Quick reporting by a member of the public who allegedly snapped a pair of thieves attempting to steal his vehicle by using a screwdriver has aided in their arrest.
At about 9.45pm, two people allegedly attempting to steal a vehicle parked on Brashier Circle in Sunnyvale were interrupted by the owner.
Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Kelly Farrant, says the pair had managed to get the car started using a screwdriver before the owner disturbed them and they took off in another vehicle.
“The victim has then quickly contacted Police and we quickly located the alleged offenders on Millbrook Road where the Police Eagle helicopter was able to track the vehicle.”
She says officers then spiked the vehicle on Farwood Road and it continued at low speed onto Candia Road, eventually stopping.
“Two people were quickly taken into custody without incident.
“Quickly reporting matters by calling 111 about incidents such as people interfering with vehicles is really helpful for us.
“It allows us to respond and potentially disrupt wider offending against the community.”
A 30-year-old man will appear in Auckland District Court today charged with possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis.
Bridge provided access to Mount Rainier National Park Carbon River Ranger Station
CARBONADO – Effectively immediately, the Washington State Department of Transportation has closed the State Route 165 Carbon River Fairfax Bridge to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice.
The single-lane bridge is located at milepost 11.5, three miles south of Carbonado in Pierce County. The closure means there is no access across the 103-year-old bridge.
Preliminary findings from recent inspections of the bridge revealed new deterioration of steel supports of the more than century-old span. In the coming weeks, WSDOT bridge engineers will perform further analysis on the bridge. Until those results are final, WSDOT is closing the bridge as a safety precaution.
In 2024, WSDOT signed an emergency declaration that expedited work for an emergency detour route for first responders and local property owners south of the bridge. The emergency detour route is not open to the public.
The bridge provided access to Mount Rainier National Park’s Mowich Lake Entrance and Carbon River Ranger Station and other outdoor recreation areas. Due to the closure of the bridge, there is no public access from SR 165 to these areas.
Background
In July 2024, the bridge’s load rating was reduced to 16,000 pounds (8 tons). This was the third restriction imposed on the bridge since 2009. In 2013, commercial vehicles were restricted from crossing the bridge.
The 494-foot-long bridge opened to travelers in 1921. A bridge is expected to have a service life of 75 years based on current standards. The average age of state-owned vehicle bridges is 51 years. The Carbon River Bridge is 103 years old.
There is no funding available to replace the bridge at this point. Years of deferred preservation work due to limited preservation funding resulted in the updated weight restrictions and now the indefinite closure.
WSDOT’s bridge inspection program regularly monitors the conditions of all the state’s approximate 3,600 bridges.
To get the latest information about road work on state highways in Pierce County, sign up for email updates. Real-time travel information is available on the WSDOT app and statewide travel map.
The early days of fighting fires with beaters, buckets and knapsacks are long gone and while slipping a tank onto the back of a tray truck was the popular choice for many years, CFA’s fleet has evolved dramatically over the past 80 years.
When CFA formed, the organisation inherited a mixed range of former war surplus trucks but most firefighting trucks in 1950s were Austins, the tankers being the work horse of the rural fleet for many years holding 400 gallons (1,800 litres). The Austin pumper followed for urban brigades, which had a front-mounted pump and 350 gallons (1,592 litres) per minute capacity.
CFA’s Head of Fleet and Protective Equipment Danny Jones said CFA’s financial focus in the 1950s was purchasing trucks and trailer units.
“By 1960, CFA had 773 vehicles in its fleet – 516 of them in rural brigades,” Danny said.
“Small pumpers were then built which included more ladders, hoses, and larger pumps.”
Small 4WD, agile Willys trucks were the forerunners to the current ultralights and slip-ons. The small 4WD tankers enabled crews to get in ahead of the larger tankers to bushfires to help knock the fire down quickly.
Danny said the size of our tankers and pumpers grew in capacity as new trucks became available, including those with diesel engines.
“CFA soon realised more types of vehicles were required for the variety of fire calls being attended,” he said.
“CFA started to manufacture a range of specialised vehicles to suit our diverse needs which have continued to evolve over the years.”
These included radio communication vans, hazmats, road accident rescue, high angle rescue, mine rescue, protective equipment, rehabilitation, salvage, lighting, telebooms, ladder platforms, aerial pumpers, alpine and tracked vehicles, sand tankers, breathing apparatus vans, field operations vehicles, hose layers and educational units.
Today, most vehicles are twin cabbed, air conditioned and have comfortable seating compared to earlier vehicles. Safety features such as rollover protection systems, heat shields, vehicle sprinklers, window curtains, and remote-control monitors are common.
Crew protection systems installed into CFA’s fleet was a major step in enhancing firefighter safety from 2006. Between 2011 and 2013, CFA also retrofitted the same crew protection systems to all existing pre-2006 tankers.
“This has been further extended over the years with all of CFA’s ultralight tanker fleet currently undergoing and retrofit program to install crew protection,” Danny said.
“This technology received significant laboratory, simulation and real fire exposure testing.
“Retrofitting all our vehicles gives our members the best possible chance of survival in a burnover.”
The latest truck to join CFA’s firefighting fleet is the Ultra Heavy tanker which has the capacity to carry 10,000 litres of water – more than some of our water bombing fleet. These trucks will greatly boost our ability to fight fires in remote rural areas with open grasslands.
CFA’s progressive fleet department is always looking into new technology and prototypes to ensure CFA has the most advanced and safest vehicles for its firefighters.
Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
CHARLESTON, S.C. — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R- S.C.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Scott Turner, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, visited One80 Place, an affordable housing development project in Charleston, South Carolina. One80 Place also has a 6-story, $44 million housing and shelter project currently under construction. Located in an Opportunity Zone, the 70 affordable housing units and 65-bed family shelter will be the first of its kind in the area with hopes to replicate the project across the country in the future.
“To have the Secretary of HUD to stop by Charleston, South Carolina, invest his valuable time in seeing the progress that we are making as a community, it is a blessing…and it is also a blessing to have One80 Place working so hard on behalf of a critical issue. One of our top goals on the [Senate Banking] Committee is housing and affordability, and I’m thankful that we have a partner who’s on the job every single day, leading the way from Washington, and many people in the local community, on the job, every single day, helping us take care of our own communities,” Senator Scott said at the visit. “Certainly, we’re focusing on the regulatory environment. And frankly, the private sector as well…you look at our bill, the ROAD to Housing Act, it focuses on relieving some of the pressure in the system from a regulatory perspective. [I believe] that will allow for more homeownership, faster.”
Background
Senator Scott’s Opportunity Zones initiative has driven $84.7 billion to underserved communities, unlocking economic opportunities that were not previously available. As the leader of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during President Trump’s first term, Secretary Turner has been key to the success of the initiative, which has drawn bipartisan praise from the likes of then-Governor John Hickenlooper, Governor Gavin Newsome, and then-Mayor Pete Buttigieg. The Senator is looking forward to working with President Trump and his Republican colleagues on a package to broaden and extend Opportunity Zones and continue driving economic development in the communities that need it most.
The Opportunity Zones (OZ) tax incentive is helping tackle the nation’s housing crisis by making significant increases in housing supply. According to the Economic Innovation Group, OZs have led to:
A significant and immediate increase in new commercial and residential development activity in targeted low-income communities, according to a study of building permits across 47 large cities through June 2022.
The likelihood of investment in a designated census tract in a given month jumped by over 20 percent after OZs were enacted.
The doubling of new national multifamily housing developments.
OZs are home to about 10 percent of the country’s population but now account for 20 percent of all new market-rate multifamily apartment units being developed in the country.
The creation of 172,000 new apartment units across 972 developments and 2,014 cities.
In his confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee, Secretary Turner committed to visit areas like Charleston, South Carolina, to see firsthand the housing challenges Americans across the country face. In an interview earlier this year, Secretary Turner cited Senator Scott’s ROAD to Housing Act as a priority to help unleash investment in affordable housing initiatives across the country.
After announcing Liberation Day – stiff “retaliatory” tariffs on every country and penguin-inhabited island in the world – US President Donald Trump rescinded the vast majority of tariffs eight days later when stock and bond markets crashed.
He followed that with more exemptions for phones, computers and computer chips two days later. Ten percent tariffs remain across the board, along with rates up to 145% on China.
Is Trump aligned with previous Reagan on tariffs?
As with anything related to Trump, perceptions overwhelm reality. Trump’s showmanship – call him a carnival barker if you must – obfuscates what is really happening.
Trump is seen as a protectionist and a populist. By comparison, former president Ronald Reagan was seen as a principled free trader and more ideologically conservative. Both images are misleading.
Reagan slapped tariffs on cars, steel, lumber, computers, computer chips, motorcycles, machine tools, even clothes pins. The great guru of free markets, Milton Friedman, is reported to have said that the Reagan administration has been “making Smoot-Hawley look positively benign.” (Smoot-Hawley was an infamous tariff law enacted in 1930 at the beginning of the Great Depression.)
Reagan went back and forth on tariffs, even attacking them in a radio address when Japan tried to impose them. At the end of the day, his record on the issue was as mixed as that of any American president.
Trump’s politics, if not his showmanship, look a lot more like traditional Republican approaches in the cold light of day. The showmanship – provocative statements, grand exaggerations, outright falsehoods and even stand-up-comic-like aspects – is purposeful.
Keeping Republicans united
The main goal of Trump’s tariff showmanship, largely unreported in the press, is keeping congressional Republicans unified as he pushes his domestic policy agenda of lower taxes, budget cuts, expanded energy production and tougher immigration policies.
Congressional Republicans have been working for months on legislating this agenda through the complex budget reconciliation process. This legislative process is difficult and involves passing budget resolutions through the Senate and the House on a specific schedule. This process is required because it allows for a path around the 60-vote filibuster in the Senate. With only 53 Republican senators and a Democratic Party that is committed to resisting Trump on almost every policy choice, Trump needs the reconciliation process to work this year.
In one sense, all of Trump’s activities since his inauguration – the “waste”-cutting DOGE, spending cuts, ending foreign aid programs, laying off federal workers – have given him the political space with congressional Republicans, particularly fiscal conservatives, to advance his legislative agenda. It is important to know that Congressional Republicans have been ungovernable for quite some time.
Over the past ten years, there have been five Republican Speakers of the House – John Boehner, Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy, Patrick McHenry (acting) and now Mike Johnson. This unprecedented turnover is caused by a virtually unmanageable Republican coalition of mainstream business-oriented conservatives and the fiscal hawks who generally populate the Freedom Caucus. The Freedom Caucus is more than willing to vote against other Republicans – indeed they are proud of it. Because of this, speaker after speaker has had to reach out to Democrats for votes to pass legislation, ultimately dooming their time in the position.
Trump has managed to keep this ungovernable group of House Republicans united, and this may be his true political gift.
