Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
State Highway 6 is closed near the Kakapotahi River following a crash.
The two-vehicle crash was reported around 6:10pm.
One person has been seriously injured.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Government of Western Australia
The City of Wanneroo’s Community Funding Program has supported a plethora of community-led initiatives.
Disco events for people with disabilities
Intelife Group was one of the stand-out beneficiaries of the City’s community funding for its EasyBeatz events.
Two events were held at the Whale & Ale bar and bistro in Clarkson, with the aim of increasing opportunities for people with disabilities to attend nightlife venues, as well as better educating venue staff.
The City supported the group’s Christmas in July and Halloween themed discos, with the funding covering the venue and DJ hire costs.
The funding also allowed Intelife to create a video aimed at upskilling nightlife venues on how to provide an inclusive service to people with disabilities.
The events provided a place for people with disability to meet in a safe place, enjoy a night out and make friends – with positive feedback proving the value of the events for the community.
APM Community Connections Local Area Coordinator, Jean Van Veen, said the events were so popular, another six were in the works.
“These events, which welcomed people of all abilities, wouldn’t have been possible without the grant received from the City” she said.
“The video will help raise awareness and support other venues across Australia to host similar accessible and inclusive events, ensuring everyone can enjoy these experiences.”
Community Christmas party and support
A Community Christmas Party hosted by No Limits Perth set a new attendance record, highlighting the need for relief initiatives as cost-of-living pressures increase.
Over the past year, organisers have seen event attendance double, with 200 families who were in need of free Christmas hampers joining the 2024 party, which was supported by a $2,205 Community Grant from the City.
“The City’s funding program supported our Community Christmas Party by providing the entertainment, advertising, as well as ambulance services,” No Limits Perth Chairperson and Co-Founder, Janine Wood, said.
“We received feedback from families and single parents who were extremely grateful for the hampers and toys they received for their children and grandchildren at the event.”
No Limits provides support services for people experiencing hardship and homelessness, if you are struggling you can reach out through the No Limits Perth website.
Bilingual workshops
Last year, Multilingual Australia held three workshops at Girrawheen Hub, with a $500 Kickstarter grant from the City.
The “Raising Children in More than One Language” workshops were held to support City of Wanneroo families in fostering bilingual and multi-lingual environments at home.
Thanks to the popularity of the workshops, Multilingual Australia was invited to present at two additional child-care centres to 37 families and community educators.
Tet Trung Thu Full Moon Lantern Festival
Koondoola-based Westnam United Soccer Club saw 350 people join in its 2024 Tet Trung Thu Full Moon Lantern Festival.
The annual Vietnamese community cultural event for children was a hit with attendees who enjoyed lantern making, moon cake tasting and a lantern parade.
Westnam United Soccer Club received a $4,450 Community Grant from the City to host the festival at its home ground, Shelvock Park.
Wanneroo Softball’s ‘Have a Go Day’
In a bid to rejuvenate its player numbers, Wanneroo Softball Club hosted a “Have a Go Day”, targeting new members of the community and shining a light on the social and physical benefits of softball.
The club received a $500 Kickstarter grant from the City to help host the event.
The City’s Funding Program offers a valuable opportunity for groups based in the City of Wanneroo, or with a primary interest in the City, to secure financial support for projects, activities and events.
Visit the Community Funding page for more information or phone the City’s Community Development team on (08) 9405 5600.
Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture
31 January 2025
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including Master Consolidators, vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers and principal agents—associated with shipping or importing goods from BMSB target risk or native risk countries.
Hitchhiker pests can arrive in Australia on aircraft or vessels, cargo and containers,…
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Anoto Group AB (”Anoto”) has as previously announced carried out a directed share issue, a set-off issue, and a rights issue of ordinary shares, which has resulted in a changed number of shares and votes in Anoto.
Through the directed share issue and the set-off issue, the number of shares and votes has increased by 125,043,750 and 230,636,107 respectively. Through the rights issue, the outcome of which was announced through a press release on 30 December 2024, the number of shares and votes has increased by 414,823,830.
The total number of shares and votes in Anoto as of 31 January 2025 amounts to 1,102,362,753.
This information is published in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 9 of the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act (SFS 1991:980). This information was submitted for publication on 31 January 2025, at 7 am CET.
