Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to an aggravated burglary that occurred at a camping ground in Alice Springs this morning.
Around 5:40am, police received a report of an aggravated burglary at a camping ground on Gap Road.
It is alleged two males, one of which was armed with a hammer, unlawfully entered a caravan occupied by an 84-year-old male. The offenders allegedly stole cash and alcohol before jumping a fence and fleeing the area on foot.
The victim was not injured during the incident.
The offenders remain outstanding, and police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P25101845. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information after an assault occurred in Wadeye last week.
Around 5:45am on Friday 11 April, it is alleged that a 23-year-old male was driving his Toyota Hilux work vehicle along Perdjert Street when an unknown man threw a large rock at the vehicle.
The rock impacted the driver’s side window with the victim suffering serious facial injuries, requiring treatment at the local clinic.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing and police are urging anyone within the community with information to come forward on 131 444 or visit your local station.
Please quote reference number NTP2500037483. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested three female youths in relation to two stolen motor vehicles in Nightcliff overnight.
Around 8:35pm, police received reports that a residence was unlawfully entered, and a grey Lexus and a quantity of alcohol were stolen.
Later at 9:25pm, police received a report that a blue Volkswagen was stolen from a separate residence after having had the keys stolen two days ago.
Police allege the two vehicles travelled together throughout the Greater Darwin Region before stopping within the vicinity of a business on Camphor Street in Nightcliff at around 3am. Police received reports of the suspicious activity, and the offenders fled in one of the vehicles before police arrival. With assistance from police CCTV operators the attending members located the vehicle a short distance away.
The vehicle was observed losing control and crashing into a fence at a slow speed at the intersection of Progress Drive and Phoenix Street. All three female youths, aged 14, 14 and 17-years-old, self-extracted from the vehicle and were apprehended.
The blue Volkswagen was located abandoned on Pandanus Street this morning and Strike Force Trident detectives have carriage of the investigation.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, says the Modi govt is rooting out drug networks ruthlessly In the ceaseless pursuit of building a drug-free Bharat, a monumental feat was achieved by seizing 300 kg of narcotics worth ₹1800 crore near the international maritime border
This operation, in the seas, is a shining example of the success of the Modi govt’s whole-of-the-government approach to rooting out the evil of narcotics
Home Minister applaud Gujarat Police ATS and Indian Coast Guard for the grand success
Posted On: 14 APR 2025 12:35PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, has said that the Modi government is rooting out drug networks ruthlessly.
In a post on ‘X’, Union Home Minister said, “In the ceaseless pursuit of building a drug-free Bharat, a monumental feat was achieved by seizing 300 kg of narcotics worth ₹1800 crore near the international maritime border. This operation, in the seas, is a shining example of the success of the Modi govt’s whole-of-the-government approach to rooting out the evil of narcotics. Applaud Gujarat Police ATS and Indian Coast Guard for the grand success”.
The Modi govt is rooting out drug networks ruthlessly.
In the ceaseless pursuit of building a drug-free Bharat, a monumental feat was achieved by seizing 300 kg of narcotics worth ₹1800 crore near the international maritime border. This operation, in the seas, is a shining…
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Kowloon City today (April 14), in which a man died.
At 5.37am, a public light bus (PLB) driven by a 74-year-old man was travelling along Boundary Street towards Kowloon City. When approaching the junction of Waterloo Road, it reportedly knocked down a 62-year-old man who was riding a bicycle.
Sustaining head injuries, the man was rushed to Kwong Wah Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 6.54am.
The PLB driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for enquiries.
Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Kowloon West is underway.
Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 9023.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
A man who went missing in Kwai Chung has been located.
Wu Hoi-sing, aged 70, went missing after he left his caring home on Lei Muk Road on April 12 morning. Staff of the caring home then made a report to Police.
The man was located in Cheung Shan Estate, Tsuen Wan in the small hours yesterday (April 13). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Easter festive period The ImmD estimates that the passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 225 000, 202 000 and 164 000 passengers respectively.
To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment and the operation of extra clearance counters and kiosks.
Furthermore, the ImmD, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation Limited will set up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements. The ImmD will also establish close communication with Mainland authorities, including the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection. To ensure a smooth passenger traffic flow, passenger conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.
Recovery works are helping Daintree National Park (CYPAL) get back to business following recent weather events.
Repairs and upgrades are ongoing at key sites, returning the national park to a leading ecotourism destination.
Sites include the Kulki Boardwalk Lookout, Dubuji and Madja boardwalks, and sections of the Mossman Gorge walking tracks.
Ongoing repairs and upgrades across Daintree National Park (CYPAL) are on track to reopen key visitor infrastructure in time for the Easter school holidays, ensuring visitors can explore the world’s oldest rainforest and support local tourism.
The upgrades will help Far North Queensland get ‘back to business’ following the impact of weather events which caused significant flooding, debris and landslips on a number of sites and assets in the national park.
Work in Daintree National Park (CYPAL) includes:
Starting the $4.5 million Jindalba boardwalk upgrades – including accessibility improvements that are set to open mid-2025.
Mobilising construction on the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Bamanga Muruku Tourism Hub – allowing traditional owners of the world’s oldest rainforest to share their culture with visitors, set to open later this year.
Reopening the Kulki Boardwalk Lookout after repairs from debris damage.
