Wairarapa flood resilience has been shored up with the completion of five projects funded by the Regional Infrastructure Fund, with more on the way, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “These five projects, supported by Greater Wellington Regional Council, were among 42 priority flood resilience projects across 11 regions announced last year and approved for a total of $101.1 million in funding through the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF). Greater Wellington Regional Council was approved for funding up to $16.1m across Kāpiti and Wairarapa. “The completed Wairarapa projects are an upgrade of Pukio East Stopbank, protection upgrades at two sites on Waipoua River, and Stages 2 and 3 of the River Road Flood Protection Upgrade on Ruamāhanga River. Mr Jones today attended an event hosted by Greater Wellington Regional Council at Fullers Bend on Waiōhine River to mark the completion of the five projects and to view progress of another 11 flood protection projects underway. “I announced the first tranche of projects about this time last year. We wanted projects that would be ready to start as soon as they got the green light – what we have here is delivery on our promises,” Mr Jones says. “Doing this work now protects local communities, provides local jobs, and builds a sense of security and confidence. It underpins a broader willingness to invest in our local economies “It also protects Crown assets such as roads, railways, hospitals and schools. It also saves the costs of deploying government emergency services in clean-up operations and eases the demand on other social services. Minister Jones also today held a joint regional growth summit for Kāpiti and Wairarapa in Carterton today where he engaged with stakeholders on economic growth, regional priorities, prosperity and resilience. “Today’s summit was a great chance to discuss further growth opportunities for both of these regions and I look forward to seeing RIF applications through this engagement,” Mr Jones says. GWRC Projects To support councils to deliver essential works at pace, the RIF invested as grants to 42 flood resilience projects across 12 councils. Flood resilience projects in Kāpiti benefitting from RIF investment are:
Otaki Cliffs River Bank Protection: $2.50 million.
Flood resilience projects in the Wairarapa benefitting from RIF investment are:
River Rd Masterton Flood Protection Upgrade – Stage 2: $1.48 million (completed) River Rd Masterton Flood Protection Upgrade – Stage 3 Remaining Groynes: $2.11 million (completed) Waipoua SH2 Left Bank Protection Upgrade: $80,000 (completed) Waipoua Industrial Site – Akura Road Edge Protection Programme: $880,000 (completed) Fullers Bend Protection: $1.39 million Awaroa Floodway Spillover Sill: $530,000 Tawaha Floodway Spillover Sill: $1.02 million Pukio East Stopbank Upgrade, South Wairarapa: $540,000 (completed) Flood Gates – Fish Passage Upgrades, South Wairarapa: $220,000 Masterton Water Supply Protection Project: $570,000 Hood Aerodrome Masterton Waingawa River Flood Protection: $950,000 South Masterton Stopbank Upgrade: $520,000 Homebush Wastewater Treatment Plant Resilience Works: $270,000 Upper Ruamāhanga Buffer Establishment: $2.16 million Whakawhiriwhiri Stream – Project Rescope: $860,000
As a global leader in technology and innovation, Samsung Electronics aims to create working environments that allow every employee to advance themselves personally and professionally. Guided by their diverse backgrounds, perspectives and passions, Samsung employees around the world are shaping their own unique paths at the company.
With the aim of showcasing these paths, Samsung Newsroom conducted video interviews of some of its many inspiring leaders around the world. Watch the full video below to hear their inspiring stories:
Tips for Those on Their Journeys
Deborah Honig is the first ever Chief Customer Officer at Samsung Electronics U.K., a role that’s all about putting the customer at the center of Samsung’s offerings and bringing the strength of the company’s ecosystem together across B2B and B2C sales channels.
A proud Canadian and sports fanatic, Honig was inspired by her father, who was an airplane engineer. When Honig was a child, he would take her to his workplace, where she had the opportunity to witness industries that were pushing the boundaries firsthand. This marked the beginning of her interest in technology. Now, she is proud to be part of Samsung’s drive for innovation and is excited to be part of the journey to bring AI technology to users.
Honig is driven by the mantra, “power the possible.” To her, this means inspiring the best work in herself and in her team and is rooted in the belief that Samsung products help people live better lives. Her advice to others on their journey is, “Build your own tribe. Never underestimate the power of your network to lean on when you need coaching, inspiration or advice.”
In a hybrid role consisting of engineering, management and consultant responsibilities, Shin-Chul Baik leads a team of 50 engineers tasked with maintaining the cybersecurity of Samsung devices, including smartphones, tablets, TVs and home appliances.
Baik knew he would become an engineer from a young age and has worked consistently throughout his career to combine that strong technical foundation with expertise in business operations and interpersonal communications. The breadth and dynamism of Samsung has provided key opportunities in this regard, in addition to the company’s education program supporting him in achieving various security qualifications.
To get ahead, he recommends the following approach, “Aspire to jump to the next curve. But keep your head down and grind in the meantime. It’s about the journey of getting through the process, and grabbing the opportunity to jump to the next curve.”
Nguyen Thi Bich Hanh leads a team of nearly 100 engineers at Samsung R&D Center Vietnam, which works in mobile product development areas like performance improvement, memory optimization and software compliance. Her primary role involves overseeing project development, managing human resources, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring adherence to Samsung’s internal processes.
Her journey began back in high school, where she was amazed at how quickly code produced results and the creative opportunities it offered. This led to her attending one of Vietnam’s premier technology universities and then her position at Samsung, which has shown her how the company fosters personal growth by creating a positive environment and offering numerous training programs.
Her advice to the world is, “Think differently. Always question how to improve the current state and never stop learning. If you encounter a challenge, do not be afraid to embrace it or to make mistakes. Figure out what you truly desire, believe in yourself, and work to transform every setback into an opportunity for growth.”
Camila Andrea Segura Rodriguez leads the marketing team for Home Appliances at Samsung Colombia, which is a role that involves developing effective product communication strategies to impact potential customers while closely collaborating with other teams.
As someone who was drawn to creativity since childhood, she wanted to develop a career that allowed her to express her creativity and imagination, which is exactly what she found in her first internship at a creative agency. Since joining Samsung, her journey has led to an appreciation for the dynamic work environment and the opportunities to grow professionally, particularly the provision of development tools like the Leadership Incubator.
When asked for her tips she would share with others, she says, “Stay true to yourself while continuously nurturing your growth with diverse people, opinions and experiences. Surrounding yourself with different voices challenges your thinking, sparks creativity and helps you evolve. Embrace change, stay open to learning, stay grounded in your values, and let both your uniqueness and the richness of diversity shape your journey.”
Daniel Harvie is Head of the TV/AV business for Samsung in the U.K. & Ireland — a role in which he leads a large team across sales, marketing and product — with the core responsibilities of working with channel partners, creating consumer demand and managing the supply chain.
The path that led to Harvie’s career at Samsung was certainly a unique one, since his childhood was rooted in competitive sport before he moved on to majoring in music and the performing arts at university and eventually pivoted to consumer technology. He credits his broad skillset to this varied background and believes his story is a testament to how different life experiences can bring value to a company. In terms of career growth, Samsung has provided him with the opportunity to develop expertise across multiple European markets and a better understanding of global strategy, including formal leadership development programs.
His advice to others on their Samsung journey is, “Firstly, be open-minded, always be willing to learn from new experiences and challenges you face, and take on different perspectives. Secondly, carry with you an optimistic mindset. Optimism, with a healthy dose of realism, is a proven force multiplier and massively increases your ability to see opportunity, to be solutions focused and to galvanize people around ambitious goals.”
Roopa Sheshadri Kotiganahally is a Director at Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore, where she leads the development of cutting-edge Galaxy device features powered by AI/machine learning (ML). Her team focuses on leveraging the power of computer vision, deep learning and generative AI paradigms to enhance photo and video experiences. Her position allows her to pursue her dream of working in tech — which began when she first became fixated on computers in high school — all while collaborating and sharing knowledge with a large team of talented professionals who push and grow alongside each other.
During her career at Samsung, Kotiganahally has found that the company fosters a culture of innovation and continuous learning. For her, the IIMB Thought Leader Program and AI postgraduate programs have been particularly beneficial, as they have allowed her to expand her knowledge of AI and its applications in the mobile domain.
Kotiganahally’s advice for others on their journey is, “Embrace curiosity and a lifelong love for learning. Don’t be afraid to explore new ideas and challenge the status quo. Believe in your potential and pursue your passions with dedication and perseverance, because the innovation journey is an ongoing one, and every step — every challenge — brings valuable learning experiences.”
Joy Amaka Tim-Ayoola is responsible for leading a mobile experience team at Samsung Electronics West Africa, a role that involves setting goals and sales strategies to address market realities, with the ultimate goal of driving revenue.
As a child, she envisioned herself as a solution provider, driven by her curiosity about the world’s challenges and how to tackle them, which led to an interest and career in technology. As she grew a little older, technology began to boom in Nigeria, and in that time she began to understand that one person could solve complex issues through programming. It is this recognition and desire to solve problems that led to her choosing a career in information technology. At Samsung, Tim-Ayoola feels she has been provided with the opportunity to combine her academic and career experiences to tackle real world challenges, thereby realizing her original dream of solving problems for others through technology.
Her advice to the world is, “Be purposeful! Be intentional in what you believe, embrace change as a catalyst for growth. Have a good supportive network.”
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears on the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican shortly after his election as pontiff, on May 8, 2025. AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis
When the 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost on May 8, 2025, appeared on the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time as Pope Leo XIV, he was cheered loudly by the huge crowd of pilgrims, tourists, local Catholics and other onlookers, who had waited hours for the first sign of white smoke and the official announcement.
As a specialist in Catholic history and ritual, I know how important this moment was for Catholics and others all over the world. A new pope brings with him a sense of excitement often mixed with uncertainty.
But the choice of the College of Cardinals came as a surprise to some. Prevost is the first pope from the United States, and, traditionally, the European-dominated College of Cardinals has had reservations about choosing a cardinal from the U.S. for fear of too much American influence in the church.
So, who is Prevost and what might have influenced the cardinals’ vote?
Early experiences
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost joined a Catholic religious order at the age of 20: the Order of St. Augustine, called Augustinians, founded in the 13th century. Instead of withdrawing from the world in isolated monasteries, members of this order traveled as mendicants to aid the poor as well as serve as missionaries and teachers.
Prevost studied theology both in the U.S. and in Rome and, as a newly ordained priest, spent a year in Peru. After a short return to the U.S. as an official of the Augustinian order in Illinois, he returned to Peru as a seminary professor to teach canon law, the legal structure of the Catholic Church. He would stay in Peru for the next 10 years.
In 1999, he became the prior – that is, the head – of the local Augustinian province in Chicago, and was later elected prior of the worldwide Augustinian order. This gave him a truly global experience, since the Augustinians had some 50 communities spread across every continent.
In 2015, Pope Francis appointed him bishop for the diocese of Chiclayo in Peru. In 2019, Francis appointed him a member of several important Vatican dicasteries, or departments, where he became very familiar with the central church administration. Most importantly, he served as prefect – or chairman – on the Dicastery for Bishops.
Catholics hold a photo of newly elected Pope Leo XIV, in front of the Cathedral of Chiclayo, Peru, on May 8, 2025, where he served as bishop for several years. AP Photo/Manuel Medina
In fact, because of his lengthy pastoral experience in Peru and service at the Vatican, some commentators had noted before Prevost was chosen that, if the cardinals were to elect an American pope, it would be him. His service on the Dicastery for Bishops was considered especially important, since members play a key role in selecting new bishops.
Global church
During the 20th century, especially after the Second Vatican Council – a series of meetings of the world’s bishops to modernize the church, ending in 1965 – the popes began to name cardinals from other parts of the world that were previously considered to be on the periphery of the Catholic Church.