To achieve this, he has engaged in a comprehensive campaign of maximum pressure on just about everything: Canada, Greenland, NATO, Europe, China, Ukraine, American universities, federal workers, illegal immigrants, big law firms and even paper straws.
Congressional Republicans, in appreciation of this shock and awe campaign, have stayed united. This means Trump’s legislative agenda can move forward.
With his global tariff plan, Trump saw Republicans beginning to defect. In one Senate vote in April, four Republicans sided with Democrats against tariffs on Canada. Senator Ted Cruz warned that Republicans might lose the 2026 election because of tariffs. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the oldest senator and one of the most conservative, indicated he would support bringing tariff authority back to Congress and away from the president.
Trump can read a room as well as anyone. When he saw Republican unity was at risk because of his tariff plan, he quickly pivoted to a much more moderate version. While Trump’s grandiosity is often highly criticised, it is that quality that gives him the ability to keep his party together, and therefore to govern.
Sparking panic among Democrats
The other major effect of Trump’s tariffs strategy is to sow discord among his opponents.
Democrats, who want to criticise Trump but know their own party has often endorsed tariffs in the past, are reeling. Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said she understood Trump’s “motivation behind the tariffs” and even agreed with Trump that we “need to make more stuff in America”. She was immediately criticised by fellow Democrats.
Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House of Representatives, tried a slightly more aggressive anti-Trump approach. He said:
Tariffs, when properly utilized, have a role to play in trying to make sure that you have a competitive environment for our workers and our businesses. That’s not what’s going on right now. This is a reckless economic sledgehammer that Donald Trump and compliant Republicans in the Congress are taking to the economy, and the American people are being hurt enough.
This response won’t help Democrats climb out of their deep hole of unpopularity, measured last month at an historic low.
Lester Munson receives funding from the U.S. Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.
The Government is cracking down on the prolonged tethering of dogs, with progress being made on new regulations targeting owners who fail to properly care for the needs of their dogs, Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “I’ve been hearing a lot from members of the public who want to see action taken, and the SPCA tells us that this is one of the issues that they receive daily calls on. I know that strong animal welfare standards are important to New Zealanders, and we have a level of companion animal ownership which is among the highest in the world. “When I came to office, officials provided me four proposed regulations. I was concerned that they couldn’t be enforced and that it wouldn’t lead to better outcomes for dogs that are tethered for unreasonable periods of time. “I directed my officials to work with the SPCA to improve on the proposals, taking into account the very considered input received during public consultation. Recently I took these new proposals to Cabinet, and I am pleased that my colleagues have supported these,” Mr Hoggard says. “These are very important regulations, and we needed to take our time to ensure the best outcomes. “Most dog owners in New Zealand treat their animals well and these regulations will have little to no impact upon them.” “The new regulations will provide animal welfare inspectors with the tools they need to intervene quickly when they identify a dog that is suffering harm as a result of being tied up for long periods. I’m confident these regulations will result in better outcomes for those dogs. “We have a few steps to follow to get these proposals ready to become law, but it is my expectation that these will be finalised by the end of the year. That will be followed by a short period with a focus on education so that all dog owners understand their obligations and to allow those who need to make changes time to adapt.”
PORT SUDAN, 15 April 2025– One child every 10 seconds on average has been forced to flee their homes since the conflict began in Sudan two years ago, according to new analysis from Save the Children.
Sudan was already facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises before conflict erupted in the capital, Khartoum, in April 2023, and the country is now facing the largest child displacement crisis globally, with over 6.5 million children uprooted from their homes [1] [2]. More than 12.6 million people are currently displaced by the conflict in Sudan – or one in three people [3].
To mark two years of the conflict, Save the Children commissioned Sudaneseillustrator Shiroug Idris– who was herself displaced by the conflict – to highlight the impact of conflict on children’s lives.
Shiroug was herself forced to flee her home in Khartoum in 2023 and is now living 500 kms away in Kassala in eastern Sudan. She travelled to Gedaref with Save the Children to see the organisation’s work and ran a drawing workshop with children to let them tell their own stories of the conflict.
“As someone who was forced to flee this terrible conflict, it is heartbreaking to witness what these children are going through. Millions have been displaced, forced from their homes, and robbed of the childhood every child deserves,” Shiroug said.
“Through my drawings, I hope to make the world more aware of the atrocities unfolding in Sudan and the devastating impact on children’s lives. Governments around the world must do more to recognise this crisis and put an end to the suffering.”
One of the children working with Shiroug wasFatima-, 11,who was forced to flee her home in Al Jazirah state in east-central Sudan following violent clashes in which a bullet fired through one of the windows of their home.
Fatima- and her family escaped to a nearby village, but soldiers came to their house and threatened to kill them. Her family moved through multiple villages, facing violence, extortion, and hardship before reaching a camp in Gedaref Save the Children provided her family with food, blankets, mattresses, clothes, including pajamas and slippers.
“I was scared that we would be killed, but my mum reassured me. When we arrived in Gedaref, I was happy because there were no sounds of fighting, just peace,” Fatima- said.
Fatima- now attends school and a child friendly space, where she takes part in activities such as art, sports, and structured play, to help process her trauma, build resilience, and regain her confidence.
Her message to other children in Sudan is: “Don’t be afraid; we will go back home, just like others have.”
In the chaos and violence in the past two years in which an estimated 28,700 people have been killed, many children have been separated from their families, putting them at higher risk of being attacked or exploited.
Over 2,686 child rights violations have been reported in the past year to Save the Children alone, the majority involving the killing and maiming of children, child recruitment and sexual violence against children.
Mariam-, 14,was captured and raped by a group of armed men along with a friend who later died from her injuries. Mariam survived but became pregnant.
Upon learning of her pregnancy, her family forced her to move out of her home, and Mariam gave birth in unclean, unsupported conditions. Her newborn daughter became sick and died.
When Save the Children became aware of Mariam’s situation, the organisation supported her with health and psychological care and then worked closely with her family, helping them to understand why their daughter was not to blame. Today, she is back with her family, with ongoing support from Save the Children for her continued wellbeing.
Mohamad Abdiladif, the Country Director for Save the Children Sudan, said:
“For two years, conflict and widespread violence in Sudan have caused immense suffering for children. This has become the world’s largest displacement crisis for children, but despite the urgent need, the crisis in Sudan remains largely underreported and the world is not taking notice.”
“When people are forced to flee their homes due to violence, it’s usually the women and children who go first – and we often see displacement camps filled with children. But the number of children displaced in Sudan – and their young age and vulnerability – is staggering. The world has a duty of care for children, and we are failing them.”
Save the Children is urgently calling on the international community to take meaningful and urgent political action to address this crisis, for an immediate ceasefire and progress towards a lasting peace agreement.
Save the Children has worked in Sudan since 1983 and provides programming for children and families affected by conflict, displacement, extreme poverty and hunger.
-Names changed. We have spokespeople available in Sudan.
Calculations: Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Sudan:8,856,313(IOM, OCHA – February 2025). Over half(53%)of IDPs were reportedly children under the age of 18-years-old (IOM); IDPs who are under 18:4,693,845(IOM); Total newly arrived refugees/asylum seekers:3,772,215(UNHCR, IOM & Governments – December 2024). IDPs who are under 18:4,693,845+ Total newly arrived refugees/asylum seekers under 18 outside Sudan:1,888,270=6,582,115(This reflects data recorded since the commencement of the conflict in April 2023.)
6,582,115 ÷ 731 (number of days from the last two years) =9,004 every day
9,004 ÷ 24 (hours in a day) =375 every hour
375 ÷ 60 (minutes in an hour) =6.25 every minute = One every 10 seconds
Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
Sudan – 15 April 2025 – The war in Sudan between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) enters its third year and people remain unseen, bombed, besieged, displaced and deprived of food, medical care and basic lifesaving services. 60 percent of the country’s 50 million people need humanitarian assistance, according to the UN, and people are facing simultaneous health crises and limited access to public health care.
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reiterates its calls on the warring parties and their allies to ensure that civilians, humanitarian personnel, and medical teams are protected and that all restrictions are removed on the movements of humanitarian supplies and staff, especially as the rainy season fast approaches.
“The warring parties are not only failing to protect civilians — they are actively compounding their suffering,” said Claire San Filippo, MSF Emergency Coordinator. “Wherever you look in Sudan, you will find needs — overwhelming, urgent, and unmet. Millions are receiving almost no humanitarian assistance, medical facilities and staff remain under attack, and the global humanitarian system is failing to deliver even a fraction of what’s required.”
As frontlines have shifted over the course of the war, especially in Khartoum and Darfur, civilians feared retaliatory attacks from both warring parties. For the past two years, both RSF and SAF have repeatedly and indiscriminately bombed densely populated areas. The RSF and allied militias have unleashed a campaign of brutality, including systematic sexual violence, abductions, mass killings, looting of aid, erasure of civilian neighbourhoods, and occupation of medical facilities. Both sides have laid siege to towns, destroyed vital infrastructure, and blocked humanitarian aid.
Widespread starvation is taking hold, according to the UN, — Sudan is currently the only place in the world where famine has been officially declared in multiple locations. Famine was first declared in Zamzam camp, for internally displaced people, in August and has since spread to ten more areas. Seventeen additional regions are now on the brink. Without immediate intervention, hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk.
In March MSF supported multi-antigen catch up vaccination campaigns for children under two in South Darfur. The over 17,000 children, in 11 of the 14 localities, who received vaccinations were also screened for malnutrition showing 7% of those screened were suffering from severe acute malnutrition, with 30% with global acute malnutrition. In December 2024, during a therapeutic food distribution in Tawila locality, North Darfur, MSF teams screened over 9,500 children under five years old. They found a staggering 35.5% global acute malnutrition rate, with 7% of the children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
Simultaneously, Sudan is facing multiple, overlapping health emergencies. MSF teams have treated over 12,000 patients — including women and children — for trauma injuries directly resulting from violent attacks. During the first week of February 2025, MSF teams in three areas of Sudan – Khartoum, North Darfur, and South Darfur states – treated mass influxes of war-wounded patients. Sudan is also experiencing one of the worst maternal and child health crises we are seeing anywhere in the world. In October 2024, in two MSF-supported facilities in Nyala, capital of South Darfur, 26% of the pregnant and breastfeeding women seeking care were acutely malnourished.
“Outbreaks of measles, cholera and diphtheria are spreading, driven by poor living conditions and disrupted vaccination campaigns. Mental health support and care for survivors of sexual violence remain painfully limited. These compounding crises reflect not just the brutality of the conflict, but the dire consequences of the crumbling public healthcare system and a failing humanitarian response”, says Marta Cazorla, MSF Emergency Coordinator.
Since April 2023, more than 1.7 million people have sought medical consultations at hospitals, health facilities and mobile clinics MSF supports or is working in, and more than 32,000 people were admitted in our emergency wards.
