Source: Toyota
Headline: Rallye Monte-Carlo: Day 4
Ogier’s milestone Monte win crowns TOYOTA GAZOO Racing one-two
Sebastien Ogier has claimed a record-extending 10th victory on the legendary Rallye Monte-Carlo as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team scored a one-two finish to launch its 2025 FIA World Rally Championship campaign with a maximum points haul.
Source: China State Council Information Office
Hamas on Sunday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Egypt and Jordan.
In a press statement, Hamas described the plan as an “aggressive scheme” aimed at displacing Palestinians and undermining their national cause.
Hamas said that the Palestinian people, who have endured “genocide and forced displacement” by the “Israeli occupation, particularly in northern Gaza, remain committed to their land and historical rights.”
“The Palestinians will not accept any plans that seek to uproot or displace them,” Hamas said.
Hamas also called on the U.S. administration to cease its support for Israeli policies that infringe on Palestinian rights.
Hamas appealed to Arab and Islamic nations, especially Egypt and Jordan, to reaffirm their opposition to the displacement of Palestinians and support their resilience by assisting in rebuilding Gaza and strengthening their presence on their land.
Source: China State Council Information Office
A top Iranian military commander said Sunday the country’s drones have been equipped with homegrown missiles that employ artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the official news agency IRNA reported.
Commander of the Navy of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Alireza Tangsiri made the remarks in an address to reporters in the southern Iranian province of Bushehr while he was elaborating on a two-day large-scale naval drill held by his forces in Iran’s southern waters.
He said the IRGC Navy equipped two homegrown combat drones Mohajer-6 and Ababil-5 with the domestically developed “Qaem and Almas” missiles incorporating AI technology.
Tangsiri added the IRGC Navy and Iran’s Defense Ministry are developing AI-empowered cruise missiles with operational ranges of over 1,000 km and the ability to hit targets at different altitudes.
According to Tangsiri, the drill starting on Friday off the coasts of Bushehr and Khuzestan provinces aimed to show “peace and friendship” to neighbors and show that Iran and regional states could ensure security and confront any threat.
Source: China State Council Information Office
U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday announced 25-percent tariffs on all goods imported from Colombia after the Latin American country refused to allow the landing of two flights carrying deported immigrants.
“I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia,” Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s rejection of these flights has “jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States,” Trump wrote, noting that he has directed his administration to immediately take “urgent and decisive retaliatory measures.”
Trump’s retaliatory measures include: emergency 25-percent tariffs on all goods coming from Colombia, to be raised to 50 percent in one week; a travel ban and immediate visa revocations on Colombian government officials and all allies and supporters; visa sanctions on all party members, family members and supporters of the Colombian government; enhanced customs and border protection inspections of all Colombian nationals and cargo on national security grounds; International Emergency Economic Powers Act sanctions.
Earlier Sunday, Petro posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that his government would not accept U.S. deportation flights until a protocol is established by the Trump administration to treat migrants with dignity. He also urged the United States to use civilian planes instead of military ones.
After Trump’s announcement, Petro posted on X that he had ordered his foreign trade minister to raise tariffs on U.S. imports by 25 percent.
Just a few days ago, the United States sent four deportation flights carrying immigrants to Mexico. However, according to multiple U.S. media reports, at least one flight was refused entry.
The United States also sent deportation flights to other countries, including Guatemala and Brazil. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry recently condemned the action, saying the immigrants on the deportation flights were subjected to humiliating treatment.
During his presidential campaign, Trump promised to carry out large-scale deportations of illegal immigrants once he took office. After his inauguration on Jan. 20, deportation operations began in several parts of the United States, allegedly focusing on criminals. The White House claimed that over 1,000 illegal immigrants had been arrested on Thursday and Friday, and hundreds of them were deported via military aircraft.
According to the Associated Press, Colombia accepted 475 deportation flights from the United States from 2020 to 2024. In 2024 alone, it accepted 124 deportation flights.
Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia
Issued on
27 Jan 2025 13:19
Issued for
PANORAMA near Blackwood and Eden Hills in the Mount Lofty Ranges.
Warning level
Advice – Stay Informed
Action
CFS is responding to a fire near Panorama, Blackwood and Eden Hills.
If you are in this area, stay informed and monitor local conditions. More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Attributable to Detective Peter Smallfield, Invercargill Police:
Two young people are facing Youth Court in Invercargill after a series of burglaries in a stolen car overnight.
A Mazda vehicle was stolen from a Kingswell address in the early hours of the morning by two people, who later pulled up to a jewellers in the central city around 5am.
They have got out and attempted to smash the windows with a scooter, and when they were not able to gain entry, travelled to a service station in Newfield.
Again, they were not able to gain entry.
Stopping the vehicle on a street nearby, they have had an interaction with a member of the public, in which they have pretended to have a firearm with them in order to scare them away.
They have then travelled to a dairy in Winsdor, where they have managed to smash their way in.
The pair stole items including vapes, cash, and confectionery before getting back into the vehicle and driving a short distance away.
A Police dog unit has located the vehicle and tracked the occupants who had fled on foot, taking them into custody shortly after 6am.
Two young males were due in the Invercargill Youth Court today, appearing jointly on three charges of burglary, one of theft of a motor vehicle and one of being unlawfully in a closed yard.
This behaviour is incredibly frustrating for residents and business owners in our community, and it’s pleasing to have been able to immediately hold this pair to account.
We want to extend our thanks to the members of the public who observed suspicious behaviour and reported it to Police on 111 straight away, enabling the quick apprehension of the two youths.
