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.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Washington (January 29, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today after the Trump administration rescinded a memo from the Office of Management and Budget directing the cut-off federal grants and assistance, while continuing to state that funding was still frozen.
“Trump’s administration isn’t governing—it’s careening from chaos to crisis that it created, leaving people guessing whether life-saving services, school lunches, home heating, health care, and public safety are going to be funded day by day. The collective outrage of literally everyone got them to rescind their latest directive to cut off federal money, but the Trump administration has made clear they intend to proceed with their callously cruel plan of stalling or stopping essential federal funding.
They’ll lie, disregard Congress, and now they’re bypassing the Courts. We’ll need all of our collective engagement to make sure that Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and their unelected, unqualified henchmen keep our services going and don’t break the law.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted 56-42 to confirm Lee M. Zeldin to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with her support.
“Today, the Senate has confirmed an EPA administrator who is well qualified and capable of returning the EPA to its core missions of protecting our land, air, and water, without inhibiting economic development. Congressman Zeldin will lead the EPA as the agency addresses the environmental needs of our country, and he is committed to properly implementing the laws of Congress through collaboration with the members of our Committee. I have been continually impressed by Congressman Zeldin’s character, and his dedication to our country through service in both the U.S. Army and Congress. I am confident he will perform the role of EPA administrator exceptionally well, and be a central member of President Trump’s cabinet as they enact policies and solutions to the environment, infrastructure, and energy challenges of our time,” Chairman Capito said.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
01.29.25
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, today received commitments from Howard Lutnick, President Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Commerce, to visit Alaska, champion the interests of Alaska’s fishermen and seafood industry, help implement President Trump’s “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” executive order, and work to advance the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project. Sen. Sullivan highlighted the serious challenges facing Alaska and America’s fishermen, including the decade-long unfair, non-reciprocal seafood trade relationship between the U.S. and Russia, which was fixed by executive orders Sen. Sullivan secured in 2022 and 2023. Sullivan noted the Commerce Department’s important role in enforcing the comprehensive ban on the import of Russian seafood and advocating for America’s fishing communities.
Sen. Sullivan posed his questions to Mr. Lutnick during his confirmation hearing before the committee.
[embedded content]
Below is a full transcript of Sen. Sullivan’s exchange with Mr. Lutnick.
Sen. Dan Sullivan: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Lutnick, congratulations to you and your family. Thank you for that very powerful opening statement. I appreciated our meeting. I’m really enjoying this hearing, all the focus on fish. It’s great. In all seriousness, certain secretaries, most secretaries, in my view, have not embraced their role that they are really important to our fishing community. As you and I talked about, this is really important to my state. Alaska is the superpower of seafood. Over two-thirds of all seafood harvested in America—commercial, subsistence, sport—is harvested in Alaska’s waters. Over two-thirds. So we’re it. We’re the 800-pound gorilla. Tens of thousands of Alaskans are connected to this industry. We are a huge powerhouse in terms of American exports. Mr. Lutnick, the vice president, in his opening statement, called you a “product guy,” a “sales guy,” a “good dude.” That’s a quote from the vice president. Good dude. I want to also maybe give you the title of “Godfather of American Fishermen” or the patron saint of American fishermen…
Howard Lutnick: This is working for me.
DS: …to keep a focus on these communities, on these great Americans—just look at Deadliest Catch and things like that—and to be a leader on focusing on them. That does not always happen. As a matter of fact, it usually hasn’t happened with the Secretaries of Commerce. Can you commit to me on doing that?
HL: Well, I love to fish, and I’m happy to commit to you. The fishermen of the United States of America are one of our great assets. It’s easy for me to promise to take care of them.
DS: Great. Since you love to fish, this next question might be the easiest one you get all day. I need a commitment from you to come to Alaska. You can bring the family.
HL: As long as I can bring my family, we’re coming.
DS: You can go fishing—but to meet these great American fishermen who are my constituents. It’d be great for you to get up there soon to meet them. Can I get your commitment to do that as well?
HL: It’s my pleasure.
DS: Great. Let me mention—we already talked about it: The last four years have been tough on my state. This is a chart I’ve shown all over the place—the Last Frontier Lock Up, we called it. 70 executive orders and actions from the Biden administration singularly focused on shutting down Alaska. 70. Fortunately, this is now a thing of the past. We want to get rid of that. On day one, the President issued this executive order, President Trump. It’s called “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential.” It’s long, right? It’s very detailed. The Secretary of Commerce is mentioned in it. One of the lines in there: “It’s the policy of the United States”—this is from President Trump on day one—”to fully avail itself of Alaska’s vast lands and resources for the benefit of the nation and the American citizens who call Alaska home.” You’re mentioned in this, the Secretary of Commerce. Can I get your commitment to work with me on implementing every aspect of this really great Trump day one executive order?
HL: Yes.
DS: Great. Thank you. You mentioned disrespect for our fishermen. You and I talked about what we’ve been enduring for the last ten years. Russia instituted a ban on any exports of American seafood in 2014, and yet we had open borders essentially for them, for the last ten years, taking market share. Literally the most disrespectful, unfair trading situation I could see anywhere in the world. They were coming after our market share. Our fishermen in America could not export one fish to Russia. I worked really hard to get that changed. We got a ban, and then the Russians start sending their fish to China to essentially create a loophole, then to come into the U.S. We shut that down finally. Can you work with me to make sure we don’t have that incredibly unfair—Russia bans everything and they can import everything here. Ridiculous. Same with China. You’re a sales guy, a products guy. I want you to commit to me to promote American “freedom fish,” Alaska “freedom fish,” and don’t allow “communist fish” from Russia and China coming into our markets. Can you commit…
HL: We’ve got to get rid of those communist fish.
DS: So can I get a commitment on that?
HL: I do.
DS: Excellent. No “communist fish.” Freedom fish is what we want. Finally, Mr. Lutnick, the chairman is going to focus this committee a lot on energy, which I think is great. I know you care about unleashing our extraordinary energy potential. One of the big areas of focus of the Trump day-one EO on unleashing Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential is moving forward and finally getting done this massive Alaska LNG project that we’ve been working on for a number of years. We got all of the permits during the Trump administration. Of course, Biden blocked those. This would create thousands of jobs, would revitalize the American steel industry, would—estimates are—would reduce our trade deficit by about $10 billion a year. Can you commit to work with me, the President—who’s very focused on that in his EO, the secretaries of Interior and Energy, and other cabinet officials, including our Asian allies, to make this project a reality, which will be great for the country, great for our workers, great for our trade deficit, and really boost America’s national security?
HL: I can.
DS: Thank you.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Angus King (I-Maine) introduced legislation to update 911 emergency call centers inside the National Park System (NPS).
The Making National Parks Safer Act directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to develop a plan to upgrade NPS 911 call centers with Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology. This technology will enable call centers to receive text messages, images, and video submissions in addition to traditional phone calls. This capability will improve the speed and accuracy of emergency responders in locating and assisting callers in need of emergency aid.
Additionally, in the event of any natural disaster or technical issue, the updated call centers would be equipped to forward 911 calls and messages to any working call center until they become operational again.
“Our country’s national parks receive hundreds of millions of visitors every year. Our public safety technology needs improvements and resources to ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy our national parks without worry,” said Senator Barrasso. “This bipartisan bill updates and modernizes 911 call centers and ensures visitors who may need assistance can be reached in an accurate and timely manner. These much-needed updates will improve our national parks and protect the safety of visitors.”
