battle of the Bulge, a campaign in which my father served. In freezing temperatures, outnumbered and often undersupplied, our forces held the line against Hitler’s onslaught. Our soldiers won because they were brave, they won because they were skilled, and they won because they were well led.
Surely the armed forces of the United States of America…the victors of the Ardennes, of Gettysburg, and Midway and a thousand places in between and since…surely, they need a leader who they can have full faith in; surely America’s best deserves the best.
Government’s most important task is to keep America safe, secure, and free. It is a complex, fast moving, and evolving challenge. It is a job that at times presents its occupant, the Secretary of Defense, no good or easy options. It is, in short, a deadly serious job where both success and failure have enormous ramifications. It’s a job that depends on experience and character – the prerequisites for good judgement – like no other.
No Senator should vote for someone who they can only hope will learn on the job. Not for the Secretary of Defense. No Senator should vote for a nominee on the hope that he will display more personal discipline once he gets the job.
There are strong, experienced, and able members of the President’s party whose views align with his who could be exceptional leaders of the Department of Defense. Mr. Hegseth is not one of them. I urge my colleagues to reject this nominee, and I yield the floor.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) tore into the Biden-Harris administration’s DEI regime and praised President Trump for dismantling it as one of his first actions of this new administration. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.
“It’s been four days… since President Trump took the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States.”
“I’m particularly pleased to see him dismantling the Biden-Harris administration’s DEI regime throughout the federal government.”
“DEI initiatives do the exact opposite of what they purport to do, and they fly directly in the face of everything that America stands for.”
“The policies that were intended to end racial discrimination have evolved into the modern DEI apparatus, creating a new kind of discrimination, something we sought to avoid but which has now crept back into our country.”
“President Trump’s actions earlier this week are not a reversal of the progress we’ve made since the civil rights movement. They are better understood as the righting of the ship back to what Congress and the nation intended to accomplish: a nation where all people have a chance to succeed or fail based on their merit and not on race.”
“This action by President Trump, rather than reversing progress, is a return to the ideal that the United States of America should have always stood for but unfortunately did not, which is that the equal dignity and equal treatment of every American under the law.”
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
China and the United States should find the right way to get along in the new era, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held at the latter’s request on Friday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Chinese President Xi Jinping held an important phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump last Friday and reached a series of consensus. The development of the China-U.S. relations have ushered in a new important node, Wang said.
Xi comprehensively expounded China’s policy to the United States, and Trump responded positively, expressing his expectation to maintain good relations with Xi and emphasizing that U.S.-China cooperation can solve many problems in the world, Wang said.
The two heads of state have pointed out the direction and set the tone for China-U.S. relations, said Wang.
The teams of both sides should follow through on the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintain communication, control differences, expand cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations, and find the right way for China and the United States to get along in the new era, he said.
Wang said that the Communist Party of China’s leadership is the choice of the Chinese people. China’s development has a clear historical logic and a strong innate driving force, he said, adding China’s goal is to deliver a better life to the people and make greater contributions to the world.
China has no intention to overtake or replace any country, but must safeguard its legitimate rights to development, he said.
Elaborating on China’s principle and position on the Taiwan question, Wang asked the United States to handle it with caution.
Taiwan has been an integral part of China’s territory since ancient times, Wang said, stressing that China will never allow Taiwan to be separated from the motherland.
Wang noted that the United States made solemn commitments to the one-China policy in the three China-U.S. joint communiques and should not go back on its word.
For his part, Rubio said that the United States and China are two great nations. The U.S.-China relations are the most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century and will shape the future of the world, he said.
The United States is willing to engage in candid communication with China, resolve differences properly, manage bilateral relations in a mature and cautious way, jointly address global challenges and maintain world peace and stability, he said.
Rubio said the United States does not support “Taiwan independence” and hopes the Taiwan question can be resolved by peaceful means which are acceptable to both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Wang said major countries should act like major countries and should take on their due international responsibilities, safeguard world peace and help all countries achieve common development.
Wang expressed his hope that Rubio would make the right decisions and play a constructive role for the future of the Chinese and the American people, as well as for global peace and stability.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson announced that Maliu Tauheluhelu, 40, of Honolulu, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U.S. District Judge Jill A. Otake to 200 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, and conspiring to operate illegal gambling businesses. Tauheluhelu pleaded guilty to two counts of an Indictment on February 15, 2024.
Tauheluhelu admitted to conspiring with his co-defendants, Maafu Pani, Touanga Niu, and Desmond Morris, to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine between 2020 and 2022. Tauheluhelu obtained multi-pound shipments of methamphetamine and cocaine on Oahu and arranged for its distribution throughout Hawaii, including to Maui.
Tauheluhelu admitted that during this same time period, he, Pani, and Niu also conspired to operate illegal gambling businesses on Oahu and Maui. Tauheluhelu operated multiple illegal gambling businesses on Oahu, including one at 980 Queen Street, and a “VIP room” operating out of Tauheluhelu’s Staxx Sports Bar & Grill location in Waianae.
Pani, Niu, and Morris each pled guilty to federal felonies and were sentenced earlier in 2024 for their roles in the conspiracy. Pani was sentenced to 192 months of imprisonment, Niu was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment, and Morris was sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment.
“This sentence demonstrates that those who traffic dangerous drugs and operate illegal game rooms will face serious consequences,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Sorenson. “We are committed to holding criminal enterprises accountable and protecting our community from the destruction caused by drugs like methamphetamine. Illegal game rooms, like those run by Tauheluhelu, are magnets for violence and criminal activity. This outcome is the result of exceptional coordination and effort by our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.”
“Yesterday’s sentencing reflects years of collaboration among multiple law enforcement agencies to dismantle a dangerous criminal organization,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “The FBI—in coordination with our partners across all levels of government—will continue to use every available resource to protect our communities and bring these criminal enterprises to justice.”