And this led to popes being chosen from outside of Italy for the first time in centuries. Pope St. John Paul II was Polish and the first non-Italian pope since the 16th century. Pope Benedict XVI was another non-Italian, born in Germany, who had served as a Vatican official. Pope Francis was born in South America to parents who were Italian-born immigrants to Argentina.
The College of Cardinals, which had few representatives from other continents until recently, is now much more international. Some 80% of the cardinal-electors were named by Francis, many from countries that had never before had a cardinal.
In reviewing his record, the cardinal-electors might have taken a number of factors into account. Prevost would be an effective administrator as head of the church, and was an expert in church canon law. He had decades of experience doing pastoral work in South America, as well as in North America. And as prior general of the entire Augustinian Order, he would likely have traveled widely to visit many of the communities he supervised.
Papacy under Leo
The moment when the new pope emerged on the Vatican balcony.
The new pope appeared on the Vatican balcony wearing the traditional papal garments: white cassock, short red cape, decorated red and gold stole, and golden cross hanging around his neck. Francis, on the other hand, had appeared dressed in the plain white cassock of a pope.
Certainly, he had not chosen the simplicity of Francis. Was this a sign that he would be more of a traditionalist?
His choice of a papal name, I believe, could indicate a different point of view. Pope Leo XIII wrote a groundbreaking encyclical in 1891, “Rerum Novarum,” subtitled “On Dignity and Labor.” In this he stressed the rights of workers to unionize and criticized the conditions in which they worked and lived. He also championed other rights the ordinary worker deserved from their bosses and from their government.
In his first remarks from the balcony, offering a glimpse into the direction of his papacy, Leo XIV stressed the role of Catholics and the church as peacemakers and bridge-builders, in dialogue with other religious traditions and cultures. His first words were “Peace be with you all,” describing this peace as “a disarmed peace, a disarming peace.” He further urged Catholics to act together “without fear … united with one another … to build bridges” through dialogue and outreach – to bring peace to the world.
He may not follow exactly in Francis’ footsteps, but he will likely continue walking in the same direction.
Joanne M. Pierce does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Last Saturday (3 May) Bullengarook Fire Brigade in partnership with Macedon Ranges Shire Council and local community groups hosted a ‘Community Resilience’ day.
The aim of the event was to give community members the information they needed to live safely in an extreme fire risk area. Locals listened to crucial messages about fire safety and preparation.
CFA’s Community Based Bushfire Management Program was at the core of the initiative, and the topics covered were in line with CFA’s fire safety and preparation messaging.
This messaging was enhanced by the council’s resiliency agendas for communities such as Bullengarook to be self-sufficient and prepared for the first 72 hours after a natural disaster.
During the day there were several information sessions including:
a debrief of the 2024 Bullengarook Christmas fire, by Incident Controller John Deering
CFA community fire safety and preparation, run by CFA volunteer Nicky Haslinghouse
bushfire resilient landscaping, run by Riddells Creek Captain and Group Community Safety Office Gill Metz AFSM
snakes and other hazardous wildlife, run by renowned biochemist and Bullengarook local Tim Carroll
ecological vegetation management and biodiversity, run by Roger MacRaild from Bullengarook Landcare
a live snake show and demonstration, run by Black Snake Productions. Needless to say this was a hit with the kids.
A number of other organisations including SES, Council of Churches, the Bullengarook Rec Centre and Bullengarook Landcare, delivered their safety and support messages.
There was also a pizza and coffee van, a juke box and the rights to publicly show the children’s movie Wall-E in case the event went into the night. Bullengarook Rec Centre also organised a raffle for a fire pump donated by Midland Irrigation.
It was a great day and the community has already provided some positive feedback about how informative it was and how they are looking forward to the next one.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens related to The Bank of East Asia, Limited The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or login screens concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012. Issued at HKT 16:45
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China and Russia urged nuclear-weapon states to abandon the Cold War mentality and zero-sum games, according to a joint statement on global strategic stability released in Moscow on Thursday.
The two sides emphasized the importance of maintaining a constructive relationship among major countries in addressing global strategic issues.
Noting that nuclear-weapon states bear special responsibilities for international security and global strategic stability, the statement said that they should give up taking measures that trigger strategic risks, and concerns should be addressed through equal dialogue and consultations based on mutual respect to enhance trust and avoid dangerous misjudgments.
The statement noted that not all nuclear-weapon states follow the above-mentioned position, saying the rising tensions among nuclear-weapon states have escalated, even to the point of facing direct military conflicts, adding that problems and challenges in the strategic domain keep emerging, and the risk of nuclear conflicts is rising.
According to the statement, the fact that certain nuclear-weapon states build or expand permanent military bases in sensitive areas around other nuclear-weapon states, flex military muscle to exert pressure, or carry out hostile acts that threaten the core security interests of other countries has become one of the most urgent strategic risks to be eliminated.
Meanwhile, the forward deployment of military facilities and advanced offensive and defensive weapons have been continuously strengthened, a trend that has raised serious concerns.
The recently announced “Golden Dome” plan of the United States aims to build a global, multi-level and multi-domain missile defense system that is not subject to any constraints to resist various missile threats, including those from “evenly matched” opponents, said the statement, adding that it also causes serious damage to strategic stability.
This plan completely and thoroughly negates the inseparable interrelationship between strategic offensive and strategic defensive arms, the core principle on maintaining global strategic stability. In addition, this plan also provides further support for the research and development of kinetic and non-kinetic means to strike missiles and their supporting facilities and achieve “left-of-launch.”
The “Golden Dome” program openly proposed a significant increase in outer space combat means, including the development and deployment of orbital interception systems, weaponizing outer space and turning it into a large-scale armed confrontation site, which made the situation even worse, said the document.
The two countries oppose the attempts of individual countries to use outer space for armed confrontation, and reject the implementation of security policies and activities aimed at gaining military superiority and defining outer space and using it as a “war-fighting domain.”
China and Russia condemned the use of commercial space systems to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states and intervene in armed conflicts of other countries.
Some individual nuclear-weapon state, supported by its allies, aims to undermine the reliability and effectiveness of the strategic deterrence of other nuclear-weapon states, revealing the attempt to seek overwhelming military superiority, and ultimately achieve “absolute strategic security.” It fundamentally violates the basic logic of maintaining strategic balance and runs counter to the principle of equal and indivisible security, according to the statement.
Any military confrontation among nuclear-weapon states should be resolutely avoided, said the document, adding that political and diplomatic solutions to existing differences should be sought on the basis of mutual recognition of and mutual respect for each other’s security interests and concerns.
Both sides pointed out in the statement that through a trilateral security partnership, the United States, Britain and Australia attempt to establish military facilities used by the two nuclear-weapon states to safeguard their nuclear forces within the territory of a signatory to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, undermining regional strategic stability and provoking a regional arms race.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China trade hub hospital launches bilingual medical report service for foreign patients
A hospital in Yiwu, a bustling trade hub in east China’s Zhejiang Province, has launched an AI-powered bilingual medical examination report service as part of its latest efforts to break language barriers for foreign patients.
The new service offered by the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, allows foreign patients to apply for free English versions of their medical examination reports.
Dubbed “the world’s supermarket,” the city of Yiwu is an international hub for the production and trade of small commodities. The hospital’s bilingual initiative is part of efforts to improve healthcare services for the city’s large community of foreign traders and residents.
Earlier this year, the hospital deployed the popular AI model DeepSeek into its outpatient and inpatient systems, which has assisted doctors in keeping medical records. In April, it added the AI-powered medical examination report translation service, streamlining the process that has been traditionally reliant on time-consuming human translation.
The service leverages AI to instantly generate English translations of medical reports, which are then checked and reviewed by doctors and medical experts to ensure accuracy.
“Just one click and the draft translation is done immediately,” said Zhang Yunyun from the hospital’s ultrasound department. “Doctors then check the content, followed by expert review to finalize the report.”
The bilingual service is currently available across multiple departments, including radiology, pathology, ultrasound, and electrocardiography.
A patient from Lebanon, who was identified as Nesir, recently received English versions of five medical reports at the hospital. He said the service finally enabled him to understand the medical examination reports on his own when seeing doctors in China.
A foreign doctor working at the hospital introduced the service to Nesir. With the English versions, Nesir’s doctors back in Lebanon can also participate in treatment discussions.
In addition to English-version reports, the hospital also offers international commercial insurance direct billing and medical escort services. It has signed agreements with 22 global insurance companies to expand the one-stop direct billing service.
Last year, the hospital offered medical services for 19,950 foreign patients, the highest number among hospitals in Zhejiang Province. The hospital also has an international outpatient department with English-speaking doctors, an English version hospital appointment registration system, as well as medical escorts and volunteers.
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
05.08.25
WA Airports Get $66.7M For Safety & Capacity Upgrades From Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding
Cantwell announces $45.4M for Sea-Tac Airport, $7.3M for Tri-Cities Airport, $6.5M for Spokane Airport, nearly $4M for San Juan County airports; Other airports receive funding in Bellingham, Deer Park, Auburn, Richland, Anacortes, Odessa, & Bremerton
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, announced that 12 airports across the State of Washington received a total of $66,758,406 in Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG).
Enacted by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program provides $14.5 billion nationwide in funding over five years. Sen. Cantwell was instrumental in securing funding for the AIG program and Airport Terminal Program (ATP) in the 2021 BIL.
AIG funding announced today includes:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: $45,400,000
Tri-Cities Airport: $7,366,530
Spokane International Airport: $6,537,017
Orcas Island Airport: $3,153,888
Bellingham International Airport: $2,000,000
Friday Harbor Airport: $834,000
Deer Park Airport: $585,000
Auburn Municipal Airport: $395,125
Richland Airport: $180,500
Anacortes Airport: $137,000
Odessa Municipal Airport: $110,000
Bremerton National Airport: $59,346
Sea-Tac Award: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will receive $45,400,000 for the Concourse S reconstruction project. This grant funds structural, seismic, and building system upgrades that have reached the end of their useful lives. This grant funds phase 2, which consists of design and pre-construction.
“Sea-Tac is a vital hub for our region’s economy, and this investment will help ensure it remains safe, modern, and resilient,” said Senator Cantwell. “These upgrades to the S Concourse, the international doorway for travelers in the Pacific Northwest, will support the airport’s continued growth while creating good-paying jobs.”
Tri-Cities Award: Tri-Cities Airport will receive $7,366,530 for its terminal expansion project. This grant funds an additional baggage make-up area to accommodate more passengers. This grant funds phase 1, which consists of design and construction. Last October, Sen. Cantwell visited the airport to tour the project.
“Tri-Cities Airport is in the midst of a decade-long terminal redevelopment plan, and this funding adds to previous federal investments to speed up expansion of its outdated terminal and baggage handling infrastructure,” said Sen. Cantwell. “As passenger traffic continues to break records, this investment ensures the airport can meet future demand while supporting local jobs and economic development that benefit the region.”
Spokane Award: Spokane International Airport will receive $6,537,017 for its TREX terminal expansion project. This grant funds construction of three gates and related areas, loading dock access road, fencing, and gates.
“This funding is another win for Spokane International Airport’s terminal expansion project,” said Sen. Cantwell. ”The Inland Northwest’s main air travel hub continues to break records, serving more than 4.2 million passengers in 2024, the most ever. Expanding Concourse C by over 70,000 square feet and adding new gates will significantly enhance the airport’s capacity and passenger experience.”
San Juan County Awards:
Orcas Island Airport will receive $3,153,888 to rehabilitate 14,000 square yards of the existing northern and central portions of the Terminal Apron pavement to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris.
Friday Harbor Airport will receive a total of $834,000 for two projects. The airport will receive $486,000 to construct a new 10,000-square-foot sponsor-owned hangar for aircraft storage. The airport will also receive $348,000 project to expand an existing pump fuel facility.