Reopening the Dubuji and Madja boardwalks after cyclone debris removal and flood repairs.
Reopening Mossman Gorge walking tracks after repairing a damaged pedestrian bridge.
Progressing plans for the Walu Wugirriga Alexandra Range Lookout upgrade for enhanced views.
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Deputy Director-General Ben Klaassen said they’re ensuring these wonders can be witnessed for generations to come.
“Our dedicated Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service team has been working hard to ensure visitors to the national park can truly enjoy north and far north Queensland’s wonderful natural environment,” said Mr Klaassen.
“Daintree National Park (CYPAL) protects one of the oldest rainforests in the world, which is teaming with diverse wildlife.
“Attracting visitors who appreciate this stunning environment allows the national park to play an essential role for the local economy, while showcasing unique biodiversity and rich Indigenous culture.
“We are forging ahead with a number of exciting projects to ensure ecotourism icons like the Daintree continue to support our vibrant state.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen welcomed the recovery work and upgrades in Daintree National Park (CYPAL).
“These works are essential for preserving the region’s world-renowned natural beauty and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience for visitors,” said Mr Olsen.
“This work is vital for tourism, helping to support local businesses, attract nature lovers from around the globe, and strengthen the region’s reputation as a must-visit destination.”
Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation CEO Joshua Paterson said the Daintree National Park (CYPAL) held deep cultural significance for the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people.
“This is part of our ancestral land, rich with sacred sites, stories, and traditions passed down for generations,” said Mr Paterson.
“Our partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to protect and preserve the park’s cultural and environmental values, allows us to share our knowledge and heritage while safeguarding the rainforest’s unique ecosystems for all to experience and respect.”
Daintree National Park (CYPAL), a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity, featuring a rare convergence of reef, rainforest, and mangrove ecosystems that support unique species like the southern cassowary and Bennett’s tree-kangaroo.
The national park is under the joint management of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, whose efforts are focused on preserving the park’s cultural and environmental significance while promoting sustainable tourism.
Extradition from Northern Territory – child sex abuse charges
Monday, 14 April 2025 – 4:09 pm.
Police are today extraditing a man from the Northern Territory to Tasmania over child sexual abuse charges.Detectives from the Southern District have travelled to the Northern Territory and are extraditing the 28-year-old back to Tasmania.The man is expected to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday 16 April 2025 on the charges of Penetrative Sexual Abuse of a Child or Young Person and Grooming with Intent to Expose a Person to Indecent Material.The charges relates to crimes allegedly committed in 2021 in Tasmania.
An arson suspect was arrested on Sunday afternoon, hours after the Pennsylvania governor’s official residence was blazed and partly damaged in the state’s capital city of Harrisburg, said Pennsylvania State Police.
The suspect was identified as Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old man from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Christopher Paris told a press conference.
The suspect hopped over a fence around the governor’s residence and forcibly entered the building before setting it on fire early Sunday morning, according to the state police.
The attack was “targeted” but its specific motive is still unknown, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said at the conference.
Shapiro said that he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family that had celebrated Passover on Saturday were inside the home when they “woke up to bangs on the door from Pennsylvania State Police” around 2:00 am (0600 GMT) on Sunday.
Balmer will face charges including attempted murder, terrorism, arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person, said Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo at the press conference.
No one was injured by the fire, but parts of the residence sustained a “significant amount of damage”, said the state police in a statement earlier on Sunday.
Shapiro, 51, a Democrat, is considered a potential contender in the 2028 U.S. presidential race.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
Released 11/04/2025
In a further step towards enhancing the safety and wellbeing of women and gender diverse people in the ACT, the ACT Government has awarded $100,000 in grants to nine dedicated community groups.
In announcing the grants, the Minister for Women, Dr Marisa Paterson, said that it underscores the government’s commitment to promoting health, safety, and empowerment within our community.
“These initiatives address critical issues such as domestic violence, financial abuse, and the unique challenges faced by culturally and linguistically diverse communities,” Minister Paterson said.
“The ACT Government is committed to enhancing the lives of women and gender diverse people in the ACT. We’re proud to support community organisations that are working to empower women and create a safer community for everyone,” said Minister Paterson.
Among the recipients, SiTara’s Story Incorporated received $10,500 for its EmpowerHER: Breaking Silence, Building Strength program to raise awareness of domestic violence and provide educational resources about financial abuse and coercive control to women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The Queanbeyan Multilingual Centre Inc was awarded $7,500 to facilitate the translation of court orders, ensuring that individuals from diverse backgrounds can fully understand legal proceedings.
The Domestic Violence Crisis Service Inc received $2,000 for the National Day of Remembrance ACT Candle Lighting Ceremony, which honours the lives lost to domestic, intimate partner, and family violence. WaterWombats Aquatic Disability Services Ltd was granted $15,000 for its ACT Women’s Disability Safe and Connected Project, offering coaching, mentoring, psychoeducation, and aqua-yoga to women living with or supporting those with disabilities.
Sakhi Incorporated was awarded $11,380 to develop a culturally informed handbook promoting women’s safety within the South Asian community. Families ACT (FACT) Inc received $15,000 to establish a First 1000 Days Coalition, focusing on the health and wellbeing of mothers, birth parents, and children during the critical first 1000 days.