“Our collective efforts send a clear and decisive message: criminal enterprises that exploit and endanger our communities should think twice, as there is zero tolerance for such actions,” said Maui Chief of Police John Pelletier. “We are deeply grateful to our federal partners—FBI Honolulu and the DEA—and to the dedicated MPD officers and personnel who worked tirelessly to bring this operation to a successful conclusion. This achievement was made possible by the unwavering commitment, shared resources, and intelligence of all the involved agencies, reaffirming our dedication to keeping our communities safe for residents and visitors.”
This prosecution was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Task Force Officers from the Maui Police Department, with assistance from the Maui Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Nammar prosecuted the case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Yakima, Washington – United States Attorney Vanessa Waldref announced that on January 24, 2025, United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Geordell Devon Arthur, age 23, of Wapato, Washington, to 12 months in federal prison on one count of unlawful sexual contact. Judge Dimke also imposed 5 years of supervised release. Arthur will be required to register as a sex offender. At sentencing, Arthur faced a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment, and he was sentenced within the applicable sentencing guidelines range for his offense.
According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, Arthur, who was 19 at the time, made unlawful sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl at a location on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation on or around May 10, 2021. The victim explained to investigators that Arthur’s friends confronted the victim and threatened her with harm if she spoke to law enforcement.
“The harm to victims in cases like these cannot be understated,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “It takes courage for victims to come forward, especially when an abuser attempts to silence them. My office is committed to prioritizing offenses against our community’s youngest and most vulnerable victims.”
“Mr. Arthur assaulted and then tried to intimidate his victim into silence.” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “However, she displayed courage instead of fear and now her attacker is headed to prison. I applaud her actions as well as those of the investigators who seek justice for victims of these appalling crimes.”
The FBI and the Yakama Nation Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy prosecuted the case.
1:24-CR-2050-MKD
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) tonight delivered remarks from the Senate Floor about his opposition to President Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, Peter Hegseth.
“The big concern I have about him, in addition to the character issues, the experience issues, the drinking issues…what distresses me so much about Mr. Hegseth is how he used his very powerful forum on FOX TV—in my view—to dishonor the soldiers who acted with restraint, and valor, and integrity,” said Senator Welch.
Watch Senator Welch’s remarks here:
Key quotes from Senator Welch’s speech:
“There’s been a lot of discussion by my colleagues about the lack of experience of Mr. Hegseth—I share that concern. There’s been a lot of discussion about his views on women in the military. Our own distinguished Senator, Tammy Duckworth, is the most preeminent example of the capacity of women to serve effectively and bravely. Mr. Hegseth has repudiated his well-founded and longstanding view that he’s against women in the military, frankly, it sounds to me like a nomination-eve consideration.”
■■■
“Our democracy so profoundly depends on the idealism of young people who are willing to subject themselves to the decisions of the commander in chief. And I believe that every one of us here, who’s involved in the decisions about authorizing the use of military force, have an absolutely profound obligation to do that with care, because the folks who are going to do the work and be in harm’s way are going to be there because we sent them there. It’s why I’ve been so insistent—as many of us here—that we have to have a good VA, we have to have medical care for our soldiers and sailors and airmen and Marines.
“But what we need, too, is a Secretary of Defense who honors that idealism of these young Americans who decide to enlist. And that idealism is born in a sense of common commitment, a sense of common good, and it’s also to live by the code of military conduct. There is great honor in our services.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced the Full Responsibility and Expedited Enforcement (FREE) Act to address the current federal permitting system plagued with ambiguous, time-consuming, and costly policies. Permit by rule is proposed as a more efficient alternative, allowing for specific written standards and streamlined approval processes.
“Under four years of the Biden administration’s failed leadership, our permitting process is woefully backlogged and incredibly difficult to navigate,” said Lummis. “The federal permitting process has become years-long, which discourages investment and innovation all together. Implementing permit by rule processes will streamline approvals and help us address backlogs.”
“All too often, the federal permitting process is slow, expensive, and confusing,” said Budd.“That is why President Trump directed federal agencies to consider a ‘permit by rule’ system in his day one Unleashing American Energy Executive Order. Now Congress should make this policy permanent to reduce bureaucratic delays and compliance costs, and create a transparent and predictable regulatory environment. I’m proud to partner with Senator Lummis and Representative Maloy in this effort to implement a ‘permit by rule’ system to federal permitting.”
“Utah is growing rapidly,” said Maloy. “Unfortunately, executive agencies are often excruciatingly slow at granting permits, delaying critical projects that support rapid growth– especially in states like Utah where the majority of the land is federally controlled. The time is now to reform and streamline the permitting processes. I’m excited to see that President Trump, by executive order, has already directed his administration to begin that reformation– including through Permit by Rule– and I look forward to working with Senator Lummis and Senator Budd on advancing this bill.”
Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Rick Scott (R-FL) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) also cosponsor this legislation.
Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT-02) has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
Full text can be found here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso (all R-WY) today introduced a resolution to honor the 100th anniversary of Wyoming’s Nellie Tayloe Ross becoming the first female governor elected in the United States. The bill proposal originated with Green River High School students, and Senators Lummis and Barrasso introduced the resolution to the United States Senate.
“Wyoming has long been a home for trailblazing women. Honoring Governor Ross on the 100th anniversary of her election reminds us of the women who paved the way for the opportunities we have today,” said Lummis. “As we celebrate her legacy, we also recognize the lasting impact of her leadership on our state and nation. I want to thank the students at Green River High for sharing their fabulous idea to make this possible.”
“Wyoming women have blazed the trail for women’s rights and equality since our state’s founding. 100 years ago, Governor Nellie Tayloe Ross was elected as the first female governor in America. Her historic election reminds us of the lasting impact Wyoming women have had on our state and nation for generations,” said Barrasso. “Senator Lummis and I are proud to team up with students at Green River High School to honor Governor Ross’ legacy and all Wyoming women who continue to live out the Code of the West.”
Governor Ross was inaugurated as Wyoming’s 14th governor on January 5, 1925, and served for two years. She went on to become the first female director of the United States Mint.
A copy of the resolution can be found here.