More than 13 million people have been displaced by the conflict, according to the UN — many of them multiple times. Of these, 8.9 million remain displaced inside Sudan, while 3.9 million have crossed into neighbouring countries. Many live in overcrowded camps or makeshift shelters, without access to food, water, healthcare, or a sense of future. People depend entirely on humanitarian organizations — but only where these organisations are responding.
Health facilities destroyed
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 70 percent of health facilities in conflict-affected areas are barely operational or completely closed, leaving millions without access to critical care amid one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. Since the war began, MSF has recorded over 80 violent incidents targeting our staff, infrastructure, vehicles and supplies. Clinics have been looted and destroyed, medicines stolen, and healthcare workers assaulted, threatened or killed.
“Buildings were destroyed, even beds were looted, and medicines were burned to the ground. From afar, it looked like a hospital, but when you entered it, it was a shelter for snakes and grass,” said Muhammad Yusuf Ishaq Abdullah, MSF health promotion officer in Tawila, North Darfur, about the state of Tawila´s hospital after being attacked and looted in June 2023.
These attacks must stop — medical personnel and facilities are not targets.
Upcoming rainy season
The rainy season, fast approaching, threatens to make an already catastrophic situation even worse — severing supply routes, flooding entire regions, and cutting off people just as the hunger gap peaks and malnutrition and malaria spike.
MSF calls for immediate preparedness measures ahead of the rainy season. More border crossings must be opened, and key roads and bridges must be repaired and kept accessible, especially in Darfur, where seasonal flooding isolates communities year after year.
Humanitarian restrictions must be lifted, and unhindered access must be guaranteed. MSF urges all actors — including donors, governments, and UN agencies — to enable and prioritize the aid delivery, ensuring that assistance not only reaches the country but is transported swiftly and safely to the hardest-hit and most remote communities. Without a serious commitment to overcoming the political, financial, logistical and security barriers that hinder last-mile delivery, countless lives will remain beyond the reach of help.
The people of Sudan have endured this horror for two years too long, they cannot and should not wait any longer.
MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, meets with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee headquarters in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
HANOI, April 14 — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday urged China and Vietnam to jointly oppose hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism.
In his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Xi said that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese government, the country has achieved political and social stability, and made impressive achievements in its cause of Doi Moi (reform), while its international status is increasing, for which China feels rejoiced.
Both sides shoulder the historical mission of realizing national rejuvenation and accelerating national development, Xi noted.
He called on the two countries to forge a strong sense of a community with a shared future, and deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation, so as to serve their respective modernization processes, and better benefit the two peoples.
The two sides, Xi said, should strengthen the strategic coordination and consolidate the political foundation for building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future.
He urged the two sides to intensify high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, and jointly oppose hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism.
Xi also called on the two sides to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, so as to jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, and safeguard peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia and beyond.
Xi said the two sides should promote high-quality development to provide solid strategic support for the two countries’ joint march toward modernization.
China and Vietnam, Xi said, should give full play to their geographical advantages of being connected by land and sea, strengthen the alignment of development strategies and tap the potential of industrial cooperation.
He also called on the two countries to steadily advance cooperation in infrastructure development, enhance connectivity and ensure a smooth flow of trade.
The two countries should expand cooperation in traditional areas such as trade and investment, and expand cooperation in emerging industries such as 5G, artificial intelligence, clean energy and digital economy.
Xi also said China and Vietnam should firmly uphold the multilateral trading system, and work together to push for economic globalization that is more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.
The two sides should deepen cultural cooperation and promote the main theme of China-Vietnam friendship, Xi said.
He urged the two sides to ensure a series of activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of China-Vietnam diplomatic ties and the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges a success, so as to tell stories well of friendship, mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as their joint pursuit of modernization.
Xi also urged the two sides to carry out more projects to win the hearts and minds of the people and improve their lives.
For his part, Pham Minh Chinh said that Xi’s state visit to Vietnam is the most important high-level exchange between the two countries this year, adding that this is a great, joyous event in Vietnam-China relations and of historic significance, and will surely lead Vietnam-China relations to greater development and inject strong impetus into bilateral cooperation.
Since Xi’s visit to Vietnam in 2023, the strategic mutual trust between the two countries has been further enhanced, practical cooperation has witnessed significant progress and the friendship of the two peoples has deepened, he said.
Vietnam attaches great importance to its relations with China and is determined to firmly promote the building of a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, said the Vietnamese prime minister.
Noting that Vietnam sincerely congratulates China on its tremendous development achievements, he said Vietnam supports China’s sustained development and growth, and hopes to learn from China’s experience in the governance of the party and the country, its spirit of self-reliance and its development philosophy and model.
The Vietnamese leader noted that his country looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in areas including economy and trade, investment, connectivity, science and technology, as well as finance to enhance economic vitality and growth drivers so as to jointly cope with risks and challenges.
He also said that Vietnam looks forward to the successful hosting of the Vietnam-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges and expects more robust personnel exchanges and sub-national cooperation, and closer bond of the two peoples.
He said that his country also looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in international and regional affairs, so as to maintain strategic focus in the complex and volatile international situation, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and the international order.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, meets with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee headquarters in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
An aerial drone photo taken on April 14, 2025 shows hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks awaiting departure from the dry port of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Chongqing, southwest China. China’s first cross-region hydrogen heavy-duty truck route was launched on Monday, marking a milestone in terms of advancing hydrogen energy development in China’s western regions. The route, now operational for regular freight services via hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks, spans 1,150 kilometers from southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality to Qinzhou Port in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, passing through southwestern Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
BEIJING, April 14 — China Petrochemical Corporation, also known as Sinopec Group, which is China’s largest oil refiner, on Monday announced the official launch of the country’s first cross-region hydrogen heavy-duty truck route, marking a milestone in terms of advancing hydrogen energy development in China’s western regions.
The route, now operational for regular freight services via hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks, spans 1,150 kilometers from southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality to Qinzhou Port in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, passing through southwestern Guizhou Province.
The route features four hydrogen refueling stations, all built by Sinopec, to ensure a reliable hydrogen supply network along the way.
These regions are rich in hydrogen resources, with large-scale deployment of hydrogen production technologies such as water electrolysis and ammonia decomposition.
With an annual industrial by-product hydrogen output exceeding 400,000 tonnes — these regions can collectively meet the fuel demands of 360,000 hydrogen-powered logistics vehicles.
Apart from transportation, the corridor serves as an industrial nexus. It is projected to handle 220,000 units of cargo annually in two-way traffic.
An aerial drone photo taken on April 14, 2025 shows hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks awaiting departure from the dry port of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Chongqing, southwest China. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo taken on April 14, 2025 shows hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks awaiting departure from the dry port of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Chongqing, southwest China. [Photo/Xinhua]Hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks depart from the dry port of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Chongqing, southwest China, April 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks await departure from the dry port of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Chongqing, southwest China, April 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks await departure from the dry port of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Chongqing, southwest China, April 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo taken on April 14, 2025 shows hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks awaiting departure from the dry port of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Chongqing, southwest China. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo taken on April 14, 2025 shows hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks awaiting departure from the dry port of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Chongqing, southwest China. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo taken on April 14, 2025 shows hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks awaiting departure from the dry port of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Chongqing, southwest China. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo taken on April 14, 2025 shows hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks awaiting departure from the dry port of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Chongqing, southwest China. [Photo/Xinhua]Hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks await departure from the dry port of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Chongqing, southwest China, April 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
arlier today, Governor Hochul delivered remarks at the vigil for victims of the Dominican Republic nightclub tragedy.
VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).
AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.
PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page has photos of the event here.
A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:
Buenas noches. They say that grief is the price you pay for love. What does that mean? You feel this overwhelming sense of loss, grief because you invested so much of your own emotions into another person. And for so many of our family here and in the beautiful country of Dominican Republic, that pain is so raw because grief is the price you pay for love.
And tonight we gather in a sense of love, knowing the grief that our family members are feeling. We want to send that love from New York, from the Bronx, all the way to those families and say, we understand we’re here in solidarity with every one of you. And if we could lift up a little bit of your pain and your sorrow just for a few moments, we want you to know we are together in this.
I want to thank our Borough President, an extraordinary leader who I’ve seen literally tested by fire. In her first days on the job when there was a horrific fire in an apartment building here, I saw the face of courage in this young woman who stood up, and I was so proud to be joining her as well in that. But even as this other night, we think about the sorrows so many people are feeling.
The first Dominican member of Congress, my great friend Adriano Espaillat. I want to thank him for being such a strong champion of this community. We have spoken a number of times on the phone over this and what we can do to lift up the members of this community in this time of grief.
And all the other electeds who are here. I want you to look around tonight as the sky darkens. You’ll see our landmarks from our bridges to our buildings all the way up to Niagara Falls will be lit tonight to show our love for the Dominican Republic. They’ll be lit in blue, white, and red. And our flags I’ve directed to be made to be lowered at half mask. Why? As a symbol of respect to say that your pain is our pain.
And you think about the ordinary people, you talked about the celebrities, the well-known individuals called out by our Bronx President, but also the, the moms and dads, the brothers and sisters, the children, the parents, the aunts and uncles – ordinary people just got together to have some fun to enjoy life. Maybe take them out of their existence. Maybe work is hard and things are expensive. It’s hard to get a get by anymore, and they came together just to be lifted out of their existence for a nice evening.
And that is the heartbreak of this particular tragedy, that in that moment of joy, in a flash, in an instant – it became a moment of tragedy. So I say this, we must always be reminded in these sad times of the fragility of life and how precious it is. And if you have children or people in your home when you wake up in the morning, you must give them a hug. You must kiss them. You must be reminded that you may not always see them at the end of the day. And I think about those individuals who maybe said goodbye to someone not knowing it’ll be their last time.
But also, we never forget the first responders and their loved ones here across New York and in places like the Dominican Republic where they show up no matter how bad it is out there, and their family members know that with that fear in their hearts, but that sense of pride that they’re married to someone or the child of someone who will put on a uniform and run into the flames and into the danger when everybody else is running out. We’ve seen it here in this city and now we’ve seen it in a particular nightclub in Santo Domingo.
New York is so proud to be the home of over 1 million Dominicans – 1 million. Anyone here, Dominican? I knew I was in the right place. And I’ve marched in your parades, and I called the President yesterday and expressed our love and our solidarity, our counsel Jenna, we work together. There is such an affinity, a tightness, a closeness. It is a sense of familia and I’m so proud to govern a state that is so diverse and so welcoming and so embracing of other people and their ideas and cultures and yes, amazing dances like the meringue. Don’t ask me to do it. At the next parade, I ask you, please do not ask. Adriano always says he is going to teach me.