It is also a reminder to take every precaution possible to help avoid becoming a victim of crime.
Remember to take property security measures with your vehicles – keep them inside a secure garage if possible, remove valuables, and consider a steering wheel lock. This all helps make your vehicle less desirable for opportunistic thieves.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
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: Australian Executive Government Ministers
STEVE AUSTIN: Catherine King is the Federal Minister for Infrastructure in Australia. Minister, thanks for joining me this morning.
CATHERINE KING: Very good to be with you.
STEVE AUSTIN: Can you tell me this is by Infrastructure Australia? Does this mean that you as the final decision maker will bump these off the priority list yourself?
CATHERINE KING: No, so, it’s a bit of a beat up of a story this morning, and it seems to be a bit of confusion about what the role of Infrastructure Australia is versus the role of the Australian Government that, of course, funds through the budget infrastructure projects in Queensland, some nationally significant, those very, very large infrastructure projects that operate where there are big missing links in freight routes, where there are big missing links in electricity transmission or water transmission, right the way across the country. And so it is, at that higher level of project. And so it’s really refining its list there. It doesn’t represent the funding decisions or the totality of all of the projects that the government, the Federal Albanese Government, is investing in and Infrastructure Australia it’s not, never has been an actual funding body. So that’s sort of revising its list. What it’s doing at the moment is it’s consulting with states and territories. I have not seen its list. Obviously, states have been given a draft to comment on and to look through, and states can work their way with Infrastructure Australia to look at projects of that nationally significant scale, to put back on the list, if that’s what they what they want to do, or to make sure that they’re on the list, or that, as I said, that it’s separate to the budget process. And it does seem, I did think was a sort of passing strange story today.
STEVE AUSTIN: So because it’s off the Infrastructure Australia list doesn’t mean it’s off the agenda of the federal government or you as the Minister?
CATHERINE KING: Yeah, correct. And in fact, what actually they do do is where a project already has a or has a full or partial commitment infrastructure, Australia says, well, our job’s done now like that. We’ve had that major piece of work done. We’ve analysed the cost benefit in the business case that states have put to us. It’s been on the infrastructure priority list. And again, these are only for really big projects. They’re not for the suburban roads or the bridges that we’re doing or a range of those things. And then what it does is, if it’s attracted funding, it says, okay, well now we will take that off the list, and we’ll put a new priority on at that scale. And so some of the projects that you mentioned at the start of your story already have really substantial federal funding attached to them, and that’s partly why I suspect Infrastructure Australia is removing them, or has removed them from the draft list. But again, they’re working with good faith with states and territories at the moment, and if the Queensland Government wants to submit projects to do that, it needs to have done the work. It needs to have really done the work. Because, of course, this was really about making sure, with Infrastructure Australia, that the Commonwealth Government gets good independent advice which take the politics out of infrastructure investments. We make sure that we got good, proper advice in which to make investments.
STEVE AUSTIN: I spoke with the mayor of the Sunshine Coast earlier this morning, Rosanna Natoli, and she’s worried about what the list means, particularly for the Sunshine Coast, which is under huge development pressure from increased population there, particularly for things like some of the big roads, but also the rail project, the Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade. Can you state what your position is on that today, please?
CATHERINE KING: Well, of course, in terms of many again, of the projects that were referenced, there is already significant investment being made. For local councils where they want to put their views, they need to do that via state governments. They have every opportunity to do that, and we really encourage them to do that. But again, we’re investing really significantly, whether it’s Logan to Gold Coast faster rail, the Sunshine Coast rail line, direct sunshine coast, the Coomera Connector, the Bruce Highway investments. When we came to government, there was significant underfunding. There was $18 billion committed to Queensland from the previous government. We have upped that to $28 billion including the recent announcements to fix the Bruce Highway. No funding cuts at all to Queensland. In fact, substantial investments in Queensland.
STEVE AUSTIN: So does that mean that Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgraders, it will be funded for the Sunshine Coast region?
CATHERINE KING: In terms of that particular project that already has a total of $606.7 million from the Australian government committed to it. It’s a project of a funding total of a billion dollars. It is currently, as I understand, early works are being completed in pre-construction design, so the Commonwealth is already funding that project.
STEVE AUSTIN: Is there anything else you want to get on the record in relation to Queensland? Given the sort of the changes in infrastructure Australia’s priority list, you’re the final person who’ll say yay or nay?
CATHERINE KING: So I’m not the final person. So Infrastructure Australia, again, independent of the government, I don’t say what’s on the list.
STEVE AUSTIN: No, I know. I know you will have to say as to what gets built and what doesn’t get built. As the federal infrastructure minister.
CATHERINE KING: Yeah, so I will through the normal budget process. We do it every year. States write to me and they say, this is what you know, they want funding for, this is where we’ve got substantial cost pressures. The new Queensland Government has just done that recently, and we through the budget process systematically go through that. I seek advice from Infrastructure Australia as to whether something is investment ready, has the cost benefit work being done? Because what we had inherited was, frankly, a lot of press releases, a lot of press releases telling me that there was money set aside for projects – chronically underfunded, and what we’ve had to do is really make sure we’ve got a disciplined process to look at Commonwealth investments. But again, as I said, we started when we came to government, $18 billion committed to Queensland. There’s now $28, billion committed to Queensland. I think we’ll stand on our record of the substantial investments we make to improve infrastructure in Queensland.
STEVE AUSTIN: Minister thanks for your time.
CATHERINE KING: Really good to be with you.