The Forcibly Displaced People Network Ltd was granted $19,900 for a 12-month project aimed at enhancing safety and support for LGBTIQA+ refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in the ACT. Woden Community Service Limited received $10,000 for its EmpowerHER: Art, Resilience and Community project, which will facilitate art workshops for women affected by domestic violence, helping them form community connections and assist with their recovery. Lastly, Beryl Women Incorporated was awarded $8,720 for professional development to enhance the knowledge and skills of its team.
“These projects align with the four priorities identified in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032: prevention, early intervention, response, and recovery and healing,” Minister Paterson said.
Quote attributable to Dr. Shamaruh Mirza, Founder and President of SiTara’s Story Incorporated: “At EmpowerHER: Breaking Silence, Building Strength, we are dedicated to amplifying the voices of CALD women who face unique challenges in recognizing and addressing domestic violence. This funding is instrumental in enabling us to create impactful podcasts and a documentary, fostering awareness and providing vital resources. We believe that education is key to transformation, and through community-led discussions and showcases, we will empower women to reclaim their narratives and advocate for their rights.”
Quote attributable to Carol Jennings, Founder of WaterWombats: “The WaterWombats Disability Safety in Connection project will focus on delivering support services for women living with a disability or supporting those living with a disability. Small group programs will be delivered for both mental and physical health – which include group education sessions and social connection and physical health initiative in the form of an aqua yoga program. The program currently delivers free family counselling and social work services to attending families. This grant funding enables us to widen the scope of support and services to those in need.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
A prescribed hazard reduction burn on East West Road near the Blue Range Recreation Area will commence tomorrow, Tuesday 15 April 2025, subject to suitable weather and fuel moisture conditions.
The prescribed hazard reduction burn on East West Road is being conducted to reduce the fire hazard in the area.
Experienced ACT Parks and Conservation Service fire managers will conduct and oversee the burning operations. Every effort is made to conduct burns in weather conditions that will minimise the impact of smoke, but temporary smoke cover is possible and may be visible across parts of Canberra.
Fire crews will be on the ground monitoring and patrolling the prescribed burn to its conclusion.
Smoke, flame, and glowing embers may be seen at this site, which is normal for these types of operations. The public are asked not to call emergency triple-zero unless they see any unattended fire.
Prescribed burns are an important part of the ACT’s annual Bushfire Operations Plan to enhance ecological quality, reduce the risk of bushfires and help keep Canberrans safe.
More information about prescribed hazard reduction burns is available on the Parks ACT website.
Illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour have no place in our neighbourhoods—that’s the clear message being delivered by local residents and community partners working together to create safer, cleaner spaces in Māngere.
At a recent Māngere East Community Safety meeting, led by the Māngere East Community Centre and funded through the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board’s safety work programme, residents voiced their concerns about rising anti-social behaviour at Radonich Park in Māngere East, especially over weekends and late nights.
Key issues raised included alcohol consumption, loud noise, dangerous driving in the carpark, disturbances affecting nearby residents and illegal dumping.
A community-led BBQ brought together local groups and regular park users to kōrero (talk) the challenges they face at Radonich Park, fostering connection and understanding.
Board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich says, “This kind of behaviour is simply unacceptable, and we won’t stand for it. We are fully committed to making a change and will work alongside our community to make this happen. Our board recently met with residents and saw firsthand the impact these issues are having. It’s deeply upsetting to witness the blatant disrespect for our environment, particularly with illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour that is making it unsafe for locals.
“Council staff are taking immediate action to tackle these issues, including securing the main gates during park hours, enforcing the liquor ban with signage, and addressing illegal dumping. These concerns have also been raised with the Community Prevention Policing team, who will help support and keep our residents safe.”
Illegal Dumping
If you see dumped rubbish on public property, call 0800 NO DUMP (0800 663 867). Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Large piles of rubbish illegally dumped at the local community garden.
Council takes illegal dumping seriously. All reports will be investigated. Offenders could face fines of up to $400, and serious cases may result in prosecution under the Litter Act 1979, with penalties of up to $30,000.
A sad sight: images of illegal dumping taken during a recent walkthrough of the gardens.
Anti-social behaviour
Another area of concern is ongoing antisocial behaviour in the park, particularly during weekends and late-night hours. The main issues are alcohol use, loud noise, speeding in the carpark, and disturbances to nearby residents.
During a recent cleanup, the team came across alcohol boxes and bottles scattered across the area, a stark reminder of the disrespect shown to our community spaces.
Bakulich adds, “We’ve stressed the importance of safety and urged residents not to intervene in escalating situations. Their wellbeing is our top priority. We are incredibly proud of our community for stepping up and wanting to be a part of the solution. Together, we’re working to make the area safe and a welcoming space for everyone.”
The end goal is simple: working together to create a safe and thriving environment, where anti-social behaviour and illegal dumping will not be tolerated, and fines will be enforced.
Stay connected
Sign up for our Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board e-newsletter and get it delivered to your inbox each month.
Back-to-back Easter and Anzac Day long weekends will see officers from South Australia Police (SAPOL) continue working with partner agencies as part of ongoing water safety operations.
An increase in people enjoying a variety of waterways is egg-spected over the period, with police and Marine Safety Officers ramping up patrols across inland and coastal locations coinciding with school holidays.
“We encourage the public to make the most of the warm weather and enjoy our waterways, but they must do so safely,” Senior Sergeant Darian Leske from SAPOL’s Water Operations Unit said.