Green River High School students with the Nellie Tayloe Ross resolution.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
ASAKA, SAITAMA, Japan –
The I Corps Multi-Domain Effects Cell (MDEC) has served as a critical force multiplier, integrating kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities across multiple domains to achieve the commander’s objectives during training for Large Scale Combat Operations.
“The Multi-Domain Effects Cell represents a significant evolution in how we approach modern warfare,” said Col. Melan Salas, I Corps G39 Information Warfare Directorate. “By bringing together subject matter experts from kinetic and non-kinetic disciplines, I Corps created a sophisticated capability to synchronize effects across all domains. What makes this team unique is their ability to engage in detailed technical discussions that translate directly into actionable solutions for our Corps Commander.”
During the recent Warfighter 25-02 exercise, the MDEC team comprised of representatives from the Joint Force, including the Air Force, Navy, 5th Battlefield Coordination Detachment, 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), and ARCYBER’s 11th Cyber Warfare Battalion. Additional expertise comes from the 12th PSYOP Battalion, 56th Theater Information Operations Group, and organic Corps elements, including the I Corps’ Future Operations cell, the 17th Field Artillery Brigade, the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, the 201st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade and staff representatives from Space, Information Operations, Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities.
“The MDEC is critical to the Corps’ synchronization of national-level, joint, multinational and organic capabilities during large scale combat operations,” said Brig. Gen. Bernard Harrington, Deputy Commanding General for I Corps. “The MDEC’s capacity to align opportunities within our areas of operations and interest with the commander’s intent demonstrated the agility required in today’s complex battlefield environment. By integrating capabilities from our joint task force partners, special operations forces, space, cyber, and information warfare units, we aim to deliver precise, coordinated effects at the time and place of our choosing.”
The cell’s innovative approach goes beyond simply layering effects. By synchronizing Joint Task Force All Domain Combat Power Pulse windows with Corps Convergence windows, the MDEC ensured both kinetic and non-kinetic effects support the commander’s priorities. This methodology allowed for rapid adaptation to changing battlefield conditions while maintaining focus on corps-level objectives. This convergence methodology aligned closely with Air Defense Command and Control Plan 2 (ADCP2) objectives, providing complementary capabilities that enhanced overall force protection and battlefield awareness.
During the recent I Corps Warfighter 25-02 Exercise, the MDEC analyzed enemy tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) pertaining to Army command-and-control nodes, unmanned aerial vehicles integrated air defense threat networks, and lines of communications. Following this analysis, the MDEC rapidly developed cross-domain defeat mechanisms to counter these threats. Furthermore, the MDEC disseminated these TTPs to divisions and separate brigades for proliferation and transitioned solutions to the Corps Current Operations section for repeated application.
The MDEC’s integration efforts extend to supporting logistics operations, particularly in conjunction with the U.S. Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE). Army logistics elements serve as a critical enabler for ACE operations, providing robust sustainment capabilities that complement the U.S. Air Force’s distributed operations concept. This mutually supporting relationship ensures sustained combat power across dispersed locations while maintaining operational flexibility for the joint force.
Over the past year, I Corps experimented with the Multi-Domain Effects Cell concept while participating in U.S. Army Pacific’s Operation Pathways exercises. These exercises provided valuable opportunities to validate the cell’s effectiveness in coordinating multi-domain effects with multinational partners across the Indo-Pacific region. Through careful analysis and coordination, the MDEC continuously identifies opportunities and assesses risks within the I Corps’ area of operations and areas of interest. This comprehensive approach enables the team to provide agile, tailored solutions that maximize combat effectiveness across all domains.
Moving forward, I Corps continues to strengthen interoperability and generate readiness through Operation Pathways exercises as part of the U.S. Army’s ongoing presence and unwavering commitment to allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
Source: Samsung
Samsung hosted the Galaxy Tech Forums on January 23 in San Jose, California. The panels provided an in-depth exploration of Samsung’s AI innovations and the challenges they address across four key areas — Sustainability, Health AI, Galaxy AI and Home AI. During the Galaxy AI session, experts examined the potential of AI agents and their role in shaping the future.
Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy S25 series at Galaxy Unpacked 2025, marking the beginning of the next era of mobile AI.
To explore the latest flagship smartphones and the transformative potential of AI agents, Samsung Newsroom joined the third Galaxy Tech Forum session, titled “True AI Companion: Impact on Life and What’s Next.”
▲ (From left to right) Bob O’Donnell, Sameer Samat, Jay Kim, Christopher Patrick and Dr. Chris Brauer
More Natural, Intuitive and User-Friendly Mobile AI
The session kicked off with welcome remarks from Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics.
“Yesterday was a very exciting day for us as we launched the Galaxy S25. It’s another big step forward in the AI era,” Kim said. “We’re very excited to be here with our partners today, especially (excited) to talk about everything we did together to launch the Galaxy S25 series.”
▲ Jay Kim from Samsung Electronics
Moderator Bob O’Donnell, President and Founder of TECHnalysis Research, posed questions to the panelists about the benefits the Galaxy S25 series will bring to users, as well as the barriers blocking certain consumers from using mobile AI.
“AI should make users’ lives better. We study consumer habits, constantly trying to gain a better understanding of our customers,” Kim said. “Ultimately, what we’re trying to do is minimize how much effort it takes to input while maximizing the output. To do that, we look at what consumers do on their phones, define the potential use cases alongside our partners, and put it all together in our devices for the best possible consumer experience.”
▲The Galaxy Tech Forum discussion on Galaxy AI
“Multimodality can help people become more efficient while AI agents can help people become more productive,” Kim continued. He also highlighted Samsung’s commitment to openly collaborating with its partners to drive progress forward and expressed his excitement for the possibilities AI innovations will bring as part of a new chapter in mobile technology.
Expanding the Galaxy AI Ecosystem Through Open Collaboration
During the session, Samsung offered an inside look at the work done in partnership with Google and Qualcomm to perfect the Galaxy S25 series’ AI innovations.