“This funding is a critical investment in the safety and sustainability of Orcas Island and Friday Harbor Airports, key gateways to the San Juans,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Rehabilitated runways will make flights into Orcas Island safer and smoother. Aircraft owners will be able to lease space at Friday Harbor Airport’s new hangar and buy more fuel at their expanded pump, generating more operating revenue for the airport. These projects will set the airports up to serve San Juan County visitors and residents for decades to come.”
Other Awards:
Bellingham International Airport will receive $2,000,000 for a project to rehabilitate 6,700 feet of existing paved Runway 16/34 to maintain its structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris to extend its useful life. This grant funds phase 1, which consists of design.
Deer Park Airport will receive $585,000 toward construction of a new 347-foot Taxilane AS-1, 475-foot Taxilane AS-2, 369-foot Taxilane AS-3, and 312-foot Taxilane AS-4 to provide airfield access to a non-exclusive hangar development area to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.
Auburn Municipal Airport will receive $395,125 for multiple infrastructure improvements including a new automated weather observing system (AWOS-IIIPT) to provide site-specific weather information and a new electrical generator and replace an existing airport rotating beacon that has reached the end of its useful life. This grant funds a portion of phase 2, which consists of construction.
Richland Airport will receive $180,500 to expand the existing main apron by adding 6,040 square yards to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. This grant funds phase 1, which consists of design.
Anacortes Airport will receive $137,000 for runway safety improvements including a new lighted wind cone navigational aid to provide pilots with critical airfield information, a runway end identifier lights system and precision approach path indicator system, and reconstructing the runway signage that has reached the end of its useful life. This grant funds phase 2, which consists of construction.
Odessa Municipal Airport will receive $110,000 to acquire and install a replacement wind cone navigational aid to provide pilots with critical airfield information. This grant funds phase 2, which consists of construction.
Bremerton National Airport will receive $59,346 to conduct an environmental study required to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act for the proposed Eastside Development Area project, which includes taxiway infrastructure, lighting, hangar, and cargo development.
Sen. Cantwell worked hard to secure funding for air travel infrastructure nationwide as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With her support, the infrastructure package provided a total of $25 billion for airport improvements, including $5 billion for the Airport Terminal Program and $15 billion in Airport Infrastructure Grants. In 2023, airports across the state of Washington received nearly $200 million in federal funding through a combination of AIG, ATP, and the Airport Improvement Program, and in 2024, Washington state airports received over $133 million in federal funding.
In addition, Sen. Cantwell also helped to secure over $217 million in Airport Rescue Grants for Washington airports to help them weather the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last May, Sen. Cantwell additionally shepherded the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which reauthorized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for five years. The new law included top Cantwell priorities including enhancing safety oversight, strengthening workforce development, boosting next-generation aviation innovation, and codifying consumer protections.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Transport Department (TD) announced today (May 9) that the HKeToll website (www.hketoll.gov.hk), mobile app and electronic notification services will be temporarily suspended from 2am to 8am on May 11 (Sunday) for system maintenance.
A spokesman for the TD said that, during system maintenance, motorists can use government tolled tunnels and the Tsing Sha Control Area as usual. The HKeToll system will record the actual passage time of vehicles and charge the corresponding tolls accordingly. Notwithstanding, the services of checking toll transactions, making payments, or topping up their designated stored value accounts via the users’ accounts will be temporarily suspended.
The TD will steer the system maintenance contractor and toll service provider to complete the necessary work as soon as possible, and make announcements after services resume as normal. Upon completion of system maintenance, the system will process the toll transactions recorded during the maintenance period and resume the electronic notification services. Users may also log in to their account for transaction details upon service resumption.
Users are advised to arrange payments and top-ups in advance if needed. For enquiries, please call the 24-hour service hotline at 3853 7333.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia
If you walk through your local pharmacy or supermarket you’re bound to come across probiotics and prebiotics.
They’re added to certain foods. They come as supplements you can drink or take as a pill. They also occur naturally in everyday foods.
You might have a vague idea that probiotics and prebiotics are healthy. Or perhaps you’ve heard they’re good for your “microbiome”.
But what actually is your microbiome? And what’s the difference between probiotics and prebiotics anyway?
First, some definitions
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Health Organization, define probiotics as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit”. These microorganisms are the bacteria and yeasts in food such as yoghurt, sauerkraut and kombucha, and in supplements.
But prebiotics refer to the “food” probiotics need to survive and replicate.
Prebiotics are better known as dietary fibre. They include specific types of fibres called inulin-type fructans, galacto-oligosaccahrides, resistant starch and pectin. Prebiotics occur naturally in plant foods, are added to foods (such as bread and breakfast cereals) and come as supplements.
Dietary fibre remains undigested in your stomach and small intestine until it reaches the large intestine. There, microorganisms (probiotics) break down (or ferment) the fibre (prebiotics), converting it into metabolites or nutrients linked to better health.
How are they related to your microbiome?
Both probiotics and prebiotics are said to encourage a healthy microbiome. That’s a healthy community of different microorganisms that live in or on your body. This includes those in the mouth, gut, skin, respiratory system and the urogenital tract (which handles urine, and has reproductive functions).
Everyone’s microbiome is different and varies throughout your life. For instance, changing your diet, physical activity, hygiene, taking antibiotics or having an infection all affect your microbiome.
These factors can change the diversity of your microbiome, that is how many different types of microorganisms you have. These factors can also alter the ratio of healthy microorganisms to unhealthy ones.
Everyone’s microbiome is different and this community of microorganisms varies throughout your life. Elif Bayraktar/Shutterstock
When your microbiome is less diverse or when the number of unhealthy microorganisms outgrow the number of healthy ones, this is known as dysbiosis. This can lead to problems including diarrhoea or constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, bleeding gums, atopic dermatitis (eczema) or acne.
Probiotics and prebiotics are marketed as ways to support a healthy, diverse microbiome, and help to reduce the chance of dysbiosis.
As taking antibiotics can alter your microbiome, they’re also marketed as a way of improving its microbial diversity when taking antibiotics or afterwards.
Do probiotics work?
The microbiome plays a crucial role in our health. For instance, a healthy microbiome has been linked to reduced risk of cancers, cardiovascular (heart) diseases, allergy diseases and inflammatory bowel disease.
But how about taking probiotic supplements to boost your microbiome?
A review of clinical trials looked at probiotic supplements in healthy people. It found no increase in the diversity of their microbiome.
Another review of clinical trials looked at the impact of probiotic supplements while people were taking antibiotics. The diversity of their microbiome did not improve.
Another study not included in these two reviews found probiotics could make microbial diversity worse in the short term. It found probiotic supplements delayed restoring the microbiome after taking antibiotics.
Trying probiotics around the time you take antibiotics doesn’t seem to help your microbiome. one photo/Shutterstock
What about prebiotics?
There have been few studies on the impact of healthy people just taking prebiotic supplements. However, there are studies of people taking prebiotics with probiotics on particular aspects of health.
For instance, one large review looked at various neuropsychiatric outcomes, including dementia, Parkinson’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, when people took prebiotics and probiotics (together or separately). Another review looked at the effect of prebiotics, probiotics or synbiotics (supplements that contain both prebiotics and probiotics) on people with diabetes.
But their findings are not conclusive. So we need more research to routinely recommend these supplements. They are also no replacement for standard medication and a healthy, balanced diet.
So how do I keep my microbiome healthy?
You’re better off getting your probiotics from everyday fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and kimchi. Tatjana Baibakova/Shutterstock
Naturally occurring probiotics and prebiotics are in everyday foods.
Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as cheese, sauerkraut, yoghurt, miso, tempeh and kimchi.
Prebiotics are in the foods that contain fibre – all plant foods. It is important to have a variety of plant foods in your diet. This will ensure you get all the different types of fibre needed to keep your healthy bacteria alive, and to increase the diversity of your microbiome.
Eating foods rather than consuming supplements also means you get the extra nutrients in the food.
The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating recommends a diet rich in plant foods, and promotes eating fermented foods (in the form of cheese and yoghurt). This combination is ideal for maintaining a healthy microbiome.
Evangeline Mantzioris is affiliated with Alliance for Research in Nutrition, Exercise and Activity (ARENA) at the University of South Australia. Evangeline Mantzioris has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, and has been appointed to the National Health and Medical Research Council Dietary Guideline Expert Committee.
Labor’s extraordinary election result has triggered a power play that has exposed the uglier entrails of Labor factionalism.
Even before the new caucus met in Canberra on Friday, the Labor right had dumped two of its cabinet ministers: Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Industry Minister Ed Husic. Dreyfus is from the Victorian right, Husic from the New South Wales right.
In Labor, factionalism can trump merit. Not always, of course, but undoubtedly more often than is desirable, and certainly in this case.
These dramatic demotions to the backbench have been driven by two factors.
The left has more numbers in the caucus after the election, meaning that to preserve factional balances, one minister from the right had to go.
And then Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles used his heft as chief of the Victorian right to protect the numbers of that group in the ministry, at the expense of the NSW right, and to secure a key promotion.
In sacrificing Dreyfus who, while from the right, isn’t a serious factional player, Marles has seen the elevation into the outer ministry of his numbers man Sam Rae (as well as another Victorian right-winger, Daniel Mulino).
Rae, little known publicly, has only been in parliament since 2022. He’s a former Victorian Labor state secretary and was a partner at PwC. Mulino, with a substantial background in economic policy, has served in both the Victorian and federal parliaments.
Some see the Marles move as, in part, looking to shore up his numbers for any future leadership race. While this might sound far-fetched, given Anthony Albanese’s huge win and declaration he’ll serve a full term, aspirants always have an eye on the future. The manoeuvre won’t be missed by another leadership aspirant, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, a Queenslander who is also from the right.
Given his enhanced authority, Albanese could have intervened to protect the two ministers – there was an attempt from within the NSW right to get him to do so for Husic – but has chosen to let the factional power play take its course. He said on Thursday, “we have a process and we’ll work it through”, adding that “no individual is greater than the collective, and that includes myself”.
In the fallout, with the loss of Dreyfus there will be no Jewish minister, which is unfortunate in light of the government’s strained relations with the Jewish community. Husic’s demotion takes the only Muslim out of cabinet, although the speculation is another Muslim, Anne Aly, will be elevated to cabinet.
Former prime minister Paul Keating was scathing of the demotions, denouncing the “appalling denial of Husic’s diligence and application in bringing the core and emerging technologies of the digital age to the centre of Australian public policy”.
Keating said Albanese’s non-intervention in relation to Husic “is, in effect, an endorsement of a representative of another state group – in this case, the Victorian right faction led by Richard Marles – a faction demonstrably devoid of creativity and capacity”.
Keating described the treatment of the two ministers as “a showing of poor judgement, unfairness and diminished respect for the contribution of others”.
It will take a while to see what ripples the factional power play brings. Husic, certainly, is feisty. He could become a strong voice on a Labor backbench that has been basically quiescent. He is already booked to appear on the ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday and its Q&A panel on Monday.
Now that the factions have had their say, the prime minister allocates jobs, with particular interest on what Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek receives.
On the other side of politics, it is not surprising there is widespread anger, ill feeling and recriminations, given the magnitude of the Liberals’ defeat. The contest for leadership between the party’s Deputy Leader Sussan Ley and Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor had already become willing before the bombshell defection of Senator Jacinta Price from the Nationals to the Liberals increased the angst exponentially.
The Nationals feel betrayed that their star performer has walked out on them. Her defection will complicate negotiations between the Liberals and the Nationals over their inter-party agreement.
The move, part of the attempt by Taylor, from the right, to boost his support, is further dividing the Liberal party. It is not yet clear whether Price will join a ticket with Taylor to run for deputy. In interviews on Thursday night and Friday morning she kept her options open, presumably to determine what numbers she would draw.