“People travel from every corner of the world to connect with America’s incredible natural beauty and to make memories that last a lifetime,” said Senator King. “However, when natural disaster strikes or an unexpected emergency occurs, we need to make sure that our visitors to the parks are safe. The bipartisan Making National Parks Safer Act would improve emergency reporting and responding by upgrading the technology at National Park Service-operated emergency call centers. This legislation is an important step forward in improving the visitor experience at our public lands and serves as a proud reminder that stewardship of these lands is not a partisan issue.”
Co-sponsors of this legislation include U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.).
This legislation is supported by the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, Public Safety Next Generation 911 Coalition, National Emergency Number Association (NENA), and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO).
“National Parks are becoming increasingly popular with tourists often visiting areas that are unfamiliar to them. It is vitally important that we do everything we can to ensure the safety of those visitors as they enjoy our wonderful parks. Due to the rural nature of Wyoming coordination between the Park Service and local public safety answering points (PSAPs) is essential. We believe that this study will be a step in the right direction to evaluate and implement the NG911 system across the nation, starting with our National Parks.” – Lynn Budd, Director, Wyoming Office of Homeland Security
The Making National Parks Safer Act will direct the U.S. Department of Interior to:
• Complete an assessment of current call centers at national parks and the estimated cost of implementing NG911 technology across the National Park System.• Develop a plan based on the assessment to install NG911 systems at identified points in the National Park System. This plan must include consultation with state and local emergency operations and stakeholders, as well as relevant federal agencies to ensure its successful implementation.
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) discussed the various challenges health care providers and patients in rural America face with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Specifically, Senator Barrasso and Mr. Kennedy discussed the threat of hospital closures and the lack of maternity services in rural and frontier communities. They also talked about the Biden administration’s shortsighted nursing home staffing mandate, which if implemented would result in nursing home closures in Wyoming and across rural America.
Kennedy’s confirmation hearing was held today by the Senate Committee on Finance.
On Challenges Facing Rural Hospitals and Patients:
“Thank you for taking the time to visit with me in my office prior to today’s hearing to talk about a lot of the important issues affecting health care in my home state of Wyoming, as well as the nation. I appreciate your willingness to serve our country.
“During our meeting, we discussed the challenges health care providers and patients are facing in rural America including: financial obstacles facing rural hospitals, workforce shortages, issues with OBGYN, and new regulations that are painful that came out of the Biden administration hurting our ability to provide nursing home staffing.
“Let me start off with rural hospitals and the closures of hospitals like that. There are a lot of challenges facing hospitals in rural communities and frontier areas.
“We have 33 hospitals in Wyoming. Twenty-six are located in various locations often hard to get to or weather impacts them. Six of the hospitals are at risk of closing, two are in immediate risk of closing in the next two years, and 10 have had to cut available services.
“This is a concern of rural hospitals both Republican and Democrat states. It’s bipartisan. It is critical that the financial, workforce challenges that we are facing are addressed.
“Can you commit to working with us on a plan to address this critical nationwide issue in rural healthcare?”
Follow-up on maternity services in rural areas:
“With financial strains on a local hospital, one of the common services to be cut in rural hospitals is maternity services. We have women in Wyoming having to drive over 100 miles to access care.
“Thirteen counties in Wyoming don’t have access to OB. Counties that are larger than the states of Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware.
“Will you commit to working with my office to find solutions to help address these specific maternal health challenges?”
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks on rural hospitals and maternity services.
On Nursing Home Closures:
“Another issue we specifically spoke about is the harmful Biden administration rule that would have been really bad for our rural nursing homes.
“It is a rule that would triple the registered nurse requirements in nursing homes. There just are not enough registered nurses in our state to be able to comply with this. This would lead to nursing home closures across our state.
“Will you commit to working with me to fix this serious problem that would have been the result of a rule that came out by the Biden administration that clearly doesn’t understand rural America?”
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks on nursing home closures.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
WASHINGTON – Today during the Senate Finance Committee’s hearing on the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Trump administration, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed with him the need to locate the unaccompanied migrant children who were lost in the interior U.S. under Joe Biden, improve Americans’ access to mental and behavioral health services, and strengthen the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program after its success in the first Trump administration. Excerpts are below, and video can be found here.
On Locating Unaccompanied Migrant Children Lost by the Biden Administration:
CORNYN: “There were roughly 500,000 children—unaccompanied minors—that were placed with sponsors in the interior of the United States. The previous administration took the position that it was not the federal government’s responsibility once these children were placed with these sponsors.”
“I look forward to working with you to find those children and to make sure that they’re not being abused.”
KENNEDY: “Many of them we know have been sex trafficked, and childhood slavery, and it is a plight on America’s moral authority, and we need to find those kids.”
On Improving Access to Mental and Behavioral Health Services:
CORNYN: “Millions of Americans are experiencing mild to moderate mental health and substance abuse issues, yet many struggle with timely and effective access.”
“Primary care physicians are most likely to be seeing these individuals as opposed to a specialist, and it makes it important that these individuals, primary care physicians, be trained in patient-centered care, which would strengthen the integration of behavioral health care with primary care services. Is this something that you are concerned about, something you’d be willing to work with us on in order to implement?”
KENNEDY: “This is a priority for me.”
“I was a heroin addict for 14 years. I’m in 42 years in recovery… I hear the many stories about denial or the barriers to access to care, and we need to improve that.”
On Strengthening PEPFAR:
CORNYN: “Under the first Trump administration, the number of people receiving HIV treatment in Africa through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, otherwise known as PEPFAR, it increased.”
“Failure to continue this program, in my view, would risk ceding that leadership to adversaries like China… Would you work with me and my colleagues to make sure that this program continues to provide lifesaving antiviral drugs to people who are most in need?”
KENNEDY: “I absolutely support PEPFAR, and I will happily work with you to strengthen the program.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after former Congressman Lee Zeldin was confirmed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
“Lee Zeldin is a fantastic choice by President Trump to cut the bureaucratic red tape, radical Green New Deal policies, and anti-American energy agenda that defined the Biden EPA. The days of bowing to environmental activists are rightfully coming to a close with Lee in charge, and I am eager to work with him to slash burdensome regulations that have kneecapped Texas energy producers for far too long.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Representative Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) released the following statements after Senate introduction of the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act, which would help combat cattle fever tick infestations across the country:
“Cattle fever tick infestations can cause devastating losses for ranchers across Texas and the nation,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would kickstart improvements to the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and help mitigate losses caused by these parasites, and I urge my colleagues to support it.”
“With cattle fever tick infestations on the rise, it is critical that we are taking steps to curb the spread of the disease,” said Rep. De La Cruz. “I am committed to working with the USDA to monitor the efficacy of the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and make any improvements necessary to ensure Texas ranchers and producers have the resources to protect the health of their cattle and the viability of their herds.”
This legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 14, 2025. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) is also a cosponsor of this legislation.
Background:
In recent years, cattle fever tick infestations have skyrocketed, threatening the cattle industry across Texas and the nation. This legislation would direct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into a contract with a land-grant college or university or a non-land-grant college of agriculture to study the effectiveness of the USDA’s Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and would require a report on any suggestions for improvements to the program.
This legislation is endorsed by the Texas Farm Bureau and the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced that they are accepting applications for federal judicial vacancies in the Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas. These vacancies are located in Dallas, Houston, McAllen, Austin, and Waco. The Senators are also accepting applications for U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal vacancies in the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas.
“As a former judge and Attorney General of Texas, I know firsthand how critical it is for our state to have the best and brightest jurists sitting on the federal bench and working to uphold the rule of law,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I encourage qualified Texans who are interested in serving to submit their applications to our review committee.”