“Even though the benefit value of mobile AI is really high, it’s of no use if you can’t access it. We had to look at what was already part of the consumer experience and contemplate how we could enhance those experiences in a way that would bring real benefits, but still be easy enough to access,” Kim explained. He noted that close collaboration was essential, particularly in integrating Google’s Gemini intelligence and Qualcomm’s on-device processing capabilities.
▲ Sameer Samat from Google
“Truly helpful AI must fit naturally into our daily lives. AI is a tool and not an end in itself, and what matters to consumers the most is how helpful AI can be for them,” said Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem at Google. “LLMs represent a massive leap in how computers understand human language. Now, you can speak in completely natural language, removing any friction from the overall experience.”
“With Galaxy S25, I’m optimistic that people will quickly adapt to using an AI agent to help them get things done in very natural ways.”
▲ Christopher Patrick from Qualcomm
Key drivers of multimodal AI capabilities, like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, were also highlighted, showcasing technology that simultaneously processes multiple forms of information, including voice, images and text.
“The Galaxy S25 series is going to be a completely new experience. You’ll be able to engage with your personalized AI assistant like never before; it doesn’t just feel like interacting with a real person, it perceives your environment and can interact with content shown on your camera,” said Christopher Patrick, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Mobile Handsets at Qualcomm. “Our collaboration with Samsung to customize the chipset to make these new capabilities feel seamless is something I’m really proud of.”
Breaking Barriers: Mobile AI’s Role in Enhancing Quality of Life
During the session, Samsung also presented the findings of a global study conducted in partnership with London-based research firm, Symmetry, that examined the link between mobile AI use and quality of life. The speakers delved into the study’s key implications and offered valuable insights.
▲ Dr. Chris Brauer from Goldsmiths, University of London, and Symmetry
“The rate of AI innovation is astounding, but what struck me about the research we did with Samsung was that the rate of mobile AI adoption is also rising at a rapid rate,” said Dr. Chris Brauer, Director of Innovation in the Institute of Management Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Chief Innovation Officer at Symmetry. “Frequent consumer use of mobile AI globally has nearly doubled in just six months, jumping from 16% in July to 27% in January.” Dr. Brauer also outlined key findings concerning certain barriers to entry the research found around mobile AI.
“We found a really interesting theme among those less willing to adopt the technology: doubt,” Dr. Brauer said. “Doubt in AI’s ability to bring meaningful benefits to everyday life (56%), doubt and a lack of high confidence to use AI to its full potential (85%) and doubt around privacy and whether AI can be trusted (90%). There’s immense potential with this technology, but what’s also clear are the very real barriers that must be addressed responsibly for wider adoption to take place.”
▲ The Galaxy AI discussion session at the Galaxy Tech Forums
The Galaxy AI session concluded with the panelists agreeing that mobile AI innovation is set to revolutionize every aspect of modern life. As representatives of the fast-moving industry, they also vowed to develop related technologies in a responsible manner beneficial to all of humanity.
Source: Samsung
Samsung hosted the Galaxy Tech Forums on January 23 in San Jose, California. The panels provided an in-depth exploration of Samsung’s AI innovations and the challenges they address across four key areas — Sustainability, Health AI, Galaxy AI and Home AI. During the Health AI session, experts shared insights into how AI technologies are shaping the future of daily health management.
Samsung Electronics is leveraging AI technology to enhance its comprehensive health solutions, delivering more meaningful and personalized health experiences.
To understand how Samsung’s AI ecosystem is poised to transform the future of wellness, Samsung Newsroom observed the second Tech Forum session, titled “The Role of Technology for a Healthier Life.”
▲ (From left to right) Dr. Vanessa Hill, Dr. Hon Pak, Dr. Patrick O’Connor, Emily English and Dr. Kyu Rhee
Healthy Living Starts With a Holistic Approach
Moderator Dr. Vanessa Hill, an award-winning science communicator and sleep scientist, started the discussion by providing insights into the practical utility of today’s health technology.
While advancements such as wearable devices, health apps and telehealth platforms have made health management more accessible, the sheer volume of information can lead to confusion — making it easy to overlook critical insights amid an overwhelming sea of data.
▲ Dr. Patrick O’Connor from the University of Georgia
“The issue is not the amount of data but the fragmentation,” said Dr. Patrick O’Connor, a professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Mary Frances Early College of Education, University of Georgia. “The key is to bring the scattered data together to create a comprehensive understanding, as health requires a holistic approach due to the interconnectedness of so many factors.”
“As a sleep scientist I know the importance of gathering health data around the clock. Identifying abnormalities in metrics like heart rate, temperature or even snoring during sleep is key to not only unlocking better sleep, but better overall health,” said Dr. Hill, who emphasized that sleep is the foundation of holistic health.
Personalized Care Through Various Health Metrics and Continuous Tracking
The discussion also explored the importance of adding new health metrics to track, and monitoring those metrics in a continuous manner.
▲ Dr. Kyu Rhee from the NACHC
“Continuous health monitoring of physical activity, sleep, nutrition and stress should become new, additional vital signs for users and health professionals,” said Dr. Kyu Rhee, President and CEO of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). “Combining this essential health data with clinical data powered by AI insights has the potential to transform the health system by improving health outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and empowering patients, their caregivers and healthcare teams.”
▲ Dr. Hon Pak from Samsung Electronics
One health metric receiving a substantial amount of attention from both Samsung and the digital health industry in general is blood glucose.
“Blood glucose is an area Samsung has been deeply invested in, and we’ve made significant progress in developing CGM-integrated nutrition coaching as well as enhancing non-invasive technologies for tracking blood glucose levels,” said Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, sharing the company’s roadmap for blood glucose management and end-to-end (E2E) healthcare experiences. “These advancements are all part of our work to deliver more proactive and preventive disease detection solutions to everyone, helping lower healthcare burdens on people, their families and society at large.”
