Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Parts of Captain Springs Road and Church Road in Onehunga are closed while emergency services respond to an incident in the area this afternoon.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area and expect delays while the incident is resolved.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
A closure of State Highway 2 (SH2) Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR) is required, for 1 direction at a time, over 3 nights starting Monday 4 November between 8pm and 6am.
To ensure the safety of contractors and the travelling public, the closures are required to remove the temporary steel barriers and repair the road surface.
What to expect:
Outside of the closure times the current temporary traffic management remains, with a single lane open in each direction and a temporary speed limit of 70km/h.
For more information, please visit Rangiuru Business Park:
rangiuru.co.nz(external link)
Detour information:
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea de Silva, Adjunct professor, Monash University
Many Australians are victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
Almost one in three have been sexually abused as a child, generally more than once, and often with significant and lifelong impacts.
The National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse has released findings from more than 4,000 adults in a new study examining the community’s attitudes towards, knowledge of, and responses to child sexual abuse.
The data reveal some troubling findings, with pervasive and harmful community norms and attitudes that act to enable child sexual abuse to continue.
Social norms are “rules” shared among people in a particular society, community, or group, and define what is considered “normal” and appropriate behaviour within the group.
These rules are often unwritten and not openly discussed.
These norms influence what people do (and don’t do) in many aspects of life, including preventing and responding to child sexual abuse.
Some cultures’ norms and attitudes limit disclosure of abuse.
In our study, 62% were pretty sure they knew someone who had been sexually abused as a child.
Yet only 9% had directly been told by a child about being sexually abused, while 35% had been told by an adult about historical child sexual abuse.
These low rates suggest there are forces at play that limit talking about child sexual abuse.
Some in the community believe it’s not acceptable to discuss child sexual abuse. In response to a hypothetical disclosure by an adult friend, about one in ten thought it was very/extremely important to tell their friend that it’s best not to talk about it at all.
Some (5%) reported they would try to avoid their friend.
There was also evidence community members didn’t think child sexual abuse was an important problem or that it affected them directly.
Around two in three adults felt they were not directly affected or were unsure if they were affected by child sexual abuse. More than half didn’t think child sexual abuse happened where they live.
One in ten thought child sexual abuse receives too much media coverage.
Some norms and attitudes also limit intervention to stop child sexual abuse.
We found that of those who discovered or received a child’s disclosure about sexual abuse, less than half had a supportive conversation with the child (about 40%) and/or reported to authorities like police or child protection agencies (about 30%).
Also, almost one in three adults were “not at all” confident about how to talk to the parent/carer of a child they suspected had been sexually abused. More than a quarter (28%) felt “not at all” confident about how to start a conversation with the child they suspected had been sexually abused.
Not having these conversations or not reporting maintains secrecy around child sexual abuse. It can send a message to victims and survivors not to talk about it, or that nothing will be done to stop the abuse.
Though the lack of intervention may be due to a lack of confidence, we also found adults held attitudes that children can’t always be believed (22%) or were too unreliable to take their word over an adult’s (18%).
These attitudes mean many children won’t be believed and protected if they disclose sexual abuse.
Some norms and attitudes increase acceptance of child sexual abuse, or blame victims, especially adolescents.
Alarmingly, 40% of respondents in the study thought older children were responsible for actively resisting an adult’s sexual advances, and 12% believed adolescent girls who wear very revealing clothing are “asking” to be sexually abused.
Adding to this, 13% believed children who act “seductively” are at least partly to blame if an adult responds sexually, while 8% thought obedient children are less likely to experience child sexual abuse, implying “good” children won’t be sexually abused.
These harmful attitudes misdirect the blame for the abuse onto the victim, making it unsafe for them to disclose and at the same time, making it acceptable for adults to stay silent.
Blaming victims maintains the status quo of unacceptably high levels of child sexual abuse and causes further harm.
Putting an end to the sexual abuse of children in Australia requires concerted and co-ordinated action at all levels of society.
Global initiatives offer some guidance on how shifting entrenched and harmful attitudes and norms can change behaviours.
At a minimum, we must challenge gender inequality and power imbalances, promote equitable relationships and shared responsibilities. Mobilisation programs intervening directly at the community level and initiatives with specific populations who hold harmful and problematic attitudes are also promising in preventing child sexual abuse.
Now we have benchmarks on the community’s attitudes towards child sexual abuse, we can measure the effectiveness of Australia’s efforts for change.
It is everyone’s responsibility to know the signs, listen, believe and act in response to child sexual abuse.
Andrea de Silva works for the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse who conducted this study. The National Centre is funded by the Department of Social Services. The National Centre is a partnership between the Australian Childhood Foundation, Blue Knot Foundation and the Healing Foundation.
Amanda L. Robertson works for the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse who conducted the study with funding from the Department of Social Services.
– ref. New research shows problematic community attitudes allow child sexual abuse to continue – https://theconversation.com/new-research-shows-problematic-community-attitudes-allow-child-sexual-abuse-to-continue-241792
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Dunning, Sessional Academic, School of Social Sciences, Macquarie University
While the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar could have provided an off-ramp for the conflict in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing vows of “total victory” make this seem unlikely.
The concept of “total victory”, however, is extremely problematic. Every time Israel declares an area cleared of Hamas and then withdraws, Hamas, which carried out the horrific attack on southern Israel on October 7 2023, has quickly returned to reestablish control.
As a result, there has been a marked Israeli escalation in northern Gaza in recent days, and much discussion about a so-called “general’s plan” being pushed by some right-wing members of Netanyahu’s government.
Concocted by a former Israeli general, Giora Eiland, the plan is, in essence, to forego negotiations, bisect the enclave and give northern Gaza’s 400,000 inhabitants the bleak choice between leaving and dying.
We don’t know whether Netanyahu will officially endorse the plan. Israeli leaders reportedly told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week they are not implementing it. However, it nonetheless has broad support among Israel’s political and military elite.
The Israeli military has already issued expulsion orders to the people of northern Gaza. The government has said anyone who remains would be considered a military target and will be deprived of food and water.
While Israel denies obstructing humanitarian aid, the World Food Program said no food aid entered northern Gaza for two weeks in early October. While some aid has been entering since then, thousands are still at risk of starvation and outbreaks of preventable diseases.
Moreover, many Palestinians, including the sick, elderly and wounded, are unable to move and have nowhere to go. The prospect of the overcrowded and unprotected tent cities of the south is hardly enticing.