“Police will be working with our partner agencies to ensure everyone is acting responsibly while on the water, by detecting breaches of the Harbours and Navigation Act.
“We will be conducting safety equipment checks and random alcohol and drug testing of boat operators, observers and skiers, because as on land, a blood alcohol limit of 0.05 applies.”
From 27 December 2024 to 3 February 2025, Operation Riversafe saw 205 vessel checks by police alone, 204 alco tests, 115 drug tests, 28 cautions, eight expiations and six reports (four positive drugs, two prescribed concentration of alcohol). Marine Safety Officers also support this operation.
In addition to having a road safety operation in place, SAPOL is also mindful avoidable water tragedies can occur when risks are taken.
“While South Australians are being asked to ‘keep it sweet on the road’ this Easter, let’s also keep it sweet on the water,” Senior Sergeant Leske urged.
“Alcohol or drugs and water don’t mix. An incident at Mannum over the Australia Day long weekend is a prime example of this.”
Failing to carry appropriate safety equipment, misuse of or not carrying lifejackets, outdated flares, unregistered vessels and exceeding speed limits were the top five non-compliance issues among water users last Easter period.
“It only takes a moment to put a lifejacket on, but not wearing one on the water when trouble strikes can cost your life in an instant,” Gordon Panton, Manager Marine Safety and Compliance at the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, said.
“More than one third of the vessels we checked last Easter on coastal waters and at boat ramps were non-compliant, with misuse of or not carrying lifejackets among the most common issues.
“Boaties and holidaymakers are reminded to check their lifejackets are to standard, fit well, and are in good working condition, that they are operating safely and keeping to speed limits around other water users, and they have the right safety equipment on board.”
Since 1 January 2025, older standard lifejackets have no longer been acceptable to use, and jackets must now meet the AS 4758 standard.
Fisheries will also have an on-water and on-land presence across the entire state over the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends, and officers will be especially checking compliance with the no take zones for snapper over the period.
“We ask that fishers adhere to size and bag limits and fishing gear regulations and are encouraged to access the Rec Fishing App or the PIRSA website for further information,” Gary Darter, acting General Manager Operations Support at PIRSA, said.
“To combat the spread of the Abalone virus AVG, decontamination protocols apply to fishing devices and boats, especially those operating from the Murray Mouth to the Victorian Border.
“Remember, Check, Clean and Dry. Full details are also on the PIRSA website.
“If you see anything unusual, please report any concerns to Fishwatch on 1800 065 522.”
Plus, don’t forget:
* Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
* Slow your vessel to 4 knots when near other boats, ramps, jetties, swimmers, surfaces and the shore.
* Keep your keys in a safe location. Do not hide them in your car, caravan or boat.
* Remove fishing rods, tackle boxes and eskies from boats and trailers when not in use.
* Securely attach trailers and boats to a vehicle or a solid fixture when not in use.
* Be aware of water safety issues at the beach or at the river including rips and currents, maritime safety and the dangers of marine life.
* Never leave valuable items unattended or under a beach towel. Use a watertight container or leave your items secured in your holiday home.
Report any suspicious behaviour to SAPOL by calling 131 444.
Gordon Panton, Manager Marine Safety and Compliance at the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Senior Sergeant Darian Leske from SAPOL’s Water Operations Unit and Gary Darter, acting General Manager Operations Support at PIRSA at North Haven Marina today, sharing a school holiday water safety message.
Police Minster Senzo Mchunu is this afternoon expected to visit two drug laboratories and a warehouse which were discovered and shut down by the Hawks in Mpumalanga this week, said the Ministry of Police.
In a statement, the Ministry said the Minister will be accompanied by the National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, together with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation National Head, (Dr./Adv) Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya.
The discovery was made in Standerton.
“Equipment and substances with an estimated value of R48 million and seven vehicles have been seized for further investigation. Nine suspects have been arrested,” said the Ministry ahead of Sunday’s visit.
On Wednesday, the Hawks said that two suspects would appear in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court after the arrest of six Mozambican nationals.
This as the Hawks’ Secunda based Serious Organised Crime investigation monitored the origin of drugs in Standerton after numerous cases of possession of drugs were reported.
“The task was successfully executed as two clandestine laboratories were clamped down within a week,” the Hawks said at the time.
Additionally, a pressing machine and 35 buckets filled with powder and ready to be pressed into tablets were recovered. –SAnews.gov.za
Attribute to Senior Sergeant Andy Reid, Manawatū Road Policing Services Team Leader:
Road Policing staff from Manawatū and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Team conducted a four-day operation last week, targeting driver behaviour and Heavy Motor Vehicle compliance across the upper Rangitikei and greater Ruapehu areas.
The operation ran over four days, from Wednesday 9 April to Saturday 12 April, with the focus on safety of road users across the region.
Across the four days, 20 checkpoints were conducted, and 7755 drivers were breath tested.
Three people blew over the legal breath alcohol limit. Two of those drivers received a $200 fine, forbidden to drive for 12 hours and had 50 demerit points added to their licence for two years. The third driver will appear before the court.
Nearly 130 infringement notices were issued during the operation, with 62 for speed, 8 for not wearing seatbelts and 2 drivers were on their cell phones. More than 50 notices were issued for other vehicle related offences.