“Selecting lawyers to serve as federal judges is one of the most important duties I have as a U.S. Senator,” said Sen. Cruz. “Texans deserve principled, unwavering leaders who will defend the Constitution, honor the rule of law, and serve with integrity. Texas is home to some of the nation’s most brilliant legal minds, and Senator Cornyn and I will recommend exceptional candidates who embody those strengths.”
Senators Cornyn and Cruz have established the Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee (FJEC), a bipartisan panel of leading attorneys in Texas, which reviews applications, interviews candidates, and makes recommendations to the Senators to help fill judicial vacancies.
Application Information:
Sens. Cornyn and Cruz invite qualified candidates to seek appointment by submitting their resumes and completed questionnaires to both lawmakers’ offices. The questionnaire is available here. Completed application packets must be received at the below email addresses no later than March 3, 2025. Email is strongly recommended because of delays due to security procedures involving Congressional mail. Submitted questionnaires for judicial vacancies will be reviewed by the Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee, and selected candidates will be invited to interview. Questions regarding applications may also be directed to the contacts listed below.
U.S. Senator John Cornyn
FJEC@cornyn.senate.gov
Attn: Franci Rooney Becker
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
FJEC@cruz.senate.gov
Attn: Kenneth Lee
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) today introduced the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act, which would help combat cattle fever tick infestations across the country:
“Cattle fever tick infestations can cause devastating losses for ranchers across Texas and the nation,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would kickstart improvements to the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and help mitigate losses caused by these parasites, and I urge my colleagues to support it.”
“Cattle fever ticks are a major risk for livestock across the Southwest, including in eastern and southern New Mexico. As New Mexico becomes a major hub for cattle imports from Mexico, it’s critical that Congress addresses the risk of cattle fever ticks,” said Sen. Luján. “I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to support New Mexico farmers, ranchers, and producers, and keep livestock safe.”
Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives by Monica De La Cruz (TX-15).
Background:
In recent years, cattle fever tick infestations have skyrocketed, threatening the cattle industry across Texas and the nation. This legislation would direct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into a contract with a land-grant college or university or a non-land-grant college of agriculture to study the effectiveness of the USDA’s Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and would require a report on any suggestions for improvements to the program.
This legislation is endorsed by the Texas Farm Bureau and the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced legislation to protect America’s artificial intelligence (AI) development from China.
“Every dollar and gig of data that flows into Chinese AI are dollars and data that will ultimately be used against the United States,” said Senator Hawley. “America cannot afford to empower our greatest adversary at the expense of our own strength. Ensuring American economic superiority means cutting China off from American ingenuity and halting the subsidization of CCP innovation.”
Senator Hawley’s new legislation comes after China unveiled “DeepSeek,” a data-harvesting, low-cost AI model that sparked international concern and sent American technology stocks plummeting.
Senator Hawley’s Decoupling America’s Artificial Intelligence Capabilities from China Act would:
Prohibit the import from or export to China of artificial intelligence technology;
Prohibit American companies from conducting AI research in China or in cooperation with Chinese companies; and
Prohibit U.S. companies from investing money in Chinese AI development.
Full text of the bill is available here.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police are treating the death of a motorcyclist in Otaika as suspicious, and a homicide investigation is now underway.
A man’s body was discovered in a creek adjacent to Otaika Valley Road, State Highway 15, after 5am on 29 January.
Whangārei CIB is launching an appeal for any witnesses or motorists travelling through the area on Tuesday night or in the early hours of Wednesday.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer says a post-mortem examination is currently ongoing.
“Formal identification procedures have not yet been completed, but we anticipate releasing further details about the victim once this process is complete,” he says.
“Our investigation team are working with the family, who are coming to terms with their loved one succumbing to foul play.”
Police believe the homicide occurred between 7pm and 11pm on 28 January, in a layby opposite to the entrance to the Otaika Valley Scenic Reserve.
There are two key appeals the investigation team are making today.
Firstly, any sightings of the blue and silver coloured road bike that was found parked in the layby area.
“We are particularly interested in any sightings of this bike between 8pm on 28 January through to 5am on 29 January,” acting Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.
Secondly, anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage around key locations between 7pm on 28 January and 5am on 29 January should contact Police.
Those areas of interest are along Otaika Valley Road, between the intersections with State Highway 14, Maungatapere, and Loop and Cemetery Roads, in Otaika.
“I am asking anyone with a dashcam or CCTV cameras to prioritise checking these now, and contact our investigation team,” acting Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.
An online portal has been set up for any footage or photographs to be uploaded.
Please go to https://distant.nc3.govt.nz
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says: “Our investigation is still in the very early stages, and our team will work hard to ensure we get answers as to why this homicide has occurred.”
Anyone with further information should call Police on 105 and reference the file number 250129/0335.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Government
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
“A world-leading education system is a key driver to economic growth. We want all children to be proficient and confident in reading, writing and maths so they grow up and live the lives they want. Our future playwrights and songwriters need to have a mastery of literacy and numeracy as much as our future mechanical engineers, doctors and electricians.
“From this week all state schools will benefit from a clear, detailed and knowledge-rich curriculum grounded in the science of learning.
“Students will benefit from explicit teaching through structured teaching of literacy and mathematics that doesn’t leave learning to chance. They will also benefit from consistent assessment tools so those students who need targeted interventions will get them earlier to bring them up to speed.
“We are ensuring teachers get the professional learning, development and resources they need to teach the new curriculum confidently. They will know what to teach, when, and how.
“Our $30 million investment will ensure 433,000 students have access to high-quality maths workbooks, tactile resources and online supports. This will help teachers and parents see the progress their children are making,” Ms Stanford says.
“No matter where you are in the country, parents can have confidence this Government is putting the foundations in place so their child can strive to do their best at school.
“As we embed structured approaches to literacy and numeracy in 2025, work will continue in the background, including updating every curricula area up to Year 13, revitalising NCEA, and delivering equitable property outcomes.
“I wish all educators, tamariki, and parents the very best for the start of the new school year.”
Covering period of Thu 30 Jan – Mon 3 Feb – Parts of New Zealand are in for a smattering of rain this weekend, this isn’t to be expected everywhere but cloud will be more widespread. However, MetService will be keeping a close eye on tropical developments around the Coral Sea.
MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris states; “It’s been a slow start to the tropical cyclone season around the South Pacific, but as we head through the weekend and into next week, we see the potential for a tropical cyclone to spin up. The area of interest is between Vanuatu and Australia, well away from Aotearoa giving us plenty of time to understand where any potential cyclone might track.”
Closer to home, the weather is more mundane. Risk of widespread severe weather is kept to a minimum by a large area of high pressure around our shores. However, a swathe of warm, humid air is producing a bit of rain around central parts of the country today (Thursday). This risk of rain appears to meander around the country over the weekend, but if you keep up with your local forecast you should be able to find a dry time to enjoy the outdoors, or hang the washing out. Finding a nice cloudless afternoon could prove a bit more challenging.
Current weather models forecast the area of high pressure to hold on through the first week of February, including Waitangi Day, but maybe breaking down towards the end of the working week. Temperatures are predicted to be around average for February, which might come as a relief to those along the east coasts who had a chilly run of southerly winds through January. Parts of Canterbury up to Gisborne have been 2°C to 3°C below their historic mean January temperature.
On the other side of the South Island, West Coasters have been warmer and much drier than usual. “Milford Sound has recorded a measly ~120mm of rain, over 500mm less than their average January! Moving north, Nelson Airport has recorded ~130mm, but it looks like Kerikeri was the wettest place this month with just over 200mm recorded,” Ferris said.