But the ties between our countries, the country, and our state are unshakeable. And I do believe as a result of this tragedy, they’re even stronger. So for all of our clergy here, I ask you to continue consoling this community, we draw on your strength and the teachings of Jesus Christ, who offers comfort as we approach this Easter weekend, at a time of sorrow, but also of deliverance and resurrection. We will be resurrected from our pain that we’re feeling today. I know it because that is the promise that God gives us.
But until that time, know that we feel the love for each and every one of you, and especially those who’ve lost a loved one in that tragedy. But I am there for you and so proud. So proud to be here, to see the love in this moment. It inspires me to go back as I’m heading back up to our State Capitol to do the work of the people, but I leave all of you with a sense that you are here because you care and because you love, and that’s why tonight you are in grief.
VILNIUS, Lithuania, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The WhiteBIT.au platform was launched in December 2024, but this launch was preceded by months of internal work and preparation. WhiteBIT has registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange Provider and Independent Remitter Dealer. The company is just beginning to scale up its activities in Australia, planning to build on its already strong local team. As of now, spot trading is available; however, the product line will keep on growing. The company’s focus is to provide the highest quality products while staying within the regulatory approvals in each country.
WhiteBIT is the largest European centralized crypto exchange by traffic. It has 8 million registered users and offices in 7 countries and is part of the WhiteBIT Group, a leading ecosystem of blockchain and crypto solutions with more than 35 million users worldwide. This launch in Australia comes amidst the growing demand for cryptocurrencies among Australian investors, creating the perfect environment for the development of digital asset infrastructure in the region.
For Australian users, WhiteBIT offers fast and secure transactions and access to a range of new cryptocurrency trading tools, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced traders.
Australia’s Crypto Adoption Surges as Investment Interest Grows
According to Triple-A data, 9.6% of Australians already own digital assets, highlighting the high level of crypto adoption in the country. This creates an ideal environment for the continued growth of the crypto industry, particularly given the stable economy and increasing popularity of cryptocurrency investments among younger Australians.
Despite its complexity, Australia presents an attractive landscape for crypto businesses. The nation boasts a resilient economy that is steadily recovering from post-COVID challenges. With a consistently growing average salary, Australians have the financial means, an investment culture, and access to a wide range of financial instruments. Notably, derivatives and cryptocurrencies are among the preferred options for younger investors.
The country’s crypto market infrastructure is well-developed, with clear regulations and an established legal framework ensuring a structured environment for industry players. As a result, both local and global crypto companies are actively expanding their presence, competing to meet the needs of Australian investors.
Volodymyr Nosov, founder and president of WhiteBIT Group, comments, “Expanding into the Australian market presents a unique opportunity to engage with a highly crypto-savvy audience and a region that plays one of the crucial roles in the Asia-Pacific Region. Our goal is to contribute to the economic well-being and financial independence of both Australian and Asian communities while driving the adoption of blockchain technology on a global scale. This expansion marks a significant step in our mission to make crypto accessible to everyone.”
Standing on the Senegambia Bridge – an emblem of regional integration and economic resilience – a team of Executive Directors from the African Development Bank Group witnessed firsthand how infrastructure investment is reshaping lives in West Africa.
“This bridge is more than steel and concrete—it’s a symbol of what’s possible when countries come together to build shared prosperity,” said Nomfundo Ngwenya, spokesperson for the mission and one of seven Executive Directors on the high-level visit.
Fully funded by the African Development Fund, with 24 km of access roads supported by the European Union, the Senegambia Bridge is a vital artery connecting The Gambia and Senegal. It has eased cross-border transport, boosted trade, and improved daily life for thousands.
“The difference this makes to traders, transporters, and families on both sides of the border is profound,” said Executive Director Darkortey Rufus. “We saw it. We heard it.”
The delegation also visited several other projects with transformative impact, including:
The Women’s Garden in Bassori, empowering female farmers through irrigation and training, funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP)
The OMVG 225/30 kV substation in Soma, part of a broader push for regional energy connectivity
A rural Energy Access Program site in Ker Ali, bringing electricity to previously off-grid villages.
“This is what development looks like: local, practical, and community-owned,” said Chantal Nonault, another Executive Director on the mission. “We’re not just reviewing numbers—we’re seeing results.”
Strengthening Partnerships, Shaping Future Support
Held from 24 – 28 February, the mission was part of the Bank’s ongoing engagement with Regional Member Countries. The delegation, representing 34 of the Bank’s 81 member nations, met with President Adama Barrow and senior officials, including Finance Minister Seedy Keita.
President Barrow expressed appreciation for the Bank’s sustained support and welcomed the Executive Directors’ first collective visit to The Gambia. He also emphasized the government’s reform agenda and home-grown solutions designed to complement external support. He referred to the mission as being not only a vote of confidence in The Gambia’s national development path but also a strong signal about partnerships that matter.
The visit came at a critical moment as The Gambia advances its 2023–2027 National Development Plan, focusing on economic diversification, climate adaptation, digital transformation, and domestic resource mobilization. These priorities closely align with the African Development Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033).
Since joining the Bank in 1974, The Gambia has built a robust partnership with the institution. The current portfolio includes 17 active projects valued at $227.47 million, with transport (45%), agriculture (20%), and energy (18%) as leading sectors.
“The hospitality of the Gambian people and the commitment of its leadership were deeply inspiring,” the EDs said in a joint statement. “We leave with a clear sense of the progress made—and what more can be done.”
In the face of dwindling global funding, tariffs, and geopolitical tensions, African Development Bank Group President Akinwumi Adesina said on Friday that Africa must wean itself from aid dependency and urgently chart its future through self-reliance, strategic partnerships, and leveraging its vast natural resources.
He spoke on Friday in Abuja at the 14th Convocation Ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), where he delivered a thought-provoking lecture.
The address “Advancing Africa’s Positioning within Global Development and Geopolitical Dynamics” outlined a bold vision for Africa’s future in a rapidly changing global landscape.
“The recent dismantling of the official development aid agency in the US, and similar anti-aid measures in other parts of Europe, means that the old development models that Africa has always relied on will no longer work,” he told the audience.
“The era of aid or free money is gone. African countries must now learn to develop via investment discipline. Countries can no longer rely on aid for growth or count it as part of government revenue, as has been the case for decades. Benevolence is not an asset class,” the Bank Group president said.
At Nigeria’s largest open university, Adesina emphasized that Africa must overhaul its approach to achieving fast-paced growth and development. He said for the continent to spur growth it should rapidly ensure the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area: “Produce local, buy local, trade more locally,” he charged the continent.
Adesina highlighted several critical challenges facing the continent, including declining development aid, restrictive immigration policies, undervalued natural capital, and global tariff wars. However, he positioned these challenges as opportunities for Africa to redefine its global standing.
The African Development Bank is leading the development of a new framework to re-estimate Africa’s GDP based on the proper valuation of its vast natural capital. This will lower Africa’s debt to re-estimated GDP and expand its ability to borrow more resources to finance its development. The Bank believes properly valuing Africa’s green wealth will improve the risk profiles and credit ratings of countries across the continent.
He said of recent global tariff tensions: “47 out of 54 African countries have been placed under higher US tariffs. The immediate direct effects of the tariffs on African countries will be a significant reduction in exports and foreign exchange availability. This will send other shock waves through African economies.”
He continued: “Local currencies will weaken on the back of reduced foreign exchange earnings. Inflation will increase as costs of imported goods rise and currencies devalue against the US dollar. The cost of servicing debt as a share of government revenue will rise, as expected revenues decline.”
To build resilient economies, Adesina said: “Africa must chart its future, relying not on the benevolence of others but on its own determination for self-reliance, building reliable alliances, leveraging opportunities in the global dynamics, while putting Africa first. Only then will Africa be great again!”
AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina performs groundbreaking ceremony for the Regional Training and Research Institute for Distance and Open Learning building at the National Open University of Nigeria Abuja
Some key initiatives led by the African Development Bank under Adesina’s leadership include the establishment of the Africa Financing Stability Mechanism to help African countries refinance debt service payments; the development of Security-Indexed Investment Bonds to rebuild areas devastated by conflict; the creation of the African Credit Risk Agency to fairly assess Africa’s investment risks; the implementation of the $25 billion African Adaptation Acceleration Program to support the continent’s resilience to climate change; and the development of a framework to revalue Africa’s GDP based on its natural capital wealth.
The Bank Group president emphasized the importance of adding value and processing natural resources, explaining that this is the key to Africa’s future prosperity. He also cautioned that Africa must also carefully negotiate its engagement in the global geopolitical rush for critical minerals and rare earth elements.
“Africa can be competitive in these global value chains. It must move away from exporting raw minerals and move into processing and value addition to benefit from the high returns at the top of global value chains,” Adesina said who was accompanied by his wife Grace Yemisi Adesina.
He called for greater value addition to everything Africa produces, from oil to gas, minerals, metals, rare earths, and agricultural products.
The African Development Bank is working with the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa to develop the African Green Minerals Strategy. The strategy will support countries in embracing strong corporate governance, transparency, environmental protection, and sound mineral stewardship, including social responsibility and protection of communities’ lands and rights.
“Africa must end the exports of its raw materials,” Adesina warned. “The export of raw materials is the door to poverty. The export of value-added products is the highway to wealth. And Africa is tired of being poor.”
The lecture also addressed the importance of investments in youth education and entrepreneurship. With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.4 billion by 2050 and 75% under 35, Adesina stressed the need for quality education and skills development aligned with the digital economy.
As he approaches the end of his second five-year term as president of the African Development Bank Group in September, Adesina reflected on his legacy of strengthening and transforming the institution. Under his leadership, the Bank’s general capital increased from $93 billion in 2014 to $318 billion today, while achieving recognition as the Most Transparent Financial Institution in the world for two consecutive years.
Adesina will be awarded an honorary doctorate from NOUN on Saturday. He is dedicating the honor to his late father, Roland F. Adesina, whom he credits with instilling in him the value of education.
The National Open University of Nigeria is considered Africa’s largest and the world’s second largest open learning university. Through distance learning and online education, NOUN offers over 2,000 courses to more than 600,000 students, providing accessible and quality education to all Nigerians.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olufemi Peters, told the gathering that Adesina was carefully chosen to deliver this year’s convocation lecture “to enable Nigerians to benefit from his outstanding global experience”.
Adesina also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Regional Training and Research Institute for Distance and Open Learning building at the university. The institute is a flagship open and distance learning center in West Africa.
New Zealand’s Pacific connection with the United States is “more important than ever”, says Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters after rounding up the Hawai’i leg of his Pacific trip.
Peters said common strategic interests of the US and New Zealand were underlined while in the state.
“Our Pacific links with the United States are more important than ever,” Peters said.