Israeli human rights groups say the military had been deliberately blocking aid to give the population no choice but to leave northern Gaza. Israel may now be backtracking under pressure from the United States, which has given Netanyahu’s government a 30-day deadline to increase the amount of aid it allows into Gaza or risk losing US weapons funding.
Israel’s war against Gaza, and now Lebanon, has repeatedly challenged the foundations of the liberal international rules-based order set up after the second world war, as well as the tenets of international law, multilateral diplomacy, democracy and humanitarianism.
The norms of the liberal world order are expressed in various institutions, such as:
Recently, the ICJ ruled Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem is illegal and ordered it to withdraw. In response, Netanyahu said the court had made a “decision of lies”.
In a separate case, South Africa brought a charge to the ICJ, alleging Israel has committed genocide against the Palestinian people over the past year. The world’s top court has preliminarily ruled there is a “plausible” case for a finding of genocide, and said Israel must take measures to ensure its prevention.
At this juncture, however, human rights groups and others have argued that Israel has failed to comply with this order, thereby undermining one of the key institutions of the liberal world order.
This is compounded by the fact that few major democratic states have been willing to strongly condemn Israel’s failure to comply with international law in Gaza – or have done so belatedly – let alone intervened in any concrete fashion.
In addition, the UN Security Council has failed – primarily due to the veto power exercised by the US – to take any tangible measures to enforce its own resolutions against Israel, as well as the rulings of the ICJ.
This is fuelling widespread perceptions of hypocrisy in relation to the accountability of notionally democratic states for alleged violations of humanitarian law, compared with other nations that don’t have great power patrons.
In the early 1990s, for instance, the UN Security Council unanimously passed several resolutions against Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, followed a decade later by resolutions demanding Saddam Hussein’s regime comply with weapons inspection mandates. The US and its allies used these resolutions as the legal justification for their invasion of Iraq. Ultimately, no weapons of mass destruction were found. Then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan later said the invasion of Iraq was illegal and contrary to the UN Charter.
However, dozens of UN Security Council resolutions concerning Israel have been passed and not enforced. Many others have been vetoed by the US.
The prosecutors of the ICC have also requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes against humanity (in addition to several Hamas leaders, now dead). The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were met with indignation by some Western politicians. Yet, the West broadly praised the ICC’s arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Furthermore, the US Congress attempted to sanction the court over the Netanyahu arrest warrant, once again underscoring the often selective way in which international law is applied by nation states.
Democratic states like to present themselves as the protectors, and sometimes enforcers, of the liberal world order, ensuring continued international peace and security.
Indeed, Israel and its supporters often characterise its military actions as the forward defence of the democratic world against tyrannical larger powers, as a means of protecting itself from adversaries that want to destroy it. The problem is Israel’s actions often directly contradict the liberal world order it purports to defend, thereby undermining its legitimacy.
Failure to rein in Israel’s actions has led to accusations of “double standards” regarding international law. The US and Germany provide Israel with 99% of its arm imports and diplomatic cover. Although Germany has stopped approving new weapons exports to Israel, both countries certainly have more leverage to stop the carnage in Gaza if they wish.
The West’s self-abrogated moral superiority is arguably in tatters as it continues to undermine the principles of the liberal world order. The question is: if this world order falls, what will the new world order look like?
Tristan Dunning has signed a statement of solidarity with Palestine from academics in Australian universities.
Shannon Brincat has signed a statement of solidarity with Palestine from academics in Australian universities.
Martin Kear does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Israel’s actions in Gaza, backed by the US, are shaking the world order to its core – https://theconversation.com/israels-actions-in-gaza-backed-by-the-us-are-shaking-the-world-order-to-its-core-241460
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rod Sims, Professor in the practice of public policy and antitrust, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Meta’s announcement nearly eight months ago that it would no longer do commercial deals under the News Media Bargaining Code has led to much speculation as to how the government would respond.
The code became law in 2021. Facing the threat of designation under it – which would involve further legal obligations platforms may wish to avoid – both Google and Facebook (now Meta) did deals with news media businesses worth up to A$250 million per year.
Google did deals with essentially all qualifying news media business, large and small – the criteria largely being that their journalists provide news. Facebook did deals with news businesses likely employing up to 85% of Australian journalists
With little response from the government so far, a new report from a federal parliamentary committee investigating the impact of social media on Australian society provides welcome focus on this issue.
The committee makes 11 recommendations, three of which in particular are worth focusing on.
Recommendation two says the Australian government should explore alternative revenue mechanisms to supplement the code, such as a digital platform levy. But it also says “exploration should include consideration for preserving current and future commercial deals”, presumably under the code.
Recommendation three says the Australian government should develop an appropriate mechanism to guide the fair and transparent distribution of revenue arising from any new revenue mechanisms. In particular, this would support the:
sustainability of small, independent and digital only publishers, as well as those operating in underserved communities and rural, regional and remote areas.
Recommendation six says the Australian government “should investigate the viability and effectiveness of ‘must carry’ requirements for digital platforms in relation to Australian news content”.
Coalition members provided a different perspective on some of the committee’s recommendations. They expressed concern about the lack of action from the government in response to Meta’s decision to not do more deals under the code. Further, they read the report as saying that the code is “no longer fit for purpose” – a view they strongly disagree with.
Meta has also heavily criticised the committee, saying it has ignored:
the realities of how our platforms work, the preferences of the people who use them, and the value we provide news publishers who choose to post their content on our platforms.
The committee’s recommendations raise many questions.
First, how would the levy sit with wanting to maintain existing and future deals under the code? In any solution to dealing with Meta it would seem silly to damage the current arrangements with Google, which has committed to continue supporting news organisations under the code, and who are paying the majority of the up to $250 million per year?
Second, biasing any revenue to smaller and/or rural and regional publishers may mean that, despite most news stories coming from the larger media companies, they would not benefit in accordance with their content being used. The code did see benefit to large, medium and small media businesses. But, of course, the larger companies gained most money as they provided most content.
Some smaller media businesses did miss out on funding. But it was often judged that they do not provide news journalism, which was what the code is seeking to promote.
In 2018, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (of which I was then chair) made a number of recommendations to the government. These included the code. They also included government funding for journalism in underserved areas and support for other objectives, such as boosting smaller news media companies. A different objective requiring a different policy instrument.
Third, the problem that arose with Meta’s decision to not do further deals under the code saw many calls for Meta to be designated under the code. This would have meant they would be forced to do deals and potentially face arbitration if the news media businesses were not happy with the outcome.
As the parliamentary committee would be aware, when Canada largely copied the code, it automatically designated Meta. In response, Meta took all news and links to news off its platform. This allows Meta to escape the Canadian version of the code as it only applies to platforms that carry news.