For further information, please contact:
Kevin Adeson, Chairman of the board of Anoto Group AB (publ)
For more information about Anoto, please visit www.anoto.com or email ir@anoto.com
Anoto Group AB (publ), Reg.No. 556532-3929, Flaggan 1165, SE-116 74 Stockholm
About Anoto Group
Anoto is a publicly held Swedish technology company known globally for innovation in the area of information-rich patterns and the optical recognition of those patterns. It is a lead-er in digital writing and drawing solutions, having historically used its proprietary technology to develop smartpens and related software. These smartpens enrich the daily lives of millions of people around the world. Anoto currently has three main business lines: Livescribe retail, Enterprise Forms and OEM. Anoto also holds a stake in Knowledge AI, a leading AI based education solution company. Anoto is traded on the Small Cap list of Nasdaq Stockholm under ANOT.
Attachment
Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Chrystal Zhang, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering & Aviation, RMIT University
On Wednesday night US time, a passenger jet and US Army helicopter collided at a low altitude near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and crashed into the the Potomac River.
A total of 60 passengers – including US and Russian champion figure skaters – and four crew were on board the American Airlines flight AA5342 from Wichita, Kansas. Three military personnel were in the chopper, which was conducting a routine training flight. Authorities say no one on board either aircraft survived.
This crash comes just over a month after a passenger jet crashed in South Korea – possibly as a result of a bird strike – killing all but two of the 181 people on board. The two incidents have focused attention on aviation safety around the world.
In the case of the most recent tragedy in the US, technology exists that is designed to help pilots avoid midair collisions with other aircraft. It is known as the Traffic Collision Avoidance System – or TCAS.
So how does it work? And why might it have failed to prevent disaster in this case?
A TCAS is an aircraft safety system that monitors the airspace around a plane for other aircraft equipped with transponders. These are devices that listen for and respond to incoming electronic signals.
The system – also sometimes referred to as an ACAS (Airborne Collision Avoidance System) – operates independently of an external air traffic control system. Its purpose is to alert pilots immediately to nearby aircraft and potential midair collisions.
Since the technology was developed in 1974, it has undergone a number of advances.
The first generation technology, known as TCAS I, monitors what’s around an aircraft. It provides information on the bearing and altitude of any nearby aircraft. If there is a risk of collision, it generates what’s known as a “Traffic Advisory” – or TA. When a TA is issued, the pilot is notified of the threat, but must themselves determine the best evasive action to take.
The second generation technology, known as TCAS II, goes a step further: it provides a pilot with specific instructions on how to avoid a collision with a nearby aircraft or conflict with traffic, either by descending, climbing, turning or adjusting their speed.
These newer systems are also able to communicate with each other. This ensures the advice given to each aircraft is coordinated.
Any aircraft used for commercial purposes must be equipped with a TCAS in accordance with international regulations under what’s known as the Chicago Convention. There are specific provisions under the convention for noncommercial aircraft.
Military helicopters are not subject to the provisions of the Chicago Convention (although they are subject to domestic laws and regulations). And there are reports the military helicopter did not have a TCAS system on board.
Regardless of whether the military helicopter involved in the crash was fitted with a TCAS, the technology still has limitations. In particular, it is inhibited at altitudes below roughly 300 metres.
The last recorded altitude of American Airlines flight AA5342 was roughly 90 metres. The last recorded altitude of the US military helicopter that collided with the plane was roughly 60 metres.
It is not an accident that a TCAS is inhibited at low altitudes. In fact, this is part of the design of the technology.
This is primarily because the system relies on radio altimeter data, which measures altitude and becomes less accurate near the ground. This could potentially result in unreliable collision-avoidance instructions.
Another issue is that an aircraft at such a low altitude cannot descend any further to avoid a collision.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States. Commercial, military and private aircraft share very limited airspace and corridors.
It has been the site of several near misses in recent years.
For example, in April 2024, a commercial plane pilot coming into land had to take evasive action to avoid a helicopter that was roughly 100 metres beneath it. In an incident report, the pilot said:
We never received a warning of the traffic from (air traffic control) so we were unaware it was there.
Many people, including Democratic US senator Tim Kaine, pointed to this near miss as evidence of why a plan to allow more flights into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport should not proceed. Despite this, the plan was approved the following month.
All of this will undoubtedly be examined as part of the investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board into this disaster.