▲ Emily English, a BSc nutritionist
“There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to health and nutrition, it’s a journey that requires a holistic understanding of yourself,” said Emily English, a BSc nutritionist. “Wellness technology is helping provide a full 360-view of your life. New solutions that offer easy access to health metrics like blood glucose will offer a more holistic understanding of our bodies and revolutionize the way we manage our everyday health.”
Ushering in the Era of Personalized Health Insights
The discussion touched on how AI can translate tracked health data into actionable and meaningful insights.
▲ The Tech Forum discussion on Health AI
In an effort to consolidate disparate data onto a single platform, Samsung has collaborated with Dr. O’Connor’s research team to develop Energy Score — a feature that enhances the digital healthcare experience. “New AI-enabled features like Energy Score have become a jumping off point for broader health innovations,” explained Dr. Pak. Calculated based on health indicators such as activity levels, sleep, heart rate during sleep and heart rate variability during sleep, Energy Score exemplifies how wearable devices and AI can support a holistic and personalized approach to health and wellness management.
▲ Dr. Patrick O’Connor describes Energy Score.
“Monitoring overall readiness might benefit from minimally invasive brain sensing technology,” said Dr. O’Connor. “Today, we are able to leverage non-invasive technology, the available science and AI to generate an Energy Score, helping translate complex data into an intuitive and understandable index.”
Dr. Pak also teased Samsung’s upcoming plans to expand the AI capabilities of Energy Score to include nutrition, mental health and even mobile usage patterns — offering users deeper and more comprehensive insights into their overall well-being.
The Health AI session underscored the importance of a holistic approach to health management, highlighting the potential of personalized health experiences powered by continuous health monitoring. As AI becomes an indispensable partner in modern wellness, Samsung’s innovative technology is set to drive a new era of tailored and comprehensive health solutions.
Source: Samsung
What if you spent an entire day relying solely on the AI capabilities of the Galaxy S25 Ultra? K, a professional on a business trip to San Jose, California, decided to put this to the test.
On January 22, the day of Galaxy Unpacked 2025, K set out across San Jose with the Galaxy S25 Ultra in her hand. She began her journey with the Now Brief feature, which provided her with real-time weather and schedule updates as she headed to the SAP Center, where Unpacked was held. After finishing her work there, K quickly located a nearby restaurant using voice commands and placed an order in the local language with ease.
Throughout the day, K captured the vibrant sights of San Jose with her mobile AI companion. Using the device’s Galaxy AI-powered editing tools and Audio Eraser feature, she polished her photos and videos, removing unwanted objects and noise in the backgrounds to create professional-grade content.
Catch all the highlights of K’s AI adventure with the Galaxy S25 Ultra in the vlog below.
Source: Samsung
Samsung hosted the Galaxy Tech Forums on January 23 in San Jose, California. The panels provided an in-depth exploration of Samsung’s AI innovations and the challenges they address across four key areas — Sustainability, Health AI, Galaxy AI and Home AI. During the Home AI session, experts touched on Samsung’s outlook for the future of smart homes.
Samsung Electronics is reimagining smart homes through Home AI, a new vision of smart living that understands user needs and delivers hyper-personalized experiences.
Samsung Newsroom attended the final Tech Forum session, titled “Understanding Home, Understanding You: Rethinking the Role of the Home in the Era of AI,” to examine the transformative potential of AI in smart home innovation and the need for collaboration to deliver on the promise of Home AI.
▲ (From left to right) Tobin Richardson, Jaeyeon Jung, Patrick Chomet and Carolina Milanesi
Smart UI as the Gateway to Home AI
User interface (UI) is a critical element in the Home AI experience, serving as the bridge between users and their mobile devices, TVs, home appliances and more.
▲ Patrick Chomet from Samsung Electronics
“UI is a key area in the age of AI,” said Patrick Chomet, Mobile Strategy Advisor at Samsung Electronics. “With the advent of LLM multimodal AI, a big shift has taken place in User Interface (UI), enabling people to get things done in natural and simple ways such as gesture, voice or text interaction. Users no longer needs to understand devices, rather the device should understand the user’s intent.”
He explained how intelligent user interfaces not only enable more intuitive interactions but also procure deeper understandings of user context and intent, which brands can use to optimize in-home solutions.
▲ Jaeyeon Jung from Samsung Electronics
“We have implemented an intuitive and concise UI for various SmartThings features,” said Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings Team at Samsung Electronics.
She engaged the audience with examples of the latest SmartThings functions including Quick Remote, a feature that enables users to control their TVs with a connected Galaxy smartphone; 3D Map View, a feature that allows users to manage their entire home and check energy consumption through Galaxy smartphones and tablets; and Home Insight, a feature that provides timely home reports and delivers personalized recommendations to users.
The Role of Platforms and Standardization in Shaping Smart Homes
The panelists then delved into the efforts required to make Home AI a reality. Moderator Carolina Milanesi, CEO and founder of Heart of Tech and President at Creative Strategies, introduced the topics of integrated AI platforms and industry standards to guide the discussion.
“As we scale our AI platform to reach across applications, services and multiple devices, the experience can be optimized around the user,” said Chomet. “User context and richer insights can be gathered to deliver relevant and truly personalized experiences.”
▲ Jaeyeon Jung and Patrick Chomet from Samsung Electronics
“The SmartThings platform is 10 years in the making and while the concept of a smart home isn’t new, AI technology is what is truly creating the intelligent home” added Jung, highlighting how a consistent and connected AI platform empowers users to enjoy effortless convenience from anywhere. “The transition from a device-centric philosophy to an AI-powered, user-centric one provides users with a personalized, connected experience that feels like home — no matter where they are.”
▲ Tobin Richardson from the Connectivity Standards Alliance
Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), noted the importance of industry standards in building an ecosystem in which devices can be connected simply, securely and seamlessly.
“Building blocks for AI in the home are grounded in seamless connectivity, with AI relying on device interoperability to thrive. A common language like Matter enables devices to communicate effortlessly, setting the stage for AI innovation,” he said, highlighting that the goal is not just to create a perfect connected experience but to foster a robust and trustworthy industry while making smart homes more accessible and reliable.
