Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Historian Dr Toby Boraman has been appointed as the 2025 JD Stout Fellow by the Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
As the JD Stout Fellow, Dr Boraman will continue his in-depth research for his upcoming book, provisionally titled Knocking Off: A History of Strikes in Aotearoa New Zealand from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s.
Dr Boraman says this was the most popular and lengthy period of strike action in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history, yet it has been often overlooked.
“It was a time of profound strike activity, yet it has remained largely unexplored in historical scholarship.
“This project will explore the extent to which the period under study was a key transitional phase that has profoundly shaped the present. Much like today, it also demonstrates how political polarisation, and right-populism, can develop rapidly in response to major crises and conflict.”
A specialist in the labour history and social movements of Aotearoa New Zealand, Toby has published numerous articles and chapters on the political and social turbulence of the 1970s and 1980s. He has also worked as a historian at the Waitangi Tribunal and served as a politics lecturer at Massey University. His international experience includes a fellowship at the re:work International Research Centre studying the global history of work at Humboldt University in Germany.
His research aims to uncover the hidden history of strikes, amplifying voices that have long been excluded—Māori workers, migrant Pasifika workers, women workers, and rank-and-file unionists—while offering a comprehensive, multi-dimensional history of workplace conflict, combining critical analysis of the causes, reactions, lasting impacts, and contested legacies of these disputes.
“This research project will close a significant gap in our knowledge of the period in question. I am very much looking forward to hosting Toby at the centre,” says Professor Brigitte Bönisch-Brednich, Director of the Stout Research Centre.
The JD Stout Fellowship is funded from the legacy of John David Stout and stewarded by Perpetual Guardian. It awards a scholar of high standing the opportunity to research an area of New Zealand society, history, or culture.
The Fellowship, which was established in 1985, has resulted in a body of influential publications in the field of New Zealand studies.
Dr Boraman will take up the Fellowship on 1 March 2025.
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
SINGAPORE (Jan. 16, 2025) Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jeffrey Bowman, attached to Motor Vessel Carolyn Chouest, participates in the E-7 Navy-wide advancement exam at Sembawang Naval Installation, Jan. 16, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in Naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings/Released)
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
SINGAPORE (Jan. 23, 2025) Capt. James Bach, left of center, Chief of Staff, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, delivers a command capabilities brief to staff and personnel assigned to Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/ Task Force 73 (COMLOGWESTPAC/CTF 73), during a scheduled visit to Sembawang Naval Installation, Jan. 23, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional Allies and partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
When you slurp an exotic Pacific oyster or throw fresh seafood on the BBQ this weekend, spare a thought for our local shellfish reefs – most of which have been destroyed or forgotten.
Coastal management and reef restoration has never been more important with shellfish reefs among the most impacted coastal ecosystems, warn Flinders University marine biology experts.
“As we approach the middle of the United Nations’ Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, shellfish ecosystems have suffered enormous declines worldwide, including losses of up to 85% of oyster reefs, and South Australia is no exception,” says Brad Martin, from the College of Science and Engineering, in a new article in the journal Ocean and Coastal Management.
The new research, led by Flinders PhD candidate Brad Martin, trawled through historical and archival records tracking centuries of South Australia’s shellfish management, reviving new information on past reef ecosystems and management practices.
“This research offers a multi-species approach to guide shellfish reef restoration today,” says Mr Martin.
“Successful conservation requires robust knowledge of ecosystem characteristics and the environmental stressors, to inform better coastal management, restoration targets and important community and other stakeholder support. Efforts to restore shellfish reefs have increased due to growing awareness of their loss and ecological importance.”
Flinders researchers analysed data from the state’s libraries, archives and newspaper articles that described South Australia’s flat oyster (Ostrea angasi), razor clam (Pinna bicolor), and hammer oyster (Malleus meridianus) reefs.
Oysters are classified as filter feeders that remove plankton and other organic particles from marine systems. As a result, shellfish reef losses have had significant outcomes for documented marine life and negative socio-economic impacts to coastal fisheries and communities.
More than 140 shellfish reef locations were identified, which covered about 2630 square kilometres of the state’s coastal waters – including approximately 887 sq km of former native oyster reefs, and temperate coral oyster reefs. Most of these shellfish reefs no longer exist today.
Commercial wild oyster harvesting commenced in the 1840s, and more than 43 million oysters were consumed by the 1910s, based on historic shipping and landing records. The high demand and potential declines motivated South Australia’s earliest fisheries legislation (in 1853) and marine restoration efforts, including fishery closures (est. 1875), shellfish translocation (est. 1887), and marine reserves (est. 1912).
“We found successful, large-scale oyster reef restoration historically occurred in Port Lincoln and Kangaroo Island in the 1910s, and community awareness of the impacts of shellfish reef loss to local fisheries and other marine life including snapper and whiting. These provide important case studies for future restoration efforts.”
Community research and restoration efforts in SA include the Port River shellfish reef restoration with OzFish Unlimited, Flinders University Citizen Science Reef on Kangaroo Island and the Coffin Bay citizen science oyster reef project, which supports production of the native oyster and razorfish for future generations.
The public is also encouraged to report records of existing shellfish ecosystems via citizen science programs such as iNaturalist or the Atlas of Living Australia.
The historical records indicate that shellfish reefs, of multiple ecosystem-forming bivalves, ultimately diminished over the past 200 years or so due to cumulative impacts of destructive benthic fishing practices, changes in marine resource management and environmental stressors, such as droughts, runaway predation and disease, despite multiple legislative and restoration attempts to reverse the declines.
“Past records indicate that razor clams or ‘razorfish’ (Pinna bicolor) were foundational to establishing multi-species shellfish reefs in South Australia by providing natural settlement surfaces for oysters,” adds Mr Martin.
“While razor clams and hammer oyster ecosystems can still be found today, the data demonstrates that these ecosystems are understudied and diminished. Future studies may unlock additional restoration opportunities to revive South Australia’s native shellfish.”
Flinders marine biologist Dr Ryan Baring, a senior author on the paper, says: “There is a bias towards commercially popular species compared to the distribution and conservation status of our ‘less loved’ shellfish ecosystems, particularly razor clams, hammer oysters and native mussels, which co-occur in these reefs.
“By reconstructing past shellfish reef distributions and socio-cultural connections, this review identifies evidence-based opportunities and key knowledge gaps to guide future research and management efforts,” says Dr Baring.
The article, ‘Reviving shellfish reef socio-ecological histories for modern management and restoration’ (2025) by Brad Martin, Charlie Huveneers, Simon Reeves (The Nature Conservancy Australia) and Ryan Baring has been published in Ocean and Coastal Management (Elsevier) DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107540.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today, on National Girl Child Day, reiterated the Government’s commitment to keep empowering the girl child and ensure a wide range of opportunities for her.
In a thread post on X, Shri Modi wrote:
“Today, on National Girl Child Day, we reiterate our commitment to keep empowering the girl child and ensure a wide range of opportunities for her. India is proud of the accomplishments of the girl child across all fields. Their feats continue to inspire us all.”
“Our Government has focused on sectors like education, technology, skills, healthcare etc which have contributed to empowering the girl child. We are equally resolute in ensuring no discrimination happens against the girl child.”
Today, on National Girl Child Day, we reiterate our commitment to keep empowering the girl child and ensure a wide range of opportunities for her. India is proud of the accomplishments of the girl child across all fields. Their feats continue to inspire us all.
Our Government has focused on sectors like education, technology, skills, healthcare etc which have contributed to empowering the girl child. We are equally resolute in ensuring no discrimination happens against the girl child.
South Australia Police will conduct three road safety operations during the Australia Day long weekend, bringing a strong police presence focused on targeting road safety offences statewide.