“New Zealand’s partnership with the United States remains one of our most long standing and important, particularly when seen in the light of our joint interests in the Pacific and the evolving security environment.”
The Deputy Prime Minister has led a delegation made up of cross-party MPs, who are heading to Fiji for a brief overnight stop, before heading to Vanuatu.
Peters said the stop in Honolulu allowed for an exchange of ideas and the role New Zealand can play in working with regional partners in the region.
“We have long advocated for the importance of an active and engaged United States in the Indo-Pacific, and this time in Honolulu allowed us to continue to make that case.”
Approaching Trump ‘right way’ The delegation met with Hawai’i’s Governor Josh Green, who confirmed with him that New Zealand was approaching US President Donald Trump in the “right way”.
“The fact is, this is a massively Democrat state. But nevertheless, they deal with Washington very, very well, and privately, we have got an inside confirmation that our approach is right.
“Be very careful, these things are very important, words matter and be ultra-cautious. All those things were confirmed by the governor.”
Governor Green told reporters he had spent time with Trump and talked to the US administration all the time.
“I can’t guarantee that they will bend their policies, but I try to be very rational for the good of our state, in our region, and it seems to be so far working,” he said.
He said the US and New Zealand were close allies.
“So having these additional connections with the political leadership and people from the community and business leaders, it helps us, because as we move forward in somewhat uncertain times, having more friends helps.”
At the East-West Center in Honolulu, Peters said New Zealand and the United States had not always seen eye-to-eye and “US Presidents have not always been popular back home”.
“My view of the strategic partnership between New Zealand and the United States is this: we each have the right, indeed the imperative, to pursue our own foreign policies, driven by our own sense of national interest.”
The delegation also met the commander of US Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Samuel Paparo, the interim president of the East-West Center Dr James Scott, and Hawai’i-based representatives for Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Nominations are now open for the inaugural Growing Native Forests Champions Awards, celebrating the people and groups leading native growing efforts Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today.
“These awards will recognise the farmers, landowners, iwi, and community groups restoring and planting native forests, and helping bolster New Zealand’s biodiversity and land resilience,” Mr McClay says.
“Native trees are vital to healthy ecosystems — they shelter wildlife, protect water quality, stabilise soils, and store carbon.”
Award categories include:
Trees on Farms – for farmers growing native forests on their land.
Lifestyle Block Owner – for owners of properties under 20 hectares.
Forestry Company – for businesses or individuals in the forestry sector.
Mana Whenua – for individuals, whānau, hapū, and iwi-led projects.
Catchment/Community Group – for local and catchment-based initiatives.
Nominations open 15 April and close 9 May 2025. Winners will be announced at Fieldays in June.
Earlier this month, my family gathered to celebrate my niece’s christening marking the beginning of a new generation. As I was writing the card, I reflected on the importance of family and community, how they help shape lives and the enduring legacy they leave.
During the event, I spoke with the godmother who is expecting her third child about balancing work life and family responsibilities. I was incredibly encouraged by the empowered young woman, noting she is an incredible role model.
Role models are important in all facets of life. They include parents, mentors, coaches, teachers, leaders, academics, club members, professionals; the list is endless. What is true of all role models is their ability to influence behaviours and actions.
At the ATO, we talk about the model taxpayer and our vision for an Australia where every taxpayer meets their obligations because complying is easy, help is tailored, and deliberate non-compliance has consequences.
To support this vision, our Commissioner recently launched our organisational purpose ‘we collect tax so that government can deliver services for the Australian community.’
It’s within this context that we support the NFP sector and within which the sector must operate. In administering the law, we set compliance expectations and look for ways to reduce and minimise red tape. We expect all taxpayers to model good behaviour. For NFPs this means:
Checking that the associates and addresses of your NFP are current. If not, and they need to be updated, download and submit the Change of registration details form at ato.gov.au/NFPnotifyofchanges. If you haven’t updated your details in a while and you don’t know who your authorised contact is, we’ll accept the completed form from a newly appointed authorised contact if evidence such as minutes from the meeting or a letter from the NFP is also provided.
Undertaking a regular health check of your NFP at least annually. We recently published the NFP tax, super and registry responsibilities checklist. This good governance checklist helps NFPs stay on track with their tax, super and registry obligations. It’s good practice to run through this checklist at your regular board or committee meetings as a standing agenda item. Staying current with your tax and super affairs is part of your good governance framework and delivers transparency and accountability for your members.
Staying informed by subscribing to our monthly newsletter Not-for-profit news. It’s free to subscribeExternal Link and delivers timely information tailored especially for NFPs.
Reporting non-compliant behaviours that bring disrepute to the NFP sector. We welcome tip-offs. They help level the playing field for honest entities. It only takes a few minutes to make a tip-off, and you can remain anonymous. You can make a tip off by:
completing the tip-off form (the form is also available in the Help & support section in the ATO app)
phoning us on 1800 060 062.
Reaching out if you need assistance. To deliver on our vision, we provide the sector with expert advice through our web content as well as our dedicated phone service for NFPs and their representatives. You can call the team on 1300 130 248 Monday to Friday 8 m to 6 m AEST.
NFP Stewardship Group
Our NFP Stewardship Group is both a group of stewards and role models for the sector. Our group which was recently refreshed to include a First Nations organisation and a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) NFP, met on 25 March for the first meeting of 2025. The diversity of our members was reflected in the depth and richness of the conversation which is critical given it’s one of our key consultative forums. Membership is contingent on members providing an integrity declaration and meeting the requirements of the charter including participation and support for the administration of the law.
Members of our NFP Stewardship Group are role models in their communities and networks and we greatly value their time and constructive feedback especially where the law may not be operating as intended.
The key items at our March meeting focused on:
a technical discussion with respect to the Global Anti-Base Erosion Model Rules (GloBE Rules) for Australian NFPs
an overview of our compliance expectations and what we see in review and audit cases
an open discussion about emerging issues including anti-avoidance
a presentation on places of worship and CALD communities, and the support available to help them meet their tax, super and reporting obligations
an update on the NFP self-review return including the approach for those who haven’t lodged.
NFP self-review return
As of 31 March, the extended lodgment date, more than 27,000 NFPs had lodged their return, and the number is still rising as more lodgments come in.
The NFPs who have lodged are modelling good sector behaviours and will have their future returns pre-populated making it even easier to meet their reporting obligations in future years.
We’re extending our support for NFPs who haven’t lodged and we’re urging them to do so before 30 June to avoid a review. We’ve published a new What happens if you lodge the NFP self-review return late page on the ATO site to help self-assessing NFPs who are yet to lodge. The key points for NFPs who need to lodge are:
there is a legal requirement to lodge an annual self-review return for non-charitable NFPs with an active ABN
NFPs who haven’t lodged must lodge as soon as possible – you don’t need to request an extension
we have support for NFPs making genuine efforts to comply, noting that we’ve suspended penalties for late lodgment of the 2023–24 NFP self-review return as part of our transitional support arrangements
from July 2025 we’ll review NFPs who intentionally ignore their obligations.
NFPs can demonstrate they’re trying to do the right thing by:
lodging the return online or via our self-help phone service on 13 72 26, even if they are lodging late
engaging a registered tax agent to lodge on their behalf
Finally, we’ve seen an uptick in the number of applications for private rulings from NFPs. This is being driven by a desire for certainty. Seeking a private ruling may not be the most efficient way of obtaining the guidance required. Applying for a private ruling can take a significant amount of time and be resource-intensive, particularly if additional information is required.
In June last year, I urged NFPs and sector stakeholders to check if our publicly available guidance addresses questions first. If you’ve relied on our public advice and guidance in good faith, you have the requisite certainty.
For NFPs who already have a private ruling, there’s a common misconception that a time ‘extension’ must be requested if the end date is approaching. This isn’t the case.
If your NFP’s circumstances haven’t materially changed from the circumstances outlined in your initial private ruling, you don’t need to apply for an extension.
In fact, the life of a private ruling cannot be extended and any new request is treated as a fresh application!
Final thoughts
In wrapping up this update, I’d like to call out the extraordinary efforts of the sector, my team, and all the internal and external stakeholders who have contributed to the implementation of the NFP self-review return. The NFP sector is significant and expected to grow with billions of dollars flowing through it. It’s appropriate for Australians to expect that all NFPs are meeting their tax, super and registry obligations and that they operate for the purpose for which they’re established. Modelling good behaviour ensures we can sustain a vibrant sector.
On that note, I wish everyone a safe break with the approaching Easter and Anzac public holidays, particularly if you’re taking a road trip.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)
For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland April 14, 2025 202-808-6129
PRESS RELEASE
PLASKETT MEETS WITH VIRGIN ISLANDS PHYSICIANS AND LOCAL HOSPITAL BOARD ON STATE OF VI HEALTHCARE
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Plaskett released the following statement:
“Last week, I and my office met with key stakeholders in our healthcare sector. Given the heightened concerns related to our hospitals in the Virgin Islands- including staffing shortages, supply deficits, and operational challenges, meeting with those responsible fr the hospitals was very relevant. On Thursday, we met with the Juan F. Luis Hospital physicians and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Regina Flippin, as well as the Schneider Regional Medical Center physicians and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. George Rosenberg, and on Sunday, I met with the Virgin Islands Government Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation Territorial Board Executive Committee (Corporation). I appreciate the responsiveness of the physician community and the Corporation, and value the respective, collaborative discussions.
“We discussed the difficulties that the Virgin Islands hospitals are presently facing, including the problems listed above, and we discussed long term funding gaps which continue to plague our healthcare system. There have been decades-long attempts to change multiple federal programs and funding formulas. During the Biden Administration, I was able, in legislation, to change the percent of Medicaid payment by the federal government from 55% to 83% and raise the Medicaid cap. Medicare payments for the Virgin Islands are calculated using the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA). Under TEFRA, the respective base years are 1982 for the Schneider Regional Medical Center (SRMC) and 1996 for the Governor Juan F. Louis Hospital (JFL). The base year reimbursement system, which relies upon an inflation adjustment, does not accurately capture the expenses of patient care services. I have introduced legislation for healthcare equity in each Congress and included in annual appropriations legislation language to urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to update the payment data and formulas for the hospitals in the Virgin Islands. Additionally, I have met with CMS leadership to urge the use of their administrative scope to assign a new base period, which is more representative of the reasonable and necessary cost of inpatient services.
“Additionally, during the calls we discussed Medicare and Medicaid payment systems that allow rural and geographically isolated hospitals an increased reimbursement rate. I have been a longstanding advocate to extend and permit Medicaid and Medicare Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments to U.S. territories. We also discussed during the meetings other programs and creative mechanisms to create larger funding for the hospitals, which we will pursue.
“We also discussed in our Sunday meeting the Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center and the Morris De Castro Clinic on St. John and the vital support they provide to the community. I understand that the Request for Proposals for the construction contracts for both centers are now closed, and I am hopeful that they are reconstructed in short order, to ensure that providers and community members on St. John have the necessary infrastructure for their healthcare spaces.