While having the Liberal deputy in the Senate would be inconvenient, it has precedent. Fred Chaney, then a senator, became deputy in Andrew Peacock’s coup against John Howard in 1989. It didn’t end well.
If Price did run, that might help Taylor with some Liberals currently uncertain of which leadership contender to support, because they would know she would be popular in their branches.
But for the moderates in the party, who want the Liberals to find a path back in traditional urban areas, the arrival of Price, with her hardline right views, sends all the wrong signals. The leafy city suburbs are populated with small-l voters and professional women, who would not see themselves in tune with Price’s views.
It there was a Taylor-Price leadership team that would be an unmistakable message – that the Liberals were tracking very significantly away from the mainstream in which most voters swim.
Price was the leading figure who helped sink the Voice referendum, but she has not yet proved herself on the broader range of issues. In the campaign, her reference to “make Australia great again” was used against the Coalition to claim it was “Trumpian”.
Explaining her move, Price says that she had actually always wanted to sit in the Liberal party room. She comes from the Northern Territory Country Liberal party, whose representatives sit with either the Liberals or the Nationals, according to a formula.
On her timing, Price said, “right now, amongst many of the conversations I have had with those leading up to making this decision, is that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures”.
Within the Liberals, Price, given her profile and her status as a poster-woman of the rightwing media, will potentially be hard to handle.
While Labor savours the taste of triumph, and the Coalition drinks the the bitter brew of defeat, a week on Dreyfus, Husic and the Nationals discover the limits of loyalty.
Michelle Grattan 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.
The crisis springs from decades of government policy failures in many areas. Homelessness is linked to poverty, stigma, violence and poor health.
Labor has promised to:
build more affordable housing
reduce social housing waitlists
prioritise groups vulnerable to homelessness
invest A$1.2 billion in homelessness accommodation.
This is welcome, but it’s crucial people who have experienced homelessness are involved in the design of policy and services. They are the experts.
Our recent research involved speaking with 47 people with current or past experiences of homelessness in Victoria and South Australia. The study was co-designed and co-led by people who had experienced homelessness.
See us, hear us
Participants told us their perspectives aren’t valued. One said:
Homeless people [are] looked down upon. The individual is not considered. They fall on hard times for many reasons. They will judge you and they’ll categorise you.
Another said:
Do we have a voice? No, we don’t, because they don’t care […] they don’t listen.
Many wanted to influence policy and service design. One said:
I think it’s really important that people like us […] have a say in the way we move forward, and it’s not coming from people in really nice suits […] that don’t really have any experience.
Respect our expertise
People who’ve experienced homelessness can “identify things that someone without that lived experience may simply not have thought of in the first place”, one person told us.
They should be involved as staff and leaders in service design and provision. One person said:
I think if there were people that were around with lived experience that could somehow get in contact with people like me at that time and say, “Look, mate, you don’t have to go down this path, you don’t have to live this kind of life, there’s another way”.
One participant who’d experienced domestic violence said navigating all the different non-government agencies was complicated. Decisions were made without her input.
A failure to find this woman housing eventually led to her children being removed.
Respect needs to be at the centre of service provision. One participant described overhearing workers complaining about the smell of homeless people. Another said they’d value practical advice from people who’d experienced homelessness:
Having someone who’s actually been through that and can actually then describe what navigating systems means to someone coming in could be a really useful way to employ someone in homelessness services.
Valuing and paying for the expertise of people who have experienced homelessness is vital. One participant said:
I was on a panel with CEOs of homelessness organisations [and] was asked one hour before: “Would you like to be the lived experience voice?” So, was I paid the same? No. Was I given the same respect as everyone else? No. Was I given enough time to prepare? No. But did I deliver? Yes, I delivered. I showed up and I still was able to deliver. So, I think my expertise […] is just as valid as anybody else’s.
Another said:
You need to get as wide a lived experience as possible, otherwise it’s a bit pointless if they’re all 30-year-old white guys.
Incarceration creates homelessness […] they’re released into a void […] If that was me, I would definitely rather be in prison than be on the street.
Another said:
Most women who are in prison suffered from childhood sexual abuse, they’ve suffered domestic violence and suffered a lot of trauma […] but for some reason, that’s all forgotten for us when we’re released.
People with experience of homelessness are best placed to guide the design and delivery of services, and offer pragmatic solutions.
One participant told us:
When I came out [of hospital], one of the community service people said, “Oh, we can put you in a hotel for four nights.” And I said, “Actually, the best thing I need is four new tyres on my van.” And they said, “No, we can’t do that.” The tyres would be cheaper than the hotel. But they said, “No, we can’t.” I’ve always said solutions don’t have to be pretty, but they have to work.
People told us a one-size-fits-all, box-ticking approach won’t work because:
not everybody fits into those categories. Everybody [is] in different circumstances.
Another said:
You go to a service, they don’t care about your purpose. They don’t care about your goal. They care about: “Have I provided my service that I’m obligated to give?”
Many services aren’t working for homeless people. One participant said:
One of the reasons I stayed homeless is because I either had to kill my dog or give my dog up and I couldn’t do either because he was my saviour. So, I lived
in that car. At that time, I was freezing and gave whatever blankets I could to my dog. He got so sick […] I contacted another place [and] asked for a sleeping bag and a tent to be sent to me and it was sent to the service provider that never gave it to me.
Our research participants called for policy addressing poverty and for the perspectives of people who’d experienced homelessness to be:
embedded in housing and homelessness policy, service design and practice
recognised, valued and properly remunerated
involved in leading research.
The authors thank the people with experience with homelessness who led our research.
Robyn Martin’s research was funded by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, and was a collaboration between RMIT, UniSA, the Council for Homeless Persons and Seeds of Affinity.
Carole Zufferey’s research was funded by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, and was a collaboration between RMIT, UniSA, the Council for Homeless Persons and Seeds of Affinity.
Michele Jarldorn’s research was funded by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, and was a collaboration between RMIT, UniSA, the Council for Homeless Persons and Seeds of Affinity. Michele is a volunteer with Seeds of Affinity and is currently chair of their board. Seeds of Affinity does not receive any ongoing funding.
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
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Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, hosted a virtual press call alongside Pacific Northwest wildfire officials to sound the alarm on how the Trump administration’s funding freezes and punishing cuts to the workforce at the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and other key agencies are seriously undermining wildfire preparedness and response in Washington state and Oregon and putting communities at risk.
Forest Service employees work to maintain the health of our national forests and public lands and play an essential role in wildfire preparedness and response. About 75 percent of USFS staff are trained in wildland firefighting, and these workers have helped support firefighting efforts across Oregon and Washington state. But the Trump administration has now cut an estimated 7,400 employees at the Forest Service—including thousands of workers who were fired outright and thousands more who were pressured into taking the administration’s deferred resignation “offer.” In the Pacific Northwest, over 500 Forest Service employees have already been pushed out the door. Most of the Forest Service employees who have been terminated worked “boots-on-the-ground jobs.” It is also unclear how the blanket federal hiring freeze the Trump administration announced in January has affected USFS’ ability to hire seasonal wildland firefighters, as the administration is refusing to share critical information about staffing levels with Congress and the American people just weeks out from the beginning of fire season.
“When we invest in fire prevention, we are investing in saving lives, and really in saving entire communities. And one of the most important investments we make is in the people who do this work. From hiring people who carry out important fire prevention work, to training people who can jump in to help fight fires when we need more hands. But all of that work is being thrown into jeopardy right now. Because, while Trump wants to claim that no firefighters have been laid off—as [is] so often the case, he just does not have a clue about what he is talking about. The reality is that Trump has decimated the U.S. Forest Service,” Senator Murray said. “Nearly every single Forest Service employee supports fire operations in some capacity. Trail maintenance crews ensure access to routes remain clear for firefighting personnel and equipment. Biologists conduct essential environmental assessments that inform prescribed burns and fuel reduction strategies. And other support staff like camp managers and administrative personnel receive firefighting training and are mobilized during peak fire season to bolster our frontline crews. And remember, Trump has also said he wants to eliminate FEMA entirely… Trump is not just gutting the work to prevent fires—but the work to rebuild after disaster. Trump is taking a match to the frontline of defense for our forests, and our communities. So, we are here today to pull the fire alarm, and we’re going to set off some sirens.”
“Wildfire season is almost here, but the Trump Administration has left us dangerously under-prepared,” Senator Merkley said. “I have been sounding the alarm about the need to seize every moment to prepare for and mitigate wildfires, from reducing hazardous fuels to hiring enough wildland firefighters to battle blazes on the frontlines. But instead of ramping up these efforts when we had the chance, Trump and Elon Musk stood in the way of funding projects that Oregon, Washington, and other Western states needed to protect our homes, businesses, and public lands. The Trump Administration is literally playing with fire, and it’s our communities that could get burned.”
The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is predicting this will be an “above-average” year for wildfires, especially across Eastern Washington, and state officials have been sounding the alarm over a lack of federal resources and support. Federal agencies have jurisdiction over approximately 43 percent of public lands in Washington state. During last year’s fire season, 308,000 acres were burned by more than 1,400 fires across Washington. Officials are expecting above normal fire potential this fire season in Eastern Washington due short-term drought in the region which could worsen areawide as the 2025 summer progresses.
“Many don’t even understand how interconnected wildland fire response is in our nation. Across our state, and across all states, the folks on the ground are actually from Forest Service, DOI, state forestry agencies, and local fire service on the majority of fires that we see on the landscape. In fact, state and local fire service together account for almost 80 percent of the wildland fire response in this country. But with all the changes occurring, the biggest issue we’re currently facing is not always the funding but it’s the lack of communication. What we are having to do right now as we enter our summer fire season is prepare. Much like the Senator said, this is the time when we are making certain that we have the aviation we need, when we have the personnel we need, and that all of our systems check out and are ready to go when the alarm bell rings. Without knowing what our partners are doing or not having a clear understanding of what actions are being taken, we struggle with missing the third leg of the stool that we have. And so that, more than anything at the state level, has truly made it a challenge as we go into what looks to be a pretty significant wildland fire season,” said Washington State Forester George Geissler.
“When we don’t have those interagency relationships and federal resources available, the burden transfers over to fire districts, to the State Department of Natural Resources, in combating fire that is threatening our jurisdictions, or it’s potentially coming into those interface areas around us that’s normally got higher levels of protection from the federal agencies. That lack of resources really creates us a scenario where that higher utilization pulls resources away from our local fire departments in order to work on those incidents, may commit them for longer periods of time, and there’s also the concern about understanding how those jurisdictions are impacted from a reimbursement standpoint. Most importantly that the current draft executive order that we have heard about from the administration and hasn’t addressed yet how the new firefighting systems at the federal level may look in the future,” said Leonard Johnson, Fire Chief at the McLane Black Fire Department in Washington state. “One of the things that’s been most interesting to us is that with the cuts they made to the workforce, both in the US Forest Service and the Department of the Interior, is that we’ve seen some of those impacts with positions that were reduced, or probationary employees that were removed, are going to start impacting our workforce in the incident management organizations. Those incident management organizations range from the local level, type three teams that serve in the regional areas, more locally in the counties, to the ones that also serve across the state geographical area, both across Washington and Oregon. We have not yet seen or been able to quantify, what the reduction in available personnel in those agencies, how that’s going to impact those teams.”