Source: New Zealand Government
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the Hawke’s Bay Radiology Refurbishment and Expansion Project is made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It will result in a doubling in CT scan capacity, a new MRI scanner, and enable cancer specialist cancer treatment with a new Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine at Hawke’s Bay Hospital.
This investment will deliver:
Faster cancer treatment – The new MRI and additional CT scanner will increase capacity and reduce wait times for patients needing a scan to diagnose cancer, or assist in a decision to treat, from 5 weeks to 2 weeks.
Shorter stays in emergency departments – CT scans required for emergency patients will be able to be performed faster by transferring the cancer and routine work to the additional scanner. This will support much faster flow through the Emergency Department.
Shorter wait times for first specialist appointments – The additional scanning capacity will also enable more imaging prior to specialist assessments, making the process faster and more efficient. This will also reduce outsourcing volumes.
Shorter wait times for elective treatment – Additional scan capacity will provide faster imaging that supports the decision to treat, making the process faster and more efficient.
Easier access to treatment – An estimated 500 fewer people will need to travel outside the province for specialist treatment due to the purchasing of a new LINAC machine.
“As we know, thousands of New Zealanders and their families are affected by cancer every year. Having more access to radiology services in Hawke’s Bay will mean shorter wait times and faster treatments,” Mr Brown says. “This investment will mean a doubling of scanning capacity, with a new CT scanner being able to deliver a further 6,000 – 10,000 scans per year. “The Government also welcomes Health New Zealand’s decision to invest a further $37.2 million project for the provision of a LINAC machine in Hawke’s Bay. “Linear Accelerators are critical to treating cancers using radiation treatment. The new machine will mean a significant improvement in access for Hawke’s Bay residents.“This will be the first publicly available LINAC for the district, meaning people can access radiation treatment closer to home. It’s expected that 500 people per year will be able to avoid having to travel for treatment because of this investment.“Linear Accelerator services will also be future proofed with a second bunker being constructed, so a second LINAC machine can be installed in the future as required.” Enabling works will commence this week on the Radiology Refurbishment and Expansion Project, and will see services expand into the building next door to its current space. Stage 1 of the Radiology Refurbishment and Expansion is expected to be completed by end of 2025, with Stage 2 mid 2027.
Source: Australian Treasurer
After 15 years and 5 elections, I am announcing that I won’t be standing for re‑election as the member for Whitlam.
I want to express my immense gratitude to my community for the faith and trust they have placed in me to be their representative since 2010.
I want to thank the members of the Australian Labor Party, whose values I hold dear and have always attempted to advance in my role as a Member of Parliament, Shadow Minister and Minister.
I want to thank the Prime Minister for his friendship and support over many decades and for the trust he has placed in me to be the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services in his government.
To my family and friends, whose love and support has enabled me to represent our great community with the dedication it deserves, I thank you wholeheartedly.
And to all the staff that have worked with and supported me over the last 15 years, there is a long list of accomplishments we have achieved both for the electorate of Whitlam and in my role as Minister, and I couldn’t have done it without you.
I have had the privilege to see the Illawarra and the Southern Highlands go from strength to strength. Growing up and living most of my life in this beautiful place I have seen many changes. We still mine coal and produce steel – but we are so much more. Our world class university educates and gives opportunity to thousands of locals every year. New suburbs have emerged from farmland, but we have not lost our ability to produce great athletes, artists, minds, and citizens.
Together over 15 years, we have achieved many things. We have connected every home and business to the NBN. We have established a National Disability Insurance Scheme. We are building new infrastructure for new suburbs, and we are restoring Medicare.
I am proud of the role I played in progressing marriage equality and gambling ad reform in my early years. I am also proud of the work we have done to secure the future of our steel industry, to rebuild TAFE and as Assistant Treasurer, fighting scams, protecting workers superannuation, making financial advice more accessible and affordable, and strengthening consumer protections for all Australians.
This great community deserves a representative who will continue to fight for the things that matter. A well‑funded TAFE system, a future for manufacturing, cheaper childcare, restoring Medicare, affordable housing, and better infrastructure for our growing suburbs.
I know Labor will choose a candidate that will do just that.
Source: Allens Insights
Allens has advised a syndicate of domestic and international lenders on its $722 million debt financing package to fund the development of Stages 1 and 2 of the Supernode battery energy storage system (BESS), Australia’s largest standalone BESS project financing to date.
The 520MW/1856MWh BESS, being developed by global investment manager Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, is located adjacent to the central node of Queensland’s electricity network, allowing for efficient storage and redistribution of surplus solar energy.
The BESS will form part of a $2.5 billion hyperscale data centre, renewables and battery storage project at Brendale in Queensland which will offer significant low-emissions data storage capacity for domestic and international customers.
The syndicate of lenders includes Bank of America, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Deutsche Bank, Mizuho Bank and MUFG Bank. ICA Partners were the financial advisers to Quinbrook.
‘We are delighted to have advised the lenders on this landmark investment in Australia’s energy future, which will play a critical role in Australia’s energy transition by providing renewable capacity to the energy-intense, rapidly growing data centre sector,’ said lead partner Rob Watt.
The advice builds on Allens’ experience in battery project financings, with the firm having also advised on the Orana BESS, Waratah Super BESS, Templers BESS, Koorangie Energy Storage System, Hazelwood BESS and the Bouldercombe Battery Project.
Rob Watt (lead Partner), Mark Hakeem (Senior Associate), Kade Alexander (Associate), Maya Bahra (Lawyer)
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man who admitted to assaulting a woman by cutting her face with a knife during an argument on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation was sentenced today to five years and seven months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
The defendant, Colten Tyrone Small, also known as Colton Swan, 22, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in the early morning hours of May 3, 2023, Small punched the victim, identified as Jane Doe, in the face while he held a butcher knife in a residence in Box Elder, on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation. A witness to the assault told law enforcement that Small sliced Doe’s face in the residence. Small and Doe argued, and the fight got more aggressive. After Small cut Doe’s face, the witness beat up Small. There was some fentanyl and alcohol use occurring at the time. Doe was treated at Northern Montana Hospital in Havre for facial injuries from the knife.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.
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Source: Office of United States Attorneys
SANTA ANA, California – A federal grand jury today indicted an Orange County man who allegedly distributed fentanyl, which resulted in the overdose deaths of two people during the spring of 2023.
Michel Joseph Abdallah, 21, a.k.a. “Mike,” of Laguna Niguel, is charged in a six-count indictment with two counts of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
Abdallah’s arraignment is expected to occur in United States District Court in Santa Ana in the coming weeks. He currently is in state custody.
According to the indictment, Abdallah distributed fentanyl to a victim – identified as “C.R.” – on March 25, 2023, in Mission Viejo. C.R. used the drug, which resulted in a fatal overdose. On May 15, 2023 in Aliso Viejo, Abdallah again distributed fentanyl – this time, to victim “L.F.,” who ingested the powerful synthetic opioid and died.
The indictment further alleges that Abdallah possessed a total of 1.3 kilograms (2.9 pounds) of fentanyl on June 10, 2023. On this date, he allegedly also possessed two firearms, including an AR-15-style pistol bearing no serial number, which commonly is referred to as a “ghost gun.”
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted of all charges, Abdallah would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and the Santa Ana Police Department are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Lisa J. Lindhorst of the Orange County Office is prosecuting this case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Paul Barris, Jr., 40, of Telluride, and Michael Anthony Manners, 40, of Montrose, were each sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution of a controlled substance containing fentanyl resulting in death. Barris Jr. was sentenced to 141 months in federal prison. Manners was sentenced to 160 months in federal prison.