Of the 61 heavy motor vehicles inspected, two were ordered off the road and issued with stickers, and one was not up to certificate of fitness standards.
While most drivers are doing the right thing, we are still disappointed that we’re continuing to see people putting themselves and other road users at risk.
Our aim is to prevent tragic incidents on our roads, and we make no apology for targeting dangerous driving behaviour including restraints, impairment, distractions, and speed.
ACT Justice spokesperson Todd Stephenson is calling on Green MP Tamatha Paul to clarify her party’s stance on crime and explain her decision tofundraise for the extremist group People Against Prisons Aotearoa (PAPA).
“This is a group that openly calls for the abolition of prisons and the police,” says Mr Stephenson.
“New Zealanders – and especially Ms Paul’s constituents – deserve to know whether this reflects her views and those of the Green Party. If it doesn’t, she needs to explain why she chose to support them by nominating them to receive proceeds from the sale of merchandise featuring her image.
“The question that needs to be answered is what ought to happen to murders, rapists and terrorists if prisons and the police force no longer exist?
“Ms Paul can’t have it both ways. She’s previously claimed not to support police abolition after being challenged by ACT, yet she continues to promote and raise money for an organisation that exists solely to push that very agenda. If she disagrees with PAPA’s goals, why is she using her public platform to amplify and fundraise for them?
“Paul has also stated she’s received ‘nothing but complaints’ about police beat patrols in Wellington. If that’s true, either she’s not talking to normal people, or her constituents have concluded she’s living in La La Land and see no point in engaging with someone so disconnected from reality.
“This group isn’t about reducing crime, it’s about facilitating a descent into anarchy and chaos. Supporting them means supporting an extremist vision for New Zealand’s justice system, where victims are forgotten and dangerous offenders are allowed to walk free.”
Some of People Against Prisons Aotearoa’spolicy positions include:
Abolishing the New Zealand Police
Abolishing prisons entirely
Ending reincarceration for breaches of parole, probation, or bail
Banning incarceration of transgender offenders
Decriminalising benefit fraud
Progressively defunding the Department of Corrections
Repealing three strikes for the worst repeat violent and sexual offenders
As work progresses on a hi-tech weigh station at Taupō, traffic will continue to be managed through works on the surrounding state highways and local roads.
Five sites leading to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre are having in-road weighing technology installed and these will be coned off for 30 days from late April/early May to cure the asphalt before the technology is installed advises NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA)
“So while it may look like nothing is happening beyond the cones, it is essential to give the asphalt time to cure and be ready for installing the weigh-in-motion scales,” says Regional Manager for Infrastructure Delivery, Darryl Coalter.
“The asphalt layer at each site needs time to harden and gain strength. The new layer needs to be undisturbed for 30 days so that it hardens sufficiently for contractors to make precise cuts into it to fit the weigh-in-motion weigh plates.
“We can’t remove the traffic management and run traffic over it because it has been laid at precise levels so the scales work properly when they are installed. We want to avoid the risk of the soft asphalt crumbling.”
The scales are being installed on 5 of the roads heading towards the safety centre:
SH1 north of the SH1/5 roundabout
SH1 south of the roundabout
SH5 east of the roundabout
Napier Road west of the roundabout
Nearby Crown Road.
Temporary lanes have been built on the road shoulders to allow traffic to pass around the work areas and minimise the use of stop/go or temporary detours. Speed restrictions are in place and only minor delays are expected.
The curing period will run from the end of April to the end of May.
The Taupō weight station is 1 of 12 facilities NZTA is building on high-volume freight routes around the country for NZ Police to operate. The safety centres are part of the national Commercial Vehicle Safety Programme.
This technology will screen passing traffic and direct any suspected non-compliant heavy vehicles into the safety centre. Police officers on site will check vehicle weights, road user charges, certificates of fitness, logbooks and driver impairment.
Read more about the Commercial Vehicle Safety Centres:
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Make sure you research the retailer you’re buying from.
In brief:
The end of the year is a time when people tend to shop more.
This story includes a few details to be aware of to help avoid shopping disappointment
As Black Friday sales start and Christmas shopping begins, we’re exposed to lots of advertising. Whether you’re at the shops or browsing online, here are our tips for a smooth shopping experience.
Do your research
Read product reviews, shop around and ensure that a sale really is a bargain.
Read the terms and conditions of your purchase. Ensure you understand any fees you’ll be charged if you cancel or change your order.
Always make sure you ask for a receipt and keep it somewhere safe.
Know who you’re buying from when shopping online.
When buying a product or service online, research the retailer you’re buying from. Only buy from websites that:
are well known and legitimate
have a good reputation
display clear processes for solving problems.
Always check the website is secure, and screenshot or save any documentation, receipts or confirmation emails.
Some businesses sell products that they don’t have in stock, instead they have another business supply you the product. When deciding who to buy from, ask the business whether it holds the stock itself.
Check delivery timeframes
Before you make a purchase, check delivery timeframes, including Christmas cut-off dates.
Be aware of possible delays and always give yourself plenty of time to ensure the gift arrives in time.
Be cautious with overseas websites
Overseas online businesses that provide goods or services directly to consumers in Australia must follow the Australian Consumer Law. However, you aren’t covered by the Australian Consumer Law if the business doesn’t directly offer their products and services in Australia.