“My office is committed to working with everyone in the Virgin Islands healthcare space to ensure that our providers and community have the necessary support to ensure both short- and long-term stability. I am grateful for the commitment and passion of our doctors and healthcare professionals. They have made a lifetime commitment to our community, and I respect their dedication to their patients. I was also happy for the transparency of the hospital Board in discussing their ongoing work to stabilize and create positive change in the hospital. The hospitals provide essential care to everyone in the Virgin Islands, and I will collaborate with the federal and local government to protect our healthcare system.”
Headline: U.S. Attorneys for Southwestern Border Districts Charge More than 1,020 Illegal Aliens with Immigration-Related Crimes During the Second week in April as part of Operation Take Back America.
Since the inauguration of President Trump, the Department of Justice is playing a critical role in Operation Take back America, a nationwide initiative to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
April 08, 2025
The Social Security Administration last week wrongly informed some recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the federal program that provides financial assistance to disabled Americans and low-income senior citizens, that they were no longer receiving benefits.
The agency’s website informed some SSI recipients they are “currently not receiving payments,” according to an April 7 letter from senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Mark Kelly of Arizona to Social Security Administration Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek.
The payment history and all data about benefits for SSI recipients had also vanished, they wrote, adding that they received multiple reports from constituents about the error.
“In my 50 years of work on Social Security and SSI, I have never heard of this happening before,” said Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, an advocacy group for the program, of the SSI error.
Chris Hubbard, whose 37-year-old disabled adult son relies on the program to pay for his group home, told CBS MoneyWatch she became aware of the problem on March 31, when people in a Facebook group for mothers of autistic children flagged the problem.
Hubbard, who lives with her husband in Westborough, Massachusetts, said she checked her son’s account and was alarmed to find a similar message, leading her to stay up through the night to keep refreshing the page. She fell asleep at 5 a.m. without seeing a change, she said.
“I was continuing to be worried because the message was still on the site, saying this beneficiary doesn’t receive payments,” Hubbard said.
The next morning, however, the correct information was on her son’s page, and the money was deposited on April 1, as scheduled. But she and her husband say they received no outreach from Social Security about the problem, or an explanation of the error. They opted against calling the agency because of the long waits now often required to get someone on the phone.
The Hubbards said they’re worried the glitch could signal more problems with the service, pointing to the potential impact of cuts to SSA’s workforce.
“There’s great concern about this happening again, and why did it happen in the first place?” Tom Hubbard said.
The Social Security Administration told CBS MoneyWatch that the issue was limited to SSI recipients, adding, it “did not impact Social Security or Medicare only beneficiaries.” A spokesperson for the agency said, “This particular issue was resolved less than twenty-four hours later. All my Social Security user logins are again able to connect and view the proper benefit information.”
DOGE changes
The SSI error is concerning because it impacts “some of the most vulnerable in the nation — low-income seniors and children and adults with disabilities — and [they] face extraordinary hardship if their benefits are delayed or disrupted,” the senators wrote in their letter.
The SSI issue could be the result of changes happening at the Social Security Administration under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, Altman said. Musk has claimed that the system is rife with fraud, and alleged the program is “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.”
In recent weeks, the Social Security website has suffered from a number of outages that lasted as long as a day, according to an April 7 Washington Post report. The Social Security Administration told CBS MoneyWatch that the “brief disruptions” lasted about 20 minutes each, on average.
“Before Trump, Musk and DOGE took over, there were no major crashes or glitches on SSA’s website to speak of,” noted Maria Freese, senior Social Security expert at the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, an advocacy group focused on retirement issues. “Certainly there were no messages going out telling people erroneously that their benefits were discontinued.”
The maximum monthly SSI payment is $967 for an individual in 2025, with the program aimed at helping people with disabilities and seniors with no or little income. Most SSI recipients have income below the poverty line, according to the Roosevelt Institute.
“SSI recipients experience economic precarity at high rates, and even brief disruptions to benefits could have devastating impacts for these beneficiaries,” the senators wrote in their April 7 letter. “These recent reports of disruption—or threats of disruption— of Social Security benefits is deeply troubling.”
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
April 10, 2025
President Trump’s promises that Social Security benefits will not be cut are providing little reassurance to Massachusetts residents, advocates and employees who are witnessing changes to the program firsthand.
The Trump administration has slashed the nearly 90-year-old agency’s workforce as part of an effort to downsize the federal government. Though no cuts have been made to individual benefits, service delays and staffing reductions are creating anxiety for people across the state.
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“They may not be cutting the dollar amount that an individual has earned and is slated to receive, but it’s still a cut if that individual can’t access those funds,” said Betsy Connell, executive director of the Massachusetts Councils on Aging. “If you cut staff, and you cut access to the administration of those services, you’re going to impede people from accessing those benefits.”
Nearly 1.5 million people in the state — about one in five residents — receive Social Security. The federal program provides retirement benefits and disability income to qualified people and often serves as their primary — or only — source of income, advocates say. Massachusetts is home to the highest percentage of older adults in the country living alone and in poverty, according to the Gerontology Institute at UMass Boston.
In recent weeks, phones have been ringing at local councils on aging, elected officials’ offices and Social Security field offices. Often it’s people expressing concern and confusion, advocates say, but there have also been complaints about delayed benefits, long wait times and unexplained errors.
Changes at the agency
The Social Security Administration has cut some 7,000 jobs, including about 3,000 employees who accepted a buyout offer or early retirement. More staff reductions are expected at the agency in the coming weeks.
Rich Couture, a spokesman for the union representing Social Security workers, said the exodus has damaged the agency, which was already at a 50-year staffing low. He said it has caused rising wait times on the national information hotline and longer approval periods for benefits.
In Massachusetts, many field offices in and around Boston were not meeting the agency’s goal of processing 83% of claims within two weeks of filing before the cuts.
Camillie Piñeiro, who works in the Springfield office, said the site is already understaffed by 13 employees, and five more plan to take the early retirement offer.
“People with the most experience have been incentivized to walk away,” Piñeiro said. “The more understaffed we are, the bigger the burden on those that stay.”
The smaller workforce could pose an even bigger problem starting April 14, when many people seeking benefits will need in-person appointments to verify their identities. The new policy was scaled back after advocates and lawmakers raised concerns about barriers to service. Still, Piñeiro said half the calls she answers on the general inquiry line are from people worried their benefits will be stopped if they can’t make it into the office.
Some Social Security beneficiaries don’t live near a field office or lack access to public transportation. In Massachusetts, the Greenfield field office closed over a decade ago, leaving a gap in Franklin County, a largely rural area where 18,925 residents receive Social Security, according to U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s office.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., joined at right by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, criticizes efforts by President Trump, Elon Musk, and Republicans in Congress to compromise the Social Security program, in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
Concerns about in-person service have been exacerbated by the Trump administration’s plans to close federal buildings. No Massachusetts sites are on the list of Social Security offices closing this year. But the Thomas P. O’Neill Jr. Federal Building in Boston, which houses a Social Security office, was on a list of buildings to sell that the Trump administration posted and later took down in March. Union spokesman Couture worries the federal government will again target the O’Neill building for closure.
“All these federal buildings — well, that’s one avenue for closure,” Couture said. “So the entire system is under attack.”
Another change causing concern is a new overpayment policy, Piñeiro said. In the past, the agency deducted 10% of a recipient’s monthly benefit if they had received more than they were entitled to. This can result from a mistake on Social Security’s part or a failure to make updates that might impact a person’s benefits.
Now, the agency is withholding all funds until any overpayment is addressed.
“That brings people into the office in a state of desperation,” Piñeiro said. “Retirees cannot afford to lose for one month their benefit.”
Billionaire Elon Musk, who is helming DOGE, the White House’s cost-cutting unit, has repeatedly cited Social Security fraud as a significant problem. But Couture said the fraud rate is far less than 1% of payments a year.
“One of the ways to mitigate this is to provide the agency with resources,” Couture said. “Overpayments could be avoided with adequate staffing.”
Delays and confusion
Some Massachusetts residents have reported long wait times, payment delays and confusing messages in their online account portals.
Carolyn Villers, executive director of the Massachusetts Senior Action Council, said her organization joined a lawsuit filed last Wednesday alleging DOGE and the Social Security Administration’s actions violate laws protecting the benefit. Villers said her group has received concerning reports in recent weeks that include payment delays.
Two individuals who were set to receive benefits on March 26 didn’t receive their checks until April 1, leaving one woman unable to pay her rent on time, Villers said, calling it “alarming.”
“I have worked with Mass Senior Action 20 years this fall, and I have never heard of people getting delayed or late payments, certainly without explanation,” she said.
She said she has also heard reports of phone wait times exceeding three hours and limited availability for in-person appointments. One woman was told she would have to wait 40 days — more than a month — for an appointment at any of the six offices in her region, Villers said.
“Until recently, I had not heard of people who called and were told ‘no available appointments,’ ” Villers said. “We have seen and heard from our members and the larger community that there has been a noticeable shift in a lack of access.”
Error reports also appear to be on the rise, Villers said. Concerns have circulated on social media from people who found notices in their online accounts that said they are no longer receiving benefits.
Tom and Christine, a Westborough couple who asked WBUR to withhold their last name because they fear retribution for speaking out, received one such notice. They logged in March 31 to check the account of their son Ned, who has autism. He gets Social Security disability benefits that help pay for the group home where he receives 24/7 care.
The notice on his account caused them to panic, said Chistine. She said she worried that she might have to reapply for her son’s benefits. It turned out to be an error, and the payment arrived on time the following day.
The family also had to wait three weeks to schedule an appointment for Ned’s Medicare benefits. Christine said these experiences have shaken her confidence in the system.
“These are not people we need to stress more, and these are not families we need to stress more,” she said.
Taking action
Massachusetts’ two U.S. senators, both Democrats, say they’re fighting to preserve Social Security benefits.
Last week, Sen. Warren and three other Democratic senators launched a “Social Security War Room” to educate the public about cuts and encourage grassroots activism.
“It is about having a place to bring the stories, so we can have all of the American people privy to what we hear when we’re back home,” Warren told reporters.
Sen. Ed Markey said his office has contacted Social Security officials about complaints from his constituents.
“My office is contacted daily by senior citizens who are terrified that they will lose the earned benefits they rely on to eat and to keep a roof over their head,” he told reporters last month.
Musk and his DOGE team have yet to comment on the lawsuit the Massachusetts Senior Action Council and four other groups filed with seven beneficiaries.
“We keep hearing the administration and Trump say, ‘We’re not gonna cut Social Security.’ Well, they are,” Villers said. “These delays and disruptions that are creating barriers to people accessing their earned benefits are absolutely a cut.”