According to the plea agreement, in September of 2021, Baris purchased fentanyl with the help of Manners in the Montrose, Colorado area. Baris then provided the fentanyl to a woman who later died of an overdose.
“Stopping illicit fentanyl distribution is a priority for the Administration, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado J. Bishop Grewell. “Our office will relentlessly pursue drug dealers to get this scourge off our streets.”
United States District Court Judge Gordon P. Gallagher presided over the sentencing.
The Drug Enforcement Agency handled the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney R. Josh Player handled the prosecution.
Case Number: 22-cr-00336-GPG-JMC
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 29, 2025
Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with U.S. Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Angus King (I-ME), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), John Kennedy (R-LA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) reintroduced the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, a bipartisan bill to direct the FDA to implement the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 (FDAMA 2.0), legislation passed by Congress to modernize drug testing protocols and improve patient outcomes.
The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 is a bipartisan effort to reduce unnecessary animal testing while advancing scientific innovation. By fully implementing FDAMA 2.0, drug development can be both more humane and more efficient, ultimately leading to faster and more reliable treatments for patients. An astonishing 90-95% of drugs that pass animal tests go on to fail in human clinical trials, wasting precious time for patients.
“The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 builds on the critical reforms we achieved with FDA Modernization Act 2.0, ensuring that modern, humane, and scientifically advanced testing methods can finally replace outdated animal testing. For too long, bureaucratic inertia has delayed the implementation of these changes, which are vital to saving lives, reducing costs, and bringing life-saving treatments to patients more efficiently. This legislation sends a clear message: Americans deserve a regulatory system that embraces innovation, not one stuck in the past,” said Dr. Paul.
“It’s been over two years since Congress ended the statutory mandate that investigational new drugs (INDs) undergo mandatory animal testing before human clinical trials,” said Senator Booker. “We cannot allow the FDA to continue to delay on implementing this critical law. If passed, this bipartisan legislation will require FDA to finally update its regulations and will pave the way for more scientifically reliable and humane methods of drug development.
In 2022, FDAMA 2.0 was signed into law by President Biden. This law removed the longstanding requirement under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) that investigational new drugs (INDs) undergo mandatory animal testing before human clinical trials. Instead, the law provided FDA and drug developers the option to use advanced, non-animal methods such as cell-based assays, organ chips, computer modeling, and bioprinting.
Despite FDAMA 2.0 being enacted into law over two years ago, the FDA has yet to update its regulations to conform with the law, leaving numerous FDA regulations that continue to require animal testing. The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 seeks to resolve this by mandating the FDA to update its regulations within twelve months of the bill’s enactment. It also includes a technical correction to the statute by addressing a duplicated section heading.
To read the full text of the bill, click HERE.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
WASHINGTON – Ahead of confirmation hearings this week on the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) again urged his colleagues to vote no, highlighting Kennedy’s pivotal role in causing a measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019, which resulted in over 5,700 people getting infected and 83 people – mostly young children – dying.
“The unique threat that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. poses to our country really cannot be overstated. And now it is up to us, the 100 members of the United States Senate, to deny him the opportunity to use America as one big test lab for bygone diseases,” said Senator Schatz. “I understand my Republican colleagues are facing a lot of pressure from within. But this nomination is not actually like the others. Look at what he’s done. Time and time again, he’s abandoned every physician’s first principle: Do no harm. He has caused disease. He has caused pain. He has caused death.”
Senator Schatz continued, “The vote we’re going to be taking on this nominee is much more than your party or mine. It’s life or death. And I promise you, if this person is confirmed, it will not age well: not in a Republican primary, not in a Democratic primary, not in your family, not in your community. Nowhere will an RFK ‘aye’ vote age well. This person is going to cause disease across the United States. I urge a no vote.”
Schatz likened Kennedy’s desire to run a “natural experiment” to see how people in Samoa would fare against the measles without protection to the Tuskegee experiment, in which the United States Public Health Service purposefully withheld treatment from men with syphilis in order to study the disease’s progression. The first person to raise the alarm about the cruelty of the experiment in 1965 was Schatz’s father, Dr. Irv Schatz.
“I never thought that 60 years later, I’d be standing in the very body that passed legislation in response to that shameful period, arguing against confirming someone who wants to replicate that experiment at scale. That’s what RFK Jr. wants to do. He wants to use Americans as lab rats in a national experiment. And if it means bringing back the measles or the mumps or rubella or polio, so be it. That is the cost of doing business, as he sees it,” said Senator Schatz.
A transcript of Senator Schatz’s remarks is below. Video is available here.
If you heard your doctor say, ‘there’s no vaccine that is safe or effective.’ Or ‘there are much better candidates than HIV for what causes AIDS.’ Or ‘school shootings started happening with the introduction of Prozac and other drugs.’ If your physician said any of those things to you, you would look for a new physician.
And yet, this week, my colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee and Health Committee are going to consider the nomination of someone who’s not only said all those things – and more. But if confirmed, he would be responsible for the health and well-being of the entire nation.
The unique threat that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. poses to our country really cannot be overstated. And now it is up to us, the 100 members of the United States Senate, to deny him the opportunity to use America as one big test lab for bygone diseases. And I want to explain what I mean by that. He thinks that FDA trials are not enough to determine the efficacy of a vaccine. And so he’s suggesting that we use placebo in the population. What does that mean? Something might save someone’s life, and something might be essentially a sugar pill. But you don’t get to know. There are international conventions against this approach. The Tuskegee experiments conducted by the United States Public Health Service were universally rejected, and the Congress banned this approach because you cannot withhold lifesaving care from anyone.
Now, saying crazy things doesn’t seem to be disqualifying for a nominee these days, I understand. But it’s not just that he said crazy things or holds deranged views. It’s that he has acted on them. And I want everybody to listen to what exactly happened in Samoa – not 20 years ago, not ten years ago, but in 2019. While he was chairman of the anti-vaccine group, he flew to Samoa because he sensed an opportunity to exploit people’s hesitations about taking the measles vaccine.
People were understandably worried after an accident… involving improperly prepared vaccines killed two babies. It was a tragedy, and it was a costly mistake, but not a reason to abandon the measles vaccine altogether. But RFK sought to make people more afraid. He discouraged people from taking the vaccine because he wanted to run a “natural experiment.” To see how people fared against the disease without protection. To see how people fared against the disease without protection? This guy is up for HHS, Health and Human Services? This guy just wants to see what would happen if we didn’t give people the lifesaving protection that they need. He literally flew to the other side of the planet to turn people’s fears into a data collection opportunity.
For some context here. Samoa is a small country and had a population of around 200,000 people at the time. People knew each other and word got around fast. A Kennedy was in town saying a thing. And so it was no small thing that this man from America, with the last name Kennedy, pretending to be a health expert, was there peddling all kinds of lies to prevent people from getting a lifesaving vaccine.
And those lies spread fast. Vaccination rates plummeted, and within five months, Samoa had a measles outbreak. 5,700 people were infected with the measles. 83 people died. Almost all of them were children. That was the conclusion of Mr. Kennedy’s natural experiment. Children died. This isn’t some ancient history I’m digging up here. This was less than six years ago, and it is alarmingly reminiscent of one of the darkest chapters in our country’s history with the Tuskegee experiment.