“Alliance Members like Samsung are doing remarkable work in the AI space, showcasing how technology can adapt to users’ needs, creating a smarter and more personalized living experience,” said Richardson, reaffirming the company’s dedication to collaboration. “I am continually inspired to see how these advancements are shaping the future of connected homes.”
A More Personalized, Secure Smart Home
Addressing concerns regarding the challenge of providing personalized experiences in homes shared by multiple people, Chomet spoke on how AI technology can understand intent and context to provide an optimized experience for each user. He emphasized that Samsung will innovate for multi-device connectivity, rather than individual products.
▲ Patrick Chomet, Jaeyeon Jung and Tobin Richardson
Jung also cited practical cases of how Samsung Health and SmartThings are connecting data and devices to provide hyper-personalized health experiences. For example, Samsung Health and SmartThings can optimize sleep environments by automatically adjusting temperature and humidity based on users’ sleep patterns and the environmental conditions they live in. When Galaxy devices recognize that users have been exercising, SmartThings will activate appliances such as air conditioners and washing machines upon their return home.
▲ Carolina Milanesi poses questions to the panelists.
The discussion then touched on the critical role of security and the protection of personal information in smart homes.
“Samsung places the highest priority on security in every aspect,” said Jung. She highlighted how Knox Matrix safeguards the smart home ecosystem while Knox Vault protects hardware. “By integrating the expansive SmartThings ecosystem and AI with the robust security of Samsung Knox, users can enjoy personalized smart living experiences safely.”
“With more than eight out of ten consumers stating that security is ‘important’ or ‘very important’ to them, security and privacy protection are key factors,” said Richardson, echoing the importance of trust in connected devices. “Matter, our next-generation smart home standard, is built with security in mind and offers a level of trust and clarity users can rely on.”
The Home AI session highlighted the advancements AI brings to creating smarter, safer and more adaptive living spaces. By combining hyper-personalized experiences with advanced security measures, Samsung’s innovations are paving the way for a new era of intelligent, connected homes that integrate into every aspect of daily life.
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
The National Meteorological Center issued yellow alerts, the third severest in the four-tier warning system, for both a cold wave and snowstorms across much of China, days before the Spring Festival holiday.
The cold wave is expected to cause temperatures to plummet by between 8 C and 14 C across large parts of the country from Friday to Monday, and unseasonably low temperatures are likely to shift as far south as northern Yunnan province by Chinese New Year’s Eve, which falls on Tuesday, the center said.
Meanwhile, heavy snow is forecast in parts of Northwest China and portions of Hubei province from Friday to Saturday, with some areas in Shaanxi province and Henan province to see snowstorms with depths reaching up to 2.2 centimeters. Snow accumulation in some regions is expected to total 3-8 cm, posing risks for transportation and infrastructure, it added.
Zhang Xiaoling, an official at the center, said that during the Spring Festival holiday from Tuesday to Feb 4 northwestern and northern regions in the country are expected to experience below-average temperatures, and in parts of North China, temperatures will drop below — 16 C on Chinese New Year’s Eve.
Snowfall is forecast for Northeast China on Tuesday and Wednesday. Widespread rain and snow events will affect some northwestern and southern regions from Jan 31 to Feb 2, bringing light to moderate precipitation, including rain and snow, Zhang said at a news conference on Friday.
She added that sunny to partly cloudy skies will be seen across most of central and southern China on Chinese New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but another cold front will sweep through eastern and southern regions from Feb 1 to 3.
In February, the center predicts colder-than-normal temperatures in parts of Northwest and Southwest China, and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, while northeastern and northern areas will be warmer than average.
Precipitation in eastern China will be largely below normal next month, particularly in areas including Zhejiang and Fujian provinces where rainfall is anticipated to be 50 to 80 percent less than average.
Jia Xiaolong, deputy head of the National Climate Center, said that from mid-December to Thursday, cumulative precipitation in eastern, central and southern China was more than 80 percent below the average for the same period.
“The unusually low precipitation has led to the development of drought-like conditions in southern regions,” Jia said, adding that moderate to severe drought conditions currently affect most areas of southern parts of China.
Meanwhile, except for areas such as the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Xinjiang and Heilongjiang province, many parts of North China recorded no snowfall so far this month as of Thursday, he said.
Measures to mitigate the impact of persistent drought are encouraged, including fire prevention and agricultural support.
As the holiday approaches, authorities are urging the public to prepare for the cold wave, heavy snowfalls and travel disruptions. Enhanced safety measures are being recommended for transportation, heating and outdoor activities to ensure a safe and warm Spring Festival.
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
Scientists have revealed new insights into the distant X-ray universe, with the Einstein Probe satellite offering fresh perspectives on the distant explosions in the cosmos.
The research results of its discovery of a mysterious blast of X-rays in March — less than three months after EP was launched in January last year — was published on international academic journal Nature Astronomy on Thursday.
The discovery could require us to change the way we explain the extraordinary explosions known as gamma-ray bursts, said Liu Yuan, co-first author of the paper and a scientist from National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The burst of low-energy X-rays EP’s Wide-field X-ray Telescope detected in March lasted for more than 17 minutes, and fluctuated in brightness before fading away again. Such an event is known as a fast X-ray transient, or FXRT, and this particular transient was designated as EP240315a.
“EP240315a was the first time astronomers had detected soft X-rays for such a long duration from such an ancient explosion,” Liu said. “It was really good to see the WXT onboard trigger algorithm working fine for this event.”
About one hour after the X-rays were seen, a telescope situated in South Africa as part of the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System detected visible light from the same location.
Follow-up observations from the Gemini-North telescope on Hawaii Island and the Very Large Telescope in Chile returned redshift measurements that confirmed that the burst had come from around 12.5 billion light-years away, beginning its cosmic journey to us when the universe was just 10 percent its current age.
“The detection of EP240315a demonstrates Einstein Probe’s great potential for discovering transients from the early universe. The mission will play an important role in international observations and collaborations,” said Wu Xuefeng, one of the paper’s authors and a researcher at the Purple Mountain Observatory of the CAS in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.