Traffic Services Branch Officer in Charge Superintendent Shane Johnson warns road users not to take risks on the road.
“Police will have a strong presence across South Australia with Operation Safe Long weekend, Operation Safe Hills and Operation Stop Drink Drug Drive,” said Superintendent Johnson.
“The Australia Day long weekend has historically marked a busy season on South Australian roads with people commuting for holidays and traveling to events.
“In addition, the Tour Down Under is still attracting an increased number of cyclists on the roads.
“Our long weekend operations will cover proactive detection activities for drink and drug driving, speeding, distracted driving and illegal mobile phone use, non-use of seatbelts and dangerous driving.
“Drivers should share the road with cyclists safely by checking blind spots frequently, signal clearly and early, respect bike lanes and maintain a safe distance from cyclists.
“Road safety offenders risk heavy penalties, but more importantly, they risk the loss of life or serious injury – a lasting tragedy for the families and communities left behind. It’s imperative we do our part to keep roads safe for ourselves and others.”
During the 2024 Australia Day long weekend there was one life lost and 14 serious injuries.
Visit SA Police website for long weekend safety tips:
Police will have a strong presence in the city on Sunday to ensure community safety as six major events coincide.
Police have been working with event organisers within the Adelaide CBD with the bulk of events taking place between Elder Park, King William Road and Victoria Square.
Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens said tens of thousands of people are expected in the city throughout the day.
“Police will have additional resources to ensure public safety and the capacity to boost numbers if needed,” Commissioner Stevens said.
“Everyone has the right to participate in these activities safely and police will have a highly visible presence in all parts of the city and North Adelaide to ensure this occurs.
“While SAPOL supports the right for peaceful protest and freedom of expression, police will have zero tolerance for anti-social, racist or violent behaviour.
“For those events which have not been planned in conjunction with police, any inflammatory conduct or criminal offending will be dealt with quickly to ensure public safety.”
Starting the day with a Morning of Mourning at Elder Park from 7:30am the Women’s Tour Down Under (TDU) race will kick off nearby on King William Road at 10am. Survival Day 2025 events will be held at Victoria Square, with a march down King William Street at 11 and events continuing at the Square. The Men’s TDU will be held from 1:30pm and Aus Lights on the River, including the Respecting Country Parade will begin at 5pm.
“Many of the events will occur in the Declared Public Precinct, meaning police can conduct a metal detector search of a person and any property in their possession for the presence of weapons,” Commissioner Stevens said.
Police also have the power to:
carry out general drug detection in relation to any person within the precinct,
order a person or group posing a risk to public safety to leave the declared public precinct
ban a person who commits an offence of a kind that may pose a risk to public safety and order or behaves in an offensive or disorderly manner within the precinct (for up to 24 hours).
remove children from the declared public precinct who are in danger of physical harm or abuse, behaving in an offensive or disorderly manner, or otherwise committing or about to commit an offence.
Road closures will be in place to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, so motorists are encouraged to check www.traffic.sa.gov.au
Prime Minister Albanese has today delivered an historic commitment for full funding of Australia’s public schools.
Australian Education Union Federal President Correna Haythorpe said the AEU welcomes the announcement that the Commonwealth Government will lift their commitment to a full 25% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by 2034, with states expected to get rid of the 4% accounting trick brought in by the Morrison Government in 2018.
The Albanese and Malinauskus Governments have today signed the first heads of agreement under the new offer, providing $1 billion in additional funding for South Australian public schools.
The Prime Minister also announced an agreement has been signed with the Allan Government for Victorian public schools.
“This heralds a major breakthrough on full and fair funding negotiations for public schools,” Ms Haythorpe said.
“With the signing of these agreements, public schools in South Australia will see guaranteed funding increases every year, allowing them to employ more teachers, more education support staff and to provide more help for those students who need it.”
“That is lifechanging for students and for the teachers and support staff who give 100% every day.”
“Teachers, students and parents will finally see their public schools funded to the level needed for every child to reach their potential.”
AEUSA President Jennie Marie Gorman welcomed today’s announcement, and the benefits it will bring to South Australian teachers and students.
“As a former principal, I know the realities facing schools everyday and I understand the value of what this funding deal will bring for schools across our state. For students who need support with their learning, for teachers who need resources to address escalating workloads and to provide high quality learning programs, this announcement will be welcome news indeed,” Ms Gorman said.
AEUVIC President Justin Mullaly said the Victoria agreement will see teachers and students better resourced in public schools.
“Additional Commonwealth funding for Victorian public schools means dedicated and hardworking teachers, Education Support staff, and principals will have more of the resources they need to better meet the learning and wellbeing needs of all students,” Mr Mullaly said.
“The commitment to increase funding means it will be easier to attract and retain school staff and better address teacher shortages. Public schools will be able to employ extra teachers and ES so that every student gets more of the individual support they need and that school staff workloads can be managed.”
This announcement ends the practice of states artificially inflating their SRS share by 4% through the inclusion of non-school spending and sets a precedent that must be followed in new agreements in every state and the NT.
“Today’s announcement provides all state governments the opportunity to ensure that public schools are genuinely on the pathway to 100% SRS funding. We urge all state governments to finish negotiations and deliver full funding for their public school communities. Further delay means that public schools will be denied the vital resources that they need to deliver high quality teaching and learning programs,” Ms Haythorpe said.
“We welcome South Australia and Victoria signing on to this historic agreement and look forward to the other states signing. We call on the states not to delay.”
“Teachers know the importance of this funding, and the need for it to be rolled out as quickly as possible because of the difference it will make in classrooms, and parents understand the importance of teachers being supported to do their jobs well,” Ms Haythorpe said.
The AEU now calls on all political parties to support this full funding, for the future of Australian public schools.
“With a federal election looming, all political parties must back the Albanese Government’s offer in. Further, the Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton must give an iron clad guarantee to public school communities that he will honour all school funding bilateral agreements in full should he become Prime Minister in any future election,” Ms Haythorpe said.
“Australia’s students cannot afford further delays in negotiations. It is time to get the deals done so that public schools have certainty.”
Martinsburg, WV – On June 5, 2024, a warrant was issued out of Berkeley County for Manuel Ernest Watson Gordon,33, of Hagerstown, Maryland. The warrant charged Watson Gordon with failure to appear on charges of distribution of Fentanyl and Cocaine.
The charges were a result of an undercover purchase of narcotics in September of 2023 conducted by the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.
On July 26, 2024, the Berkeley County Prosecutor’s Office requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Mountain State Fugitive Task Force in apprehending Watson Gordon. Investigators quickly learned Watson Gordon was wanted by the Hagerstown Police Department in Maryland for a double homicide. The charges stem from a shooting on Washington Street in July of 2024.
The task force searched for Watson Gordon in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. At the end of 2024, information was developed Watson Gordon may have returned to New York where his family was originally from. The USMS requested the assistance of the Marshals Service New York and New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force to help locate Manuel Watson Gordon.
On January 23, 2025, members of the task force located and arrested Manuel Watson Gordon in the unit block of Main Street, Yonkers, New York without incident.
“Federal, and local law enforcement agencies in West Virginia, Maryland and New York working together were able to develop a location for this violent offender,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Terry Moore. “This arrest is a great example of how the Marshals Service’s partnerships with state and local agencies give these fugitives no place to hide.”
Agencies involved in the search for Watson Gordon were: U.S. Marshals Service, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, Hagerstown Police Department, Martinsburg Police Department, and the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.
Watson Gordon is currently being held in Yonkers, New York and will be extradited to West Virginia and Maryland. Additional information on this case may be obtained from the Berkeley County Prosecutor’s Office in Martinsburg, West Virginia, or the Hagerstown Police Department in Maryland.