“We remain concerned really about the impact on all the essential services that the Forest Service provides that were caused by these cuts in the Forest Service workforce, and we anticipate additional cuts in staffing, and this will significantly impede the ability of the Forest Service to deliver critical goods and services to the American people—including protecting communities from the effects of catastrophic wildfire. The staffing cuts that were imposed by the Department of Government Efficiency, from our standpoint, did not resemble an attempt to improve efficiencies because they did not really maintain essential service that’s focused on the needs of the American public. These indiscriminate reductions, along with the whole about 1000 or so staff that took deferred resignations, planned reductions in force in the future—they’re essentially hollowing out the agency and jeopardizing the future of America’s forest and ultimately, the American taxpayers that we serve,”said Steve Ellis, Chair of the National Association of Forest Service Retirees and former supervisor of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. “While some of these employees that were fired, hastily fired, have been brought back to work, please, don’t underestimate the uncertainty and damage to morale, and slowed work on wildland fire prevention and suppression and other things that the public relies on. The one thing that these workforce reductions did that I took notice of, was it overlooked the critical role of many thousands of Forest Service employees who assist in firefighting efforts but are not primarily firefighters. I was one of those for a good part of the 38 years of my career. The administration has fired many of the employees or encouraged or accepted their resignations—we understand as I’ve said, that others are targeting future RIF actions. Forest Service documentation indicates that through these various actions, the agency has lost over 1,600 red card wildland fire qualified personnel, and this doesn’t include the losses associated with probationary employees who did not return after their February 14th firing. According to the National Federation of Federal Employees, about 75 percent of terminated probationary employees, had red cards and were wildfire qualified.”
“The incident management team shortages that we’re looking at for this coming fire season are very concerning. We’ve been told by our local forest service unit that of the 45 incident management teams that respond to the most serious incidents and relieve local resources of the burden of maintaining and managing the incidents…Nine out of those 45 incident management teams are no longer staffed going into this fire season, so that is a big concern. If those teams are committed to other fires, and then we have a serious fire that’s impacting our local landscape, and there are no more incident management teams to call on,” said Chris Chambers, Forestry Officer for Ashland Fire & Rescue. “That work can’t happen without the staffing available at the local district level, the forest level, and the region level, biologists, timber sale contract managers, everybody that has to be in place to make those projects successful. And as also was illustrated earlier, those are the same people who turn around during fire season and support the firefighting effort. It’s really a double whammy. In losing that staffing we aren’t able to implement the kinds of projects that are to protect communities and infrastructure ahead of fire season, and also losing the staff support for the firefighting effort when fire is on the ground during the summer. It’s particularly concerning, losing folks who are the most experienced staff that are taking the buyout, like we’re losing our local district rangers, people who have had the most experience on how to navigate the land management system, the environmental analysis that needs to be done to make these projects happen, those people are taking the early out. They’re leaving, and we are left with people who don’t have the kind of experience and knowledge to navigate the system to make these projects successful.”
Senator Murray is working to secure critical investments in wildfire suppression and mitigation—and in our firefighters. Last year, as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she secured nearly $22 million in funding for wildfire risk reduction projects across Washington state as part of the USFS Wildfire Crisis Strategy. In the Interior and Environment appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2024, she worked to include essential investments in wildfire preparedness and suppression. And in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, secured $25 million in funding for wildfire mitigation projects across Washington state.
Senator Murray has been a leading voice raising the alarm about how Trump and Elon’s mass firings across the federal workforce will undermine services all Americans rely on and hurt families, veterans, small businesses, farmers, and so many others in Washington state and across the country. Senator Murray has spoken out on the Senate floor repeatedly against this administration’s attacks on federal workers, held multiple press conferences with federal workers—including at U.S. Forest Service—who are being fired for no reason and through no fault of their own, released information about the mass firings, and repeatedly outlined her concerns with the administration’s so-called “Fork in the Road” offer to her constituents in Washington state.
Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered at today’s press conference, are below and video is HERE:
“Thank you to all of our panelists, and thank all of you for joining us to focus on something that is so important—wildfire prevention, preparedness, and response.
“Wildfires are not new to the Pacific Northwest. They are not a surprise. They are a constant threat. Now, we may not know exactly when or where they will strike, but we do know they are coming. They happen every year.
“Every year, we get a painful reminder about why we have to get ready—and stay ready. We get a reminder of the ways the prevention we do today, the preparation we do today, can help stop fires tomorrow.
“When we invest in fire prevention—we are investing in saving lives, and really in saving entire communities.
“And one of the most important investments we make is in the people who do this work. From hiring people who carry out important fire prevention work, to training people who can jump in to help fight fires when we need more hands. But all of that work is being thrown into jeopardy right now.
“Because, while Trump wants to claim that no firefighters have been laid off—as [is] so often the case, he just does not have a clue about what he is talking about.
“The reality is that Trump has decimated the U.S. Forest Service, firing more than 3,400 probationary employees, not to mention pressuring another 4,000 workers to take the so-called buyouts under threat of more workforce reductions in the future. More than 500 Forest Service employees in the Pacific Northwest have already been pushed out by this administration.
“I have spoken with several Forest Service workers, from across Washington state who loved their job, who played an important role fighting fires, and who are gone now—thanks to Trump.
“We hardly know the full scope of the damage because the administration won’t share the information, but I’ve heard of at least 35 people at Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, 46 at Okanogan Wenatchee, 21 at Colville, 15 at Gifford Pinchot, and more at the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Olympic National Forest, and Methow Valley!
“And here’s the thing: nearly every single Forest Service employee supports fire operations in some capacity. Trail maintenance crews ensure access to routes remain clear for firefighting personnel and equipment. Biologists conduct essential environmental assessments that inform prescribed burns and fuel reduction strategies. And other support staff like camp managers, and administrative personnel, receive firefighting training and are mobilized during peak fire season to bolster our frontline crews.
“In fact, around three-quarters of Forest Service workers are trained in wildland firefighting. They provide crucial surge capacity when crisis strikes.
“And remember, Trump has also said he wants to eliminate FEMA entirely, and he has already denied one emergency declaration for Washington state, for recovery from the bomb-cyclone storm that struck our communities in November. Trump is not just gutting the work to prevent fires—but the work to rebuild after disaster. We have to get loud about this, and that is why I wanted to put this call together.
“Trump is taking a match to the frontline of defense for our forests, and our communities. So we are here today to pull the fire alarm, and we’re going to set off some sirens. We are going to keep focused on this, and we’re going to keep pushing back. There is just too much at stake to do anything less.
“And now I’d like to turn it over to Senator Merkley. He is my fellow Pacific Northwest colleague, and he is my partner on the Senate Appropriations Committee who helps lead the fight to protect federal investments in our wildfire preparedness and in our response efforts.”
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
Murray first authored and introduced the Digital Equity Act in 2019 and got it passed into law as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and author of the Digital Equity Act responded to a statement from President Trump on Truth Social where he falsely attacks Murray’s law as unconstitutional and loudly announces that he intends to break the law by blocking Digital Equity Act funds.
“As usual the President has no idea what he’s talking about. I wrote the Digital Equity Act to help close the digital divide in America—it’s about making sure seniors can get online and equipping every student in every classroom with the tools they need to succeed, whether that’s a hotspot to take home or a laptop. My law provides maximal flexibility to cities, states, and Tribes so every local community can decide for themselves how they invest Digital Equity dollars—that’s why it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. Let’s be clear, every time President Trump refuses to spend funding appropriated by Congress, he’s stealing from the American people.
“It is absolutely insane that resources meant to help red and blue communities—everyone from local school districts and libraries to workforce training programs and Tribes—close the digital divide will be illegally blocked because the President doesn’t like the word equity. Americans are sick and tired of extremist right-wing culture wars being forced down our throats. Republicans will have to explain to their constituents why this Republican administration doesn’t believe their local library should get funding to help seniors navigate telehealth options or why middle schoolers in rural districts shouldn’t get laptops.”
Senator Murray first introduced the Digital Equity Act in 2019 and worked hard to build a robust coalition of 100+ organizations to secure strong bipartisan consensus and support for her legislation, ultimately passing it into law as a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Senator Murray’s Digital Equity Act provided $2.75 billion to establish three federal grant programs, administered by the NTIA, to promote digital equity nationwide by:
Building Capacity within States through Formula Grants: Creates a five-year $300 million per year formula grant program for all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to fund the creation and implementation of comprehensive digital equity plans in each State.
Spurring Targeted Action through Competitive Grants: Creates a five-year $250 million per year competitive grant program to support digital inclusion projects undertaken by individual groups, coalitions, and/or communities of interest.
Supporting Research and Evidence-Based Policymaking: Tasks NTIA with evaluating digital equity projects and providing policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels with detailed information about which projects are most effective.
Digital equity funds can be used in all kinds of ways to support Washington state families and our economy:
Workforce: supporting the work of local workforce boards, community and technical colleges, and community-based organizations by increasing access to devices across underserved populations, increasing the digital skills of Washington’s current and future workforce, and by increasing the accessibility of state and local resources to workers.
Education: supporting Washington’s public schools, community and technical colleges, and community-based organizations as they work to integrate technology literacy and fluency in their curriculum, reducing barriers and advancing access to technology, including digital devices, internet connection, and digital skills training.
Health Care: supporting the Washington Department of Health and the Washington State Health Care Authority in expanding opportunities for Washingtonians to access telehealth services, reducing the need to travel long distances in rural areas for preventative and specialist care. Additionally, the digital equity funds could be used to work with partner organizations to expand the availability and awareness of culturally sensitive and linguistically accessible online healthcare resources and services.
And much more.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Austin cast members: Sally Phillips (Ingrid), Ben Miller (Julian), Gia Carides (Mel) and Michael Theo (Austin). Image: ABC
In brief:
Season one of Austin was very popular with viewers.
A second season has been commissioned and will again be partly filmed in Canberra.
This article shares what’s ahead for the characters in season two.
The much-loved TV series Austin will be back for a second season.
Filmed mostly in Canberra, the first season shone a spotlight on the ACT and was a hit with audiences.
Season two will begin filming in the UK early in December 2024. It will air on ABC TV in 2025.
The Austin cast
Michael Theo will reprise his role as the straight-talking, neurodivergent Austin. This follows his breakout performance in season one.
UK actors Ben Miller and Sally Phillips will also be back. As will Australians Gia Carides and Roy Billing.
“We are all beyond excited to start filming again, and reunite our joyously neurodivergent family,” Ben said.
What’s ahead
Austin follows the relationship between author Julian and the son he never knew about: Austin.
In the first season, viewers fell in love with Austin and his extended family.
At the start of season two, Austin and Julian are still in the UK when Austin’s own publishing career takes off.
As his fame grows, he falls under the professional spell of his new agent.
To his family’s horror, Austin behaves in a manner unbefitting his true self.
Meanwhile, an Australian production company options Julian’s Big Bear for TV.
Julian, his wife, Ingrid, and Austin return to Canberra. Unfortunately, they find the company wants to reinvent the Big Bear brand – without Julian.
Presenting diversity
“Austin is a ground-breaking series that has captivated audiences with its heartfelt storytelling, humour and exploration of neurodiversity and acceptance,” Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said.
“Seeing authentic representation of the diverse experiences of all Australians on screen is vital, and we’re very proud to support this talented creative team and cast as they build on the success of the first season. We look forward to seeing Michael Theo deliver another scene-stealing performance.”
Production credits
Commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. A Northern Pictures production with Lincoln Pictures, in association with and distributed by ITV Studios. Major Production investment from the ABC in association with Screen Australia, the ACT Government, and Screen Canberra. Post Produced with the assistance of the NSW Government.
Where to watch
Austin season two will air on ABC TV and ABC iview in 2025.
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Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia
Senators Reverend Warnock, Ossoff Press for Meeting with HHS Secretary Kennedy to Remedy Wrongful CDC Firings
Senator Reverend Warnock has repeatedly stood up in defense of CDC workers, including joining them at a rally, delivering a floor speech opposing Secretary Kennedy’s nomination, demanding answers from Admin nominees at Congressional hearings, and more
Senators Reverend Warnock, Ossoff: “The CDC has been a pillar of public health prevention and surveillance for more than 80 years. However, under your leadership, the agency has been eviscerated by the unjust firings of thousands of our constituents who have spent years, and in many cases decades, of their careers in public health”
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) led an effort requesting a meeting with Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss the recent firing of Georgia-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) employees.