One solution to this is to insist the tech platforms “must carry” news, as suggested in recommendation six. Then they would be back under the code and could be successfully designated and forced to negotiate. It is unclear in the report whether the “must carry” idea, which would make the code relevant to all platforms, is an alternative to the levy.
Overall, the report provides welcome renewed focus on this topic. By recommending the government “explore” a levy or “investigate” must carry obligations, the committee appears to recognise the potential difficulties with these options.
Would there be international trade implications from a levy? How would money from a levy be distributed? It is one thing to have a fund to help small players in underserved markets; quite another for the government to be distributing money to large media players.
And how would the “must carry” provision be enforced given that carrying content may not be the same as users discovering it?
But there may be a way through these problems. Allow Google to continue as they are under the code, look at what other platforms need to be covered by the code, and threaten that if Meta or another platform were to take news off their site, then a levy or a must carry provision would be introduced. In the case of Meta, such threats, which must be real, could see them revert to doing deals under the code.
To help new and emerging news journalism, particularly in underserved areas, this would seem to require government funding, as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recommended all the way back in 2018.
Rod Sims is a former chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
– ref. Should a big tech tax fund news? A new report reopens debate on platforms and media – https://theconversation.com/should-a-big-tech-tax-fund-news-a-new-report-reopens-debate-on-platforms-and-media-241897
Source: China State Council Information Office
The New Development Bank will make greater efforts to advance economic growth in emerging economies and help address pressing issues such as climate change as it welcomes more potential members, said Dilma Rousseff, the NDB’s president.
To help emerging countries ensure stable development and avoid crises, the NDB will facilitate the building of infrastructure in areas such as logistics, education, digital services and healthcare, Rousseff had said during an interview in September after she received China’s Friendship Medal, the highest honor China offers foreigners.
The NDB has already stepped up efforts to finance infrastructure projects in member countries. It has cumulatively approved loans of $35 billion for 105 projects, with the major ones being the Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III in India, the Serra da Palmeira Wind Power Project in Brazil, and the Jiangxi Urban and Rural Cold Chain Logistics Project in China, according to a Xinhua News Agency report.
At the end of August, the NDB announced a $280 million loan agreement with Transnet, South Africa’s leading freight transport and logistics company, to support the modernization and improvement of the country’s freight rail sector.
During a meeting of the bank’s board of directors in late August, a $1-billion loan was approved for financing South Africa’s water and sanitation infrastructure development. Another $150 million loan was approved to China’s Bank of Communications Financial Leasing for the acquisition of at least three liquefied natural gas carriers.
In January, the NDB inked three loan agreements with India to boost the country’s transportation, water and sanitation infrastructure in designated areas. The combined value of the loans is about $700 million.
As Rousseff pointed out, developing countries have limited capacity to address climate change. Further development and use of more renewable energy sources was needed, she said. As China is already a world leader in the electric vehicle segment, she hoped the nation would make more progress in energy storage and stable renewable energy supply.
According to the NDB’s strategy between 2022 and 2026, climate change mitigation will be a focus area, as the majority 40 percent of the bank’s $30 billion financing to be provided by 2026 has been reserved for green goals.
After issuing a 6-billion yuan ($840 million) five-year panda bond — yuan-denominated bonds issued by overseas institutions in the Chinese onshore market — at the beginning of the year, in July the NDB issued an 8-billion yuan three-year panda bond. The bonds are part of the bank’s efforts to finance infrastructure and sustainable development in member states while addressing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Initiated by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in 2014 with the purpose of mobilizing resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging markets and developing countries, the NDB formally began operations in July 2015, with its headquarters in Shanghai.
In 2021, the NDB began expanding its membership and admitted Bangladesh, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay as new member countries.
“The partnership within the NDB does not sit on the development goals of respective members but rather represents the vision of member countries and better connects them,” she said, adding that the NDB welcomes other countries.
A model for the future
According to Rousseff, China’s development trajectory can serve as a good reference for the Global South. The nation’s experiences show that economic, infrastructure and technological development can overcome barriers, sanctions and obstacles, she said.
Applauding China’s achievements in the fields of socioeconomic and cultural development over the past 75 years, Rousseff said that it is now taking the lead in innovation, helping to advance globalization and reform. The country’s stress on development of new quality productive forces has shown its dedication to scientific and technological development.
“I feel like that there is no one single moment that I can have a full picture of China, as it is always developing, taking on a new look. The ever ongoing reform and opening-up has been refreshing China’s image,” she said.
The stronger ties between China and Brazil are another good example, showing that partnership among the Global South countries can help facilitate economic growth and improve people’s well-being, she said.
Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China and Brazil have strengthened their cooperation in the areas of trade and technology. At the same time, Brazil has served as China’s largest food supplier over the past few years, playing an important role in China’s food security, said Rousseff.
Meanwhile, Chinese companies’ presence in Brazil is of great importance, facilitating Brazil’s reindustrialization, she said.
As Rousseff further explained, there are several highlights in China’s investments in Brazil. These include the China National Offshore Oil Corporation’s concession contracts with Brazil’s leading oil and gas company Petrobras for oil exploration in the Pelotas Basin in southern Brazil.
Also, the less-developed areas in Brazil have benefited from China’s investment in power and overall energy supply, and high-voltage direct transmission lines built by China have helped address Brazil’s energy shortage, she said.
Since 2009, China has been Brazil’s largest trading partner and a major source of investment, while Brazil has been China’s largest trading partner in Latin America. Trade volume between China and Brazil reached $181.53 billion in 2023.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
Sandwich chain Subway on Tuesday announced the opening of its 4,000th store in the Asia-Pacific region, which is located in east China’s Shanghai Municipality.
This opening marks a key step in the brand’s accelerated expansion in the Chinese market, according to the company.
As one of the world’s leading fast-food chains, Subway has been increasing its investment in China.
Since June 2023, Subway has opened over 250 new stores on the Chinese mainland. The figure is nearly half of the total number of new stores opened since Subway entered the Chinese mainland market in 1995, making China the market with the highest number of new store openings worldwide during this period.
China has always been one of the most important markets in the quick service restaurant industry, said John Chidsey, CEO of Subway, adding that China will be a very successful market for Subway.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday maintained its global growth forecast in 2024 at 3.2 percent, consistent with its projection in July, according to its newly released World Economic Outlook (WEO).
The level of uncertainty surrounding the global economic outlook is high, the report noted.
“Newly elected governments (about half of the world population has gone or will go to the polls in 2024) could introduce significant shifts in trade and fiscal policy,” the report said.
IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas speaks at a press conference in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Oct. 22, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
“Moreover, the return of financial market volatility over the summer has stirred old fears about hidden vulnerabilities. This has heightened anxiety over the appropriate monetary policy stance — especially in countries where inflation is persistent and signs of slowdown are emerging,” it further said.
The report also noted that a further intensification of geopolitical rifts could weigh on trade, investment and the free flow of ideas. “This could affect long-term growth, threaten the resilience of supply chains, and create difficult trade-offs for central banks,” it said.
In response to a question from Xinhua, IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said at a press conference that rising geopolitical tensions are “something that we are very concerned about,” noting that there are two dimensions of the impact.
“One is, of course, if you increase tariffs, for instance, between different blocks, that will disrupt trade, that will misallocate resources, that will weigh down on economic activity,” said Gourinchas.
“But there is also an associated layer that comes from the uncertainty that increases related to future trade policy, and it will also depress investment, depress economic activity and consumption,” he continued.
The chief economist noted that the IMF has found an impact on global output levels of approximately 0.5 percent in 2026. “So it’s a quite sizable effect of both an increase in tariffs between different countries and an increase in trade policy uncertainty,” he said.
According to the latest WEO report, global growth is projected to hold steady, but there are weakening prospects and rising threats.
The growth outlook is very stable in emerging markets and developing economies, around 4.2 percent this year and next, with continued robust performance from emerging Asia, the report said.
Noting that the return of inflation near central bank targets paves the way for a policy triple pivot, Gourinchas said that the first pivot — on monetary policy — is under way already.
The second pivot is on fiscal policy, he noted. “After years of loose fiscal policy in many countries, it is now time to stabilize debt dynamics and rebuild much-needed fiscal buffers,” Gourinchas said.
The third pivot — and the hardest — is toward growth-enhancing reforms, he said. “Much more needs to be done to improve growth prospects and lift productivity,” he said.
The IMF chief economist noted that while industrial and trade policy measures can sometimes boost investment and activity in the short run, especially when relying on debt-financed subsidies, “they often lead to retaliation and fail to deliver sustained improvements in standards of living.”
“Economic growth must come instead from ambitious domestic reforms that boost technology and innovation, improve competition and resource allocation, further economic integration and stimulate productive private investment,” he added.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
The top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has inspected strategic missile bases, calling for the country’s strategic missile force to keep counteraction posture in response to the ever-increasing threat by the United States, state media reported on Wednesday.
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, examined the readiness for action of strategic deterrence directly connected with the state security, including the functions and capabilities of missile-launching facilities in the missile bases and the strategic missile combat duty, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, without specifying the exact date of the inspection tour.
Noting that the strategic missile force is the “core force” of the country’s war deterrence, Kim stressed an important principle of the national defense strategy of “technically modernizing the overall armed forces with the strategic missile force as a priority,” the KCNA said.
As the U.S. strategic nuclear means pose an ever-increasing threat to the DPRK security, it is an urgent imperative for the country to “more definitely bolster its war deterrence and take a thorough and strict counteraction posture of the nuclear forces,” he was quoted by the KCNA as saying.
The DPRK leader also stressed the need to “further modernize and fortify the strategic missile bases and make all bases fully ready to keep thorough counteraction posture capable of promptly dealing a strategic counterblow to the enemies at any time and under any circumstances,” the KCNA report said.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police, Coastguard and Surf Life Saving New Zealand have continued to search for a man believed missing in the water off Onerahi, Northland.
The 83-year-old man was reported missing on Monday 21 October and is believed to have been swimming off Onerahi on Sunday 20 October.
The man typically goes for a daily swim in the Whangārei Harbour and wears a wetsuit and pink swim cap.
The Police Eagle Helicopter has been deployed in the area and has conducted a wide search of the area. Coastguard will be conducting a dummy exercise in the water, to detect currents.
Police are appealing to the public, and in particular to motorists who were in the Beach Road area in Onerahi on the morning of Sunday 20 October between 8am – 11am.
If you saw the swimmer or have any dashcam footage from the area that relates, please update us at 105 online or call 105 referencing file number 241021/1742.
Police would like to thank Far North Search and Rescue, squads from Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club, Whangārei Heads Volunteer Surf Life Saving Patrol, volunteers from Northland Coastguard Air Patrol and Coastguard Whangarei who are involved in the search.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: China State Council Information Office
A new air freight route officially opened Monday, linking Taiyuan, capital city of north China’s Shanxi Province, and Almaty in Kazakhstan.
A freighter, loaded with cargo including clothing and daily consumer goods, left Taiyuan Wusu International Airport for Almaty on Monday morning, according to the customs of Taiyuan.
The round-trip flights will operate twice each week, on Mondays and Fridays. The type of goods transported via the route is expected to be increased in the future.
The first flight on the route marks the official opening of the air cargo channel connecting Shanxi with the Central Asian country, injecting new impetus into the economic and trade exchanges between the two sides, said the customs.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The current global economic slowdown and shocks to industrial and supply chains have presented China and Africa with a crucial opportunity to scale up mutual cooperation and move it to a higher level, officials and experts said.
A shift in China-Africa investment cooperation toward higher-end industries, digitalization, and green development is a vital step in facilitating the inclusive growth of both sides, they said.
They made the remarks at the Symposium on High-Quality Development of China-Africa Investment Cooperation on Monday, which was jointly hosted by the China-Africa Development Fund and the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Development in Beijing.
The complementary economic and industrial development profiles of China and Africa have formed a solid basis for their thriving cooperation, said Jing Ning, deputy director-general at the department of Western Asian and African affairs under the Ministry of Commerce.
The synergistic pairing of China’s technologies, equipment and management expertise with Africa’s markets and human resources has been a key driving force behind the advancement of the continent’s industrialization, technological innovation, and youth employment, Jing said.
China’s investments in Africa are not only growing in volume but are also strategically oriented toward ensuring that Africa becomes a global manufacturing hub, said Rahamtalla M. Osman, permanent representative of the African Union to China.
Africa’s green development potential, renewable energy needs, youth population and emerging consumer markets, coupled with the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area, have made it a promising investment destination, Osman said.
The Chinese government announced plans to facilitate at least 70 billion yuan ($9.8 billion) in investments by Chinese companies in Africa over the next three years during the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing in September.
Meanwhile, China and Africa will establish a joint digital technology cooperation center and 20 flagship digital demonstration projects. China is committed to equipping African nations with the latest advancements in clean energy technologies, including solar, wind, and hydropower systems.