If a business is overseas, you may have difficulty getting a refund, repair, or replacement for your product.
Understand your rights
If you don’t get what you paid for with a product or service, you have rights. This applies even when an item is on sale.
Always check the store’s returns policy. Refunds aren’t always an automatic right. Businesses don’t have to give you a refund if you:
change your mind
buy the wrong size, or
buy the wrong colour.
Some businesses still offer refunds in these situations. This is their choice to provide good customer service, and not a legal requirement.
You are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement if a consumer guarantee is not met. The remedy you’re entitled to will depend on whether the issue is major or minor.
If you do experience a problem with a product or service, you should always talk to the business first. Most traders want to do the right thing and fix any problems for their customers. If you are unable to resolve the problem, Access Canberra may be able to help.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
After meeting Louise, Senior Director Tenant Experience at Housing ACT, it’s clear to see that she’s someone who is genuinely committed to helping people.
“What fundamentally keeps me with housing is because I’m a real people person. There are lots of opportunities to engage with and support really wonderful and fascinating members of our community who have unique and interesting stories of their own,” she says.
We have a dedicated staffing group that works tirelessly seven days a week to make sure we can be responsive to our clients. “But just like with any industry, there can be not-so-positive interactions. Particularly given current cost of living pressures and the importance of having stable housing” Louise says.
“When there’s financial hardships or homelessness, sometimes clients can take those frustrations out on our staff. So that’s really hard when people are turning up, day after day, to do a job and they’re being abused. The staff have done nothing to deserve those levels of anger or frustrations or threats,” she says.
“We would love nothing more than to house everyone straight away and not have waitlists, but unfortunately there is a supply and demand issue. And that can be terribly frustrating when you’re talking to and listening to members of the community who really are in dire straits. There are so many things that can be a pressure point in not having housing, so we certainly understand that.”
As a born and bred Canberran who grew up with a single mother living in public housing, Louise understands firsthand the pressures faced by her clients. So when it came time to find a job, she jumped at the chance to give back to the community and work with the ACT Government in Housing Assistance – and 26 years on, she’s still there.
“I just fell in love with the different roles and the work that we do in housing that supports so many members of the public,” says Louise.
From an entry-level position, Louise has worked her way up, taking on a range of different roles, and now leads a team responsible for looking after tenants.
“You get exposed to really diverse members of the community, and it’s really rewarding to support these people at times when they need that little bit of extra assistance with housing support, or if there’s a crisis in their current situation and to be able help them stabilise it, so you can see them excel in their lives.”
Working in tenant experience is similar to working in property management, including managing rent accounts, inspections and complaints. But Louise says the main difference is they bring a “social landlord lens” and work hard to support people to sustain their tenancies.
“A large amount of the work we do is understanding our tenants, their needs and looking to help them with what they need,” she says.
Louise believes social housing can get a bad rap in the media and greater community, and she’s passionate about changing that narrative.
“Sometimes it’s frustrating to me that we can’t tell all the good stories, because of privacy laws,” she says. “But there are a lot of good things we do behind the scenes that aren’t publicly known. For example, during heat waves, we call up older tenants to make sure they’re alright. And that’s resulted in us identifying a medical emergency and getting them assistance.”
Louise says that due to the occupational violence experienced, Housing ACT have a range of measures in place to support and protect staff, like regular communication and specialist training programs. They’ve also introduced duress devices for frontline staff, and have a range of follow-up supports in place for staff if an incident occurs.
But Louise says it really is only a few people who become aggressive.
“We don’t want to stop people raising concerns or telling us what they think. But it’s about doing it in a way that’s not aggressive or violent towards us. You can express your dissatisfaction, but use the mechanisms available to you, like lodge a complaint.”
“By far, tenants are lovely. So it’s one of those things where a handful can really ruin it,” she says.
And as for her career, if you want to work somewhere where you really know you’re making a difference, Louise says working in housing assistance is incredibly rewarding, with a good mix between field work and office work.
“For people who don’t see themselves stuck behind the desk from nine to five and love client engagement, there’s that real mix, and we have that flexibility,” she says.
“If you like working in a team with people, and have value-driven outcomes, this would be the job for you. Every single day, I go home thinking, ‘I’ve done something today that has helped someone’.”
* For personal privacy, surnames of interviewees have been removed.
More people could be harmed if Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey does not guarantee to protect patients and workers as the Police withdraw from supporting mental health call outs.
“Two reported incidents show that by withdrawing the Police’s support from mental health call outs, people suffering severe distress will fall through the cracks, and will miss out on the support and care they deserve,” Labour mental health spokesperson Ingrid Leary said.
“The Government has failed to provide a plan to support mental health workers, patients and other staff when people detained under the Mental Health Act are brought into emergency departments.
“The Government said it had a plan for Police to reduce the amount of time they stay with a person detained under the Mental Health Act in an emergency department, but it’s being pushed through too fast.
“Staff in our hospitals are already reporting high levels of violence in their workplace. Withdrawing Police without trained safe staff to step in puts everyone at risk.
“Matt Doocey is compromising worker and patient safety and is failing to deliver the mental health support he promised New Zealanders. He should be held accountable if more incidences of harm are reported,” Ingrid Leary said.
“While in Government, we were developing a plan to phase in mental health co-response teams nationally to respond to 111 calls for people experiencing mental distress,” Labour Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said.