US President Donald Trump has called time on working from home. An executive order signed on the first day of his presidency this week requires all federal government departments and agencies to:
take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person.
There are a few different models of working from home. Strictly speaking, remote work is where employees work from an alternative location (typically their home) on a permanent basis and are not required to report to their office.
This is distinct from “telework”, a hybrid model whereby employees work from home an agreed number of days each week. But it’s clear Trump wants to end telework too.
Under guidelines released on Wednesday, federal agencies were given until 5pm local time on 24 January to update their telework policies to require all employees back in the office full-time within 30 days.
Obviously, Trump can’t end working from home for everyone. Private organisations are allowed to set their own policies. But the US government is a seriously big employer, with more than 3 million employees.
According to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), about 10% of federal workers are fully remote. The impact of this order will be far-reaching.
Trump abruptly pulls the rug
The work-from-home movement was a profound global shift, brought on by the COVID pandemic. We’ve been living with it for five years.
Federal workers who have been working remotely for an extended period are likely to have made significant life decisions based on their flexible working arrangements.
Flexible working arrangements have been mainstream for years, influencing key life decisions for many people. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock
It may have influenced where they bought a house, what school their children attend, and what their spouse or partner does for work.
Trump’s order is likely to have a dramatic ripple effect on workers’ families and other life arrangements and responsibilities.
True, federal heads of department and managers and supervisors will be allowed to make some exceptions – including for a disability, medical condition or other “compelling reason”.
But the message is clear. What has been a growing but informal trend among some employers worldwide to “bring employees back into the office” is now being incorporated into US government policy.
Why the backlash?
Trump’s executive order reflects longstanding concerns among some employers and managers who think it is simply better to have employees in the office.
They argue, among other things, that in-office work makes it easier to keep a close eye on performance, and supports more face-to-face collaboration. It also makes better use of often very expensive real estate.
Amazon recently ordered all of its staff back into the office five days a week. Other surveys suggest many employers are planning a crackdown this year.
City planners and businesses have also lamented the impact of remote and flexible working on restaurants, dry cleaners and coffee shops that rely on trade from commuters.
What might be lost?
Some employees may actually welcome the return to the office, particularly those who prefer more social interaction and want to make themselves more visible.
Others will find the change jarring, and may lose a range of benefits they’ve grown used to.
A 2023 report by policy think tank EconPol Europe found working from home had become most prevalent in English-speaking countries.
It suggested strong support, saying:
the majority of workers highly value the opportunity to work from home for a portion of their work week, with some placing significant importance on it.
Many also wanted to work more days from home than their employers were willing to allow.
A recent analysis by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) found that working from home had significantly increased workforce participation for two key groups: working mums and people with a disability or health condition.
Many employees now prioritise flexible work arrangements, and some are willing to sacrifice part of their salary for the privilege.
Work-from-home arrangements also offer individuals living in remote communities access to employment. That benefit goes two ways, allowing employers to tap into a bigger talent pool.
Will Australia follow?
Trump’s executive order could have big, immediate impacts on federal workers in the US, but it’s unclear whether there’ll be domino effects here. It would be unwise for the Australian government or major employers to adopt a blanket approach.
Indeed, some multinational US firms with offices in Australia may get caught up in Trump’s return-to-office movement.
In the short term, this forced change is unlikely to make its way to Australia. While social trends do travel between regions, each country has its own employment laws, customs and trends.
Researchers have shown it can be difficult, and in some cases impossible, to transfer human resource practices between countries
and across cultures.
Australia’s geography may be a factor on remote work’s side. A complete ban would immediately have a negative impact on employment opportunities for talented workers in the regions.
The key message for Australian employers and policy-makers is that the benefits of remote work aren’t just for employees.
It can enhance an organisation’s performance, widening the talent pool to include not only those who live far away from the office, but also talented workers who may otherwise be excluded.
Julia Richardson 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.
Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
***Click here for audio.***
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pro-life members of Congress like U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) have long recognized the importance of providing additional support for pregnant mothers. In recent sessions of Congress, Cramer has co-sponsored legislation to expand child support payments for expectant mothers, implement tax credits, and create a clearinghouse for pregnancy and post-partum resources.
In honor of the annual March for Life in Washington, Cramer and U.S. Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24) reintroduced the Unborn Child Support Act in support of mothers-to-be and their children. Cramer is a co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and received an A+ rating from Susan B. Anthony List for voting “consistently to defend the lives of the unborn and infants.”
The Unborn Child Support Act allows pregnant women to receive child support payments. It recognizes the needs of mothers and allows them to opt-in to receive prenatal payments, should they choose to pursue them via the court system. Specifically, the judges would be required to consult with mothers on payment plans and give mothers discretion as to whether or not child support payments will be awarded retroactively. The bill also directs all paternity tests be at the discretion of the mother and not be conducted if the test puts the child at risk.
“I believe life begins at conception and therefore, our duty to care for mothers also begins at conception,” said Cramer. “What our bill does, is empowers moms to simply seek prenatal child support and rightly puts the financial obligation on fathers to help provide for their unborn children. We should encourage motherhood and fully support them along the way.”
“By enabling child support to begin at conception, we empower mothers with financial assistance while respecting their freedom to make the best choices for themselves and their unborn children,” said Tenney. “The Unborn Child Support Act emphasizes the value of life from the very beginning of pregnancy and provides vital support to mothers. If a mother chooses to seek prenatal child support, we must ensure she and her unborn child receive the resources and assistance they deserve.”
Additional cosponsors of the legislation include U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
The Unborn Child Support Act is endorsed by several organizations, including Concerned Women for America, March for Life Action, Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), CatholicVote, Family Policy Alliance, Family Research Council, Americans United for Life, National Right to Life, Christians Engaged, and National Association of Pro-Life Nurses.
Click here for bill text.
Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
WASHINGTON – After a recent report estimated that Washington spends more than $1.8 billion annually on “advertising” and millions more on mascots, trinkets, and trash, U.S. Senate DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is introducing the Stop Wasteful Advertising by the Government (SWAG) Act to end unnecessary spending on government propaganda, taxpayer-funded trinkets, and mascots.
Senator Ernst found taxpayer funds being spent on creepy bug mascots for the Department of Agriculture, graphic novels for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coloring books featuring bird-watching ICE agents at DHS, and much more.
“You might mistake Washington for a very expensive kid’s birthday party, with federal employees playing dress up, appearing as mascots, and making coloring books,” said Ernst. “I am going to crash the party and bag this costly swag. Misbehaving bureaucrats need to stop wasting tax dollars trying to refurbish their bad reputation, and focus on serving the American people.”
Congressman Michael Cloud (R-Texas) is introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“The American people demand a better return on their investment from the federal government than frivolous spending on self-promotion and propaganda,” said Cloud. “They expect transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a government focused on delivering results. Especially as so many families are working to make ends meet, DC agencies should not squander the People’s money on mascots, trinkets, and giveaways. The SWAG Act will ensure taxpayer dollars are no longer spent on these wasteful gimmicks.”
Click here to view the bill.
Background:
As chair of the Senate DOGE Caucus, Senator Ernst unveiled a $2 trillion plan, featuring the SWAG Act, to cut down federal spending, save taxpayer dollars, and downsize the government – in addition to her telework reportthat exposed an absent federal workforce.