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Cai Qi on Sunday highlighted the importance of strengthening Party building to create a solid foundation for the development of various central Party and government department initiatives.
Cai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the Working Committee of the Central Party and State Institutions, made the remarks at a conference on Party work and discipline inspection work within central Party and state institutions.
With a focus on promoting high-quality development through high-quality Party building, efforts should be made to deepen the reform of systems for Party-building within Party and state offices, and to ensure they assume their responsibilities, Cai said.
The meeting underlined the need to continuously strengthen cohesion and forge the Party’s soul with the Party’s new theories, enhance the Party’s political building, and reinforce the political and organizational functions of primary-level Party organizations.
Highlighting the importance of advancing anti-corruption work, the meeting underscored the necessity of implementing the guiding principles from the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
On behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and General Secretary Xi Jinping, a senior CPC official on Sunday extended festive greetings to all the people working in the culture and science and technology circles.
Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, visited several prominent figures in these sectors and extended greetings for the upcoming Chinese New Year.
Cai, who is also a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, paid visits to a writer, a cosmochemist and geochemist, an aero-engine expert and an economist, commending their achievements and listening to their advice.
Cai highlighted the reform plans regarding the cultural work system rolled out by the Party leadership and called for a fresh outlook and new achievements in ideological and cultural work.
He stressed the importance of innovative talent in China’s drive to achieve sci-tech self-reliance.
Cultural and technological workers should shoulder their responsibilities, foster innovation, and integrate their personal ideals and pursuits into the cause of the Party and the country, he said.
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
The China Coast Guard (CCG) has strengthened its efforts to combat maritime crimes over the past year, handling a large number of smuggling and drug cases, the CCG said on Sunday.
The CCG handled a total of 601 smuggling cases and dismantled 32 criminal gangs in 2024, according to a themed interview on maritime law enforcement.
Efforts were made to take the initiative in the fight against drug crimes at sea, the CCG said, noting that five drug-related cases were solved and 3.8 tonnes of narcotics were seized in 2024.
An operation aimed at maintaining border security and immigration management was also launched in collaboration with immigration authorities last year, the CCG said.
More than 20 cases of people organizing illegal border crossings were uncovered in the operation, with over 130 criminal suspects apprehended.
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
Chinese police have successfully apprehended and brought back a major criminal suspect involved in a high-profile case, in which a Chinese actor was deceived and illegally detained on the Thailand-Myanmar border.
The suspect, surnamed Yan, was returned to China on Saturday thanks to the joint efforts of a task force dispatched by China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, and with assistance from Thai law enforcement, the MPS said on Sunday.
Several cases involving Chinese citizens being deceived and illegally detained on the Thailand-Myanmar border — where they were forced to participate in telecom and internet fraud — have attracted widespread attention.
Wang Xing, a Chinese actor, entered Thailand on Jan. 3 but lost contact near the Thailand-Myanmar border. Thai police tracked his movements and successfully rescued him, identifying him as a victim of human trafficking.
An MPS official stated that the police will intensify their efforts to deepen international law enforcement cooperation, launch a strong crackdown, and coordinate rescue operations to protect the personal safety and property of Chinese citizens.
Source: China State Council Information Office
This photo taken on Sept. 2, 2024 shows the skyline of the central business district (CBD) at dusk in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]
China’s foreign investment and cooperation saw steady growth in 2024, an official with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Sunday.
The country’s non-financial outbound direct investment rose 10.5 percent year on year to $143.85 billion last year, with investments in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries increasing by 12.6 percent year on year, according to the official.
Investments in leasing, business services, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail sectors drove the growth. The turnover of China’s foreign contracted projects totaled $165.97 billion in 2024, an increase of 3.1 percent year on year, the official said.
In 2024, the number of workers dispatched abroad reached 409,000, a 17.9 percent increase year on year, with a total of 594,000 Chinese workers employed overseas by the end of the year.
Non-financial investment in countries along the Belt and Road increased by 5.4 percent year on year to $33.69 billion last year, MOC data showed.
Source: China State Council Information Office
China’s financial regulatory authority has approved the launch of the second batch of pilot programs for long-term stock investments, with a scale of 52 billion yuan ($7.25 billion).
China Pacific Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Taikang Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Sunshine Life Insurance Co., Ltd., and relevant insurance asset management firms are authorized by the National Financial Regulatory Administration to participate in the pilot through contractual funds, engaging in long-term stock investments to leverage long-term capital and patient capital, thereby supporting the stable operation of the capital market.
On Wednesday, Chinese financial authorities unveiled a plan outlining measures to encourage medium- and long-term funds to move into the capital market to further stabilize stock performance.
Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, elaborated that public offering funds would increase their A-share holdings of circulating market capitalization by at least 10 percent annually over the next three years.
Efforts are being made to ensure large state-owned insurance companies allocate 30 percent of their newly added annual premium incomes to invest in A-shares starting in 2025, which is expected to inject hundreds of billions of yuan of long-term capital into the A-share market each year, he said.
The second batch of pilot programs for long-term stock market investment from insurance funds will be implemented in the first half of 2025, with a minimum scale of 100 billion yuan, gradually expanding thereafter, Wu added.
In March 2024, China Life Insurance and Xinhua Insurance jointly launched the country’s first private equity securities investment fund established by insurance companies to enter the stock market, with an investment scale of 50 billion yuan, which marks one of the first pilot projects for the long-term stock investment reform of insurance funds.
Source: China State Council Information Office
The death toll from Israeli attacks on crowds of Lebanese trying to return to their homes in southern Lebanon has risen to 22, including six women, with 124 others injured, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Sunday.