For 40 years, beginning in 1932, the United States Public Health Service ran an experiment with 600 black men in Alabama. The majority of them had syphilis, and the objective was to “observe the disease process.” And so even when penicillin became the standard of care in 1947, the men who needed that treatment, who could have been given lifesaving care, were denied penicillin. Researchers did nothing as men died and they went blind because they wanted to see how the disease would develop. A natural experiment.
It took a young doctor, not long out of medical school, who read about the study in a medical journal and couldn’t believe his eyes. He could not understand how the United States government had come to view these poor sharecroppers as expendable, as subhuman. He thought about the Hippocratic Oath, that he and every doctor like him had sworn to. What happened to, “first, do no harm”?
And so, not knowing what else to do, but knowing he was risking a whole lot by speaking out, he wrote to the study’s authors. And I want to read a bit of what he wrote: “I’m utterly astounded by the fact that physicians allow patients with a potentially fatal disease to remain untreated when effective therapy is available. I assume you feel that the information which is extracted from the observation of this untreated group is worth their sacrifice. If this is the case, then I suggest the United States Public Health Service and those physicians associated with it in this study need to reevaluate their moral judgments in this regard”.
The man who wrote that letter, and was the first, and for a long time, the only person to sound the alarm about the depravity of the Tuskegee experiment was my dad, Dr. Irv Schatz. It’s one of the many reasons that he’s my hero. But I never thought that 60 years later, I’d be standing in the very body that passed legislation in response to that shameful period, arguing against confirming someone who wants to replicate that experiment at scale. That’s what RFK Jr. wants to do. He wants to use Americans as lab rats in a national experiment. And if it means bringing back the measles or the mumps or rubella or polio, so be it. That is the cost of doing business, as he sees it.
I understand my Republican colleagues are facing a lot of pressure from within. It’s a new administration, and you want to give them deference. An executive, generally speaking, gets to have their team. But this nomination is not actually like the others, even if you don’t want to take Mr. Kennedy’s words so literally, maybe you think he’s just wondering aloud, look at his actions. Look at what he’s done. Time and time again, he’s abandoned every physician’s first principle: Do no harm. “I shall do by my patients as I would be done by. And I shall minimize suffering whenever a cure cannot be obtained.” That’s part of the oath every medical student takes at graduation before they can practice. And yet, the person nominated to lead the country’s entire health system has consistently done the exact opposite. He has caused disease. He has caused pain. He has caused death.
And so the vote we’re going to be taking on this nominee is much more than your party or mine. It’s life or death. And I promise you, if this person is confirmed, it will not age well: not in a Republican primary, not in a Democratic primary, not in your family, not in your community. Nowhere will an RFK ‘aye’ vote age well. This person is going to cause disease across the United States. I urge a no vote.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
January 29, 2025
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the serious consequences the Trump Administration’s plan to freeze federal assistance would have on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and medical research. NIH supports more than 400,000 jobs nationwide—jobs focused on conducting vital medical research that leads to new cures and treatments that improve and save lives. Each year, NIH awards nearly $38 billion in research grants to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. They support hundreds of thousands of jobs, generate $92 billion in economic activity, and facilitate life-saving medical research.
On Monday night, President Trump ordered a stop to federal grant funding, including at NIH. Today, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the White House Press Secretary sent out conflicting information related to whether or not the freeze had been rescinded.
Durbin said, “Because of work funded by NIH with taxpayer dollars, people with cancer are living longer and even being cured, HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence, and groundbreaking treatments exist to slow the progression of neurological disorders such as ALS and dementia. Chances are, if you or a loved one take any medication, you have NIH to thank—because 99 percent of drugs approved over the past decade benefited from NIH research funding. And, chances are, if you or a loved one ever get sick and are wondering what options exist to save your life, your doctor will suggest a treatment developed with NIH funding.”
“Do you know what the leading causes of death are in the U.S.? The number one cause of death in the United States is heart disease,” Durbin continued. “But there are others. Cancer; unintentional injuries, such as drug overdoses; stroke; respiratory disease; Alzheimer’s; and diabetes. NIH researchers work every day to find breakthroughs to save lives in America from these leading causes of death in the U.S. When you freeze this agency’s work, when you tell your researchers to stay home and not to spend a penny because it can’t be compensated, it means you’re putting a stop to the research that critically is trying to keep us alive. You handicap our nation’s effort to develop new cures and treatments that address the top causes of death.”
Durbin continued, “NIH is considered the world’s leader in biomedical research—providing treatments and cures that other people across the world dream of. President Trump’s proposed freeze on NIH’s work is cruel and will have life or death consequences. If your parent has dementia, you want NIH’s work to continue. If your husband or wife has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, ALS, or Parkinson’s, you need NIH’s work to continue. If you have a child diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer or heart condition—you are desperate for NIH’s work to continue.”
“This should not be a partisan issue,” Durbin concluded. “Over the past decade, Congress has, on a bipartisan basis, increased NIH’s budget by 60 percent because we believe in their work. This federal freeze must not be allowed to take effect. I would hope my Republican colleagues would join me in calling on President Trump to reconsider this harmful policy. Lives depend on it.”
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
January 29, 2025
In his speech on the Senate floor, Durbin recounts the threats posed by insurrectionists who have been released by President Trump’s pardons just nine days ago
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, rebuked President Trump for his pardon of approximately 1,500 January 6th insurrectionists, several of whom have already been rearrested or are wanted for vile crimes committed prior to January 6, 2021, including soliciting a sexual relationship with a minor. Because of President Trump’s pardons, dangerous individuals, who have recently made extreme statements calling for more violence, are threatening public safety.
Durbin began his remarks by recalling his own experience in the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
“I was in this chair when the mob that you’ve seen on television, in the videos over and over again, were taking control of this Capitol. Presiding over the United States Senate—we were all in our seats—was the Vice President of the United States. We were counting the electoral votes in each state to decide who was the official winner of the presidential election. It was happening right after President Trump had his rally not far from here and told his supporters and demonstrators [to] come up to the Capitol building, which they did in vast numbers,” Durbin began. “They didn’t just come here for a casual visit. They came to break down the doors and break down the windows and to invade this building.”
“The net result is a lot of brave men and women, who were part of the Capitol police force and the D.C. police force, stood in their way and tried to stop them and were beaten back. Over 140 of these officers were seriously injured by the demonstrators and the insurrectionists coming into this building. Several lost their lives. That was the reality of what happened,” Durbin said. “The net result was one of the largest prosecutions in the history of the United States, ultimately hundreds of them paid a price for that violent activity on January 6 and what they did to our police.”
During the siege of the Capitol that day, over 80 U.S. Capitol Police Officers were assaulted, as well as more than 60 officers from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. As a result of the insurrection, five law enforcement officers died and at least 140 officers were seriously injured.
“The men and women, who were dedicated to their cause, did things that were outrageous in terms of desecrating this building. The United States Capitol Building, a symbol of America, they desecrated it, and they had to be stopped. A lot of brave men and women in uniform risked their lives, some gave their lives as a consequence of it,” Durbin said.
Last week, President Trump, who incited the violence, commuted the sentences of 14 individuals and granted full, complete, and unconditional pardons to approximately 1,500 others convicted of offenses related to the January 6th attack. Many of the perpetrators have shown a stunning lack of remorse following their violent assaults on the brave members of the U.S. Capitol Police and D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department who protected the Capitol that day.
“You would think these men, largely men, who had served time in jail, some of them for lengthy sentences up to 20 years, when they were released with this pardon by President Trump would go about their business and resume a normal, law-abiding life. That was not the fact,” Durbin continued.
Durbin then spoke about the vial crimes of insurrectionists who were released with President Trump’s pardon just nine days ago. At least one of the rioters has already returned to jail while another is wanted for a sex crime involving a minor.