As Chinese enterprises expand their investments in Africa, they are not only pursuing their own interests, but also striving to bring tangible benefits to African countries, said Wang Shaodan, chairman of the China-Africa Development Fund.
CADF, along with partner enterprises, is actively promoting technology transfers to African countries, transitioning from “Made in China” to “Made in Africa” and enhancing the local industrial development capabilities, Wang said.
In 2013, Chinese home appliances manufacturer Hisense and the CADF jointly invested $350 million to establish Hisense South Africa Industrial Park, where the company has promoted technology transfer and upskilled local workers.
This has enabled South Africa to acquire manufacturing capabilities and develop export-ready brands for the European market, Wang added.
China is also working to facilitate the transfer of agricultural technologies to Africa through a wide range of cooperation modalities, which is crucial for enhancing Africa’s food security, said Yu Zirong, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Development.
Africa is currently facing the dual dilemma of debt and development, and Chinese financial institutions and enterprises are exploring the expansion of new collaborative models to address this challenge, said Yu Yong, deputy director-general of the department of African affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
These new approaches, including public-private partnership, and integrated investment-construction-operation model, are designed to ensure the continuous funding and liquidity needed to support Africa’s industrialization, ultimately leading to a reduction in the continent’s debt burden, Yu said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
With regular freight train service from Qisumu International Logistics Park in Ulaanqab, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, to Moscow now in operation, experts said the new route opens a trade channel for North China, and will further expand its exports with the support of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Launched on Oct 16, the route marks a new addition to the China-Europe freight railway lines originating from Ulaanqab, and is also the city’s first eastbound route along this line.
Ulaanqab is one of the first 23 cities that was designated as a national logistics hub for the China-Europe freight train service.
Since the launch of its first China-Europe freight train in 2016, Ulaanqab has expanded operations to eight countries, with destinations such as Yekaterinburg, Russia and Almaty, Kazakhstan. The city now operates 22 international routes.
As of Oct 16, Ulaanqab’s China-Europe freight routes have operated 806 trains with 33,000 carriages, with a total cargo value of $1.53 billion.
In recent years, Inner Mongolia has prioritized the development of the freight train network, focusing on Ulaanqab’s role as a key gateway for northbound trade.
“The autonomous region aims to further enhance its participation in the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor by strengthening Ulaanqab’s logistics capabilities,” said Liang Jing, deputy general manager of Inner Mongolia Asia Europe International Logistics Ltd.
Citing the importance of the east route of the China-Europe freight service, Liang said, “The new route will increase railway capacity, optimize platform resources and improve service efficiency to further integrate Ulaanqab into the high-quality development of the BRI.”
Liang said Ulaanqab’s proximity to Ereenhot — only 327 kilometers away — also plays a big role in lowering logistics costs, as many of the products manufactured in Inner Mongolia are transported via these routes.
So far this year, the region’s government has invested 800 million yuan ($112.4 million) in infrastructure to support Sino-European freight services, including the construction of a logistics center.
Major exports on this route from Inner Mongolia include sunflower seeds from Bayannuur, Chery automobiles from Ordos, and local timber, grain and oil products, which make up about two-thirds of the region’s total goods transported. Local products account for up to 50 percent of the total freight, Liang said.
From January to September, 14,689 China-Europe freight trains were operated nationwide, marking a 13 percent year-on-year increase, said China State Railway Group Co Ltd, the nation’s railway operator.
The trains transported 1.57 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of goods, an 11 percent year-on-year rise.
In September, over 171,000 TEUs of products were transported by 1,633 China-Europe freight trains, marking 12 percent and 15 percent year-on-year increases, respectively. The freight service saw monthly operations of over 1,600 trains for seven consecutive months so far this year.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
At about 3.30pm on Monday afternoon, two people broke a window to enter a house in Fairfield Hamilton setting off the house alarm which alerted a passerby.
They were then seen running from the address carrying a television set.
Witnesses saw them ditch the television over a back hedge, then leave in a white Holden vehicle, which had been parked in the driveway of the victim’s house.
Police units recognised the description of the vehicle as it had been spotted acting suspiciously in the area earlier in the day.
At about 4.45pm, Police located the Holden vehicle and two people matching the descriptions of the burglars.
They were found at the shops in Dinsdale, parked in a disability car park.
The offenders were trying to sell a BBQ at the Dollar Dealers when they were confronted by Police.
Both attempted to resist the officer, and they were sprayed with O/C spray and arrested, without further incident.
Inspector Andrea McBeth, Area Commander Hamilton City says, “This is a good catch and we appreciate the people who called us so quickly with good descriptions.
This incident serves as a timely reminder to anyone leaving their property unattended for a period of time to take steps to make sure it’s secure.
Burglars are largely opportunistic. Alarms will help discourage any burglar looking for easy entry and, in this case, it did. It alerted members of the public who were able to help.
Locks on windows and doors can be effective, as well as security signage, CCTV, alarms, and sensor lights.
Be wary of posting too much information on social media about holiday or travel plans, or photos of inside your home, as this can make your property a vulnerable target while you’re away.
Keep in contact with your neighbours and let each other know if you notice anything unusual.
Call Police straight away on 111 if you see or suspect anything suspicious at your home or a neighbour’s.
When reporting activity, it’s helpful to take note of the number of people, clothing they wear, and any vehicles present.
You can make a report after the fact using our 105 service, either by phone or online.
A woman aged 22 is charged with burglary and a man aged 40 is charged with burglary, resisting arrest, obstructing police, and possession of an offensive weapon. They both appeared in the Hamilton District Court today.
The driver of the Holden vehicle also received a number of tickets including one for illegally parking in a disability car park.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth about $14.9 million (with photos)
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth about $14.9 million (with photos)
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Hong Kong Customs from October 9 to 16 seized about 74 700 items of suspected counterfeit goods at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound. The total estimated market value of the seizure was about $14.9 million. Through risk assessment, Customs inspected four 40-foot containers, declared as carrying footwear and arriving in Hong Kong from the Mainland, in the abovementioned period. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected counterfeit sports shoes therein. An initial investigation revealed that the batch of suspected counterfeit goods would be transshipped to overseas regions. An investigation is ongoing. Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods activities by interception at source, with stringent enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis. Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years. Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 80 80 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2024Issued at HKT 11:00
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
A property owner who persistently failed to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123) was convicted and fined over $80,000 at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts earlier this month.
The case involved two unauthorised building works (UBWs) with a total area of about 33 square metres on the roof and ground floor of a house in Yuen Long. As the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO.
Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and was fined over $6,000 upon conviction by the court. The owner removed one of the UBWs, i.e. UBWs on the roof after the prosecution, but UBWs were later found re-erected on the roof again. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal order, the BD instigated prosecution again. The owner was fined $83,600 in total, of which $53,600 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction again at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on October 4.
A spokesman for the BD today (October 23) said, “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. The owners concerned must comply with the removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement actions and consider instigating prosecution against the owners again if they persist in not complying with the orders, so as to ensure building safety.”
Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SELANGOR, Malyasia, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Founder Group Limited (“FGL” or the “Company”), a pure-play, end-to-end engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) solutions provider for solar PV facilities in Malaysia, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering (the “Offering”) of an aggregate 1,218,750 ordinary shares at a public offering price of $4.00 per share for total gross proceeds of $4.875 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option (the “Over-Allotment Option”) to purchase up to an additional 182,813 ordinary shares at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts.
The ordinary shares are scheduled to begin trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 23, 2024, under the ticker symbol “FGL”. The Offering is expected to close on or about October 24, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.
US Tiger Securities, Inc. (“US Tiger”) is acting as sole underwriter for the Offering. Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC is acting as U.S. legal counsel to the Company, and Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP is acting as U.S. legal counsel to US Tiger.
The Offering is being conducted pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 related to the Offering, as amended (File No. 333-281167), which was filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and was declared effective on September 30, 2024. The offering of the securities is being made only by means of a prospectus forming a part of the registration statement. Electronic copies of the final prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained, when available, by visiting the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov or by contacting US Tiger Securities, Inc. at 437 Madison Avenue, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10022, or by telephone at +1 646-978-5188.
This press release has been prepared for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Company’s securities, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation, or sale of such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About Founder Group Limited
Founder Group Limited is a pure-play, end-to-end EPCC solutions provider for solar PV facilities in Malaysia. The Company’s primary focus is on two key segments: large-scale solar projects and commercial and industrial (C&I) solar projects. The Company’s mission is to provide customers with innovative solar installation services, promote eco-friendly resources and achieve carbon-neutrality.
For more information on the Company, please log on to https://www.founderenergy.com.my/.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events, including but not limited to, the Company’s proposed Offering. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under “Risk Factors” in the registration statement on Form F-1 related to the Offering, may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
Contact Information:
Founder Group Limited Contact:
Eric Lee
Chief Executive Officer
Telephone +03-3358 5638
Email: ericlee@founderenergy.com.my
Underwriter Inquiries:
US Tiger Securities, Inc.
437 Madison Avenue, FL 27
New York, NY 10022
Email: ECM@ustigersecurities.com
Investor Relations Inquiries:
Skyline Corporate Communications Group, LLC
Scott Powell, President
1177 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor
New York, New York 10036
Office: (646) 893-5835
Email: info@skylineccg.com
Source: Asia Development Bank
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (23 October 2024) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $200 million loan to help upgrade water supply, sanitation, urban mobility, and other urban services to enhance the quality of life and climate resilience of the people in Uttarakhand state in India.
The Uttarakhand Livability Improvement Project will improve transportation and urban mobility, drainage, flood management, and overall public services in the city of Haldwani, which serves as the state’s economic hub. To enhance water supply service delivery in Champawat, Kichha, Kotdwar, and Vikasnagar, the project will finance the implementation of efficient and climate-resilient water supply systems.
“Uttarakhand’s high vulnerability to climate and environmental risks such as floods and droughts adds to the pressing challenges in delivering good public services that are faced by the project towns,” said ADB Senior Urban Development Specialist Pedro Almeida. “With a projected increase in rainfall, temperatures, and flooding and landslides, upgrading infrastructure in these areas is critical not only to improve livability but also to ensure the population’s safety and health.”
In Haldwani, the project will develop 16 kilometers (km) of climate-resilient roads, establish an intelligent traffic management system, deploy compressed natural gas buses, and pilot electric buses. To prepare the city against disasters, the project will construct 36 km of stormwater and roadside drains to improve flood management and implement an early warning system. A green-certified administrative complex and bus terminal will be built to improve the delivery of public services.
In the towns of Champawat, Kichha, Kotdwar, and Vikasnagar, the project aims to increase water service coverage to 100% by constructing 1,024 km of climate-resilient pipelines with smart water meters, 26 tubewells with a daily capacity of 72,131 cubic meters, new reservoirs with 17,350 cubic meters of storage capacity, and a 3.5 million liter per day water treatment plant. Sanitation coverage in Vikasnagar will be improved by sewage treatment facilities that will benefit around 2,000 households.
Measures to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Uttarakhand Urban Sector Development Agency and urban local bodies in project management, climate and disaster-resilient planning, and urban infrastructure management will be implemented under the project.
The project will introduce initiatives for women, such as livelihood skills training on driving buses, bus ticketing, and the operation of electric charging stations. Given women’s role in monitoring water supply systems, the project will build the capacity of women, including those from vulnerable households, in operating and managing water supply and sanitation services. The project will pilot women-led community engagement in water bill distribution and collection in the four towns.
The European Investment Bank is cofinancing the project with $191 million on a parallel basis, while the state government is contributing $74.9 million—bringing the total project cost to $465.9 million.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.
Source: Asia Development Bank
This report is part of an ADB flagship series that considers financing options and assesses constraints, such as low awareness and insufficient PPP opportunities at both local and national levels. The report also details how Georgia’s PPP Agency and PPP Law are supporting efforts to attract investment partners and bolster critical infrastructure that can further strengthen the economy.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alyssa Choat, Lecturer in Fashion and Textiles Design, University of Technology Sydney
For its recent Spring/Summer 2025 show, fashion brand Diesel filled a runway with mounds of denim offcuts, making a spectacle of its efforts to reduce waste.
Haunting yet poetic, the “forgotten” byproducts of fashion production were reclaimed and repurposed into something artful. But the irony isn’t lost, given fashion shows like this one demand significant resources.
Diesel’s event is an example of a growing trend towards the “spectacle of sustainability”, wherein performative displays are prioritised over the deeper, structural changes needed to address environmental issues.
Can the fashion industry reconcile its tendency towards spectacle with its environmental responsibilities? The recent spacesuit collaboration between Prada and Axiom Space is one refreshing example of how it can, by leaning into innovation that seeks to advance fashion technology and rewrite fashion norms.
The fashion industry has always relied on some form of spectacle to continue the fashion cycle. Fashion shows mix art, performance and design to create powerful experiences that will grab people’s attention and set the tone for what’s “in”. Promotional material from these shows is shared widely, helping cement new trends.