The injured included 12 women and a paramedic from the Islamic Scout Association, who was carrying out a humanitarian rescue mission, the ministry said in a statement.
A Lebanese military source told Xinhua that an Israeli force, backed by a Merkava tank and a bulldozer, advanced towards a gathering of civilians in the village of Mays al-Jabal, and “fired heavily to intimidate and disperse the residents.”
The Israeli military also blocked the main road at the entrance of the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon located in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, the source said, adding that the military fired several flares over Mays al-Jabal and the Arqoub Heights in eastern Lebanon, and launched machine-gun fire toward Mount Sadaneh, west of Shebaa, in southeastern Lebanon.
Sunday marks the end of a 60-day deadline for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territories. Under a ceasefire agreement reached in late November after months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, the Lebanese army would take control of the areas south of the Litani River, ensuring its security and preventing any presence of weapons and militants.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli army has continued to carry out strikes in Lebanon, some of which have caused deaths and injuries in the border areas.
Source: China State Council Information Office
South Korea’s prosecution indicted arrested President Yoon Suk-yeol on an insurrection charge, multiple media outlets reported on Sunday.
Yoon was put on trial in custody as the suspected ringleader of insurrection, becoming the country’s first incumbent president to be formally arrested and indicted.
Yoon was accused of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who had already been indicted under detention, to declare unconstitutional, illegal martial law and dispatch armed forces into the National Assembly.
After receiving Yoon’s case from the anti-corruption agency, the prosecution requested Yoon’s extended arrest twice for supplementary investigation, but the Seoul Central District Court repeatedly rejected it to bring Yoon to trial as early as possible.
A warrant to keep Yoon in custody for up to 20 days, including the arrest period, was issued by another Seoul court on Jan. 19.
Yoon was apprehended in the presidential office on Jan. 15.
The motion to impeach Yoon was passed through the National Assembly on Dec. 14 last year and was delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon’s presidential power is suspended.
Yoon declared an emergency martial law on the night of Dec. 3. It was revoked by the National Assembly hours later.
Source: Peoples Bank of China
Announcement on Open Market Operations No.20 [2025]
(Open Market Operations Office, January 27, 2025)
In order to keep liquidity adequate before the Spring Festival, the People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB298 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on January 27, 2025.
Details of the Reverse Repo Operations
|
Maturity |
Volume |
Rate |
|
14 days |
RMB298 billion |
1.65% |
Date of last update Nov. 29 2018
2025年01月27日
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Emergency services are responding to a report of a crash involving two vehicles on State Highway 1 north of Marton, reported shortly after 2pm.
Indications are that there have been serious injuries.
The road is closed and diversions are in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia
Issued on
27 Jan 2025 12:12
Issued for
MULCH FIRE AT KANMANTOO, 3km North West of Callington in the Mount Lofty Ranges.
Warning level
Advice – Avoid Smoke
Action
Smoke from a mulch fire at Kanmantoo is in the vicinity of Mine Road, Back Callinton Road, Hollamby Road and Hillview Road and may impact the township of Callington in the Murraylands and Mount Lofty Ranges districts.
Smoke can affect your health. You should stay informed and be aware of the health impacts of smoke on yourself and others.
Symptoms of exposure includes shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, burning eyes, running nose, chest tightness, chest pain and dizziness or light-headedness.
If you or anyone in your care are having difficulty breathing, seek medical attention from your local GP. If your symptoms become severe, call 000.
More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.
Source: US Department of Homeland Security
Immediately after being sworn in President Trump took executive action to stop the invasion at the southern border and to empower law enforcement agents to deport criminal aliens
“In a move fulfilling one of now-President Donald Trump’s campaign promises, the Trump administration shuttered the use of CBP One, a President Joe Biden-era app meant to help process migrants seeking to apply for asylum in the U.S.” USA Today: Trump kills Biden-era CBP One app for asylum-seekers at the border
“The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Monday issued memos to repeal limits on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents imposed by former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas…ICE agents who spoke to Fox News said they believe that rescinding the Mayorkas order is going to free them up to go after more illegal immigrants.” Fox News: Trump DHS repeals key Mayorkas memo limiting ICE agents, orders parole review
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“Federal officers swept into sanctuary cities on President Trump’s first full day in office Tuesday, nabbing more than 300 illegal migrant criminals — including an attempted murderer and a child molester — to hold them for deportation.” The New York Post: ICE arrested 308 illegal migrants — including attempted murderer and a child molester — on Trump’s first full day in office
“The Trump administration is attempting to amass a larger force of law-enforcement officials to help carry out deportations by granting agents across the federal government the same powers as an immigration officer, according to an internal memo.” The Wall Street Journal: Trump Gives Gun, Drug Agents Deportation Power
“The number of Border Patrol encounters at the southern border in the first three days of the Trump administration is 35% lower than the final three days of the Biden administration, the sources said.” Fox News: Border encounters drop sharply as Trump launches crackdown on illegal immigration
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
As thousands of children prepare to head back to school, Police are urging parents to be diligent with their privacy settings before posting photos and videos online.
The start of the school year is often memorable, and many people like to mark the occasion by sharing images of their children on social media in school uniform and in front of either their home or school.
Unfortunately, sometimes these images unintentionally share more than just a picture of a happy child – they can share personal details that might put information about you and your family in the wrong hands.
While Police understand the importance of these milestones, parents and caregivers should remain cautious about the information that images posted on social media present and who can gain access to them.
While it’s rare for NZ Police to receive reports about children being located through information shared online in photos or videos, we know from our international counterparts that it does happen.