In later analyses, the X-rays were found to be coincident with a gamma-ray burst.
These results show that a substantial fraction of FXRTs may be associated with gamma-ray burst, and that sensitive X-ray monitors such as EP can pinpoint them in the distant universe, said Roberto Ricci, a research fellow from University of Rome Tor Vergata in Italy.
Combining the power of X-ray and radio observations hands researchers a new way to explore these ancient explosions even without detecting their gamma rays, he said.
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
Foreign tourists enter China at an immigration inspection station at Beijing Daxing International Airport in Beijing on Jan 2. [Photo by Li Xin/Xinhua)
China will see an average of 1.85 million cross-border trips every day during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, a 9.5 percent year-on-year increase, the National Immigration Administration has estimated.
A slight increase will likely occur in cross-border trips through large international airports in China during the holiday, the administration said at a statement issued on Friday.
These airports are expected to see a peak in the number of passengers making outbound trips for three days from Tuesday, the first day of the holiday, to Thursday, the administration said.
They will also likely see an influx of passengers on Feb 3 and Feb 4, the last two days of the Spring Festival holiday.
Forecasts for the average daily number of passengers making cross-border trips during the holiday from four major airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou in Guangdong province and Chengdu in Sichuan province were revealed by the administration. Shanghai Pudong International Airport will likely see as many as 95,000 such passengers on average every day, it said in the statement.
The administration added that it has required ports across the country to strengthen monitoring of cross-border travel flows during the holiday and issue related information promptly to help people arrange their trips properly.
It has also asked ports to deploy a sufficient number of staff and open enough passages to improve the efficiency of exit-entry procedures, saying that the ports should ensure Chinese travelers have to wait no more than 30 minutes in line before passing through.
LY.com, a travel agency based in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, said the eight-day Spring Festival holiday and the slight drop in the prices of international flight tickets compared with the same period last year have encouraged outbound travel.
Trip.com Group, another travel agency, said in a report released earlier this month that Japan, Thailand and Malaysia were among the popular countries for outbound travel during the Spring Festival.
Su Menghui, an intern at an internet company in Shanghai, said she will make an 11-day trip to Japan starting during the Spring Festival holiday. She will visit Wakayama and Hokkaido.
The 23-year-old said she had planned the trip about three months in advance, as longer holidays — such as National Day and Spring Festival — are her first choice for traveling abroad, though flight tickets tend to be much more expensive than usual.
She said she will also consider traveling to nearby countries, such as Japan and South Korea, during weekends. For example, a weekend is “totally sufficient” for a trip from Shanghai to Jeju Island in South Korea, she added.
Source: China State Council Information Office
China’s consumption, powered by a more proactive fiscal policy and a moderately loose monetary policy, will bring out greater vitality and play a bigger role in spurring overall economic growth this year, said officials and executives.
Consumer goods trade-in initiatives will serve a strong catalyst in boosting market sentiment and fueling consumer spending in the world’s second-largest economy, in the face of escalating trade barriers and the tepid appetite in the property market, they added.
China has put scaling up domestic demand high on its policy agenda this year, with expanding consumption a top priority. Policymakers have fleshed out a set of specific measures to this end, Vice-Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping said at a news conference.
“Governmental stimulus is key to elevating consumer sentiment, and this significant support will be instrumental in upgrading consumption and driving high-quality development,” said Jean-Paul Agon, chairman of L’Oreal Group.
In particular, the country’s trade-in initiatives, which have contributed to a more than 1 percentage point increase in the annual growth of the country’s total retail sales last year, will cover a wider range of consumer goods and offer more attractive incentives this year, Sheng said.
China is likely to double the funding for its consumer goods trade-in initiatives this year, reaching 300 billion yuan ($41.4 billion), said Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden Credit Rating International.
This move is forecast to lead to an additional 750 billion yuan in consumption in 2025, equivalent to a 1.5 percentage point acceleration in the growth rate of total retail sales of consumer goods, Wang added.
As of Thursday, the government has received 34,000 applications for car trade-ins so far this year, while 844,000 consumers have purchased more than 1 million home appliances under the initiative, data from the ministry showed.
Notably, some 7.92 million consumers have already applied for 10.79 million digital devices, since the trade-in program in this newly added category began on Monday, according to the ministry.
These consumption-boosting initiatives are off to a good start, as they align with the growing consumer desire for technological innovation, improved efficiency and enhanced aesthetics, Wang said.
In China’s rapidly evolving consumer market, marked by a constant stream of new products and technologies, the key to success is not just the sheer volume of offerings, but rather the level of personalization, sophistication and relevance that companies can bring to the table, said Victor Leal Negre, senior vice-president of Greater China Grooming at Procter & Gamble.
“Each year, we feel the evolving consumption demands of Chinese consumers, which translates into our product innovations, allowing us to serve consumers more effectively,” Negre said.
Looking ahead to this year, China will continue to expand high-level opening-up, particularly in the services sector, which will further strengthen its role in stabilizing growth, employment and household incomes, Zhu said.
Meanwhile, the government can offer more policy support to help localities purchase existing housing stock for affordable and rental housing purposes, which will also address the financing difficulties faced by real estate developers, Zhu added.
With the gradual stabilization of the real estate market and the deepening implementation of government policies to stimulate consumption, consumer confidence is expected to rebound substantially in the next 12 to 18 months, global management consultancy McKinsey & Company said in a report in October.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, this week joined Eugene Daniels on POLITICO’s Playbook Deep Dive podcast to discuss immigration policy, reconciliation, presidential pardon authority and the importance of bipartisanship.
Audio and excerpts of the interview follow.
On Kash Patel and President Trump’s nominees:
“I did meet with Kash [Patel] in my office… I want somebody that’s going to help me do my constitutional responsibility of oversight… that’s my job, and I do a lot of oversight. I want Kash Patel to get me the answers to these questions and provide me the documents I need.