Her playbook has already racked up a win with the announcement of the sale of the Wilbur J. Cohen building, a 1.2 million square foot monument to waste, where just 72 of 3,341 workers were showing up to work.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCSD opens application for relaxation of entry restrictions at licensed billiard establishments starting February 25 LCSD opens application for relaxation of entry restrictions at licensed billiard establishments starting February 25 ******************************************************************************************
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (January 24) that applications will be welcome from licensed billiard establishments which meet relevant requirements for relaxing the entry restrictions for youth, so as to facilitate more young people to access billiard sports and promote its development in Hong Kong. The measures include lowering the minimum age limit from 16 to 8 years; relaxing the restriction of entry hours for young patrons from the current 8pm to 10am to a new timeframe of 11pm to 7am; and permitting persons in school uniforms to enter licensed billiard establishments. Applications can be made starting from February 25. In response to views received on promoting local billiard sports development, the LCSD set up a working group in February 2024 to explore suitable measures. Based on the discussion of the working group, the LCSD will relax the above restrictions for licensed billiard establishments that meet relevant requirements in accordance with the existing provisions of the Places of Amusement Regulation (Cap. 132BA). The LCSD will duly process applications received, and factors to be considered include the billiard establishments’ operational situation, the surrounding environment, facilities and activities within the premises, etc. The LCSD will review the effectiveness in a timely manner. For further inquiries, please contact the Licensing and Prosecution Unit of the LCSD at 2601 8799 or via email at lpu@lcsd.gov.hk.
The Western Australian State Election will be held on Saturday 8 March 2025, in line with other public sector agencies, we will assume a caretaker role from 5 February 2025 and will follow the State Government’s guidelines.
During the caretaker period, we will continue to receive and assess grant requests, however funding decisions will be deferred until after the caretaker period has ended.
We will also take on a caretaker role for the Federal Election, and further information will be provided once the election date has been announced.
Please continue to check our website regularly for updates and sign up to our e-newsletter. If you think your organisation may be affected by these caretaker periods, please contacts us on 133 777 or email healthway@healthway.wa.gov.au
Galaxy Unpacked 2025 in San Jose, California, set the stage for the next wave of AI-powered experiences with Galaxy AI.
On January 22, Samsung Electronics announced the release of the Galaxy S25 series, featuring significant hardware upgrades and ushering in a new era of AI-driven innovation. These advancements empower users to unlock new realms of creativity, forge deeper connections and streamline everyday tasks like never before.
The Galaxy S25 series transcends the concept of a smartphone to become a platform for AI integration, with Galaxy AI set to redefine everyday experiences through personalized, meaningful and human-like interactions.
▲ TM Roh, President and Head of the MX Business at Samsung Electronics, delivers his keynote address at Galaxy Unpacked 2025.
“The Galaxy S25 series has set a new standard of mobile AI innovation though an AI OS we built from the ground up,” said TM Roh, President and Head of the Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, during his keynote address. “Thanks to One UI 7 and its integrated AI agents, users can effortlessly enjoy a more personalized, intuitive and natural mobile experience than ever before.”
Samsung Newsroom explored how the Galaxy S25 series is setting new standards with intuitive solutions that reshape the way people interact with technology.
New Ways To Get Things Done: AI That Learns, Adapts and Delivers
At the heart of the Galaxy S25 series is the evolution of its AI capabilities, powered by the next-generation One UI 7 operating system. This upgrade introduces advanced features designed to make tasks easy and intuitive. For example, the newly introduced Now Brief learns user routines and delivers customized information like exercise updates, translations, music and more, directly to the lock screen, eliminating the need to toggle between multiple apps.
▲ Drew Blackard, VP of Product Management at Samsung Electronics America, introduces the audience to the Galaxy S25 series’ many advanced Galaxy AI features.
Another game-changing feature is AI Select, introduced for the first time on the Galaxy S25 series. Accessible through the Edge Panel, AI Select functions as a personal AI assistant, capable of summarizing lengthy articles in seconds or aiding in creative tasks like generating colorful images with Drawing Assist.
With One UI 7, the Galaxy S25 series’ built-in multimodal AI recognizes natural language, images and text, enabling users to interact naturally and achieve more with minimal effort. This means its intelligent features can be triggered by simple voice commands. For instance, saying “My eyes are tired” prompts the Galaxy S25 series to activate the blue light filter, while “Find a photo of Max from last winter in a red coat, eating cake” searches the Gallery app to locate the desired image.
▲ Gallery Search (top) and the music recognition capability added to Circle to Search (bottom)
Circle to Search has also been enhanced to identify music playing on-screen without needing to open a separate app.
While watching YouTube videos, users can also issue voice commands like “List the place mentioned in this video and save it as a Note,” and Galaxy AI, powered by Google’s Gemini, seamlessly saves the location directly to Samsung Notes.
▲ Sissi Hsiao, VP at Google and GM for Gemini Experiences, discusses the collaboration between Samsung Electronics and Google.
The Galaxy S25 series features a Personal Data Engine, developed in partnership with Oxford Semantic Technologies, which contextually understands user preferences and routines while safeguarding data. What’s more, the Galaxy S25 series adopts C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) standards, reinforcing transparency and trust and ensuring privacy remains a top priority in this AI-driven digital era.
▲ Jay Kim, EVP and Head of Customer Experience Office at Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics, explains the evolution of One UI into an integrated AI platform.
Samsung continues to advance Galaxy AI through strategic partnerships with third-party app developers and AI solution providers, cementing its position at the forefront of secure AI innovation.
New Ways To Play: Power, Performance and Visual Excellence
The Galaxy S25 series is powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy processor (AP), delivering a significant leap in speed and efficiency. With 40% improved NPU performance, 37% enhanced GPU performance and 30% upgraded GPU performance compared to its predecessor, this processor drives the series’ advanced AI capabilities.
▲ Kareen Stephens, Senior Marketing Manager at Samsung Electronics America, explains how powerful the performance of Galaxy S25 series’ mobile AP is
Designed with gamers in mind, the Galaxy S25 series opens up new possibilities for mobile gaming. ProScaler, a display feature that utilizes AI-powered algorithmic processing, reduces noise and enhances the clarity of on-screen visuals, enabling smoother, more immersive gameplay. Along with Vulkan and game engine optimizations, the series offers a 40% boost in Ray Tracing performance, raising the bar for mobile gaming visuals.
Heat dissipation is another standout capability, with a vapor chamber roughly 40% larger than before.1 This advancement ensures more efficient heat management, even during intense gaming sessions.
Additionally, the Galaxy S25 series offers longer battery life and faster charging. Wireless charging speeds have increased to 25W (up from 15W), and the charging time for the 5000mAh battery has been halved — from two hours to just one.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts premium durability with a new glass-ceramic cover and a more robust display equipped with Corning® Gorilla® Armor 2.
▲ Spectators listen attentively to the speakers’ presentations during Galaxy Unpacked 2025
New Ways To Create: Unlocking New Camera Possibilities With AI
The Galaxy S25 series revolutionizes mobile photography with an upgraded ProVisual Engine that delivers unprecedented AI camera capabilities. AI learning has evolved to capture intricate details, from hair texture to the sparkle in one’s eyes, adding life-like vibrancy to every shot.
▲ Rachel Roberts, Senior Manager of Smartphone Product Management at Samsung Electronics America, discusses the ProVisual Engine and the Galaxy S25 series’ elite camera performance
With improved AP performance, the series takes Nightography to new heights, creating clearer night photos. The Galaxy S25 Ultra also features the series’ first 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera, offering an expansive field of view for capturing stunning landscapes and group shots.
Video creation is equally innovative with enhanced AI-powered video editing tools. The Audio Eraser feature, for example, eliminates distracting sounds from videos so users can capture special moments to perfection.
New Ways To Stay Healthy: AI for Smarter Health Management
Samsung Health leverages AI to track and analyze key health metrics, including sleep, heart health, diet and exercise, providing a comprehensive approach to well-being. Using these health measurements, it offers tailored insights to guide users to the best versions of themselves.
▲ Praveen Raja, VP and Head of Digital Health at Samsung Research America, highlights how Samsung Health has evolved into a personalized health management platform
Moving forward, Samsung Health envisions providing users with end-to-end health solutions, enabling them to manage their health from the comfort of their home.