A few simple tips can protect your and your children’s privacy on social media:
Be proactive with online safety to keep your child and their information safe as they head into a new school year.
ENDS
Where to report cases if you think your privacy has been breached?
NEW ZEALAND POLICE
NETSAFE
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Staff members to keep on constructing new tunnel during Spring Festival in Suifenhe
Source: China State Council Information Office
Alexander Lukashenko has won the presidential election of Belarus, receiving 86.82 percent of the vote, according to the preliminary results released early Monday by the country’s Central Election Commission.
Under Belarusian law, a presidential candidate who secures more than 50 percent of the vote is declared the winner.
Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency
Headline: President Trump is Already Securing Our Border and Deporting Criminal Aliens
“Federal officers swept into sanctuary cities on President Trump’s first full day in office Tuesday, nabbing more than 300 illegal migrant criminals — including an attempted murderer and a child molester — to hold them for deportation.” The New York Post: ICE arrested 308 illegal migrants — including attempted murderer and a child molester — on Trump’s first full day in office
“The Trump administration is attempting to amass a larger force of law-enforcement officials to help carry out deportations by granting agents across the federal government the same powers as an immigration officer, according to an internal memo.” The Wall Street Journal: Trump Gives Gun, Drug Agents Deportation Power
“The number of Border Patrol encounters at the southern border in the first three days of the Trump administration is 35% lower than the final three days of the Biden administration, the sources said.” Fox News: Border encounters drop sharply as Trump launches crackdown on illegal immigration
Source: New Zealand Government
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year.
“The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr Seymour.
“Our attendance goal for 2025 is to raise each school Term’s attendance rates higher than the same periods in 2024. This progress is essential for reaching the Government’s target of 80 per cent of students more than 90 per cent of the term by 2030.
In 2024, 61.7 per cent of students attended school regularly in Term 1, 53.2 per cent attended school regularly in Term 2, and 51.3 per cent attended school regularly in Term 3. Term 4 figures will be finalised and available shortly.
“Schools are now required to record and submit student attendance every day for public reporting. The publication process of attendance data from the new dashboard will be faster and allow quicker responses to low attendance.
In coming weeks, the Ministry of Education will publish daily attendance data on a new and improved interactive attendance dashboard. The new dashboard replaces the current attendance dashboard (updated weekly) on the Ministry’s Education Counts website.
“With more information about attendance we will improve educational outcomes for New Zealand children. We’re making this information publicly available and putting an emphasis on getting to school,” says Mr Seymour.
“Previously, schools were required to provide attendance data after the end of each term. The shift to daily reporting applies to all schools except for a small number of kura who will begin daily reporting in mid-2025.
“The shift to weekly reporting last year has already provided greater insights. For example, attendance on Fridays remains a particular problem, being frequently lower than any other day of the week. I encourage parents to think of the long-term impact of letting students skip Fridays, both in missed education and in setting good habits for future employment.
“This richer set of data will help us understand patterns in attendance and why some students aren’t attending. It will also ensure we can understand the effectiveness of interventions.
“This will not create extra work for schools as daily recording of student attendance is already a requirement when a school is open for instruction, the Government is now compiling the data and making it readily available. To support schools to provide more accurate data we have also reviewed and reduced the number of attendance codes that schools need to use when recording attendance, from 26 to 15.
“We all need to get behind schools so they can keep a strong focus on teaching and help as many students as possible to become regular attenders.
“If the truancy crisis isn’t addressed there will be an 80-year long shadow of people who missed out on education when they were young, are less able to work, less able to participate in society, more likely to be on benefits. That’s how serious this is.”
Note to editors:
Daily Attendance Dashboard: Daily attendance | Education Counts
Attendance data can be found here: Attendance | Education Counts
Refreshed Attendance Codes: Refreshed attendance codes from Term 1 2025
Daily Attendance Reporting: Daily attendance reporting – Ministry of Education
Amendment – School Attendance Rules 2025: Amendment – School Attendance Rules 2025
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say.
“The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto a faster growth track,” Nicola Willis says.
“Tourism is New Zealand’s second largest export earner generating revenue of almost $11 billion and creating nearly 200,000 jobs.
“Making the country more attractive to ‘digital nomads’ – people who work remotely while travelling – will boost New Zealand’s attractiveness as a destination.”
Erica Stanford says updating the visitor visa reflects the realities of the modern, flexible working environment.
“This is a brand-new market of tourist New Zealand can tap into. We want people to see our country as the ideal place to visit and work while they do it.
“From today, visitor visas will allow people to work remotely for a foreign employer while they are holidaying here. Anyone who intends to work remotely for more than 90 days should look at possible tax implications.
“The change will enable many visitors to extend their stays which will lead to more money being spent in the country.”
Tourism Minister Louise Upston says digital nomad visas are becoming more common as ways of working become increasingly more digitised and flexible.
“Many countries offer digital nomad visas and the list is growing, so we need to keep pace to ensure New Zealand is an attractive destination for people who want to ‘workcation’ abroad.
“Compared to other kinds of visitors, international remote workers have the potential to spend more time and money in New Zealand, including during the shoulder season.”
The change applies to all visitor visas, including tourists and people visiting family, as well as partners and guardians on longer-term visas.
Only remote work which is based overseas is allowed. Visitors whose employment requires them to be in New Zealand such as sales representatives of overseas companies, performers and people coming to work for New Zealand employers must still obtain visas relevant to their circumstances.