Chrystal Zhang does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Planes have high-tech systems to stop midair crashes. So what went wrong in Washington? – https://theconversation.com/planes-have-high-tech-systems-to-stop-midair-crashes-so-what-went-wrong-in-washington-248744
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Southland yesterday.
The single vehicle crash occurred on Fairlight Road just before 10pm.
The sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
Shen Wei, the character designer behind China’s top-grossing animated film “Ne Zha,” recently spoke with China.org.cn about his challenging journey in designing characters for “Ne Zha 2,” following the overwhelming success of the original film in 2019.
Shen Wei, the character designer for the “Ne Zha” series. [Photo courtesy of Coloroom Pictures]
“Ne Zha 2” joined the highly vibrant Spring Festival film season lineup and debuted on Jan. 29. Building on the remarkable success of its predecessor, this five-year project continues to draw inspiration from the mischievous yet endearing character from the Ming dynasty novel (1368-1644) “The Investiture of the Gods.” It also introduces a “dimensional upgrade” that includes new characters, thrilling battle scenes, more than 1,900 visual effect shots, and enhanced details for IMAX.
When discussing the challenges of character design amid high audience expectations after a five-year wait, Shen emphasized the importance of two concepts: continuity and innovation.
“I believe finding the right balance between continuity and innovation is essential,” Shen said. “The audience has already embraced elements of the original, so it’s impossible to completely break away from the established framework. Our approach is to carry forward the essence of the first film into the sequel while innovating and improving on existing techniques.”
“Ne Zha 2” includes a substantial increase in new characters, tripling the number from the first film. A promotional video reveals that nearly every character has received unique battle designs instead of reusing previous designs. Shen noted that this approach demanded considerable effort and time. His goal was to immerse the audience in a story that feels authentic and engaging, ensuring that each character is fully developed and relatable.
Designs for several characters from “Ne Zha 2.” [Image courtesy of Coloroom Pictures]
“I’d like to clarify that while I contributed to many of the characters in the films, such as the soldiers and sea creatures, I did not create them alone. They were created by many team members due to the substantial workload,” Shen explained. “However, we all share the same principle that our character designs must serve the film and its storytelling.”
One new character that impressed Shen is Ao Shun, a legendary dragon king. His complex armor, made entirely of blades, along with his unique fighting style, presented significant development challenges. Shen worked closely with Yang Yu, the creator of the “Ne Zha” film series, known by his nickname Jiaozi, to explore various iterations of the character’s costume and performance style. Despite these challenges, overcoming obstacles in designing Ao Shun made the creative process particularly memorable for Shen.
Shen also shared an intriguing behind-the-scenes story about Jiaozi. “There were times when I might not fully grasp the specific points Jiaozi wanted to convey,” Shen said. “In those cases, he often performed the characters in person or via video calls to help me understand them better. Pure textual descriptions could be difficult to fully comprehend. When you incorporated performance elements – such as actions, expressions, and tone, as Jiaozi did – everything changed.”
In 2019, the first installment grossed over 5 billion yuan ($690 million) in the Chinese market and $726 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. It received a positive response from international audiences. Regarding his expectations for “Ne Zha 2,” Shen expressed hope that the film would convey Eastern culture, aesthetics, and the core spirit of the Chinese nation to global viewers, further promoting cultural heritage worldwide.
A poster for “Ne Zha 2.” [Image courtesy of Coloroom Pictures]
Enlight Media’s Coloroom Pictures has announced that “Ne Zha 2” will open in a wide range of global markets, including North America, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and South Africa, though specific release dates have yet to be set.
Looking ahead, Shen expressed a strong interest in exploring projects that involve extraterrestrial and futuristic creatures amid the resurgence of Chinese animation. Such themes, he said, “allow me to explore new ideas and unleash my imagination.” He noted that character design is a creatively rich and rewarding process.
“As part of the industry, we look forward to a vibrant landscape where diverse types of animation can be presented, enabling various audiences to discover what they enjoy,” added Shen.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Mitchell, Lecturer in Criminology, Deakin University
Young people’s access to gender-affirming medical care has been making headlines this week.
Today, federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced a review into health care for trans and gender-diverse children and adolescents. The National Health and Medical Research council will conduct the review.
Yesterday, The Australian published an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for a federal inquiry, and a nationwide pause on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors.