This story is part of a partnership between WBUR and the Boston University Department of Journalism.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)
Letter also demands that Trump Administration End the Purge of Diverse Servicemembers and Veterans from Military Records
EDINBURG, TEXAS – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced that he led over 50 House Democrats in denouncing the Trump Administration’s decision to remove information on Sgt. Freddy Gonzalez from the Naval History and Heritage Command website. The letter brings attention to not only Sgt. Freddy Gonzalez’s shameful erasure, but the erasure of the Navajo Code Talkers, the Tuskegee Airmen, Former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell, and other named Hispanic, Latino, women, and minority servicemembers and veterans.
The letter states: “These brave men and women fought and oftentimes laid down their lives for a country that is erasing their achievements for heinous reasons. Honoring these brave individuals is not about diversity or equity. Honoring them is about remembering their great sacrifice and dutiful service to our nation. We stand firm in our commitment to defending the integrity of our military and the truth of its history, and demand that you halt any continued effort to erase our veterans and servicemembers from the record under the guise of purging DEI content. We also ask that you reinstate Sgt. Gonzalez’s webpage honoring his service on the Naval History and Heritage Command Website as well as anyone that was removed under the guise of eliminating DEI content.”
The letter is endorsed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus along with: Chair Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Deputy Chair Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09), Whip Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Vice Chair of Member Engagement Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Freshman Representative Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-52), Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), New Democrat Coalition Vice Chair for Outreach Congresswoman Salud Carbajal (CA-24), New Democrat Coalition Vice Chair for Communications Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), Whip Congresswoman Maryland Strickland (WA-10), Leadership Member at Large Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Blue Dog Coalition Co-Chair for Policy and Legislative Strategy Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46), Blue Dog Coalition Co-Chair for Administration Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35), Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42), Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Congressman Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Congressman Sam T. Liccardo (CA-16), Congressman Pablo Jose Hernandez (PR-AL), Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39), Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), Congressman Al Green (TX-09), Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Congressman Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-02), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Congressman Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Congressman Emanuel Cleaver III (MO-05), Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04), Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Congressman Andre Carson (IN-07), Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07), , Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), Congressman Troy Carter (LA-02), Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Congressman Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), , Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), and Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04).
58% of New Zealand workers say there is currently a correlation between in-office attendance and promotion opportunities in their organisation
54% of workers would spend more time in the office if frequent attendance was a requirement for a promotion
17% of employees would look for a new job if they had to attend the office more often in order to get a promotion
Auckland, 15 April 2025 – Employees who are reluctant to return to the office may be putting their next promotion at risk, as the majority of New Zealand workers agree that in-office attendance significantly increases their chances of advancement, new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half finds.
At a time when only 39% of workers say they have working from home/hybrid options, the research reveals Kiwi workers are aware that being present in the office is a significant benefit to their career.
When asked if there is currently a correlation between in-office attendance and promotion opportunities within your organisation, 58% of workers agreed. A quarter (25%) disagreed and 17% were unsure.
“The growing emphasis on in-office work by employers could create career progression hurdles for those seeking to remain remote,” says Megan Alexander, Managing Director at Robert Half. “The reality is, physical presence in the office enhances visibility, promotes collaboration, and aids in promoting culture, all of which are highly valued by employers.”
Employees put promotions ahead of remote work perks
The research reveals employees are prepared to increase their in-office attendance rather than risk being overlooked for a promotion. If their employer outlined it as a requirement or expectation for a higher role, more than half (54%) of employees say they would increase their time in the office.
However, remote working arrangements were cited as sacrosanct for many employees who would choose working from home over a promotion (17%) or would look for a new job that may not have the same in-office requirements (17%).
The remaining 12% of employees say they already attend the office full time.
While all generations acknowledge the potential promotional advantages of in-office work, our research found that the generations of Gen Z (56%) and Gen X (58%) are more willing to increase their office attendance to be favoured for a promotion.
“As working in the office has returned as the new norm for Kiwi workers, the significance of in-office attendance as a key factor in promotional decisions diminishes. This allows businesses to focus more intently on output and outcome-driven parameters, ensuring that promotions are primarily driven by tangible results rather than presence,” concludes Alexander.
About the research
The study is developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in November 2024 by an independent research company among 500 full-time office workers in finance, accounting, and IT and technology. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs as well as large private, publicly-listed and public sector organisations across New Zealand. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job trends, talent management and trends in the workplace.
About Robert Half
Robert Half is the global, specialised talent solutions provider that helps employers find their next great hire and jobseekers uncover their next opportunity. Robert Half offers both contract and permanent placement services, and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm. Robert Half New Zealand has an office in Auckland. More information on roberthalf.com/nz
Home Newsroom Idaho Court Upholds State’s Defense of Life Act
BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced a legal victory for mothers, for life, and for the medical professionals entrusted with the care of women and the unborn. The Fourth Judicial District Court issued a ruling that confirms Idaho’s abortion laws are constitutional and do not prohibit doctors from saving the lives of women in jeopardy. In Adkins v. State of Idaho, the court reaffirmed that the Idaho Constitution does not contain a right to abortion, rejecting arguments to create one where none exists. The court also reaffirmed that physicians are not subject to criminal penalties under the Defense of Life Act when they follow the law’s plain terms—exercising their good faith medical judgment to determine that an abortion is necessary to prevent a woman’s death, even if her death is not imminent or certain. Consistent with Idaho law, the court reiterated that such care must, where feasible, use a method that offers the unborn child the best chance of survival. “While we still disagree with portions of the ruling, it confirms what my office has argued in courts from Boise to Washington, D.C.—that Idaho’s abortion laws are constitutional and protect both unborn children and their mothers.” said Attorney General Labrador. “Idaho law has never required doctors to wait until a woman’s death is certain or imminent before performing an abortion.” The Attorney General’s Office remains committed to defending Idaho’s life-affirming laws with clarity and compassion—and will continue working to ensure they are fully understood, properly applied, and upheld in every forum where they are challenged.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jake Ellzey (Texas, 6)
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jake Ellzey today commended the U.S. Department of Transportation and Amtrak for terminating the $63.9 million grant awarded under the Corridor Identification and Development (CID) Program for the Texas High-Speed Rail Corridor, previously known as the Texas Central Railway project.
“First, I want to thank Secretary Sean Duffy for his continued dedication to ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. Through numerous conversations and collaboration, it became clear that we share a commitment to ensuring that projects like the Texas Central Railway do not misuse federal resources,” stated Congressman Ellzey. “I also appreciate the transparency regarding the challenges surrounding this project, and it’s clear that the $64 million grant for this study should be rescinded. We cannot allow taxpayer money to be used for a project that threatens to seize land in Texas for a rail line that does not align with the needs and interests of our communities.”
Ellzey continued, “Land cannot be taken, homes cannot be destroyed, and lives should not be disrupted for a project that does not serve the needs of our state. As I have stated before, I strongly oppose the use of eminent domain for private ventures like the high-speed rail project. It is critical that any development respects the rights of Texas property owners and preserves our farmland.”
“Moving forward, it is imperative that Amtrak focuses on improving its existing services and addresses the pressing issues facing its current operations. We must ensure that federal funds are used wisely and to benefit the American people. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Washington to ensure that taxpayer money is spent efficiently and responsibly,” Ellzey added.
Today’s announcement reflects the FRA’s commitment to redirecting resources toward initiatives that improve the reliability and safety of rail transportation. The approximately $60 million balance will be reallocated to other projects that serve the best interests of the American public.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Government secures raw materials to save British Steel
The Government has secured raw materials needed to save British Steel.
The Business Secretary pushes ahead with efforts to safeguard British Steel. Today [Tuesday 15 April] he will travel up to Immingham as the raw materials that have been waiting in the dock are unloaded and transported to the site, following the government settling payment for them.
The materials – which have arrived from the US – are enough to keep the blast furnaces running for the coming weeks, with officials continuing to work at pace to get a steady pipeline of materials to keep the fire burning.
A separate ship which contains yet more coking coal is on the way to the UK from Australia. This cargo was the subject of a legal dispute between British Steel and Jingye over the weekend that has now been resolved. The materials have been paid for using existing DBT budgets.
New legislation passed last weekend, in an unprecedented move, gives Government the power to direct the company’s board and workforce, ensure they get paid, and order the raw materials to keep the blast furnaces running. It also permits the Government to do these things itself if needed. The government acted to protect 37,000 jobs in supply chains and ensure we can build the infrastructure needed to deliver growth which is fundamental to the Plan for Change.
On Monday, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed the appointment of Allan Bell as interim Chief Executive Officer, and Lisa Coulson as interim Chief Commercial Officer, both with immediate effect – ensuring the right expertise is in place to keep the site running smoothly.
After intensive work over the weekend, the government has secured coke and iron ore pellets for the blast furnaces and is confident there will be enough materials to keep the furnaces burning.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:
We will always act in the interest of working people and UK industry. Thanks to the work of those at British Steel, and in my department, we have moved decisively to secure the raw materials we need to help save British Steel.
Our industries depend on UK steel and – thanks to our Plan for Change – demand is set to shoot up: helping build the 1.5 million homes, railways, schools and hospitals we need to usher in a decade of national renewal.
Just listed on Auckland Council’s LinkedIn jobs board is a range of paid positions to govern Tāmaki Makaurau for passionate Aucklanders to consider applying for.
This year’s local elections in October mean Auckland’s current political leaders will either stand for re-election or step aside. A fresh set of candidates will also have the opportunity to get in the race.
Auckland Council’s Governance and Engagement General Manager Lou-Ann Ballantyne explains why the council is in the market for new leaders.
“It’s important to have a range of new and differing perspectives when it comes to leading the unique region that is Tāmaki Makaurau,” Ms Ballantyne says.
“With a governing body of 20 ward councillors representing the region, alongside a mayor to lead Auckland’s vision, and representatives for 21 local board areas to serve at community level, there are plenty of opportunities and reasons to stand in Auckland’s local elections,” she says.
“Elected members lead planning and decision-making for our city centre and local development, economic development, transport, natural environment, water, wastewater and stormwater and its parks and community.
“We’re hoping for a diverse range of representatives with good local knowledge who care for their community and have great decision-making skills.”
Who could Auckland Council’s next elected members be?
Ms Ballantyne believes plenty of people could step into these roles.
“Without even knowing it, so many people would be great in these positions.
“If you already play a pivotal part in your community, like sports coaching, coordinating events, advising or providing consulting services to organisations, being the skipper of your waka or successfully steering your household – you could be perfect for the role,” she says.
“No political experience is necessary as your skills and qualities are likely to be transferrable and we’ll provide additional training to help bring you up to speed.
“There’s plenty of room for growth, development and a chance to try something completely different while taking on rewarding responsibilities that’ll make a difference to your community.”
Want to hear more?