Beyond physical health, Samsung Health also plans to support mental well-being with tools for stress and mental health management, and ultimately evolve into a holistic solution for both the body and mind.
New Ways To Manage Homes: The Future of Smart Ecosystems
Galaxy AI and SmartThings enhance home management through a connected smart ecosystem, driven by AI-powered automation and personalization. SmartThings and Bixby align home environments with daily routines, leveraging voice commands and wearable data to optimize convenience and deliver a personalized smart home experience.
▲ A demonstration of how Galaxy AI and SmartThings have come together to provide a seamlessly connected home management solution
Advanced AI features from Galaxy AI and SmartThings extend home management to include the well-being of family members and pets. For example, these tools allow users to monitor their pets remotely while away and even keep them company by turning the TV on for them. Preparations for pet healthcare services, such as connecting users to pre-veterinarian consultation services, are underway as well.
As one of the initial members of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, Samsung has partnered with the Alliance to support, develop and promote Matter, the connectivity standard for smart home and IoT devices, designed to ensure interoperability, accessibility and security across the smart home ecosystem.
New Efforts for Sustainability: Embracing a More Circular Approach to the Latest Galaxy Smartphones
Samsung continues to prioritize sustainability with initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact. The company aims to incorporate at least one recycled material in every module of every mobile product by 2030.2
In addition, Galaxy S25 will be the first Galaxy smartphone to include recycled cobalt sourced from the batteries of previously used Galaxy devices through the Circular Battery Supply Chain with each Galaxy S25 battery featuring a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt.3 These efforts reflect Samsung’s broader goal of exploring how technology can do more for people and the planet, creating a balance between innovation and environmental responsibility.
▲ Cassie Smith, Senior Manager of Corporate Sustainability at Samsung Electronics America, highlights Samsung’s circular economy efforts
Galaxy Unpacked 2025 came to an end with a teaser video offering a sneak peek of the slimmer but nonetheless powerful Galaxy S25 Edge, heightening the crowd’s expectations of what new innovations Samsung holds in store ahead.
Watch the full replay of this January’s Galaxy Unpacked 2025 showcase in the video below. Stay tuned to Samsung Newsroom for complete coverage of the event and an in-depth look at how the Galaxy S25 series and Galaxy AI are shaping the future of mobile innovation.
1 Based on Galaxy S25 Ultra model2During Samsung Galaxy Unpacked January 2024, we announced that we will incorporate at least one recycled material in every module of every mobile product by 2030. Samsung defines a module of a smartphone as the Antenna, Battery, Camera, Display, Mechanical Components, Motor, PBA/FPCB, Speaker, Wireless Charger Module and Packaging.3 A minimum of 25% of the Galaxy S25 battery is cobalt by weight, 50% of which is recycled cobalt.
Galaxy Unpacked 2025 in San Jose, California, saw Samsung Electronics unveil the next generation of mobile AI with the Galaxy S25 series.
[Galaxy Unpacked 2025] Highlights From Galaxy Unpacked: A New Era of AI Integration
▲ Galaxy enthusiasts crowd the Galaxy Unpacked 2025 Experience Zone as they try the Galaxy S25 series out for themselves.
At the end of the hour-long visual spectacle at the SAP Center, Samsung opened the floor to welcome guests into the Experience Zone hidden behind the main stage. Excitement buzzed throughout the space as attendees explored the innovative technologies packed into Samsung’s latest flagship smartphones. They shared their first impressions, praising the upgraded devices and advanced AI features.
▲ Andrea and Geraldine Tshibuabua, an influencer duo of twin sisters from Belgium known as the Angetwins
“I’m really impressed with the Now Brief feature. If I’m scheduled to go somewhere in the morning, all I need to do is take a quick look at my phone to be informed on what I have planned for the day,” said Andrea and Geraldine Tshibuabua (@angetwins), an influencer duo of twin sisters from Belgium. “We also love the Galaxy S25’s AI-powered photo editing features, especially the Best Face feature that allows us to pick our best shots in case we blink in some of them. It’s also amazing that we can remove unwanted objects in the backgrounds of photos as well.”
▲ Pawel Warzecha, a Polish content creator and magazine reporter known as Mobzilla
“Audio Eraser is a really great feature that is useful not just for content creators like me, but ordinary people who want to film their kids playing in the playground or themselves singing a silly song,” said Pawel Warzecha (@MobzillaTV), a tech content creator from Poland. “It was fascinating to catch a glimpse of the Galaxy S25 Edge as well,” added the influencer, who also reports for Lounge Magazyn, a Polish lifestyle magazine.
▲ Samsung Members Stars Mica Moreno from Argentina
The praise was echoed by a delighted young Samsung Members Star who just graduated from university, majoring in actuarial science. “It’s always an honor to be part of these great events organized by Samsung. As a Samsung Member, it’s such a pleasure for me to be creating content for Samsung and many young Argentinians,” said Mica Moreno from Argentina.
Explore more behind-the-scenes moments and watch the full replay of Galaxy Unpacked 2025 below.
Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined a group of 24 Democratic Senators led by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to call on President Trump to put veterans first and immediately exempt all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees from the hiring freeze he issued on Monday. In a letter to Trump, the Senators stressed concerns about the negative impact the hiring freeze will have on the delivery of veterans’ health care and benefits nationwide – if not quickly reversed.
“As written, this Memorandum could dramatically impair the ability of veterans across the country to get the care and benefits they desperately need,” wrote the Senators. “It could also delay or deny various other services across VA – from burial services to job training to assistance for homeless veterans to life-saving assistance from the Veterans Crisis Line. That is why it is imperative for you to provide an immediate, clear, and full exemption to this hiring freeze for VA so it can continue to deliver on its sacred mission for veterans.”
The group of Democratic Senators also underscored that despite assurances of exemptions, they have heard from employees on the ground that the hiring freeze will extend to certain positions promised to be exempt: “In your Memorandum, little detail is provided to understand the scope of its exemptions. And despite assurances that VA benefits would be exempt, we have become aware the hiring freeze will extend to the Veterans Benefits Administration – a decision that will dramatically impact the processing of disability claims, growing the backlog and making it more difficult for veterans to access their earned benefits, including those promised in the PACT Act.”
The Senators pressed Trump for scaling back on VA employees, rather than continuing efforts to address chronic workforce shortages Congress has implemented over the last few years: “Instead of building upon those efforts, one of your first actions was to stop them entirely, and to issue new directives to VA personnel across the country to not only leave vacancies unaddressed, but to revoke job offers that have already been made. That is a betrayal of trust to veterans on day one of your Administration, and it is a betrayal of trust to prospective VA employees intent on serving veterans – an action that will undoubtedly have long-term impacts on VA’s ability to effectively recruit and retain the physicians, nurses, and other critical positions that make VA the preferred option for care for veterans.”
The letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Peter Welch (D-VT).
In addition to the Senate Democrats’ letter to Trump, a group of House Democrats led by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) are sending a letter today calling on Acting VA Secretary Todd Hunter to also exempt all VA employees from the hiring freeze.
The full text of the Senators’ letter is available here.
Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) issued the following statement:
“We are deeply concerned about the news of an ICE raid in Newark today. Our offices have reached out to the Department of Homeland Security to demand answers.
“Actions like this one sow fear in all of our communities — and our broken immigration system requires solutions, not fear tactics.
“We will continue to work with Mayor Baraka and other local officials to gather more information to ensure all New Jerseyans are safe and their dignity and rights are protected.”
Last updated 24 January 2025 Last updated 24 January 2025
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Investigations are a key part of monitoring the performance and compliance of the tertiary education sector. Investigations are a key part of monitoring the performance and compliance of the tertiary education sector.