This followed Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls earlier this week announcing an immediate pause on access to puberty blockers and hormone therapies for new patients under 18 in the state’s public health system, pending a review.
In the United States, President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week directing federal agencies to restrict access to gender-affirming care for anyone under 19.
This recent wave of political attention might imply gender-affirming care for young people is risky, controversial, perhaps even new.
But Australian courts have already extensively tested questions about its legitimacy, the conditions under which it can be provided, and the scope and limits of parental powers to authorise it.
Puberty blockers suppress the release of oestrogen and testosterone, which are primarily responsible for the physical changes associated with puberty. They are generally safe and used in paediatric medicine for various conditions, including precocious (early) puberty, hormone disorders and some hormone-sensitive cancers.
International and domestic standards of care state that puberty blockers are reversible, non-harmful, and can prevent young people from experiencing the distress of undergoing a puberty that does not align with their gender identity. They also give young people time to develop the maturity needed to make informed decisions about more permanent medical interventions further down the line.
Puberty blockers are one type of gender-affirming care. This care includes medical, psychological and social interventions to support transgender, gender-diverse and, in some cases, intersex people.
Young people in Australia need a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria to receive this care. Gender dysphoria is defined as the psychological distress that can arise when a person’s gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth. This diagnosis is only granted after an exhaustive and often onerous medical assessment.
After a diagnosis, treatment may involve hormones such as oestrogen or testosterone and/or puberty-blocking medications.
Hormone therapies involving oestrogen and testosterone are only prescribed in Australia once a young person has been deemed capable of giving informed consent, usually around the age of 16. For puberty blockers, parents can consent at a younger age.
Gender-affirming care has been the subject of extensive debate in the Family Court of Australia (now the Federal Circuit and Family Court).
Between 2004 and 2017, every minor who wanted to access gender-affirming care had to apply for a judge to approve it. However, medical professionals, human rights organisations and some judges condemned this process.
In research for my forthcoming book, I found the Family Court has heard at least 99 cases about a young person’s gender-affirming care since 2004. Across these cases, the court examined the potential risks of gender-affirming treatment and considered whether parents should have the authority to consent on their child’s behalf.
When determining whether parents can consent to a particular medical procedure for their child, the court must consider whether the treatment is “therapeutic” and whether there is a significant risk of a wrong decision being made.
However, in a landmark 2017 case, the court ruled that judicial oversight was not required because gender-affirming treatments meet the standards of normal medical care.
It reasoned that because these therapies address an internationally recognised medical condition, are supported by leading professional medical organisations, and are backed by robust clinical research, there is no justification for treating them differently from any other standard medical intervention. These principals still stand today.
Sometimes parents disagree with decisions about gender-affirming care made by their child, or each other.
As with all forms of health care, under Australian law, parents and legal guardians are responsible for making medical decisions on behalf of their children. That responsibility usually shifts once those children reach a sufficient age and level of maturity to make their own decisions.
However, in another landmark case in 2020, the court ruled gender-affirming treatments cannot be given to minors without consent from both parents, even if the child is capable of providing their own consent. This means that if there is any disagreement among parents and the young person about either their capacity to consent or the legitimacy of the treatment, only a judge can authorise it.
In such instances, the court must assess whether the proposed treatment is in the child’s best interests and make a determination accordingly. Again, these principals apply today.
Across the at least 99 cases the court has heard about gender-affirming care since 2004, 17 have involved a parent opposing the treatment and one has involved neither parent supporting it.
Regardless of parental support, in every case, the court has been responsible for determining whether gender-affirming treatment was in the child’s best interests. These decisions were based on medical evidence, expert testimony, and the specific circumstances of the young person involved.
In all cases bar one, the court has found overwhelming evidence to support gender-affirming care, and approved it.
The history of Australia’s legal debates about gender-affirming care show it has already been the subject of intense legal and medical scrutiny.
Gender-affirming care is already difficult for young people to access, with many lacking the parental support required or facing other barriers to care.
Gender-affirming care is potentially life-saving, or at the very least life-affirming. It almost invariably leads to better social and emotional outcomes. Further restricting access is not the “protection” its opponents claim.
If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For LGBTQIA+ peer support and resources, you can also contact Switchboard, QLife (call 1800 184 527), Queerspace, Transcend Australia (support for trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary young people and their families) or Minus18 (resources and community support for LGBTQIA+ young people).