Tune in to an upcoming live webinar on Wednesday 30 April, 4.30pm to hear everything there is to know about standing in the Auckland Local Elections 2025 and what you’d do if elected.
Each year Wellington Airport and local councils come together to recognise the work carried out by community groups in the wider Wellington region. Nominations are now open for the 2025 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards. The focus of the awards is to celebrate volunteer groups for their valuable contribution to society.Groups can be nominated under these categories:
Arts & Culture – enhance and increase participation in arts and creative leisure activities.
Education & Child/Youth Development – improvement or enhancement of the educational and social development of children / youth.
Health & Wellbeing – enhancing the health and wellbeing of our community.
Heritage & Environment – improvement or revitalising of the environment, culture or heritage.
Sport & Leisure – increase participation and enjoyment in physical sport, leisure activities and recreational pursuits.
Rising Star award – designed to recognise and encourage emerging grassroots groups in the community.
Winners from each region then go forward to the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards for the overall award in their category, and the opportunity to be named Supreme Winner, with winners announced at a celebration dinner.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says the awards are a great way to recognise community groups and organisation volunteers who make a valuable contribution to our city.
“We have an amazing network of groups and volunteers in Porirua and the awards are a great way to recognise the contribution they make to our community. Te Kiwa Nui was the winner of the Education and Child/Youth Development category last year and Porirua has been well represented over the years.”
Minor law change needed to take pressure off GPs and return people to work faster
Physiotherapy patients are waiting too long to be allowed to return to work, likely costing ACC millions of dollars in compensation payments it should not be paying because of delays in getting GPs to sign return to work certificates.
Physiotherapy New Zealand (PNZ) is calling on the Government to amend the law to allow physiotherapists the same power as GPs to certify that a patient who is under ACC care is ready to return to work.
“New Zealand physiotherapists have the skills and experience to ensure people can return to work safely and with GPs under more pressure than ever, now is the time to remove the bottleneck,” said PNZ President Kirsten Davie.
“Physiotherapists write the return to work plans now for their patients which GPs sign off on so it’s just common sense to give physiotherapists the same authority. They already do this for employers who need a return-to-work certificate for workers who are not on ACC compensation to ensure they are meeting health and safety requirements.
“These days getting a timely appointment with a GP is harder than ever, especially in remote parts of New Zealand. We have heard of cases where people without a GP have been forced to wait hours in A&E to get a return-to-work certificate.
“And even if a patient can get to a GP, they may be charged for the visit.
“None of this makes sense when a simple amendment to the Accident Compensation Corporation Act giving physiotherapists the power to sign return to work certificates would get people back to work quickly and safely.
Business supports change
“Businesses agree with us – they want their staff back to work as soon as possible, as long as they are fit and healthy, and likewise patients who are fit again, want their lives to return to normal as well.”
The construction industry is keen to see physiotherapists given the authority to return workers to building sites.
“It just makes good sense,” said Chris Alderson, chief executive of Construction Health and Safety New Zealand which works to raise the standard of health, safety and wellbeing in construction.
“Many of the injuries construction workers suffer are musculoskeletal related, which physios are well placed to remedy. GPs often refer a worker to a physio who understands the treatment a worker needs and exercises that will help get them back to work fit and well.
“We know many construction workers don’t have easy access to a GP, so may end up just not getting the treatment they need until the pain is too bad or end up at emergency departments for conditions that should have been dealt with earlier. Giving physios the ability to sign off the return to work will take pressure off primary health care and get workers back to sites far more quickly. It’s just not good for anyone’s mental health and well-being to sit at home when they are ready to go back to work.”
Cost of compensation
The cost of compensation that should not be paid out by ACC when people are ready to return to work runs to millions of dollars every year. A Physiotherapy New Zealand survey of members in August 2024 showed how big the problem is. 454 members identified at least 4,400 days of delay for their patients getting a return-to-work certificate in one month alone (equivalent to 628 weeks).
ACC stipulates the minimum rate of weekly compensation payable is $740.80, based on a 40-hour week (ACC weekly compensation information here). That amounts to $4,656,457, just under half a million in weekly compensation from our member survey in one month alone.
“Cost savings for ACC in returning people to work as soon as possible are likely to be significant. Right now, ACC is under pressure to reduce costs and be sustainable, so this change makes good financial sense too. ACC weekly compensation claim payments have risen 70% within the last five years, and are projected to rise further.
“We want to take pressure off GPs and continue working together with them to get Kiwis back to work safely and well.
“This is a no-brainer – good for people’s health, good for economic growth, good for government finances.”
Patient example – Robyn, nurse
Robyn (not her real name) is a nurse in Gisborne (not her real name). She fractured her foot slipping on stairs, which prevented her from returning to work at the local hospital. She rested and after six weeks the fracture clinic discharged her and referred her to physiotherapy for a supported return to work. Robyn was able to do some temporary office work at this time.
Her physiotherapist assessed her and developed a return to work plan. In order to begin this planned return to work, Robyn needed a signed certificate from a GP. Robyn couldn’t get to see her GP for three weeks as the clinic was only taking emergency cases given how busy it is.
Without the certificate Robyn was unable to begin the return to her usual clinical duties or continue with the office work. She needed to be either given full clearance for her usual work or be certified partially fit to return to office work and begin the plan with her physiotherapist.
Since Robyn’s current certificate had expired, ACC compensation stopped.
Robyn worried she would not have any income for these three weeks, being neither on ACC compensation nor back at work. This left her in limbo until her physiotherapist intervened, called the GP clinic, explained the urgent need, and the GP clinic issued the certificate including the plan the physiotherapist had provided.
“This was really frustrating – I was facing weeks without income sitting around at home because I couldn’t get to see a GP. It shouldn’t take a call from my physio to make this happen. And we have a real shortage of nurses here so having a nurse out of action for longer than necessary just puts more pressure on the hospital when it doesn’t need to be that way. Physios should be able to do the paperwork to get people back to work as soon as they are fit and well.”
Source: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union
AFL-CIO, AFGE, AFSCME, AFT, IAM, SEIU, and UFCW Are Plaintiffs in the Lawsuit to Restore the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
NEW YORK – The AFL-CIO and unions representing workers across private and public sector industries sued the Trump administration today over its dismantling of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), including firing mediators and staff, and closing field offices across the country.
FMCS is a small but important independent federal agency that is integral to the government’s labor relations infrastructure. Among the critical services FMCS provides, it helps resolve contract negotiations between workers and employers to protect both the economy and workers’ rights, generating over $500 million in national economic savings each year, even by conservative estimates. But DOGE cuts have decimated the agency: 93% of FMCS staff have been placed on leave, the mediation workforce has been taken down from the 80-100 needed for the agency’s work to just five, and all of the field offices have been closed.
The suit argues that the administration’s actions are illegal under the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution because they amount to an effective dismantling of FMCS that has prevented it from performing its statutory responsibilities required by Congress.
“FMCS is a little-known but critical government agency that works to bring labor and management together to solve problems between workers and employers—and it’s illegally under attack by Elon Musk and his DOGE,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Without FMCS, there will be longer and drawn-out contract negotiations, as well as delays in implementing increased wages and improved benefits won through collective bargaining. The unnecessary cuts to FMCS make absolutely no economic sense and will cost taxpayers, consumers, businesses and workers. Congress created FMCS nearly 80 years ago, and only an act of Congress can shutter it. I’m proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our affiliated unions today in filing this lawsuit to challenge this illegal, cruel and wrong-headed action by DOGE.”
“We are filing this lawsuit because once again, the administration is unlawfully shutting down an agency simply because billionaires do not like it. Hobbling employers’ and workers’ ability to negotiate will only hurt our communities,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “FMCS helps to mediate thousands of collective bargaining agreements and other disputes, ensuring workers are paid fairly while commerce and services continue to flow. The agency’s meager $55 million budget – which accounts for less than 0.0014% of the overall federal budget – generates more than $500 million in annual savings for our economy. Shutting it down helps only billionaires like Elon Musk and his anti-union friends, who want to take away workers’ voice on the job.”
“This case is about more than a single agency — it’s about upholding workers’ fundamental bargaining rights and protecting a foundation stone of labor relations in America,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “FMCS was created by Congress as a neutral arbiter to promote labor peace and fair negotiations, a role it has proudly carried out for nearly 80 years. The president says he cares about working people, but that’s hard to believe when he attempts to abolish an agency that helps them negotiate fair contracts with their employers. FMCS was crucial to securing an agreement during the Oregon Nurses’ Association’s strike in February, and FMCS mediators were in the room for first contracts at charter schools across New Orleans, New York, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh—discussions that suddenly stalled in the face of the administration’s attacks. The AFT and our co-plaintiffs are suing to block the destruction of FMCS so it can continue to fulfil its Congressional mandate and ensure the administration follows, rather than ignores, federal law.”
“The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is a small but mighty agency that directly benefits the U.S. economy by helping to resolve costly and disruptive labor disputes in the public and private sectors. Trump and Elon Musk’s efforts to abolish FMCS have nothing to do with saving taxpayers money and everything to do with gutting workers’ union rights and protections. It’s shameful, it’s wasteful, and it must be stopped,” said American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National President Everett Kelley.
“The Trump administration has no legal right to eliminate FMCS through executive action, and no rational reason to eliminate an agency that helps working people,“ said United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew.
“The Trump administration’s reckless attempt to eliminate FMCS is yet another attack on working people and our rights to collectively bargain,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “FMCS is a small, but vitally important agency that serves as a much-needed independent arbiter during negotiations between workers and employers. For the IAM Union, FMCS has been vital in resolving contract disputes with national and international economic consequences, including a strike of 4,300 U.S. Navy shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works, and helping to avoid work stoppages on numerous occasions. We are proud to stand with our partners in the labor movement to fight back against this illegal attack on the rights of all working families.”
“We will not let this administration’s union-busting tactics take away our rights, and we will not take orders from an unelected billionaire. America’s public service workers serve our nation without regard to profits, politics, or glory. That’s why SEIU members are standing with our siblings at AFL-CIO, AFGE, AFSCME, AFT, IAM, UFCW and other unions to fight back against the President’s unlawful dismantling of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service,” said SEIU President April Verrett. “This isn’t just about protecting federal workers and their unions. It’s about protecting our communities. When you take away the voices of workers serving veterans, securing the border, and protecting public health, you silence the voices of all those who rely on their services, too.”
The legal challenge was brought by AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), International Associations of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), unions, as well as many locals and affiliates, which have worked with FMCS mediators in labor disputes with their members’ employers. Many are actively engaged in collective-bargaining negotiations with FMCS when the mediator was forced to abruptly leave or cancel the negotiations because they had been placed on leave. With only five mediators remaining at FMCS, these unions and their workers will be left in the lurch, working under expired contracts or no contracts, and strikes or lockouts are much more likely.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaint can be found online here.