The Tertiary Education Commission (the TEC) has a range of powers, under the Education and Training Act 2020 and funding conditions, to conduct investigations ensuring the Government’s investment in tertiary education is used properly. We begin an investigation of a tertiary education organisation (TEO) if we are concerned about practices or behaviours which may put student interests or government funding at risk. TEO investigation guidelines Our monitoring system is designed to ensure both the burden on TEOs and the level of TEC effort is proportionate to the level of risk. This means investigations vary in size and complexity depending on our concerns, the size of the TEO, and a range of other factors. All monitoring activities (including investigations) are undertaken in accordance with our monitoring principles, which are included in the investigation guidelines below. These also include guidance on how we undertake investigations, the processes we follow, and how we deal with information supplied by TEOs under investigation. The Tertiary Education Commission investigation guidelines – 2020 (PDF 788 KB) Outcomes of investigations We generally publish investigation outcomes as part of a transparent, consistent approach to monitoring. This helps provide assurance that public funds are being well managed. Publication of investigation findings is also a key way we share learnings from monitoring activities with the sector, and helps other TEOs improve their performance and compliance. The TEC has the discretion to not publish an investigation report or outcomes. Any such decision is made with reference to the provisions of the Official Information Act. For example, where there are no material findings, or issues identified are only minor, publishing the fact of an investigation may reduce public confidence in a TEO at a level disproportionate to the issues investigated. In such cases, the TEC would seek to share any valuable learnings from the investigation with the sector in another way, including through regular monitoring updates. When investigation reports or outcomes are finalised and able to be made public, they are published below.
There were no investigations published in 2024.
Active Institute
Competenz
Tai Poutini Polytechnic
BEST Pacific Institute of Education
Reviews From 2014-2017, the TEC also conducted ‘reviews’ of smaller or less complex issues at TEOs. The TEC has updated its approach, and only conducts audits and investigations of TEOs. Historic reviews are now considered investigations.
Quantum Education Group
EnterpriseMIT
College of Natural Health and Homeopathy
Reviews From 2014-2017, the TEC also conducted ‘reviews’ of smaller or less complex issues at TEOs. The TEC has updated its approach, and only conducts audits and investigations of TEOs. Historic reviews are now considered investigations.
Lincoln University’s Telford Division
New Zealand School of Outdoor Studies
Reviews From 2014-2017, the TEC also conducted ‘reviews’ of smaller or less complex issues at TEOs. The TEC has updated its approach, and only conducts audits and investigations of TEOs. Historic reviews are now considered investigations.
Manaakitanga Aotearoa Charitable Trust
Agribusiness Training Ltd
Tectra Limited
Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre
Te Whare Wanānga o Awanuiārangi
Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT)
From 2014-2017, the TEC also conducted ‘reviews’ of smaller or less complex issues at TEOs. The TEC has updated its approach, and only conducts audits and investigations of TEOs. Historic reviews are now considered investigations. The six reviews below focused on TEOs that offered programmes with similar features to those found in two previous investigations at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi and WITT. We undertook the reviews to determine whether the issues found in the two investigations were prevalent across the sector. This was found not to be the case.
*Note: The TEC accepted the findings from an independent report commissioned by Service IQ.
The Albanese Labor Government and Allan Labor Government have come to an historic agreement that will put all public schools in Victoria on a path to full and fair funding. As part of the agreement, the Commonwealth will provide an additional 5 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) to Victorian public schools. This will lift the Commonwealth’s contribution from 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the SRS by 2034. This will see around an estimated $2.5 billion in additional Commonwealth funding to Victorian public schools over the next 10 years. This represents the biggest new investment in Victorian public schools by the Australian Government – ever.
This includes more individualised support for students, mandating evidenced-based teaching practices and more mental health support in schools. Victoria will remove the provision put in by the former Liberal Government allowing the state to claim 4 per cent of public school funding for indirect school costs such as capital depreciation and replace it with 4 per cent of recurrent funding on eligible expenses, while also maintaining a share of 75 per cent of the SRS for public schools. This is not a blank cheque. The Agreement signed today will be followed by a Victorian Bilateral Agreement, which will tie funding to reforms already being delivered in Victorian schools that will help students catch up, keep up and finish school, such as:
A Year 1 phonics check commencing this year and an early years numeracy check to identify students in the early years of school who need additional help
Continue the nation leading investment in initiatives that support wellbeing for learning – including access to mental health professionals in schools
Access to high-quality and evidence-based professional learning
Initiatives that improve the attraction and retention of teachers.
In addition, the following national targets will be included:
Increasing the proportion of students leaving school with a Year 12 certificate by 7.5 percentage points (nationally) by 2030
Reducing the proportion of students in the NAPLAN ‘Needs Additional Support’ proficiency level for reading and numeracy nationally by 10 per cent.
Increasing the proportion of students in the ‘Strong’ and ‘Exceeding’ proficiency levels for reading and numeracy by 10 per cent by 2030 and trend upwards for priority equity cohorts in the ‘Strong’ and ‘Exceeding’ proficiency levels nationally.
Increasing the Student Attendance Rate, nationally, to 91.4 per cent (2019 level) by 2030.
Increasing the engagement rate (completed or still enrolled) of initial teacher education students by 10 percentage points to 69.7 per cent by 2035.
This means more help for students and more support for teachers.
The states and territories that have signed the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement (BFSA) – Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – will also be offered additional funding from the Commonwealth, as per the no disadvantage clause included in their respective bilateral agreements. This will include similar requirements to no longer account for indirect expenditure on schools. The Albanese Government is continuing to work with remaining states to get all public schools on a path to full and fair funding. Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: “Labor knows that education opens the doors of opportunity and we want to make sure we widen them. “Building Australia’s Future means investing in the next generation, which is why every dollar of this funding will go into helping children learn. “This gives certainty to parents and teachers, while setting our children up for the future.” Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan: “My priority is – and has always been – that every child, no matter where they live, has access to a world-class education in a Victorian government school. “By investing in our schools, we’re investing in our kids’ future – that’s why we have the largest school building program in the country and that’s why we’ve advocated for this deal. Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Jason Clare: “This is real funding tied to real reforms to help students catch up, keep up and finish school.
“It’s not a blank cheque. I want this money to get results.
“That’s why funding will be directly tied to reforms that we know work.
“It will help make sure every child gets a great start in life. What every parent wants. And what every Australian child deserves.” Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Education Ben Carroll: “We have been unrelenting in our advocacy to the Commonwealth to increase its funding to 25 per cent of the SRS for Victorian Government schools to ensure that all schools in Victoria are fairly and fully funded.”
“This is a win for Victorian students and teachers, and we are pleased to have reached agreement with the Albanese Labor Government.
Denver, CO – The U.S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF), along with the Vail Police Department, located and arrested a Florida homicide suspect Wednesday evening in Vail.
Aldo Armijos-Castillo, 32, is wanted by the Manatee County (FL) Sheriff’s Office on a felony arrest warrant for murder by person engaged in burglary in connection to a Dec. 26, 2024 home invasion in Bradenton, Florida that left one man dead. A warrant for Armijos-Castillo’s arrest in that case was issued on Jan. 6.
Investigators with the U.S. Marshals Service’s Florida-Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force in Tampa recently developed information indicating Armijos-Castillo had fled Florida and was traveling to California. On Jan. 22, that information was relayed to the U.S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force who picked up the investigation. COVOTF investigators learned Armijos-Castillo was travelling by bus westbound on I-70, but was delayed due to a large traffic accident near Vail.
COVOTF Task Force Officers from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in Grand Junction then contacted the Vail Police Department (VPD) for assistance. VPD officers along with members of their SWAT team were able to locate and positively identify Armijos-Castillo and safely take him into custody.