Matthew Mitchell has a contract with Bristol University Press for a forthcoming book on the legal regulation of gender-affirming hormones for transgender young people in Australia.
– ref. Can a child legally take puberty blockers? What if their parents disagree? – https://theconversation.com/can-a-child-legally-take-puberty-blockers-what-if-their-parents-disagree-248651
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, questioned Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Senator Scott and Mr. Kennedy discussed a range of topics, including the Right to Life, Sickle Cell Disease, and preventing and reducing drug shortages.
Excerpts from Senator Scott’s questioning can be found below:
Watch the full video here.
On the Right to Life…
“One of the beauties of our country is we have foundational documents that point us in the right direction. I think it’s the compass of shows us true north…The Declaration of Independence mentions life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as unalienable rights. You and I had a serious conversation about the importance of life. And I’m a pro-life Christian, as you know… And you assured me that your deputies were going to be pro-life. Is that still the case?”
On Sickle Cell Disease…
“During the first Trump administration, HHS began investing in policies to support individuals living with Sickle Cell Anemia. This has continued. A career staff person has dedicated time to coordinate Sickle Cell Disease related activities across HHS and other government agencies. Will you commit to continuing to have an individual serve in this coordinating role for sickle cell?”
On preventing and reducing drug shortages…
“This past fall, due to one facility making the majority of our IV drugs in the U.S., it was devastated by Hurricane Helene. Hospitals and health care facilities across the country faced IV shortages. Nephron Pharmaceuticals in Columbia, South Carolina, tried to shore up IV support in South Carolina hospitals by creating the Palmetto Line in this facility to help make IVs for hospitals across the state. We must do more proactively to address the shortages and the shortage risks, as well as to provide and promote the production of medical products here in the U.S. If confirmed, how will you prioritize efforts to prevent and reduce drug shortages, including for essential medicines?”
Source: Australian Ministers for Education
MARY DOYLE, MEMBER FOR ASTON: Well hello everyone, and welcome here to Boronia Heights Primary School and where Matt is the, I was about to say Premier. Where Matt is the boss of the school, that’s right. So thank you, and what a warm welcome Matt’s given us here this morning. And I’d like to also welcome Premier Jacinta Allan, Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare, and also the State Education Minister, Ben Carroll. Thank you guys for coming here on this very auspicious occasion too, the signing of the agreement that just happened. Now I’d like to introduce our Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese. Thank you.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, thanks very much, Mary, and it’s fantastic to be back here in the electorate of Aston that you so ably represent with such passion and commitment. And there’s nowhere that it’s more important to be in Australia than in a school, particularly when we’re talking about education.
Before speaking about why we’re here today, I do want to address the joint counter terrorism major investigation in Dural in Sydney. The AFP Commissioner and ASIO Director-General are continuing to work with New South Wales Police. It is critical that the police are able to continue to conduct this investigation. It remains an active one. We know that some people are in custody over issues related to this investigation. There’s zero tolerance in Australia for hatred and for antisemitism. And I want any perpetrators to be hunted down and locked up – it’s as simple as that. They have no place in this sort of engagement. It’s designed to create fear and terror in the community, and it will not succeed. Because our community is stronger than the cowards who engage in this sort of activity.
Can I say about why we’re here today – for Labor, nothing is more important than education. It is in our DNA. And what we are doing today here in Victoria is so important. Working in cooperation with Jacinta Allan and her Government, including Minister Ben Carroll. And I want to give a big thank you to Jacinta and Ben for the leadership that they have shown in bringing this arrangement to a conclusion. Of course, it’s not about politicians and it’s not about government. It’s actually about the kids who we sat down with today. Them being able to have access to the best opportunities in life that come from a great start in life. And a great start in life means best quality public education and it means making sure that no child falls behind.