“The CDC has been a pillar of public health prevention and surveillance for more than 80 years. However, under your leadership, the agency has been eviscerated by the unjust firings of thousands of our constituents who have spent years, and in many cases decades, of their careers in public health. These unjust firings purge years of public health research and expertise, make America less healthy, and make America less safe,” wrote the Senators.
The letter requests that the meeting take place on Wednesday, May 14, when Secretary Kennedy will be on the Hill to testify before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
“As Secretary of Health and Human Services, you have a responsibility to be transparent about the destruction of a critical public health agency that has received years of bipartisan support throughout administrations from both parties and through Congressional appropriations and authorization of public health programs,” the Senators continued.
Several of Senator Warnock’s letters to Secretary Kennedy have gone unanswered, an issue the Senator raised to Jim O’Neill, the nominee to be Secretary Kennedy’s second in command during a hearing this week. The Senators are also requesting that Secretary Kennedy follow up to the letter they sent on March 14 urging the Trump Administration to reconsider its plans to fire CDC employees due to national health and security concerns.
“We sent you a letter on March 14, 2025, requesting specific information on the initial rounds of firings of probationary employees. We have still not received a response. The letter came before the Reduction in Force (RIF) notices on April 1, and we are outraged that you have not been “radically transparent” with us, nor have you been sufficiently responsive to the elected representatives of the thousands of fired employees at CDC,” the Senators added.
During Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s nomination hearing in committee, Senator Warnock spoke at length defending the importance of the CDC, which employs over 10,000 hardworking Georgians. Shortly after, the Senator spoke for nearly an hour on the Senate floor, in large part in defense of the CDC’s critical work to defend public health and national security. The Senator has continued to pressure HHS Secretary Kennedy to reverse the CDC firings. Most recently, Senator Warnock questioned Jim O’Neill, the nominee to be Secretary Kennedy’s second in command at the Department of Health and Human Services, about the unjust firings of thousands of CDC employees.
Since CDC employees became a target of this administration, Senator Warnock has led several efforts defending their employment and the crucial role they play in keeping the nation safe. Earlier this year, Senator Warnock sent a letter to the Acting Director of the CDC about the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), asking for updates on operations. He also sent two additional letters to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy, respectively, urging the administration to reconsider any plans to eliminate the Division of HIV Prevention at the CDC and requesting additional information about the termination of 20,000 full-time staff and organizational restructuring at HHS. Senator Warnock also spoke at a rally organized by current and former CDC employees to support Georgians who have been callously fired from the public health institution. And his staff hosted a round table with fired CDC employees to brainstorm ways to push back on the administration.
Senator Ossoff has fought back against the Trump Administration’s “foolish” attacks on Georgia’s CDC, warning they put Georgians’ health at risk. In February, Senator Ossoff joined former CDC leaders and health experts to sound the alarm on the dire threat to public health in Georgia, across the country, and around the world by the Trump Administration’s unprecedented partisan political attacks on the CDC. Senator Ossoff spoke on the Senate floor against RFK Jr.’s nomination, highlighting his attacks on the CDC and shared the story of a CDC employee who was targeted on a “DEI watchlist” website. In March, Senator Ossoff joined Senator Reverend Warnock in fighting back against CDC firings and joined Senator Reverend Warnock and colleagues in demanding answers about the shutdown of a critical Maternal Health data system within the CDC.
The senators’ letter can be found HERE and the text is below.
Dear Secretary Kennedy,
We understand that on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, you have agreed to testify before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. As Georgia’s senators who are proud to represent the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we write to request a meeting with you while you are in the Senate to address our urgent concerns regarding your management and policies with regard to the CDC, including the unjust firing of thousands of CDC workers in Georgia.
The CDC has been a pillar of public health prevention and surveillance for more than 80 years. However, under your leadership, the agency has been eviscerated by the unjust firings of thousands of our constituents who have spent years, and in many cases decades, of their careers in public health. These unjust firings purge years of public health research and expertise, make America less healthy, and make America less safe.
We sent you a letter on March 14, 2025, requesting specific information on the initial rounds of firings of probationary employees. We have still not received a response. The letter came before the Reduction in Force (RIF) notices on April 1, and we are outraged that you have not been “radically transparent” with us, nor have you been sufficiently responsive to the elected representatives of the thousands of fired employees at CDC.
As Secretary of Health and Human Services, you have a responsibility to be transparent about the destruction of a critical public health agency that has received years of bipartisan support throughout administrations from both parties and through Congressional appropriations and authorization of public health programs.
Please respond to our offices to schedule an appropriate time to meet on May 14, 2025. We look forward to meeting you in person.
Sincerely,
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 9, 2025.
What is grounding and could it improve my sleep? Here’s the science behind this TikTok trend Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dean J. Miller, Senior Lecturer, Appleton Institute, HealthWise Research Group, CQUniversity Australia Alexey Demidov/Pexels Have you ever felt an unexpected sense of calm while walking barefoot on grass? Or noticed your stress begin to fade as you stood ankle deep in the ocean? If so, you may
Google is rolling out its Gemini AI chatbot to kids under 13. It’s a risky move Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa M. Given, Professor of Information Sciences & Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, RMIT University Studio Nut/Shutterstock Google has announced it will roll out its Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot to children under the age of 13. While the launch starts within the next week in
PNG’s Gorethy Kenneth: 23 years of fearless journalism and unwavering truth PROFILE: By Alu J Kalinoe At Papua New Guinea’s Post-Courier, our senior journalists often operate in the shadows, yet their courageous efforts are often overlooked — continuously pushing boundaries to bring us important stories that shape our lives and venturing outside their comfort zones to deliver top-notch content. This is the tale of one of
‘Peace be with all of you’: how Pope Leo XIV embodies a living dialogue between tradition and modernity Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darius von Guttner Sporzynski, Historian, Australian Catholic University When Robert Francis Prevost appeared on the loggia of St Peter’s Basilica as Pope Leo XIV, he set three precedents. He is the first pope from North America, the first Augustinian to occupy the throne of Peter, and the
Experts split on Australia’s Papua New Guinea military recruitment plan By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Australia’s plan to recruit from Papua New Guinea for its Defence Force raises “major ethical concerns”, according to the Australia Defence Association, while another expert thinks it is broadly a good idea. The two nations are set to begin negotiating a new defence treaty that is expected to see
Hidden connections of more than 100 migratory marine species revealed in interactive map Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lily Bentley, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock From the enormous blue whale to the delicate monarch butterfly, animals of all shapes and sizes migrate across the globe. These migrations connect distant habitats, from the tropics to the poles. They
As Filipinos prepare to vote, ex-strongman Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest is dividing families – all the way to the president Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Noel Morada, Visiting Professor, Nelson Mandela Centre, Chulalongkorn University; and Research Fellow, Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, Chulalongkorn University It’s been two months since former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face potential prosecution
How the word ‘incel’ got away from us Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Farid Zaid, Senior Lecturer, Psychology, Monash University Javier Bermudez Zayas/Shutterstock Imagine a young man whose voice has been worn down by years of feeling invisible. Plain, numb and bitter, the “incel” tries to explain the kind of hopelessness most of us would rather not confront: I believed
Kiwi kids once led the world in reading – this 1950s primary school syllabus still has lessons for today Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Boyask, Director of LitPlus, AUT School of Education, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images There is a well-known whakatauki (Māori proverb) that goes: “Ka mua, ka muri” – “walking backwards into the future”. It applies to many areas of life, but in education the idea of
Some Reddit users just love to disagree, new AI-powered troll-spotting algorithm finds Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marian-Andrei Rizoiu, Associate Professor in Behavioral Data Science, University of Technology Sydney ginger_polina_bublik/Shutterstock In today’s fractured online landscape, it is harder than ever to identify harmful actors such as trolls and misinformation spreaders. Often, efforts to spot malicious accounts focus on analysing what they say. However, our
To split Moscow from Beijing, Trump is reviving Nixon’s ‘madman diplomacy’. It could backfire badly Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Langford, Executive Director, Security & Defence PLuS and Professor, UNSW Sydney When United States President William McKinley advocated high‑tariff protectionism in 1896, he argued squeezing foreign competitors behind a 50% wall of duties would make America richer and safer. That logic framed US trade debates for
A community-led health program in remote Arnhem land is showing promising results for First Nations locals Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hasthi Dissanayake, Research Fellow in Indigenous Health, The University of Melbourne The Doherty Institute Indigenous Australians are more than twice as likely as non-Indigenous Australians to suffer from disease, particularly chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease. The health disparities are worse in remote
Why it’s important to read aloud to your kids – even after they can read themselves Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn Cox, Professor of Literacy Education, University of Tasmania Mart Production/Pexels , CC BY Is reading to your kids a bedtime ritual in your home? For many of us, it will be a visceral memory of our own childhoods. Or of the time raising now grown-up children.
Old drains and railways are full of life. Here’s how to make the most of these overlooked green spaces Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hugh Stanford, Researcher Associate, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Much of the old circular railway line in Paris, La Petite Ceinture, or Little Belt, has been turned into a public park. ldgfr photos, Shutterstock Across Australian cities, leftover and overlooked green spaces are everywhere. Just think
Ever wanted to ditch the 9-to-5 and teach snowsports? We followed people who did it for 10 years Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marian Makkar, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, RMIT University Konstantin Shishkin/Shutterstock Workplace burnout – a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion – and the COVID pandemic have sparked a rethink of the traditional 9-to-5 job. It’s been estimated 30% of the Australian workforce is experiencing some degree
Stepmums, alien mums, robot mums, vengeful mums: 7 films to watch this Mother’s Day Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Gildersleeve, Professor of English Literature, University of Southern Queensland With Mother’s Day around the corner, you may be wondering what gift you’ll give mum – or any of the mums in your life. This year, why not skip the fancy dinner and offer one of the
Fiji media’s Stan Simpson blasts ‘hypocrites’ in social media clash over press freedom Pacific Media Watch Barely hours after being guest speaker at the University of the South Pacific‘s annual World Press Freedom Day event this week, Fiji media industry stalwart Stanley Simpson was forced to fend off local trolls whom he described as “hypocrites”. “Attacked by both the Fiji Labour Party and ex-FijiFirst MPs in just one
Politics with Michelle Grattan: David Pocock wants us to aim for up to 90% reduction in emissions by 2035 Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the new parliament the government is expected to need only the Greens to pass the legislation opposed by the Coalition. Counting is not finished but on present indications it won’t require any other Senate crossbenchers. Given Labor’s enhanced position
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 9 (Xinhua) — The latest heavy rains have hit coastal and southern parts of China since Wednesday, bringing widespread downpours and severe convective weather including thunderstorms, short-term heavy rainfall and storms.
Local authorities took prompt measures to ensure the safety of urban life and public safety.
Rain intensified in central China’s Hubei Province overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, prompting the province’s meteorological bureau to step up emergency response measures.
Moderate to heavy rains have been reported in eastern parts of South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region over the past two days, with some areas seeing torrential rains exceeding 100 millimeters.
To address the dual challenges of drought and floods, more than 7.9 million relief items have been collected in the GCAR and disaster-prone areas have been equipped with more than 4,900 satellite phones and navigation devices.
The region also mobilized 22,000 emergency response personnel, as well as 16,000 local teams, totaling 320,000 people.
Heavy rains have disrupted rail services in central China’s Hunan Province, forcing some trains to be suspended or rerouted to ensure passenger safety.
Meanwhile, more than 2,500 monitoring devices and 300 drones have been deployed in East China’s Jiangxi Province to remotely monitor power infrastructure.