“However, rushing through the withdrawal of Police support is irresponsible when there is no additional mental health workforce in place.”
Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Waihi last night.
Emergency services were called to the single-vehicle crash, involving a motorcycle, at the intersection of Rosemont Road and Consols Street at around 8:20pm.
The rider sadly died at the scene.
The road has since reopened.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
Police have launched a homicide investigation after the discovery of a man’s body in a vehicle in the Far North town of Kawakawa on Sunday morning.
Emergency services were called to the scene on Station Road in a car park near the Caltex petrol station about 7.45am.
“The man’s death was initially treated as unexplained, however it is now believed that he was the victim of a violent assault,” Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston says.
A 49-year-old man located nearby has now been charged with murder, appearing in the Kaikohe District Court today.
Detective Inspector Johnston says Police are also searching a property in the seaside settlement of Te Tii in relation to the investigation.
Post-mortem and formal identification procedures are still to be carried out.
Police are releasing a photo of the vehicle which has since been removed from the scene where the man was found.
“We would like to talk to anyone who noticed this vehicle or spoke with the occupants during the morning of Sunday 13 April,” Detective Inspector Johnston says.
That vehicle is a black Ford Falcon, with registration number BYM765.
It visited the Caltex Station in Kawakawa at 7.15am on 13 April.
If you can help, please get in touch through our 105 service, using the reference number 250413/7779.
You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) co-organised the third edition of the InnoEX at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) for four consecutive days starting today (April 13). The Digital Policy Office (DPO) set up a large-scale Smart Hong Kong Pavilion to showcase over 100 technology solutions, including those developed by different government departments in relation to citizens’ daily lives. Through interactive experiences and on-site demonstrations, the Pavilion demonstrates the solid achievements in advancing the development of innovation and technology (I&T) and smart city in Hong Kong brought about by the concerted efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and various sectors.
On the opening day of the Pavilion, a number of officials, including the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, visited the Pavilion. They were briefed by the Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, on how the DPO leads various government departments in leveraging I&T to enhance city management and operational efficiency, delivering enhanced public services to citizens. The DPO has all along worked in close collaboration with the local I&T industry to develop a variety of innovative solutions, with a view to continuously enhancing public services for the benefit of the public and businesses, jointly strengthening Hong Kong’s leading position as an international I&T hub.
This year’s Smart Hong Kong Pavilion focuses on AI and data-driven applications, and showcases I&T solutions contributed by 20 government departments and the winning entries of international and domestic I&T competitions, including the Hong Kong ICT Awards, Asia Pacific Information and Communications Technology Alliance Awards, Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest – Hong Kong Chapter and Open Data Hackathon, from local innovators and students. Through the exhibition, the DPO hopes to recognise outstanding local innovations, encourage and inspire industry players to develop more innovative solutions as well as promote Hong Kong’s I&T development to local industries, exhibitors and experts from home and abroad.
Following are highlights of the six areas of the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion:
Smart Living: “iAM Smart”, the one-stop personalised digital services platform that provides citizens with access to over 1 100 government, public and private online services and government e-Forms; the Hong Kong Observatory’s AI-powered weather prediction models that provide reference in preparing weather forecasts and tropical cyclone forecast tracks; and the industry’s award-winning solution, a smart packaging system from the Hong Kong Productivity Council that significantly increases packaging output of Chinese medicine and reduces manpower requirements.
Smart Mobility: Award of the Year in the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2024, a solution from the MTR Corporation Limited and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology that adopts a digital twin calibrated with big data for railway planning and simulating service disruptions and congestion, thereby assisting the MTR to plan corresponding arrangements early to meet the travel needs of citizens.
Smart Environment: The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s Shark Species Rapid DNA Identification technology that uses AI to rapidly identify the species of shark fins and more efficiently determine whether the imported shark fins are regulated; and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department’s AI-powered Aqua-bot that is used in early detection and rapid response to invasive alien species to protect ecosystems in wetlands.
Smart People: The Architectural Services Department’s Wall-Climbing Robot that can move flexibly on building facades and conduct building facade assessments efficiently and accurately; the Drainage Services Department’s Tumbler Inspection Ball Robot with Embodied Intelligence, honoured with a Gold Medal in the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva 2024, that can monitor condition of pipelines through clear 360-degree panoramic videos and AI technology; as well as the Highways Department’s adoption of geospatial and AI technologies to automatically detect various road objects and create survey maps, enhancing efficiency of road construction projects.
Smart Government: The Hong Kong Fire Services Department’s Virtual Fire Scene Incident Command Training System that allows firefighters to practice command and decision-making skills in an immersive experience; the Hong Kong Police Force’s The New Generation Scenario-based Interactive Multiplayer Simulation System that adopts multimedia broadcasting and simulated communication systems to train officers to respond to various simulated incidents; and the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s Mutual Use of QR Code between HKSAR and Macao SAR Clearance Service that fosters ease in cross-boundary mobility.
Smart Economy: The Lands Department’s leverage of spatial data and Geographic Information System to enhance the safety, efficiency and planning of drone operations, supporting low-altitude economy development; and the award-winning solution, Hong Kong Housing Authority Project Information Management and Analytics Platform, that implements digital project management from planning to handover stages, thereby expediting decision-making process.