“Matthew Huttle, released by President Trump by pardon, [was] shot and killed by the Indiana State Police earlier this week after a traffic stop when he resisted arrest while in possession of a firearm,” Durbin said. “Daniel Ball has already been rearrested since he was released with the Trump pardon, on gun charges related to past convictions for domestic violence by strangulation and battery against a law enforcement officer.”
“Andrew Taake, assaulted the police at the Capitol with bear spray and a metal whip, [is] now wanted in the State of Texas for soliciting a minor for sex, a felony carrying up to ten years in prison,” said Durbin.
“Enrique Tarrio, the head of the Proud Boys organization, a domestic terrorist group which has been identified for many years. He was convicted of seditious conspiracy on January 6 for his role in planning that riot. Here’s what he said after his release, ‘Success is going to be retribution. Now it’s our turn,’” Durbin continued.
“Stewart Rhodes, the head of the Oath Keepers, another domestic terrorist group, convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in planning the riot, said after his pardon by Trump and release, ‘The people who did this, they need to feel the heat. They need to be put behind bars and they need to be prosecuted.’ He said January 6 should be remembered as ‘Patriots’ Day’ and said he has no regrets, ‘Because we did the right thing,’” Durbin said.
“Jacob Chansley, the so-called ‘QAnon Shaman’ posted on X after his pardon, ‘NOW I AM GONNA BUY SOME MF GUNS!!!’ and ‘EVERYTHING done in the dark WILL come to light!’”Durbin said.
Durbin concluded his remarks, noting that law enforcement may have to engage with these insurrectionists who violently attacked Capitol Police Officers on January 6, 2021.
“Sadly, for law enforcement officers across the country, they are going to face many of these people again,” Durbin concluded.
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.
Earlier this week, Durbin joined more than 40 of his Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution condemning President Trump’s pardons of more than 1,500 individuals who were found guilty of assault Capitol Police Officers on January 6, 2021. Yesterday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) brought the resolution to the floor, but its passage was blocked by U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY).
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, approximately 1,572 defendants have been federally charged with crimes associated with the attack of the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. This includes approximately 598 charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder, including approximately 171 defendants charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer. As proven in Court, the weapons used and carried on Capitol grounds during the January 6th attack include firearms; OC spray; tasers; edged weapons, including a sword, axes, hatchets, and knives; and makeshift weapons, such as destroyed office furniture, fencing, bike racks, stolen riot shields, baseball bats, hockey sticks, flagpoles, PVC piping, and reinforced knuckle gloves.
Last week, Durbin delivered a speech on the Senate floor further denouncing President Trump’s decision to pardon the violent insurrectionists.
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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. Purpose. My Administration has fought and will continue to fight anti-Semitism in the United States and around the world. On December 11, 2019, I issued Executive Order 13899, my first Executive Order on Combating Anti-Semitism, finding that students, in particular, faced anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on university and college campuses. Executive Order 13899 provided interpretive assistance on the enforcement of the Nation’s civil rights laws to ensure that they would protect American Jews to the same extent to which all other American citizens are protected. The prior administration effectively nullified Executive Order 13899 by failing to give the terms of the order full force and effect throughout the Government. This order reaffirms Executive Order 13899 and directs additional measures to advance the policy thereof in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, against the people of Israel. These attacks unleashed an unprecedented wave of vile anti-Semitic discrimination, vandalism, and violence against our citizens, especially in our schools and on our campuses. Jewish students have faced an unrelenting barrage of discrimination; denial of access to campus common areas and facilities, including libraries and classrooms; and intimidation, harassment, and physical threats and assault. A joint report by the House Committees on Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, Judiciary, Oversight and Accountability, Veterans’ Affairs, and Ways and Means calls the Federal Government’s failure to fight anti-Semitism and protect Jewish students “astounding.” This failure is unacceptable and ends today. Sec. 2. Policy. It shall be the policy of the United States to combat anti-Semitism vigorously, using all available and appropriate legal tools, to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence.
Sec. 3. Additional Measures to Combat Campus Anti-Semitism. (a) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the head of each executive department or agency (agency) shall submit a report to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, identifying all civil and criminal authorities or actions within the jurisdiction of that agency, beyond those already implemented under Executive Order 13899, that might be used to curb or combat anti-Semitism, and containing an inventory and analysis of all pending administrative complaints, as of the date of the report, against or involving institutions of higher education alleging civil-rights violations related to or arising from post-October 7, 2023, campus anti-Semitism.(b) The report submitted by the Attorney General under this section shall additionally include an inventory and an analysis of all court cases, as of the date of the report, against or involving institutions of higher education alleging civil-rights violations related to or arising from post-October 7, 2023, campus anti-Semitism and indicate whether the Attorney General intends to or has taken any action with respect to such matters, including filing statements of interest or intervention.(c) The Attorney General is encouraged to employ appropriate civil-rights enforcement authorities, such as 18 U.S.C. 241, to combat anti-Semitism. (d) The report submitted by the Secretary of Education under this section shall additionally include an inventory and an analysis of all Title VI complaints and administrative actions, including in K-12 education, related to anti-Semitism — pending or resolved after October 7, 2023 — within the Department’s Office for Civil Rights.(e) In addition to identifying relevant authorities to curb or combat anti-Semitism generally required by this section, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with each other, shall include in their reports recommendations for familiarizing institutions of higher education with the grounds for inadmissibility under 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3) so that such institutions may monitor for and report activities by alien students and staff relevant to those grounds and for ensuring that such reports about aliens lead, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to investigations and, if warranted, actions to remove such aliens.
Sec. 4. 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.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) reintroduced the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act, which passed the Senate last year, to help address the increasingly pervasive sexual assault and harassment of Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees by inmates:
“No law enforcement officer should have to fear for their safety when they show up to work,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act would help us end the sexual abuse of prison staff who are simply trying to do their jobs.”
“I remain focused on oversight of the Federal prison system and ending sexual abuse in prisons and jails, including the abuse of prison staff,” said Senator Ossoff. “Senator Blackburn and I are introducing this bipartisan bill to help end sexual abuse in Federal prisons.”
Representative Laurel Lee (R-Fla.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives last Congress and is reintroducing the bill this week:
“It is unacceptable that nearly half of Bureau of Prisons staff experience sexual harassment or assault by inmates. The Bureau of Prisons must take stronger action to protect corrections officers and hold perpetrators accountable,” said Representative Lee. “That is why I am reintroducing the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act to provide much-needed oversight to the federal prison system and to combat these ongoing abuses. I want to thank Senator Blackburn for her leadership on this bill in the Senate.”
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THE PRISON STAFF SAFETY ENHANCEMENT ACT: |
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This legislation is endorsed by the American Correctional Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the National Council of Prison Locals 33.