Armijos-Castillo was transported to the Eagle County Jail where he was booked on the outstanding homicide warrant from Florida. He is currently awaiting extradition.
The success of this arrest represents a culmination of extensive cooperative investigative efforts between the U.S. Marshals Florida-Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Vail Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
The Colorado Violent Offender Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional fugitive task force that targets the most violent offenders to include those wanted for murder, assault, sex offenses, and other serious offenses throughout the state and country. Nationally, the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 58 local fugitive task forces, eight regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.
Tips can be submitted to the U.S. Marshals Service directly and anonymously by downloading the USMS Tips App to your Apple or Android device. You can also follow the latest news and updates about the U.S. Marshals Service on X (previously Twitter): @USMSDenver.
In the underwriting auction conducted on January 24, 2025, for Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) of the undernoted Government securities, the Reserve Bank of India has set the cut-off rates for underwriting commission payable to Primary Dealers as given below:
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
WASHINGTON – Today in the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan voted to advance the nomination of Representative Doug Collins to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
“I had a good conversation with Representative Collins at his confirmation hearing about the challenges facing our veterans and was glad to vote to advance his nomination today,” Senator Hassan said. “In particular, I appreciated his willingness to visit the Manchester VA Medical Center and to support efforts to modernize VA infrastructure, like Manchester’s VA Medical Center. I am also grateful for his service to our country in uniform and look forward to working with him to find more ways to support and honor the heroes who have kept America safe, secure, and free.”
During Representative Collins’ confirmation hearing, Senator Hassan raised the importance of modernizing Manchester’s VA Medical Center and building a full-service veterans hospital in New Hampshire, and Representative Collins committed to visiting the Manchester facility. Senator Hassan and New Hampshire’s Congressional Delegation had previously successfully pushed the VA to prioritize improvements to the Manchester VA Medical Center.
Click here to watch Senator Hassan’s questioning at Representative Collins’ confirmation hearing.
“[President] Trump supported a full-service VA hospital for New Hampshire when he was on the campaign trail. I’ve supported a full-service hospital in our state for years and will gladly work with you and the President to make that happen,” said Senator Hassan at Representative Collins’ confirmation hearing. “In the meantime, though, the current Manchester VA Medical Center is almost 75 years old and it needs significant upgrades…So following a push from the New Hampshire delegation to prioritize improvements to the Medical Center, the VA has begun implementing a multiyear upgrade plan. Will you commit to continuing these upgrades to make sure that Granite State veterans have the best possible medical facility to receive their care at? And will you come up to New Hampshire to visit the facility and meet our veterans?”
“I’ll tell you the last one first, yes,” Representative Collins responded, committing to visiting the Manchester VA Medical Center and meeting with Granite State veterans.
“But I will show you not only Granite State veterans but all across the country, they will be taken care of… The infrastructure needs – I’m glad we’re talking about them today – because it’s not just the new facility. It’s not just the new [Community Based Outpatient Clinics], it’s taking these older facilities that as you said once they’re shut down – and then the bureaucratic process to get it fixed,” continuedRepresentative Collins. “So that is it, but also with President Trump’s commitment, look I’m going to support the President, we’re going to look to that hospital. But look you’ve brought up a bigger issue that I hope all the committee members will understand. I wish, as we said before have this rose colored, all pixie dust, it’ll just fix itself, but construction issues are going to be one of our hardest because of aging facilities.”
Senator Hassan also discussed her bipartisan legislation to make it easier for veterans to schedule medical appointments through one phone call or online, which can be particularly helpful for reducing the number of the often-lengthy trips that rural veterans must make to receive their care. Representative Collins expressed interest in the bill and added, “from a conceptual standpoint, the better question for me is why haven’t we almost got there anyway?” Representative Collins also committed to Senator Hassan that he would effectively implement the Senator Elizabeth Dole Act, bipartisan legislation that Senator Hassan helped introduce which, among other measures, expands home care services for veterans.
As a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Hassan has led bipartisan efforts to support service members, veterans, and their families. In addition to the Dole Act, Senator Hassan helped develop and pass the bipartisan PACT Act into law to help veterans secure the benefits and care that they have earned. Senator Hassan also helped create and fund the 9-8-8 national suicide hotline, which has a specified veterans crisis line, as well as helped pass into law bipartisan legislation to strengthen the Solid Start program, which contacts every veteran three times by phone in the first year after they leave active duty service to check in and help connect them to VA programs and benefits.
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong farmer, highlighted the needs and priorities of family farmers during a hearing to consider Brooke Rollins’ nomination to be Secretary of Agriculture. Grassley discussed the importance of payment limits, reining in federal spending and enforcing the Packers and Stockyards Act. He also drove home the importance of answering congressional requests for oversight and protecting agency whistleblowers.
Video and excerpts follow.
[embedded content]
VIDEO
Payment Limits
“The legal term, ‘actively engaged in farming’ is not being enforced. We have too many people on Wall Street getting farm payments that shouldn’t be getting them… You ought to have dirt under your fingernails if you’re going to get payments from the taxpayers for your farming operation. I expect the term ‘actively engaged’ to be fully enforced.
“There can be tremendous savings to the taxpayers… if you put a cap on what one farmer can get from the farm program, so we aren’t subsidizing big farmers to get even bigger.”
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Spending
“The first Trump administration and the Biden administration used money from the Commodity Credit Corporation that I don’t think should have been used. The power of the purse rests with Congress under Article I of the Constitution. Money can’t be spent without the authority of Congress, and billions have been wasted that way.”
Enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act
“I think the Packers and Stockyards Act is stronger than anything the Justice Department can do under antitrust laws to protect the welfare of farmers and make sure the marketplace is working… The Packers and Stockyards Act is the most effective tool to make sure the marketplace works for the American farmer.”
Whistleblower Protections
“You’ll have tens-of-thousands of people working under you, and you can’t know everything they do. You ought to listen to whistleblowers. It’s not just you yourself listening to whistleblowers, it’s you establishing a culture within your agency that middle management is going to listen to whistleblowers.”
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) today reintroduced the Justice for Murder Victims Act. The bipartisan bill would strike down the “year-and-a-day” rule, a 13th century legal precedent that prohibits a defendant from being prosecuted for murder if their victim dies more than a year-and-a-day after the date of their assault. The bill passed the Senate unanimously in the 118th Congress.
“Murderous criminals shouldn’t get off the hook because modern medicine prolonged the lifespan of their victim. Our bipartisan bill will eliminate the medieval “year-and-a-day” rule to ensure justice is served, violent criminals are held accountable and families get the closure they deserve,” Grassley said.
“Murderers and violent criminals must be held accountable,” Ossoff said.?“Senator Grassley and I are introducing bipartisan legislation to help secure justice for homicide victims and their families.”
The Justice for Murder Victims Act is endorsed by the National District Attorney’s Association, the Iowa County Attorney’s Association, the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the Murder Accountability Project, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Major Cities Chiefs Association.
“NDAA is proud to support Senator Grassley and Senator Ossoff as they introduce the Justice for Murder Victims Act. This legislation updates an archaic rule that limits the ability of federal prosecutors to hold offenders accountable and provide justice for victims and their families. We look forward to moving this bipartisan proposal through Congress at a time when violent crime is plaguing communities across the country,” said Nelson Bunn, Executive Director of the National District Attorneys Association.
“The MCCA proudly endorses the Justice for Murder Victims Act. The updates made by this legislation will help increase accountability throughout the criminal justice system by helping ensure violent offenders can be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The MCCA thanks Sen. Grassley and Sen. Ossoff for introducing this bill,” said Chief Mike Brown, Chairman of the Major Cities Chiefs Association.