The National Meteorological Center (NMC) extended a yellow rainfall warning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, predicting heavy to torrential rainfall in many provinces, as well as the risk of lightning, hail and strong winds. Authorities urged the public to be aware of weather warnings and exercise caution when traveling and engaging in outdoor activities. -0-
Petdirect has appointed Dr Olja Jovovich as its first Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) following the successful launch of Petdirect Pharmacy in 2024. With rising demand for at-home access to prescription pet medications, Dr Jovovich will lead clinical governance and ensure regulatory compliance. She brings over a decade of experience, including leadership roles at Animates Vetcare and Practical CPD. Her appointment underscores Petdirect’s commitment to trusted, affordable pet healthcare as it scales its pharmacy offering across New Zealand.
CFA is leading the way in providing comfort for volunteers who are women, actively engaging with them to address their needs on and off the truck.
Not only will CFA be the first emergency service agency in Australia to provide firefighting boots and gloves designed specifically for women, 3,100 appliances were also recently fitted out with feminine hygiene packs that saw the distribution of more than 18,000 tampons and 12,000 pads.
CFA General Manager of Infrastructure Services, active volunteer and lead member of CFA’s Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee Paul Santamaria said extensive consultation with volunteers on the ground who are women has largely driven these important initiatives, which are just two of many.
“Right across CFA, we have been fostering open dialogue through various events, forums and working groups to encourage diversity of thought and acknowledgement of the needs of all our volunteers,” Paul said.
“We have undergone a comprehensive review of our CFA facilities and design standards so members feel safe, respected and welcomed without discrimination.
“As a result, we are starting to roll out upgrades to our fire stations and three training campuses to be more gender neutral and to provide greater physical privacy for all members.
“We’ve also seen two mechanical apprentices who are women enter a traditionally male dominated industry and join our District Mechanical Workshops. These are amazing women who are paving the way for others to join.”
To celebrate the rollout completion of the feminine hygiene packs and officially mark the beginning of the expansion of firefighting boot and glove options available to women, Malmsbury Fire Brigade members gathered at the fire station today (9 May) alongside CFA leaders.
Malmsbury Fire Brigade Captain Linda Krive said the packs have been well received within their 10-women strong brigade but is particularly excited about the new Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) that is coming their way.
“Both initiatives have positively supported the wellbeing of our volunteers who are women and have provided us with the resources we need in challenging situations,” Linda said.
“Having the packs on board certainly makes it one less thing we have to think about and allows a sense of comfort knowing that if we do need something on the fireground, it will be okay.
“They will come in handy when we’re out on strike teams, as sanitary items are often overlooked when packing quickly for deployment, especially if you don’t need them at the time of departure.
“As we know though, things can change quickly, and you don’t know how long you’ll be gone for.”
CFA has already received several expressions of interest from several suppliers to deliver the new fit-for-purpose boots and gloves for women and will formally go to tender for a supply partner next month.
Linda said most women in her brigade, and some men, have struggled with boots in the past and are looking forward to having the option of clothing that is designed to fit different shapes.
“Some of us have long, thin feet and although my feet are used to my boots after 20 years, it will make such a difference.
“I’ve also got some members who have very small hands, and even the extra small gloves are too big which makes some tasks harder to complete.
Through CFA’s Diversity and Inclusion Program, initiatives continue to recognise individuality and inclusivity, while working closely with the Champions for Change Network to share experiences and learn more about what is being done across the Emergency Services and Allied Health sectors to support women.
Tasmania Police is appealing for information to help identify three suspects after a delivery driver was threatened with a knife and had his car stolen while working in Gagebrook late Thursday night.The male driver was not physically hurt during the incident in Briar Crescent, Gagebrook, about 11.10pm last night, in which the offenders also stole cash after the driver attended a private residence.The driver was threatened by three suspects with one of the suspects in possession of a knife prior to stealing his car keys and driving off in the stolen vehicle, which also contained the driver’s mobile phone.The driver went to a nearby residence seeking assistance and it was here he was able to contact police.Officers from Bridgewater Police conducted patrols in the Gagebrook and Brighton areas, with the vehicle later found abandoned in bushland off Boronia Place, Gagebrook.Anyone who may have seen a gold Suzuki Liana driven in the Gagebrook area late Thursday night or early Friday morning, or have information regarding the armed robbery, can contact Bridgewater CIB on 131 444 or report it to Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin sign a joint statement on further deepening the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era after their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
China and Russia have set a model for the world on building new-type international relations as well as on developing cooperation between major countries and between the countries as each other’s biggest neighbor, said a bilateral joint statement on Thursday.
The joint statement on further deepening the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era was released after Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in the Russian capital.
The statement noted that the relations between China and Russia have reached the highest level in history with a steady and across-the-board development.
China and Russia are each other’s important trade partner, and the two sides agree that the bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation has strongly contributed to the improvement of the well-being of the two peoples, the statement said.
In efforts to further enhance the cooperation, China and Russia agree to push for a stable expansion of two-way trade with an optimized structure through lifting the share of high-tech products and fostering innovative forms of e-commerce, among other efforts.
They will work to deepen investment cooperation and consolidate the overall energy cooperation partnership, according to the statement.
The two sides will also jointly explore the potential in science and technology cooperation, finding new direction in areas including innovation and basic and applied researches, conducting regular selection and implementation of joint programs, and encouraging new patterns for collaboration, according to the statement.
The statement said that the two countries will comprehensively deepen their practical cooperation in fields ranging from economic and trade, customs, agriculture, transportation, finance, industry, environmental protection, aerospace and satellite navigation, nuclear energy, urban construction to health care and information and communication technology, ensuring a higher-quality and upgraded bilateral cooperation by 2030.
Joint statement: China, Russia example of relations, cooperation between major countries
Xinhua | May 9, 2025
China and Russia have set a model for the world on building new-type international relations as well as on developing cooperation between major countries and between the countries as each other’s biggest neighbor, said a bilateral joint statement on Thursday.
The joint statement on further deepening the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era was released after Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in the Russian capital.
The statement noted that the relations between China and Russia have reached the highest level in history with a steady and across-the-board development.
China and Russia are each other’s important trade partner, and the two sides agree that the bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation has strongly contributed to the improvement of the well-being of the two peoples, the statement said.
In efforts to further enhance the cooperation, China and Russia agree to push for a stable expansion of two-way trade with an optimized structure through lifting the share of high-tech products and fostering innovative forms of e-commerce, among other efforts.
They will work to deepen investment cooperation and consolidate the overall energy cooperation partnership, according to the statement.
The two sides will also jointly explore the potential in science and technology cooperation, finding new direction in areas including innovation and basic and applied researches, conducting regular selection and implementation of joint programs, and encouraging new patterns for collaboration, according to the statement.
The statement said that the two countries will comprehensively deepen their practical cooperation in fields ranging from economic and trade, customs, agriculture, transportation, finance, industry, environmental protection, aerospace and satellite navigation, nuclear energy, urban construction to health care and information and communication technology, ensuring a higher-quality and upgraded bilateral cooperation by 2030.
Source: It’s time to fix the secondary teacher shortage
The Green Party is appalled by the Government’s decision to severely underfund financial compensation for survivors of abuse in state care.
“This falls severely short of real redress, our survivors deserve so much better,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.
“In November, the Prime Minister stood in front of survivors to recognise that the abuse they suffered should never have happened.
“An apology is empty air without action. The Government has failed survivors by repeating the mistakes of old that resulted in the abuse and trauma detailed by the Royal Commission.
“To add insult to injury, the Government has now offered survivors well below what they deserve in this redress announcement.
“The Government is not only failing to heal the wounds of our past but is risking opening up new ones without real redress and a repeat of old mistakes.
“The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care provided us with harrowing testimony from survivors as well as invaluable insight into both how we failed as a society and how we must change. This was an opportunity to learn and do better as a country, an opportunity this Government has completely missed.
“The Green Party remains committed to working towards a future where every child grows up safe, secure, and free from violence,” says Marama Davidson.
Have you ever felt an unexpected sense of calm while walking barefoot on grass? Or noticed your stress begin to fade as you stood ankle deep in the ocean? If so, you may have unknowingly “grounded” yourself to the earth.
Grounding, also known as earthing, is the practice of making direct physical contact with the Earth’s surface. Our ancestors embraced this trend without knowing it. But with the invention of indoor homes, footpaths, roads, and even shoes, we have become less physically connected with the earth.
Grounding has been suggested to have a number of benefits, such as improving mood, and reducing stress and pain. But overall, there’s limited conclusive evidence on the benefits of grounding.
Somewhat ironically, the concept of grounding in 2025 is heavily influenced by technology, rather than getting out into nature. Consumers are being hit with social media reels promoting a range of technologies that ground us, and improve our health.
Among the most common are promises of improved sleep with the use of a grounding sheet or mat. But is this just another TikTok trend, or could these products really help us get a better night’s sleep?
Bringing the outdoors in
The human body is conductive, which means it can exchange electricity with Earth and artificial sources, such as electronic devices or objects. (Sometimes, this exchange can result in an electric or static shock.)
Proponents of grounding claim the practice reconnects “the conductive human body to the Earth’s natural and subtle surface electric charge”.
They credit this process with physiological and psychological benefits (but again, the evidence is limited).
Grounding technologies can vary in type (for example, under-desk foot mats, mattress toppers and bed sheets) but all are designed to provide a path for electric charges to flow between your body and the earth.
The bottom prong you see in your three-prong wall socket is a “ground” or “earth” terminal. It provides a direct connection to earth via your building’s wiring, diverting excess or unsafe voltage into the ground. This protects you and your devices from potential electrical faults.
Grounding technology uses this terminal as a pathway for the proposed electrical exchange between you and earth, while in the comfort of your home.
Could grounding improve your sleep?
The research in this area is still emerging.
A 2025 study from Korea recruited 60 participants, gave half of them a grounding mat, and gave the other half a visually identical mat that didn’t have grounding technology. The researchers used a “double-blind” protocol, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers knew which participants were given grounding mats.
All participants wore sleep trackers and were asked to use their mat (that is, sit or lie on it) for six hours per day. The researchers found that after 31 days, participants in the grounding mat group slept longer on average (as measured by their sleep trackers) than those in the control group.
The researchers also used questionnaires to collect measures of insomnia, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and stress. After 31 days, participants in both groups improved on all measures.
There were no differences between the grounded and ungrounded groups for sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and stress. And while grounded participants showed significantly lower insomnia severity after the intervention, this difference was also present at the start of the study. So it’s unclear if grounding had a tangible impact on sleep.
In another double-blind study, published in 2022, researchers in Taiwan examined the effectiveness of using grounding mats to improve sleep among patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The findings indicated that spending 30 minutes on a grounding mat five times per week resulted in improved sleep quality.
While previous research has suggested using grounding technologies may lead to improvements in mood, no differences were seen in measures of anxiety and depression in this study.
Grounding for gains?
Grounding technology has also been touted as having other benefits, such as reducing pain and inflammation.
A 2019 study found participants who slept on a grounding mat after intense exercise felt less sore and showed lower levels of inflammation in their blood compared to those who were ungrounded.
Grounding after a workout may help you feel better and recover faster, but it’s still unclear whether and how grounding affects long-term training results or fitness gains.
So should you cash in on your favourite influencer’s discount code and grab a grounding mat? At the risk of spouting a common cliche of cautious scientists, our answer is that we don’t know yet.
What we do know is the existing research, albeit emerging, has shown no evidence grounding technology can negatively affect your sleep or recovery after exercise. So if you love your grounding mat or grounding sheet, or want to see if grounding works for you, feel free to give it a go.
Keep in mind, grounding products can retail for anywhere from around A$30 to $300 or more.
On the other hand, grounding on the grass in the great outdoors is free. While there’s limited evidence that grounding outdoors can improve sleep, spending time in outdoor light may itself benefit sleep, regulate circadian rhythms, and improve mood.