“The American Correctional Association (ACA) applauds Senators Blackburn and Ossoff for their leadership on the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act, which addresses the critical issue of sexual assault and harassment of Bureau of Prisons employees by those in custody. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress on bipartisan efforts to ensure safe working conditions for correctional officers nationwide.” – Robert Green, American Correctional Association Executive Director
“Federal correctional officers and other prison staff deserve the same standards of safety as law enforcement patrolling our communities. Every employee—both officer and staff—deserve a safe working environment. The passage of this critical legislation would mean the basic human rights and dignity of prison employees would be better safeguarded, and Bureau of Prison employees would be better suited to perform their duties at full capacity and free from fear. We greatly appreciate Senator Blackburn and Senator Ossoff’s introduction of this bill and look forward to working together to get it across the finish line.” – Patrick Yoes, President of the Fraternal Order of Police
“This legislation sends a powerful message that the safety and dignity of BOP staff are non-negotiable. By prioritizing their protection, the Act not only improves working conditions but also contributes to a more effective and professional correctional system. I urge Congress to fully support the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act and work towards its swift passage. It is imperative that we stand with those who serve in our federal prisons and take action to create a safer and more respectful environment for all.” – Brandy Moore White, National President of National Council of Prison Locals 33
Click here for bill text.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on his vote to advance the nomination of Pam Bondi to serve as Attorney General out of the Senate Judiciary Committee to the Senate floor:
“I am proud to support Pam Bondi’s nomination, and I have no doubt she will be an exceptional Attorney General who will uphold the law fairly and without bias. Throughout her distinguished career as a prosecutor, Pam worked relentlessly to take dangerous criminals off the streets and protect communities. As Florida’s Attorney General, she earned bipartisan support for her unwavering advocacy on behalf of victims of the opioid crisis while also leading successful efforts to dismantle drug cartels, combat organized crime, and strengthen public safety across the state. Pam’s vast experience and clear vision make her uniquely qualified to serve as our nation’s top law enforcement officer. I was honored to support her nomination in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and I look forward to voting to confirm her on the Senate floor.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, pressed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Howard Lutnick in their respective nomination hearings on their commitment to preserving programs that provide critical services for New Mexicans. Senator Luján pressed both nominees on their commitment to upholding the law and serving the American people – not being a rubber stamp for the President.
In the nomination hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to become Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Luján questioned Mr. Kennedy on his understanding of the importance of Medicaid and pressed Mr. Kennedy for his commitment to protect Medicaid from cuts. Mr. Kennedy did not commit to not cutting Medicaid if asked to by the President.
In the nomination hearing for Howard Lutnick to become Secretary of Commerce, Senator Luján questioned Mr. Lutnick on whether he would commit to not cutting funding that has been awarded to connect thousands of New Mexicans to the internet. Despite Mr. Lutnick’s acknowledgement of the importance of broadband buildout, he would not commit to maintaining crucial support for broadband.
Key Moments from the Nomination Hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to become Secretary of Health and Human Services:
Watch the exchange with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. here.
On Medicare:
Sen. Luján: Do you know how many babies born in this country are covered through Medicaid?
Mr. Kennedy: I would guess, I don’t know the answer, I would guess about 30 million.
Sen. Luján: I have it Mr. Kennedy, about 41% or 1.4 million babies, births are financed by Medicaid according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Sen. Luján: If President Trump asks you to cut Medicaid will you do it?
Mr. Kennedy: It’s not up to me to cut Medicaid, it’d be up to Congress.
Sen. Luján: Mr. Kennedy, if you don’t want to answer, I’ll move on.
On Native American Health:
Sen. Luján: What are you going to do when programs are eliminated to require the inclusion of Native Americans in clinical trials when it comes to life-saving medicine?
Mr. Kennedy: I’m going to do everything I can to make sure there are Native American trials.
Sen. Luján: Will you commit to finalizing the Congressionally mandated FDA guidance to increase clinical trial diversity?
Mr. Kennedy: Yes.
Sen. Luján: Will you commit to reinstating all of the pages that were eliminated and people that were fired from this administration that have this responsibility?
Mr. Kennedy, in part: I cannot commit to that.
On Autism Services:
Sen. Luján: I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record and article from Autism Speaks titled “Do Vaccines Cause Autism” and I’ll note that the first sentence states “Vaccines do not cause autism.”
Key Moments from the Nomination Hearing for Howard Lutnick to become Secretary of Commerce:
Watch the exchange with Howard Lutnick here.
Sen. Luján: If you’re asked to cut that program (broadband access) by the President of the United States, will you?
Mr. Lutnick: I work for him.
Sen. Luján: Is your response that if the president asks you to cut broadband infrastructure funding, you will do that? Is that what I just heard?
Mr. Lutnick, in part: I work for the President of the United States, and I am here to executive his policies.
Sen. Luján: We have a responsibility to communicate to each other for the people we work for. It’s not that you just work for Donald Trump sir, you work for the American people if you get this position.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
UK Science and Tech Secretary announces renewed push to turbo-charge UK-EU science and technology links, to tackle shared global challenges.
New plans have been unveiled to make Britain’s science and technology links with the EU stronger and deeper, following a fruitful visit to Brussels by the UK’s Science and Technology Secretary, to meet some of the new slate of European Commissioners.
Today (Thursday 30 January) the government is announcing the launch of a new nationwide advertising campaign to further boost UK participation in Horizon Europe, the world’s largest programme of research collaboration. The UK is also joining 4 European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs) to further boost collaborative ties between researchers, across the Channel.
The EU is an innovation powerhouse – spending over €380 billion on R&D in 2023(1) – and fostering deep and high-quality links between the continent’s brightest minds, and the UK’s, will be critical if we are to seize the promise for science and tech innovations to support the Government’s Missions to grow the economy, fix the NHS and improve health outcomes and deliver clean energy under the Plan for Change. As the plan sets out, promoting innovation and world-class research will be foundational to rebuilding the foundations of the economy, and kickstarting growth.
The recent AI Opportunities Action Plan – this government’s plan to unleash AI to deliver a decade of national renewal – also highlighted how close cooperation with our European allies on the latest technologies will be critical to our shared prosperity and wellbeing. An example of this is the UK’s involvement in the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, which is developing a world-class supercomputing infrastructure across the European continent.
Peter Kyle’s visit saw him hold high-level talks with Commissoners Zaharieva, Kubilius, and McGrath, to discuss how the UK and the EU can tackle some of the biggest problems facing the world, and grow our economies, by working together to seize the enormous potential of science and tech breakthroughs from AI to life sciences.
UK Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:
There is no question about it: we stand our best chance of tackling the great challenges of our era, from climate change to public health, to growing economies that work for everyone, by bringing the brightest minds from across the UK and the European Union, together.
The UK is determined to give our researchers, innovators and businesses the opportunities and platforms they need to bring their great ideas to life, to the benefit of us all – all of which is highlighted by our new Horizon ad campaign. I’m pleased to have had such fruitful conversations with my European friends and colleagues, on taking this vital partnership even further.
Recent, initial signs suggest UK association to Horizon is trending in the right direction. For instance, in the latest ERC Synergy Grants, in which the UK hosted 18 projects – the second highest number. But the government is determined to go even further to help our innovators seize this opportunity.
The advertising campaign will bring the potential benefits of Horizon participation to life by shining a light on examples of businesses and researchers, right across the UK, who have benefited from funding. That includes Nova Innovation, a company developing turbines for the tidal energy industry, and Electra Commercial vehicles, who are developing electric trucks that can go further without needing to recharge.
It is part of comprehensive action to support the effective uptake of opportunities in Horizon Europe, including events, financial and networking support. The roadshow events across the country have offered insights into bidding and networking opportunities, while Pump Priming grants, in collaboration with the British Academy and Innovate UK, are designed to support the establishment of consortia and development of high-quality applications.
There are further plans to help British business people and researchers network with potential European R&D partners, as Innovate UK will take UK delegations to Italy, Germany and Spain for a series of Horizon Europe Brokerage events. These events will also help those involved work on how to build the best possible bids for Horizon funding together with their overseas colleagues.
The 4 European Research Infrastructure Consortia the UK is joining are:
These partnerships will enable UK researchers to collaborate on projects ranging from historical research, to astronomy, to advanced river systems studies.
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Published 30 January 2025