“The timing of a victim’s death should never stand in the way of justice. Families who have watched their loved ones fight courageously for survival should not have to endure the pain of losing them only to discover their attacker cannot be prosecuted. Advances in modern medicine now allow victims to survive longer, but outdated legal rules unintentionally penalize those who fight to stay alive. The Justice for Murder Victims Act ensures that justice is possible, regardless of when a victim succumbs to their injuries. FLEOA fully supports this critical legislation and commends Senator Grassley for his leadership in addressing this injustice,” said Mathew Silverman, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.
Find bill text HERE.
Background:
The “year-and-a-day” rule is a legal principle that bars prosecution for homicide in cases where the victim dies more than 366 days after the attack. However, modern medicine and advances in life support technology have helped more victims of homicide live past the set 366-day mark. Many states have already abolished the antiquated rule due to modern developments. The Justice for Murder Victims Act would amend existing federal law to ensure there’s no maximum prosecutorial time period between the assault and death of a victim.
Tasmania Police launches Taskforce Raven, targeting youth crime and recidivist offenders across the Northern District.
Friday, 24 January 2025 – 3:58 pm.
Tasmania Police is launching a new taskforce in the Northern District, proactively targeting crime reduction, recidivist and youth offenders. Taskforce Raven will commence on Monday 3 February with members to be based out of Launceston Police Headquarters. Northern District Commander Marco Ghedini said while the taskforce will proactively focus on youth and recidivist offenders, police will continue to conduct routine high-visibility patrols across the district. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in our community, and we know that there is a small number of people who are responsible for the majority of crime committed. This taskforce will actively target recidivist offenders,” he said. “We have seen previous success in the district with Taskforce Viper, and we are confident we will continue to see that same success through Taskforce Raven.” “We know there have been concerns in the community about youth crime, and anti-social and unlawful behaviour, particularly within the CBD. This task force is one of a number of strategies that should provide the community with reassurance that we are continuing to proactively target known offenders to make our community safer for everyone.”
Headline: Support for $10,000 apprentice incentive payments
Published: 24 January 2025
Statement by: Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education
We welcome the Albanese Labor Government’s $10,000 incentive payment for apprentices in the construction and clean energy sectors and its focus on apprentice retention.
NSW leads the nation in apprenticeship and traineeship participation, accounting for nearly 30% of Australia’s total, with more than 103,000 apprentices and trainees in training.
These figures highlight the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to building a skilled workforce for the future.
Importantly, completion numbers in NSW are also on the rise, with a 10% increase in the 2024 June quarter compared with 2023.
This includes a 13% jump in apprenticeship completions and 7% growth in traineeships, well above the national average of 3%.
However, we know there is more work to do and finding innovative ways to address skills shortages in the construction sector will be key if we are to meet our NSW commitment to boost housing supply and reach net zero by 2050.
Whenever I meet apprentices, they tell me how difficult it is to keep up with cost-of-living pressures. I know this $10,000 boost will be warmly welcomed by apprentices in NSW.
This incentive payment complements the work under way as part of our newly released NSW Skills Plan, the first in over 15 years, the Apprenticeship & Traineeship Roadmap 2024-26, and the NSW VET Review, which all have a key focus on construction and renewable energy workforces and giving young people opportunities and pathways to fulfilling careers.
Google has elevated its Workspace platform by offering AI capabilities for free to subscribers of Workspace Business and Enterprise plans. Previously, plan subscribers could purchase an add-on of AI features ranging from $20 to $30 per user per month. The list of capabilities includes the Gemini assistant within Google Workspace apps; the Gemini standalone app; and the NotebookLM Plus research assistant. The free AI offering should help Google increase the uptake of the platform says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Gregg Willsky, Principal Analyst, Enterprise Technology & Services at GlobalData, comments: “Google has significantly enhanced the value proposition for Workspace. Despite a nominal increase of $2 per user per month in the cost of the plans, the overall price tag has been substantially lowered while providing an inventory of meaningful AI features.”
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for AI. Rivals have been aligned in stuffing their team collaboration platforms full of AI features but have diverged when it comes to affixing a price tag to those features. Two paths have been taken – either charging an extra monthly per-user fee or including features as part of established subscriptions at no additional cost.
Willsky continues: “So, the question becomes, should AI features cost extra or not? There is no easy answer and not necessarily a right or wrong one. Given the great expense of delivering AI features, it may be unsustainable to offer them for free. On the other hand, it is possible that the allure of receiving AI capabilities at no cost has spurred adoption of those platforms to such a degree that the extra subscription revenue more than makes up for the added expense.”
Unfortunately, it’s not clear if hard data exists to support either scenario. What is clear is that AI is quickly being woven into the fabric of society. Soon, AI features will be regarded as ‘standard issue’ on team collaboration platforms and no longer worthy of commanding a premium. However, the costs incurred in providing them will remain.
Willsky concludes: “Google’s announcement mirrors the most likely scenario – additional fees for AI will evaporate only to be baked into a higher platform subscription price. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch.”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Marine traffic control and safety measures to be followed at Lunar New Year Fireworks Display Marine traffic control and safety measures to be followed at Lunar New Year Fireworks Display ******************************************************************************************
With regard to the 2025 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display to be held on January 30, the Marine Department (MD) will implement marine traffic control and strengthen the inspection of spectator vessels on the event day to ensure that safety requirements are met. A Closed Area in the waters off the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, where barges for the fireworks display are to be anchored, will be established from 2pm to about 10.30pm on the event day. A Restricted Area will be established in the Central Harbour from 7pm to about 9pm on the event day. Other than authorised vessels, no vessels will be allowed to enter these two areas. Scheduled ferry vessels with permission may continue services until 7.40pm. Spectator vessels may stay inside the Specified Area, excluding the Restricted Area and the Closed Area, for viewing from 6pm to 9pm (the specified period) on the event day. To enhance marine safety during this major event at sea, coxswains of spectator vessels in the Specified Area during the specified period must ensure that children on board are accompanied by an adult and wear a lifejacket at all times. Coxswains must also keep a passenger and crew list on board for emergency purposes. The MD will step up vessel inspections. If any vessel fails to meet these requirements, the department will initiate prosecution. In addition, to ensure that vessels disperse in an orderly manner, the Eastern and Western Cordon Lines of the Restricted Area will be lifted in stages after the event. The Western Cordon Line will be lifted first at about 9pm. Spectator vessels behind the Western Cordon Line and those wishing to move east must follow the instructions of officers from the MD and the Police at the scene. The Eastern Cordon Line will be lifted later, depending on traffic conditions in Victoria Harbour. It is anticipated that the Restricted Area will be lifted by about 9.15pm on the event day. For landside crowd control, the public landing steps No. 4 to 6 at Kowloon Public Pier will be closed temporarily from 6am to midnight, and the public landing steps No. 1 to 3 will be closed temporarily from 6pm to about 9pm. Other public landing steps within the Restricted Area will be closed temporarily from 6.30pm to about 9pm. Buffer zones at Kowloon Public Pier, Kwun Tong Public Pier and Central Piers 9 and 10 will be established immediately after the event for the safe and orderly disembarkation of passengers. Officers from the MD and the Police will also maintain order at major landing facilities after the event. To ensure smooth disembarkation, coxswains and crew members should remind passengers to pack their personal belongings early before the vessels arrive alongside the landing steps and assist passengers in disembarking. Coxswains and passengers should follow the instructions of the MD and the Police at the scene. The MD and the Marine Police will also strengthen law enforcement, especially concerning life-saving appliances, speeding and overloading. Coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels should check again and reconfirm that the operating licence, the certificate of survey and the third-party risk insurance are valid before setting sail, and that relevant crew members are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. MD Notice No. 14 of 2025 on marine traffic control and safety measures has been issued and is available for viewing on the MD’s website (www.mardep.gov.hk).