Finally, while grounding could be an interesting strategy to try, if you’re experiencing ongoing problems with your sleep, or suspect you may have a sleep disorder, the first step should be reaching out to a medical professional, such as your GP.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)
NJ 6th District Congressman says Trump has disrupted cancer treatment for 9/11 first responders
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today sent a letter to Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanding answers about the recent staffing upheaval and treatment delays at the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), which provides medical care to more than 132,000 9/11 responders and survivors.
Pallone voiced concern that while the Trump administration has partially walked back some terminations, “the chaos you are inflicting upon the program is extremely troubling.”
The New Jersey Congressman wrote that despite the alleged reinstatement of some employees, “16 World Trade Center Health Program staff members were informed of their termination, effective by early summer,” disrupting critical operations including “enrollment, health condition certification, research oversight, and contract management.”
“These actions, coupled with the mass terminations of employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health announced in February, severely disrupt mission critical operations for the World Trade Center Health Program,” Pallone continued in his letter to Kennedy. “These actions break our nation’s vow to the 9/11 first responder and survivor community to provide the injured and their families the aid they need and deserve.”
The letter also cites alarming real-world consequences, including testimony from Dr. David Prezant, chief medical officer for the New York City Fire Department and Director of its World Trade Center Health Program, who said a 9/11 responder with life-threatening pancreatic cancer was told he couldn’t start chemotherapy, while others with new cancer diagnoses were also denied care.
“There were potentially more than 1,200 condition certifications paused, including for cancer,” Pallone wrote.
Pallone called on Secretary Kennedy to “cease any additional actions to terminate staff, providers, or limit any WTCHP program operations,” and to provide “a comprehensive briefing on the recent actions you’ve taken regarding the World Trade Center Health Program and the specific actions you, as Secretary, will take to ensure the program remains fully equipped to deliver life-saving care.”
The World Trade Center Health Program provides essential treatment and monitoring to responders and survivors from Ground Zero, the Pentagon and the Shanksville, Pennsylvania, crash site. It provides care in all 50 states and nearly every congressional district.
The full letter can be foundhereand below:
Secretary Kennedy,
I write to you today to strongly protest the latest staffing reductions for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). The Department’s actions have caused chaos and confusion, leading directly to the denial of cancer treatments and the prevention of hundreds more from accessing medical treatment.
Despite reporting of the alleged reinstatement of 15 employees of the originally terminated 16 employees, the chaos you are inflicting upon the program is extremely troubling.[1] The most recent data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the WTCHP provides essential medical treatment, monitoring, and research to more than 132,000 first responders and survivors from the World Trade Center and lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, and the Shanksville, Pennsylvania crash site. The program serves individuals in all 50 states and nearly every Congressional district.[2] These actions, coupled with the mass terminations of employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced in February, severely disrupt mission critical operations for the WTCHP. These actions break our nation’s vow to the 9/11 first responder and survivor community to provide the injured and their families the aid they need and deserve.[3]
On May 2, 2025, 16 WTCHP staff members were informed of their termination, effective by early summer.[4] These career civil servants perform vital functions, including enrollment, health condition certification, research oversight, and contract management for the WTCHP. They were placed on administrative leave despite previous assurances from you that no such terminations would occur.[5] Meanwhile, it is my understanding that until there was public outrage, Dr. John Howard’s role overseeing the program remained in limbo. He was recently reinstated to his post, but only until June 2, 2025. This is no way to run this critical health care program.
Your reckless decisions have devastating real-world consequences. Alarmingly, Dr. David Prezant, chief medical officer of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and Director of its World Trade Center Health Program, stated that a 9/11 responder with life-threatening pancreatic cancer was told that he couldn’t start chemotherapy.[6] There are also at least three FDNY employees who have been diagnosed with cancers believed to be related to their service at Ground Zero, who have not been able to get approval for care.[7] There has even been reports of a full halt to enrollment of any new responders and survivors.[8] Furthermore, there were potentially more than 1,200 condition certifications that were paused, including for cancer, preventing patients from accessing medical treatment and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.[9] This is a travesty.
As a result of your chaos and confusion, the WTCHP will continue to remain severely understaffed and deeply destabilized. By design, the program is meant to be science-driven, apolitical, and survivor-focused. It is now being subjected to opaque internal decisions and political interference that put the health and safety of thousands of Americans in jeopardy.To date, your department has not provided a clear or honest explanation. The Department’s communications have denied basic facts already confirmed by internal documents and public reporting.[10] The lack of transparency and accountability is unacceptable.
This is not a partisan issue. Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, along with survivors, advocates, and 9/11 families, are united in their deep concern and outrage. The World Trade Center Health Program must be preserved, fully staffed, and protected—not hollowed out under the Trump Administration’s false flag of ending waste.
I demand you cease any additional actions to terminate staff, providers, or limit WTCHP program operations. I demand transparency in the Department’s decision making on past and future administrative actions to this program. As such, please provide me and my staff with a comprehensive briefing no later than May 22 on the recent actions you have taken regarding the WTCHP and the specific actions you will take to ensure the program remains fully equipped to deliver life-saving care to current participants and future enrollees.
I look forward to your prompt response to this critical issue to our 9/11 heroes.
Two intersections on either side of the Waiotahe River Bridge on State Highway 2 (SH2) near Ōpōtiki will be made safer, with funding approved by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to deliver new tear-drop roundabouts and complete the SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki safety improvements project, Minister of Transport Chris Bishop says.
“Located on a sweeping curve, the intersections of SH2 with Ōhiwa Beach Road and Waiotahe Valley Back Road, either side of the Waiotahe River Bridge, are considered high-risk. With two fatalities, one serious injury, and three minor injuries occurring between 2014 and 2023, upgrades to these two intersections are critical to improving safety for local road users,” Mr Bishop says.
“Delivering safe roading infrastructure that supports economic growth and productivity is a priority. SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne is a main route for locals, tourists, and freight between Tauranga and Gisborne. Around 5,000 per day vehicles use SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Wainui Road, with 15 percent of those being heavy vehicles.
“With poor forward visibility and constrained shoulders, the current alignment of the intersections either side of the Waiotahe River Bridge makes it difficult for drivers approaching the area on SH2 to see vehicles wanting to turn right onto the state highway and vice versa. NZTA has now confirmed funding to replace these high-risk intersections with two new tear-drop roundabouts.
“NZTA will now move to complete the detailed design, finalise land acquisition requirements, complete resource consent applications, and procure a contractor to deliver the works. Construction is expected to begin in mid-late 2026 and take approximately 12 months to complete. This follows and complements work already underway to construct a roundabout at the intersection of SH2 and Wainui Road.
“Construction of the two new tear-drop roundabouts, minor re-alignment of the road, and other associated work, is expected to cost around $10 million. Final costs will be known once a contractor is confirmed.
“I want to thank the local community in advance for their patience as this important work to make SH2 safer is carried out and I look forward to this work beginning as soon as NZTA it is able to get underway.”
Notes to Editor:
The 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme prioritises investment in road safety and efficiency by encouraging safer driving behaviour, vehicles and infrastructure. Funding is available for improvements at the highest-risk locations, which includes these two intersections either side of the Waiotahe River Bridge.
Once complete, these two new tear-drop roundabouts will complement each other in a ‘dog bone’ arrangement, either side of the Waiotahe River Bridge, with road users no longer able to turn right over lanes of active traffic in a high speed 100kmph environment on the state highway.
Instead, vehicles joining SH2 from Ōhiwa Beach Road or Waiotahe Valley Back Road will have a left turn only and be able to drive over the bridge to safely turn around at the other roundabout and head in the opposite direction.
The SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki safety improvements project is being delivered by NZTA in three sections:
Section 1 (Complete) – Safety improvements included wider shoulders, side barriers, edgeline and centreline rumble strips, signs and road markings. Improvements along SH2 were made between Wainui Road and Waiōtahe Valley Back Road and Appleton Road to Woodlands Road. This work was completed in 2023/2024.
Section 2(Construction to begin mid-late 2026) – Upgrades to intersections of SH2 with Waiōtahe Valley Back Road and Ōhiwa Beach Road. A tear-drop roundabout either side of Waiōtahe Bridge. To complete final design late 2025, construction expected to begin mid/late 2026 and completed in approximately 12 months.
Section 3 (In construction now) – SH2 / Wainui Road intersection upgrade (Matekerepu). A new roundabout is being constructed at this location. Work began in April 2025 and expected to take 12 months to complete.
The total funding budgeted for the SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki safety improvements project (Sections 1, 2, and 3) is $37.5M. Each section costs circa $10 million, with the remaining funding covering the business case, concept designs, investigations, land acquisition, resource consents and consent requirements to deliver the works.
Defendant Surrendered to Officers, Admitted to Possessing a Knife and Two ‘Molotov Cocktails’
WASHINGTON – Ryan Michael English, 24, of South Deerfield, Massachusetts, was charged in a two-count indictment, filed today in U.S. District Court, with the attempted assassination of a cabinet member nominee and carrying a dangerous weapon on the Grounds of the U.S. Capitol Building. The charges are related to English’s Jan. 27, 2025, alleged attempt to take a knife and two improvised Molotov cocktails into the building for the purposes of attacking a presidential cabinet nominee.
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the U.S. Capitol Police. English, who is in custody, had an initial court appearance this afternoon.
English, aka “Reily,” is charged with carrying a dangerous weapon or incendiary device on the grounds of the Capitol and unlawful possession of an incendiary device.
According to the charging documents, on January 27, 2025, about 3:12 p.m., English approached a U.S. Capitol Police Officer near the South Door of the Capitol Building and stated “I’d like to turn myself in.” English further admitted to possessing a knife and two “Molotov cocktails.”
Officers searched English and recovered a folding knife, as well as two improvised incendiary devices from the inside pockets of English’s jacket. The devices were constructed of 50 milliliter bottles of vodka with a grey cloth affixed to its top. Police recovered a green lighter from another pocket.
During the search, English allegedly confessed to being at the Capitol to kill a presidential nominee who was testifying before the U.S. Senate. Police recovered a note to a family member in a pocket that said, in part, “This is terrible but I cant do nothing while nazis kill my sisters…Im so sorry for lying and plotting and lying.”
English admitted to traveling to the District of Columbia with the intention of killing a government official or burning down a think-tank based in Washington, D.C.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Capitol Police. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan.
A criminal indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement in response to the Humboldt County Superior Court’s decision to deny Providence St. Joseph Hospital’s (Providence) attempt to dismiss the Attorney General’s lawsuit, which alleges that the hospital violated multiple laws by refusing to provide emergency abortion care to people experiencing obstetric emergencies. Located in Eureka, California, Providence is the only available option for women in Humboldt County to seek emergency abortion care.
“There was no legal basis to dismiss our lawsuit against Providence, and we are grateful that the court agreed with us on every ground,” said Attorney General Bonta. “California is committed to protecting reproductive rights and let me be clear: that includes emergency abortion care. For those who are unfamiliar with Anna Nusslock’s harrowing story and Providence’s refusal to treat her, I encourage you to watch this video. I’m thinking of her today. Denying emergency abortion care to pregnant patients who need it is both traumatic and unlawful under multiple laws. My team and I look forward to seeing this case through and holding Providence accountable.”
In its demurrer, or attempt to dismiss the Attorney General’s lawsuit, Providence argued that California’s Emergency Services Law (the state-level analogue to the federal EMTALA statute) infringed on its religious right to free expression and that the State had not sufficiently pled a claim under the Unruh Civil Rights Act or the Unfair Competition Law, among other things. The court overruled Providence’s demurrer on those grounds, and all others.
On October 29, 2024, Attorney General Bonta secured a stipulation from Providence that ensures the hospital follows California law while the case proceeds. On February 14, 2025, the Humboldt County Superior Court held oral argument on Providence’s demurrer and took the matter under submission.
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