“Whether it’s RFK or the CIA Director… I think there’s a lot of things in this town that need to be shaken up… they’re coming in to deliver on the mandate of this election, which is that people are fed up with the way Washington’s going. You’ve been in this town long enough to know that it’s an island surrounded by reality. The common sense that we have in the Midwest – we need more of it in Washington, D.C. and I think the [nominees] are going to bring it in, and Kash is one of them.”
On immigration policy, the Laken Riley Act and deportations:
“Talking about comprehensive immigration [policies], what makes it so difficult to do that is, you’ve got people on the right, maybe 10 to 15 Republicans that say, ‘I’m not going to vote for anything unless you get all 20 million people out of this country.’ And then you have people on the left that say, ‘I’m not going to vote for any immigration bill that doesn’t make everybody citizens yesterday.’ It’s tough to put together.
“The last time you could get 65 or 70 votes for a comprehensive immigration bill was 2013… but I think it’s difficult to be any Republican or Democrat and say that we shouldn’t change laws that allow people with a criminal record to come into this country, and not only with a criminal record, committing a crime by coming here against our law, but then committing a murder.”
“First of all, [deportations will focus on] people that are on the terrorist watch list, people that have a criminal record and the 1.5 million people who have been adjudicated that they’re not entitled to asylum… I think we’ve got to see how successful that is before we move to the people that maybe the only crime they committed was entering our country illegally.”
On reconciliation:
“The House has a view [that] we should have one reconciliation bill. The Senate has a view [that] there should be two reconciliation bills. A President helping us maneuver through that disagreement is very important, and Trump’s a good person to do that.”
On presidential pardons:
“I think it’s wrong the way [pardons] have been used recently… But I think the Constitution would have to be amended to change it, and I think it’s very clear that what Biden did, even if I disagree, or Clinton, what he did, or maybe some future president… I think they got the power to do it.
“Biden’s pardoned people like Fauci, that’s never been accused of anything. Some president could say, you know, we’ve got 340 million people in this country, I’m going to pardon them all. That doesn’t make sense… It’s a way of protecting people, but it’s an abuse of their authority.”
On the importance of bipartisanship:
“[Partisanship] is a major problem now, more so than it’s been in the 45 years since I’ve been in the Senate, but it’s not as bad as what my constituents see… I think that people get the impression that Republicans don’t talk to Democrats, and that’s not true. There’s not a single Republican or Democrat that I dislike in the United States Senate. I don’t think any of them dislike me, and if they do, I don’t want to know who they are.
“You can’t get anything done in the United States Senate if it’s not bipartisan, except for reconciliation, and so the institution drives some of that [bipartisanship]… I believe that when people are talking, things get done. It’s when you don’t talk that things don’t get done.”
On Grassley’s personal priorities:
“Peace around the world. I thought after we broke up the Soviet Union, that would bring in a whole new world, and it did for a while. But there’s a lot of leaders that want more, and you wonder, why? Why does China want Taiwan? Why does Putin want Ukraine? Why does he want to reestablish the Soviet Union? That’s my concern.
“I think there’s got to be something bigger than just yourself, or bigger than 340 million Americans. There’s got to be some certainty to life. It can’t be as simple as, ‘question authority.’ It can’t be as simple as, ‘just do it.’ There’s got to be a measure that you measure yourself against, and I think that’s a being beyond humanity. I call it God. For me, it’s following Jesus Christ.”
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
Q: What’s your take on the first week of the new Trump administration?
A: On January 20, President Trump was sworn into office, becoming only the second U.S. president to serve non-consecutive terms. With his historic comeback victory, voters delivered a clear mandate to the White House and Congress. President Trump led on a commonsense agenda to restore law and order, secure our borders and fix the damage the Biden administration did to the economy through inflationary spending. In addition, the Biden administration rewired sectors of the economy with government mandates and regulatory overreach to push its climate agenda that weakened U.S. energy security and raised the cost of living for Americans. President Trump wasted no time to signal his administration would work to unleash America’s natural resources to strengthen U.S. energy and national security.
On his very first day in office, President Trump delivered on promises to secure the border and restore energy dominance. For example, he reversed President Biden’s immigration policies that allowed more than 10 million people to enter the country without our permission in the past four years. President Trump signed executive orders that declare a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border enabling the administration to continue construction on the border wall; resume a policy that requires people seeking asylum to wait in Mexico while an immigration judge considers their case; enforce the DNA Fingerprint Act (a policy I pushed during the Biden administration) to curb human trafficking and help law enforcement track down violent criminals; trim the refugee resettlement program; prevent the entry of illegal border crossings; and direct the Secretary of State to look into designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has oversight and legislative jurisdiction over the nation’s immigration laws, I’m focused on working with this administration to help turn President Trump’s promises to secure the border and stop the flow of illegal immigration into policy realities.
Q: What was the first piece of legislation Congress sent to the president’s desk?
A: To kick off the 119th Congress, I’m happy to report legislation I co-led with Sen. Joni Ernst for nearly 10 years was included in the first bill sent to President Trump. Our bill is named after a young Iowan from Council Bluffs who was killed in 2016 by an illegal immigrant who was driving drunk. Sarah Root lost her life just 16 hours after graduating with honors from Bellevue University. The driver was released on bail and never seen again, evading justice. Our bill would require that illegal immigrants who kill or commit serious bodily injury to another person are detained and prosecuted. The Senate approved Sarah’s Law as an amendment to legislation named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student killed in Georgia last year by an illegal immigrant from Venezuela. Previous to her murder, her killer had been arrested for shoplifting, but then released. The Laken Riley Act will require U.S. immigration officials to detain illegal immigrants who commit certain crimes, including robbery, theft and assaulting a police officer. As an original co-sponsor of these bills, I’m glad to help restore law and order on our streets and deliver justice to victims of crime. As Senate President pro tempore, I signed the bill on Capitol Hill before sending it to the president’s desk for his signature. The American people deserve and expect nothing less. If illegal immigrants hurt or kill someone in America, the federal government must prioritize their detention, prosecution and deportation. It’s common sense.