What this agreement does is not just inject $2.5 billion of additional funding into Victorian schools, but in addition to that, it’s an agreement, quite frankly, Jacinta and her Government are doing it already, which is how do we address some of the concerns that parents have had over a period of time about things like learning and phonics and the basics of literacy and numeracy? How do we lift people up? What this funding will do is enable for testing to not have to wait for NAPLAN, not have to wait until a child is 8, but make sure that in the early years, if someone needs extra assistance, they can get it. They can get that smaller group tutoring or indeed one on one learning as well. This is so important, that every child has the opportunity to be the best that they can. To lift them up, which is what good quality schools and good quality learning will do. And a shout out as well to our teachers, many of whom are here. They do fantastic work. No one goes into teaching because of the salary that it provides. They go because of the satisfaction that they get from watching a young mind expand and grow and watching people learn. The young people we met in there this morning, were telling myself and the Premier, that the best thing about school is learning. How good is that? To hear that from a six year old really brightens your day because it is so important as we move forward. We have a great partnership with the Allan Government here in Victoria. Fair funding for schools has been talked about for a long period of time. 14 years ago, David Gonski brought down his report. What we’re doing here is actually delivering, doing in the best tradition of Labor Governments, in the best tradition as well of Australia helping out our youngest Australians.
JACINTA ALLAN, PREMIER OF VICTORIA: Thanks, Prime Minister. Thank you. Well, I’d like to echo the Prime Minister and Mary’s thanks for Boronia Heights Primary School for their really warm welcome to us here this afternoon and thanks to Mat for your leadership of this great school and thanks to the school leaders as well to Zoe and Samuel, Mackenzie and Ryan who have led us around this school so beautifully. And along with Ben and Mary and Jason, I’d also like to acknowledge Jackson Taylor, the local State Member for this fabulous local community.
And as you can see, this week in Victoria, it’s back to school week. It’s back to school for tens of thousands of students and their families as we gear up for another school year. And I know families just want the very best start in life for their kids. And that best start comes from getting a good, strong education. And that good, strong education can be found in any one of our great government schools here in Victoria. And that’s why, that’s why this agreement that we have signed today – been negotiating for a little while – but signed today, this agreement is about demonstrating that federal Labor governments, state Labor governments are going to continue to back, back the work that principals like Mat do in our great government schools, back teachers, back staff, most importantly back the students as well so that they can get and continue to receive that top quality education. And it was back to school week for my own family as well. And as I dropped my kids off to school this morning in Bendigo, I could see the excitement, I could see the energy and I can see firsthand what a difference Labor governments make when they invest in our government schools. And that’s why this announcement today and this agreement today is just so important. $2.5 billion over the next 10 years of additional funding.
And I want to thank the Prime Minister, thank Jason and thank Ben for reaching this agreement. Because this is going to go directly to supporting students, supporting teachers, but also those families I talked about earlier who just want the best for their kids, regardless of their background, regardless of what part of the state they’re from, they know they can get that opportunity at our government schools. Also too, I think it’s important to note that this investment comes on top of the existing investment that Victorian Labor Governments have been making in our government schools here in Victoria. $17 billion in new school buildings right across the state. And if I can make the point, since 2018, 50 per cent of all new schools in Australia have been built right here in Victoria. We’ve worked hard to support our teachers and staff with a whole range of initiatives. We’re also supporting the teachers of the future with free uni degrees, supporting that pipeline of teachers for the year ahead. The work that Ben has done on phonics has been so important. We also, though, focus on the whole student as well and the wellbeing and cost of living pressures that we know families are experiencing. And that’s why the rollout of the School Saving Bonus. Ben’s just told me that today it’s just ticked over $100 million has been redeemed through the school saving bonus. That’s $100 million that supported families, $100 million that stayed in families’ pockets because we’ve supported them with some of those essential back to school costs. That’s what Labor Government investment looks like. Teachers, staff, school, buildings and supporting families with those cost of living pressures. And that’s why this agreement is just so important. Because it means for the decade ahead we can continue to plan, continue to support the great work of our schools here in Victoria and continue to support families as they want the best for their kids. So, does Federal and State Labor governments and we’re going to continue to support them every step of the way.
JASON CLARE, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: Well, this is a big deal and this is a big day for public schools in Victoria. You want to know what this is about? It’s about the young people sitting behind these desks just out of shot here at the moment. And it’s about those year one students that we saw in the classroom just a moment ago and the ones that will follow them and kids who aren’t even born yet. This is about the future. This is about making sure that every child gets a great start in life, what every parent wants for their child, a great education. And what every Australian child deserves. That’s what this is about. And I tell you what, this is real leadership in action. Prime Minister, this wouldn’t have happened without your leadership and I want to thank you for it. Premier, I want to thank you for your leadership as well. As you said, this is a classic example of two Labor governments working together in the interests of Australian children and the future of our country. You get it. You know how to get things done and you get how important what’s happening in that classroom really is.