The annual I&T mega event of Hong Kong, InnoEX, brings together I&T elites, enterprises and buyers from the Mainland and overseas to jointly promote I&T advancements and applications and explore global collaboration opportunities. Themed “Innovation • Automate • Elevate”, this year’s InnoEX will showcase cutting-edge technology solutions across five key areas: low-altitude economy, AI, robotics, cybersecurity and smart mobility. Interested parties from the trade can register free of charge at the HKTDC’s website (www.hktdc.com/event/innoex/en).
Meanwhile, another major I&T highlight this April – the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit – a high-level conference in the global Internet field, will take place on April 14 and 15 at the HKCEC concurrently. Under the theme “Integration of AI and Digital Technologies Shaping the Future – Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace”, the Summit will focus on forward-looking discussions in large AI models, digital finance, and digital government and smart life, attracting around 1 000 participants from the Mainland and overseas, including representatives from governments and enterprises, international organisations, internet giants, experts and scholars to attend.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Officers of the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau and the Police Tactical Unit Headquarters (PTU HQ) of the Hong Kong Police Force reached new heights at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, which was held between April 9 and 13 in Geneva, Switzerland, and garnered the “International Press Prize” for the first time, the “Gold Medal with the Congratulations of Jury”, along with one Gold, one Silver, and one Bronze international award.
Following a highly competitive judging process with international expert judges reviewing all the entries, the Force professionally presented the innovative technological solutions. The Force focused on the themes of “Building a Secure Cyberspace” and “Applying Technology”, demonstrating four solutions in the “Hardware, Software, Cybersecurity, Blockchain & Internet of Things (IoT)” category, winning five international awards, including:
1) Scameter Series – A multi-layered public anti-scam initiative comprising a public-facing mobile app with real-time scam detection, open-data policies sharing threat intelligence with strategic stakeholders, and partnerships with banks to send public alerts on high-risk transactions (International Press Prize & Gold Medal);
2) CryptoTrace – Jointly developed with the University of Hong Kong, this cutting-edge virtual asset analytics platform facilitates cryptocurrency tracing, fund flow analysis, and wallet correlation, accelerating fraud detection for frontline investigators (Gold Medal with the Congratulations of Jury);
3) RAPID Engine – Through multilateral collaboration and proactive detection from various sources, RAPID Engine inspects newly registered suspicious websites. Utilising AI algorithms, RAPID Engine performs real-time analysis based on multidimensional rules such as domain characteristics and suspicious codes. Threat intelligence is simultaneously updated to the “Scameter Series” and sent to multiple internet service providers for blocking, effectively enhancing the public’s ability to resist phishing threats (Silver Medal);
4) AI Visual Intelligence-enabled Glasses for Drone Operations – PTU HQ partnered with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, jointly developed an AI-powered image analysis system integrated with Augmented Reality (AR) smart glasses. This system enables real-time display of both flight footage and AI computational results directly on the AR glasses, allowing operators to receive critical AI insights without interrupting flight control (Bronze Medal);
The awards demonstrate the Force’s commitment to leveraging innovative technology to promote smart policing and improve operational efficiency. Additionally, the Force effectively employs AI to assist the public in combating fraud and enhancing law enforcement capabilities, particularly in tackling emerging types of crimes, including those related to virtual assets.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
To echo the National Security Education Day on April 15, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) held the “National Security Education Day cum Police Museum Open Day” today (April 13) to enhance public awareness of national security, foster their sense of national identity and offer an opportunity for the community to learn more about the history and work of the HKPF.
Addressing at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, said that safeguarding national security is everyone’s responsibility. The HKSAR Government has always been committed to promoting national security education to enhance public awareness and foster a sense of responsibility in protecting national security. He praised the HKPF for their crucial role in safeguarding national security. He said that Hong Kong has long been regarded as one of the safest cities in the world. This reassures investors and tourists to visit and should never be taken for granted; rather, it is the result of concerted efforts, with significant contributions from the HKPF.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, in his opening remarks, said that national security is the cornerstone of prosperity and stability for a society. He added that the HKPF will continue its unwavering efforts to prevent, suppress, and impose punishment for acts endangering national security. Stressing that community support and participation are essential elements for safeguarding national security, he hoped the public would remain vigilant at all times and work together to safeguard national security.
At the opening ceremony, the officiating guests were accompanied by children in mini police uniforms to display the 20 key areas of national security, symbolising the Police and the public’s concerted efforts to convey the message of “national security, a mission we share”.
To commemorate the 5th anniversary of the implementation of the National Security Law, the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the National Security Department of the HKPF, the 1st anniversary of the implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, and the 10th anniversary of the National Security Education Day, the open day featured the “National Security Express – Police Museum Station”, which showcased the Force’s efforts in safeguarding national security. The advanced equipment of various units, including the Police Dog Unit, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau and the Counter Terrorism Response Unit, were also on display, providing the public with an opportunity to learn about the work of the Force.
In addition, officers dressed in police uniforms from different generations were present to take photos with the public, showcasing the evolution of police uniforms. In addition to the interactive technology elements in the Police Museum’s exhibitions, retired police officers and civilian staff also provided guided tours to the visitors, enabling them to have a better understanding of the history of the Force. The open day also featured a “drone football” experience game, an anti-drug publicity vehicle and a number of check-in spots where the public could take photos and have fun.