However, the spectacle of fashion isn’t helpful for communicating the complexity of sustainability. Fashion events tend to focus on surface-level ideas, while ignoring deeper systemic problems such as the popularity of fast fashion, people’s buying habits, and working conditions in garment factories. These problems are connected, so addressing one requires addressing the others.
It’s much easier to host a flashy event that inevitably feeds the problem it purports to fix. International fashion events have a large carbon footprint. This is partly due to how many people they move around the world, as well as their promotion of consumption (whereas sustainability requires buying less).
The pandemic helped deliver some solutions to this problem by forcing fashion shows to go digital. Brands such as Balenciaga, the Congolese brand Hanifa and many more took part in virtual fashion shows with animated avatars – and many pointed to this as a possible solution to the industry’s sustainability issue.
But the industry has now largely returned to live fashion shows. Virtual presentations have been relegated to their own sectors within fashion communication, while live events take centre stage.
Technology and innovation clearly have a role to play in helping make fashion more sustainable. The recent Prada-Axiom spacesuit collaboration brings this into focus in a new way.
The AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit) suits will be worn by Artemis III crew members during NASA’s planned 2026 mission to the Moon. The suits have been made using long-lasting and high-performance materials that are designed to withstand the extreme conditions of space.
By joining this collaboration, Prada, known for its high fashion, is shifting into a highly symbolic arena of technological advancement. This will likely help position it at the forefront of sustainability and technology discussions – at least in the minds of consumers.
Prada itself has varying levels of compliance when it comes to meeting sustainability goals. The Standard Ethics Ratings has listed it as “sustainable”, while sustainability scoring site Good on You rated it as “not good enough” – citing a need for improved transparency and better hazardous chemical use.
Recently, the brand has been working on making recycled textiles such as nylon fabrics (nylon is a part of the brand DNA) from fishing nets and plastic bottles. It also launched a high-fashion jewellery line made of recycled gold.
Prada’s partnership with Axiom signifies a milestone in fashion’s ability to impact on high-tech industries. Beyond boosting Prada’s image, such innovations can also lead to more sustainable fashions.
For instance, advanced materials created for spacesuits could eventually be adapted into everyday heat-resistant clothing. This will become increasingly important in the context of climate change, especially in regions already struggling with drought and heatwaves. The IPCC warns that if global temperatures rise by 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, twice as many mega-cities are likely to become heat-stressed.
New innovations are trying to help consumers stay cool despite rising temperatures. Nike’s Aerogami is a performance apparel technology that supposedly increases breathability. Researchers from MIT have also designed garment vents that open and close when they sense sweat to create airflow.
Similarly, researchers from Zhengzhou University and the University of South Australia have created a fabric that reflects sunlight and releases heat to help reduce body temperatures. These kinds of cooling textiles (which could also be used in architecture) could help reduce the need for air conditioning.
One future challenge lies in driving demand for these innovations by making them seem fashionable and “cool”. Collaborations like the one between Prada and Axiom are helpful on this front. A space suit – an item typically seen as a functional, long-lasting piece of engineering – becomes something more with Prada’s name on it.
The collaboration also points to a broader potential for brands to use large attention-grabbing projects to convey their sustainability credentials. In this way they can combine spectacle with sustainability. The key will be in making sure one doesn’t come at the expense of the other.
Alyssa Choat does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. New Prada-designed spacesuit is a small step for astronaut style, but could be a giant leap for sustainable fashion – https://theconversation.com/new-prada-designed-spacesuit-is-a-small-step-for-astronaut-style-but-could-be-a-giant-leap-for-sustainable-fashion-240551
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (October 23) expressed sorrow over the passing of Mr Michael Suen, former Secretary for Education.
Mr Suen joined the Government in 1966. He had served as Secretary for Home Affairs, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs and Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands in the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). He was appointed as the Secretary for Education in 2007, a post he held until June, 2012.
“Mr Suen had devoted decades of service to the Government, holding various important positions. He had formulated strategies and provided counsel to the HKSAR in various policy areas, addressing different challenges while promoting Hong Kong’s development. He commanded great respect from government colleagues and members of the community with his dedicated service to the public over the years. Mr Suen had made significant contributions to the HKSAR and was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 1999.
“I am saddened by the passing of Mr Suen. I extend my deepest condolences to his family,” Mr Lee said.
Source: New South Wales Premiere
Essential workers will receive significantly more support to move and settle into the Northern Rivers thanks to a successful Minns Labor Government initiative, The Welcome Experience, being extended into the region making it easier for local organisations to attract workers to making the move.
Originally piloted during 2023 in Broken Hill, Muswellbrook, Bega, Walgett, Coffs Harbour, Corowa, Griffith and Goulburn, The Welcome Experience has been such a success it is now being rolled out to additional locations since September this year and is now operating in 55 Local Government Areas.
The Welcome Experience will now provide workforce support to the additional town locations of Tweed, Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley thanks to a successful tender application from new host agency, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers.
As part of The Welcome Experience, host agencies help essential workers make the regions their home, forge social connections, access childcare and schooling options, join sporting clubs and even assist with finding job opportunities for partners.
Launched in June last year, The Welcome Experience has helped 665 essential workers and their families to move to regional New South Wales, including 346 health workers, 110 educators and 42 police staff.
The Northern Rivers can look forward to similar type success stories that have emerged after the program was rolled out to other regions over the last few months.
Host Agencies in new delivery locations such as Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Kiama and Inverell are now onboarding Local Connectors, plus engaging their local communities and gathering feedback to assist them to tailor the delivery of The Welcome Experience to meet specific needs of communities.
Among the new host agencies is RDA Murray, which has reported a positive stream of enquiries since September from essential workers considering the move to the Albury area.
RDA Program Manager for Albury Karin Willcox is already assisting two registered nurses and their children move to the region from New Zealand.
Karin has organised arrangements for the family ahead of their arrival, including airport pickup, car rental, childcare, schooling options, and even securing furniture for their new home.
Find out more The Welcome Experience
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
“Our Government is focusing on ensuring regional NSW receives the services it needs and attracting essential workers is critical to making that happen.
“If people get to hear first-hand info about schools or childcare, and that there is a good bunch of people in the local netball team, plus insights on cafes and places to fish, you are making them feel welcome.
“Recognising the area’s needs, the Government is pleased the procurement process has been completed to engage RDA Northern Rivers to set up services in five towns that will boost the attraction of essential workers.
“The Welcome Experience has a strong track record of warmly welcoming workers to regional NSW and encouraging them to build lasting connections in their new communities, and I look forward to seeing RDA continue this valuable work in the Northern Rivers region.”
NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:
“I congratulate Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers on successfully tendering to be host agency for The Welcome Experience in towns across our region as this organisation has a track record of building capacity through strengthening networks.
“We need to attract and retain more essential workers as our population grows, and providing workforce support with relocations and settling into a new community for workers and their families is a no-brainer.
“Some councils provide new residents with a welcome pack to help them navigate their new surroundings, and this Minns Labor Government initiative is that concept writ large, offering a wraparound set of services specific to our region.
“The Welcome Experience’s pilot sites have been successful in helping hundreds of health workers, educators and police move to the regions, and I look forward to more success in Lismore, Tweed, Byron, Ballina and Richmond Valley.”
RDA Northern Rivers Director of Regional Development Anthony Schreenan said:
“The Welcome Experience will support new essential workers through every step of the relocation process, from when they first consider the move, to when they decide to make their home in the Northern Rivers and build connections in the community,” Mr Schreenan said.
“We are so happy to be able to benefit from The Welcome Experience, the pilot showed that the key to retaining workers is welcoming them into the community, and that’s more than finding a house to live in and school for the kids.
“It’s becoming part of the local sports club, getting to know fellow parents, connecting with the people at your local and building networks of friendship.
“Our Local Connector will provide a concierge service, connecting with essential workers who are considering relocating to our region and providing information about the region, finding a place to live, access to schools and amenities, and services available.
Locations delivering The Welcome Experience:
| Region | Location Government Areas | Successful Host Agency |
| Northern NSW | Glen Innes Severn and Inverell | Attract Connect Stay Glenn Innes |
| North Coast & Rivers | Tweed, Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley | RDA Northern Rivers |
| Mid North Coast | Kempsey, Nambucca and Port Macquarie Hastings | RDA Mid North Coast |
| Mid North Coast | Coffs Harbour and Bellingen | Boambee East Community Centre |
| Hunter | Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter | Muswellbrook Shire Council |
| New England | Armidale, Tamworth and Uralla | RDA Northern Inland |
| Moree Plains | Moree Plains | Moree Plains Shire Council |
| Orana region | Bourke, Dubbo (incl Wellington) and Walgett | RDA Orana |
| Central West | Bathurst, Cowra, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin | Skillset |
| Western NSW | Balranald, Broken Hill, Central Darling, | Regional Solutions Community Development |
| Far West NSW | Unincorporated Far West and Wentworth | Regional Solutions Community Development |
| Murray | Albury, Federation and Greater Hume | RDA Murray |
| Eastern Riverina | Temora, Tumut, Wagga Wagga | RDA Riverina |
| Western Riverina | Griffith, Leeton, | RDA Riverina |
| Southern NSW | Goulburn Mulwaree, Hilltops, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy-Monaro, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee and Yass Valley | RDA Southern NSW |
| Bega Valley | Bega Valley | Bega Chamber of Commerce |
| Illawarra | Kiama, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven | Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra |
| South Coast | Eurobodalla | Bega Chamber of Commerce |
Source: Reserve Bank of India
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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Night and day-time closures are planned for State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill next month, as the state highway summer maintenance season continues in the top of the South Island.
Rob Service, System Manager, Top of the South, says the work is deliberately timed for November to ensure the route is clear for all drivers over the summer holidays.
“Golden Bay is a popular holiday spot and summer sees busy roads. So, we want to get this work done before the summer holiday season.”
Between Sunday, 3 November, and Sunday, 24 November, the road will be closed every Sunday to Thursday between 8 pm and 5:30 am with a short opening around 1 am for queued traffic.
Then from Monday, 25 November, until Friday, 29 November the highway will be closed between 9 am and 3 pm. During this time, the road will be reopened every 90 minutes to let traffic through.
Mr Service says it’ s a good idea to have water and snacks in your vehicle if you’re travelling over the hill during this time.
Because of the road’s narrowness and to keep contractors safe, the road must be closed while the work is done. It will also allow the maintenance to be completed much faster.
Mr Service says there is a lot of work to be done.
“Contractors will spend the first two weeks of night-time closures asphalting parts of the road surface on both sides of the hill, carrying out other maintenance work, such as clearing water channels, fixing slips and guard rails, and attending to general maintenance.”
“Some of this work, such as asphalting, must be done during the day when conditions are warm and dry to ensure it’s effective. This is why some daytime road closures are needed,” Mr Service says.
He acknowledges travel over the Tākaka Hill is vital for residents and local businesses, and their needs are important.
“This is why there will be day-time access on the route. We are timing the day closures to avoid the school bus run and peak commuting times. We realise the work is disruptive, but we are working our hardest to meet community needs and ensure the highway is kept resilient and reliable.”
“Regular road maintenance like this is essential in preventing more disruptive ones later on.”
Contractors will make the most of the closure to speed up repair work at the underslip site on the Riwaka side of the hill.
“We know this route is critical to the residents and businesses in Golden Bay and we aim is to have this section of road repaired and reopened to two lanes before Christmas,” Mr Service says.
Once contractors have completed asphalting work on Tākaka Hill they will move onto SH60 Commercial Street in Takāka. More information on this work will be shared soon.
Works Schedule:
Night closures:
Day closures:
Works Location:
Summer Maintenance Season – Tips and Advice:
More Information:
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Education Bureau (EDB) today (October 23) announced that the second round of the Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) in the 2024/25 school year will be open for application from 9am on October 25 to 5pm on November 7. The test will be held on December 15 (Sunday).
The target participants for the second round of the test are persons with a bachelor’s degree or those who will attain a bachelor’s degree in the 2024/25 or 2025/26 academic year and are planning to join or change to another secondary school, primary school or kindergarten to take up a teaching post. Applications can be made through the EDB’s online application system (www.edb.gov.hk/en/blnst). Limited places for the test will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who have already obtained a pass result in the BLNST organised by the EDB, the Civil Service Bureau or recruiting departments/grades for degree holders will not be accepted to sit the test again.
Starting from the 2023/24 school year, all newly appointed teachers in public sector schools, Direct Subsidy Scheme schools and kindergartens joining the Kindergarten Education Scheme (including newly joined teachers and teachers changing schools) are required to pass the BLNST in order to be considered for appointment. The requirement applies to all ranks of the teacher grade including principals.
The EDB is conducting five rounds of the BLNST for degree holders and non-degree holders respectively this school year. Details are available on the EDB webpage (www.edb.gov.hk/en/blnst). The third to fifth rounds of the test will be held in April, June and July 2025 respectively. Relevant arrangements will be announced in due course.