“This Government is committed to supporting a smarter, efficient and predictable immigration system to grow our economy. Delivering economic growth is critical to improving our quality of life, strengthening local businesses, lifting incomes, and creating opportunities for Kiwis,” Erica Stanford says.
US Senate News:
Source: The White House
Today, President Donald J. Trump held a call with His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain. King Hamad congratulated President Trump on his inauguration and the two leaders discussed their support for regional peace and security, including building upon their work to promote peace through the Abraham Accords.
US Senate News:
Source: The White House
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Purpose and Policy. The Federal responses to Hurricane Helene and other recent disasters demonstrate the need to drastically improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (“FEMA’s) efficacy, priorities, and competence, including evaluating whether FEMA’s bureaucracy in disaster response ultimately harms the agency’s ability to successfully respond. Despite obligating nearly $30 billion in disaster aid each of the past three years, FEMA has managed to leave vulnerable Americans without the resources or support they need when they need it most.
There are serious concerns of political bias in FEMA. Indeed, at least one former FEMA responder has stated that FEMA managers directed her to avoid homes of individuals supporting the campaign of Donald J. Trump for President. And it has lost mission focus, diverting limited staff and resources to support missions beyond its scope and authority, spending well over a billion dollars to welcome illegal aliens.
Americans deserve an immediate, effective, and impartial response to and recovery from disasters. FEMA therefore requires a full-scale review, by individuals highly experienced at effective disaster response and recovery, who shall recommend to the President improvements or structural changes to promote the national interest and enable national resilience.
Sec. 2. Establishment. (a) There is hereby established the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council (“Council”).
(b) The Council shall be composed of not more than 20 members. The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Defense shall be members of the Council. The remaining members shall include relevant agency heads and distinguished individuals and representatives from sectors outside of the Federal Government appointed by the President. These non-Federal members shall have diverse perspectives and expertise in disaster relief and assistance, emergency preparedness, natural disasters, Federal-State relationships, and budget management.
(c) The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Defense shall serve as Co-Chairs of the Council. The Co-Chairs may designate up to two Vice Chairs of the Council from among the non-Federal members of the Council, to support the Co-Chairs in the leadership and organization of the Council.
Sec. 3. Functions. (a) The Council shall advise the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, on the existing ability of FEMA to capably and impartially address disasters occurring within the United States and shall advise the President on all recommended changes related to FEMA to best serve the national interest.
(b) The Council shall meet regularly and shall:
(i) respond to requests from the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security Affairs, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, or the Co-Chairs for information, analysis, evaluation, or advice;
(ii) solicit information and ideas from a broad range of stakeholders, including Americans affected by natural disasters; the research community; the private sector; State, local, and Tribal governments; foundations; and nonprofit organizations;
(c) The Council shall produce a report for the President that includes the following:
(i) An assessment of the adequacy of FEMA’s response to disasters during the previous 4 years, including sufficiency of staffing;
(ii) A comparison of the FEMA responses with State, local, and private sector responses — including timeliness of response, supplies provided, efficacy, and services (including communications and electricity) provided — during the same period;
(iii) An account of the commentary and debate about the role and operation of FEMA in our Federal system and about the functioning of disaster relief, assistance, and preparedness in the United States;
(iv) The historical background of other periods in the Nation’s history both before FEMA was part of DHS and before FEMA existed and methods by which disaster aid and relief were then provided;
(v) The traditional role of States and their coordination with the Federal Government in securing the life, liberty, and property of their citizens in preparation for, during, and after disasters;
(vi) An evaluation of whether FEMA can serve its functions as a support agency, providing supplemental Federal assistance, to the States rather than supplanting State control of disaster relief;
(vii) Other recommended improvements to FEMA in the current statutory structure; and
(viii) An analysis of the principal arguments in the public debate for and against FEMA reform, including an appraisal of the merits and legality of particular reform proposals.
(d) The Council shall solicit public comment, including other expert views, to ensure that its work is informed by a broad spectrum of ideas.
(e) The Council shall hold its first public meeting within 90 days of the date of this order and submit its report to the President within 180 days of the date of the Council’s first public meeting.
Sec. 4. Administration. (a) The heads of executive departments and agencies shall, to the extent permitted by law, provide the Council with information concerning disaster preparedness and relief matters when requested by the Council Co-Chairs and as required for the purpose of carrying out the Council’s functions.
(b) In consultation with the Co-Chairs, the Council is authorized to create standing subcommittees and ad hoc groups, including technical advisory groups, to assist the Council and provide preliminary information directly to the Council.
(c) The Department of Homeland Security shall provide such funding and administrative and technical support as the Council may require, to the extent permitted by law and as authorized by existing appropriations.
(d) Members of the Council shall serve without any compensation for their work on the Council, but may receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving intermittently in the government service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707).
(e) Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), may apply to the Council, any functions of the President under that Act, except that of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the Secretary of Homeland Security, in accordance with the guidelines and procedures established by the Administrator of General Services.
Sec. 5. Termination. The Council shall terminate 1 year from the date of this order unless extended by the President.
Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 24, 2025.
US Senate News:
Source: The White House
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Policy. For weeks, residents of the Los Angeles area have watched raging fires consume their homes, belongings, beloved pets, and childhood memories. Almost immediately, firefighters were unable to fight the blaze due to dry hydrants, empty reservoirs, and inadequate water infrastructure. Today, at least 28 people have lost their lives and thousands more have lost everything else, with some damage estimates calculating hundreds of billions of dollars in damage.
This tragedy affects the entire Nation, so it is in the Nation’s interest to ensure that California has what it needs to prevent and fight these fires and others in the future. Therefore, it is the policy of the United States to provide Southern California with necessary water resources, notwithstanding actively harmful State or local policies. And it is the policy of the United States to assist Americans in disaster areas through responsive policies that more effectively empower them to rebuild and regain their livelihoods.
Sec. 2. Overriding Disastrous California Policies. (a) The Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall expeditiously take all measures, consistent with all applicable authorities, to ensure adequate water resources in Southern California. Each shall report to me within 15 days on all authorities, including emergency authorities, available to ensure, require, maintain, or use infrastructure necessary to fight and prevent massive wildfires in Southern California.
(b) In particular, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce shall immediately take actions to override existing activities that unduly burden efforts to maximize water deliveries. The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce shall consider actions including those consistent with the “No Action Alternative” in the Final Environmental Impact Statement issued November 15, 2024, by the Bureau of Reclamation on Long-term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project.
(c) The Secretary of the Interior, including through the Bureau of Reclamation, shall utilize his discretion to operate the CVP to deliver more water and produce additional hydropower, including by increasing storage and conveyance, and jointly operating federal and state facilities, to high-need communities, notwithstanding any contrary State or local laws. The Bureau of Reclamation shall take all available measures to ensure that State agencies — including the California Department of Water Resources — do not interfere with the Bureau of Reclamation’s operation of the project to maximize water delivery to high-need communities or otherwise, including but not limited to the issuance of a new Record of Decision maximizing water deliveries and consistent with the 2020 Record of Decision.
(d) In accordance with section 6 of the Executive Order of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency), the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, and in accordance with section 1536 of title 16 United States Code, shall expedite action related to any exemption under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., for the Long-Term Operation of the CVP and the State Water Project for all applicable threatened and endangered species.
(e) The Secretary of the Interior shall promptly review, revise, or rescind any regulations or procedures specific to implementation of section 1536 of title 16 United States Code, as needed and consistent with applicable law, to conform with the plain meaning of the statute.
(f) The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce shall identify all ongoing or potential major water-supply and storage projects within the State of California for which they have joint responsibility under the ESA or individual responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
(g) For each such project identified under subsection (f), the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce shall each designate one federal official to coordinate each agency’s respective NEPA and ESA compliance responsibilities. Within 30 days from the date of this order, each designated official shall identify any regulatory hurdles that unduly burden each respective water project, identify any recent changes in state or Federal law that may impact such projects from a regulatory perspective (including Public Law 118-5), and shall develop a proposed plan, for review by the Secretaries, to appropriately suspend, revise, or rescind any regulations or procedures that unduly burden such projects and are not necessary to protect the public interest or otherwise comply with the law. In so doing, each designated federal official will coordinate and share all appropriate information that will enable improved efficiencies. For the purposes of this order, “unduly burden” means to unnecessarily obstruct, delay, curtail, impede or otherwise impose significant costs on the permitting, utilization, transmission, delivery, or supply of water resources and water infrastructure.
Sec. 3. Ending the Subsidization of California’s Mismanagement. (a) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) shall review all Federal programs, projects, and activities for all relevant agencies that impact land management, water availability, water supply, water storage and delivery, water infrastructure, and disaster preparedness and response.
(b) Within 30 days of the date of this order, to ensure that State and local jurisdictions promote sensible land management practices and reliable water supply for all Americans, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Commerce shall jointly report to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, regarding California State and local policies or practices inconsistent with sound disaster prevention and response.
(c) The Director of OMB, in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, shall recommend appropriate action to the President, regarding:
(i) any lack of compliance by California with the terms of existing Federal grants, contracts, or other financial assistance to States or localities; and
(ii) beneficial additional terms that may be added with respect to any future Federal programs, projects, or activities to ensure sound disaster prevention and response.
Sec. 4. Additional Actions to Help Los Angeles Families. (a) Housing Displaced Families. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Administrator of FEMA, shall expeditiously provide an Integrated Federal Housing Strategy and Implementation Plan to the Director of OMB and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs that expedites options for housing relief to survivors displaced by wildfires in California.
(b) Expediting Waste Removal. Within 5 days from the date of this order, to accelerate the rebuilding of areas devastated by the recent Los Angeles wildfires, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Administrator of FEMA, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall develop and execute a plan to expedite the bulk removal of contaminated and general debris.
(c) Effectively Using Grants to Improve Fire Preparedness. The Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Administrator of FEMA, shall immediately implement a plan to enable the timely and appropriate use of Federal preparedness grants for the City of Los Angeles. As of the date of this order, the city has yet to use the majority of its $213 million allotment that has accrued since fiscal year 2021. These Federal preparedness grants shall not be used to support illegal aliens. The Attorney General, in coordination with the FEMA Administrator, shall investigate the misuse of these grants by the City of Los Angeles and take appropriate action to address such misuse.
Sec. 5. Additional Actions to Help North Carolina Families. (a) Clearing Roads. To accelerate rebuilding and community recovery, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Administrator of FEMA, and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall immediately take all necessary and appropriate measures, including through direct assistance, loans, and other available means, to expedite roadway clearance or rebuilding, including the section of Interstate 40 in North Carolina that remains closed, and the repair or rebuilding of roads and bridges on private property in areas of North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.
(b) Housing Displaced Families. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall immediately provide an Integrated Federal Housing Strategy and Implementation Plan to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs that expedites options for housing relief to survivors displaced by Hurricane Helene.
Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 24, 2025.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Introduction of deposit return scheme will be a step forward in ending the throwaway society and cleaning up Britain
The Government has today (Monday 27 January) pledged to end the throwaway society and clean up Britain, as it implements legislation for the deposit return scheme for drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland.
Once the scheme launches in October 2027, consumers will have a financial incentive to return empty containers to a collection point, such as at their local supermarket, so that the bottle or can will be recycled.
Used in more than 50 countries worldwide as a common-sense means of encouraging people to recycle more single-use bottles and cans, a DRS sees people being paid back for returning the container.
Countries such as Germany, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland have successfully implemented schemes, ensuring valuable materials are collected, recycled and made back into new drinks containers – a truly circular approach easily grasped by the public. The average return rate for European countries with a DRS is 90%, according to global eNGO Reloop, with Germany showing the best results at 98%.
Introducing such a scheme in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland is a simple yet hugely effective way of addressing problems with rubbish building up on our streets and in our rivers and oceans, while also ensuring the public gets money back on their bottle.
Across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, consumers buy an estimated 30 billion single-use drinks containers each year – including 12 billion plastic drinks bottles and 13 billion drinks cans. An estimated 6.5 billion single-use drinks bottles and cans per year go to waste rather than being recycled, with many ending up littered. Research from the Marine Conservation Society shows 97% of surveyed beaches were polluted with drinks-related items in 2023.
Encouraging everyone to get involved in recycling, the DRS will be introduced in October 2027, with 150ml to three-litre single-use drinks containers made from plastic and metal included in the scheme.
Delivering these reforms and driving investment in the recycling sector delivers on the Government’s Plan for Change through kickstarting growth, ensuring economic stability, greater efficiency, and jobs fit for the future.
Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said:
This Government will clean up Britain and end the throwaway society.
This is a vital step as we stop the avalanche of rubbish that is filling up our streets, rivers and oceans and protect our treasured wildlife. Turning trash into cash also delivers on our Plan for Change by kickstarting clean growth, ensuring economic stability, more resilient supply chains, and new green jobs.
Northern Ireland’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said:
I have ambitious goals to protect our climate, drive green growth and reduce unnecessary waste. The creation of a Deposit Return Scheme plays a key part in delivering those goals.
The introduction of the new parliamentary regulations is a significant step in that process and signals our commitment to move forward together to make those ambitions a reality.
New legislation for England and Northern Ireland has now come into force, enabling the appointment of the scheme administrator – known as the Deposit Management Organisation – in April 2025. This will be a not-for-profit, industry-led body responsible for the administration and day-to-day running of the scheme.
With Scotland’s own regulations also progressing, this marks a major step forward for the introduction of the scheme across the three nations.
The three governments will ensure the scheme is implemented effectively, working closely with businesses to provide the infrastructure and investment to make it a success.
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, said:
A Deposit Return Scheme really is a silver bullet that will get plastic drinks bottles and aluminium cans out of our parks, off our streets and away from our rivers and seas.
Depressingly we litter, burn or bury millions of drinks containers each and every day. This legislation will end all that, save the taxpayer millions in clean-up costs and give recycling a real shot in the arm.
Backed and paid for by producers, this method of retrieval and recycling is tried and tested the world over so at Keep Britain Tidy we are putting out the bunting that this government is committed to make it happen, for us all.
Stephen Moorhouse, Vice President and General Manager of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB Business Unit, said:
We’ve been supportive of launching a DRS across the UK for a number of years as they are a proven way of increasing recycling, reducing waste and tackling litter. Therefore, we welcome the clarity provided by the regulation for England and Northern Ireland and are encouraged by recent developments that will ensure an aligned scheme with Scotland, despite wider challenges around a UK-wide approach.
Delivering to the timelines will be challenging but achievable, and now is the time for industry to roll up its sleeves to create a well-designed system that works for businesses, shoppers and the environment.
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman said:
We are pleased to have certainty on the DRS regulations so local shops can start to prepare for October 2027 and our communities can realise the benefits of reduced litter and higher quality recycled materials.
Now the real work begins to make the deposit return scheme a success through cross-industry partnership and a planned network of return points that work for customers.
Sandy Luk, Chief Executive at the Marine Conservation Society, said:
Today marks a fantastic win for our seas, as MPs voted in favour of a deposit return scheme in England and Northern Ireland. With plans already in motion in Scotland and the Welsh Government exploring an ambitious scheme to include reuse, this is a great step towards schemes starting across the UK in October 2027.
Last year, 97% of surveyed UK beaches were polluted with bottles and cans, posing threat to marine life like seabirds and seals. Deposit return schemes will not only boost recycling and move us towards a circular economy where nothing is thrown away but also significantly reduce this kind of beach pollution.
We’re excited to support governments and industry in launching these schemes as soon as possible.
Hitting this milestone is another big step forward for the Government’s collection and packaging reforms, which together will support 21,000 new jobs and stimulate more than £10 billion of investment in recycling over the next decade.
The action to clean up Britain doesn’t end there – there is more to come as the Government moves to ensure the throwaway society is ended for good.
Legislation has been laid to ban the sale of single-use vapes from 1 June 2025 and prevent the waste of precious resources – eNGO Material Focus estimates almost five million single-use vapes were either littered or thrown away in general waste every week in 2023.
In December 2024, the Government moved to stop recycling rates stagnating and the reliance on the burning of household waste by announcing that new waste incinerators will only receive planning approval if they meet strict new local and environmental conditions.
The Government has also announced that a £15 million government fund will help deliver thousands of tonnes of food from farms which would otherwise go to waste to those who need it most.
Published 27 January 2025