The power of education to change lives, the power of a great education system to change nations. And that’s what this fundamentally is about. And I want to thank my dear friend Ben Carroll, a real reforming Education Minister who’s doing the heavy lifting here in Victoria already. And these reforms will help to fund and resource more of what Ben is already driving here in Victoria. You know, this is $2.5 billion. But more important than that, this is tied to real reform. This is about making sure that kids who fall behind at school when they’re little catch up and keep up and that more kids finish high school. We’ve seen over the last 10 years across the country a decline in the number of kids finishing high school in public schools. We’ve got to turn that around. It’s more important to finish high school today than when we were kids. And if we’re going to turn that around, it means early intervention, it means phonics checks and numeracy checks when kids are little in year one. The sort of things that we were seeing in that classroom a minute ago. And it’s about early intervention, providing more individual support for those children, perhaps out of a classroom of 30 into a classroom of three to help them to catch up and then they keep up, then more kids will finish high school and go on to TAFE if they want, or uni if they want, get the job of their dreams. So, fundamentally, that’s what it’s all about. It’s about making sure that every child in Australia gets a great start in life. What every mum and dad wants and what every Australian child deserves.
BEN CARROLL, DEPUTY PREMIER OF VICTORIA AND MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: Thank you to all my colleagues that are here today. I also just want to give a shout out to Justin Mullaly from the Australian Education Union because the Australian Education Union have played a pivotal role in getting us where we are today. And $2.5 billion in Commonwealth additional funding for the State of Victoria, the Education State. We know public education is the most important investment in our future. We also know that 73 per cent of disadvantaged kids are in the public education system and this funding will go straight to them to support them going on to live their dreams and their life of purpose. This is a big day in the Education State. I think Anthony Albanese, today, has got the mantle of the Education Prime Minister. Also Premier Allan, who has led from the front, been with me every day working very hard to get this deal done. And I thank Premier Allan for not only her leadership in the schools agreement, but the work she’s done championing children that focus on early intervention through pre-prep, the Free TAFE, the free university degrees for teachers. This is a game changer for our education system. To Jason Clare, we’ve worked incredibly hard over the journey on this. It’s been a 12 month journey. But I’ve got to say, Jason, we’ve always been on the unity ticket when it comes to what’s best for our kids. World’s best practice in the classroom. And as the Prime Minister and Jason alluded to, the funding is one big important component and it will go to those public school kids. But there’s the other elements to it. There’s bringing in world’s best practice inside the classroom. The phonics literacy checks, the mathematics checks, the support for wellbeing. We are so proud as a Labor Government that every school is getting the mental health support and the nursing program being rolled out. That is so really, really important. I thank Premier Allan, Prime Minister, Jason Clare. For the very first time, Gonski, now, that had that vision of a needs based, sector blind education system is coming true today. No longer will a young child in any part of the State of Victoria start schooling in grade prep and go right through to year 12 without full and fair funding. We have ended that and that is a credit to the Federal Labor Government and the State Labor Government and it shows you great federalism working very well in the national interest and for our future, which is our children. Thank you.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks, Ben. We’re happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: Can I just ask you about the incident in New South Wales. When were you first briefed on the caravan incident?
PRIME MINISTER: I get briefed regularly by the national security agencies. We don’t talk about operational matters, obviously, for obvious reasons.
JOURNALIST: Chris Minns has said when he was briefed, can you say when you were?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, what I do, is I don’t comment on operational matters. There are two issues that are my priority. The first is making sure that people are kept safe. The second, which is related to that, is making sure that any investigations aren’t undermined and that the police and national security agencies are able to do their work. I get ongoing briefings. Every day I get a national security briefing. And indeed, just this morning, we had a full meeting of the National Security Committee.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, just asking you about the Toorak dinner that was on the paper today. Was that a fundraiser for Labor?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I have dinner with people. Although it was reported as a lunch, my recollection is it was a dinner. It was nowhere near as long as it’s been reported either, I’ve got to say. But I engage with people. And I’m having a dinner tonight too, and I’ll have lunch at some stage today. That’s what you do. And I had breakfast this morning as well.
JOURNALIST: So, Prime Minister, back on the caravan. Just following on from what Simon was saying, so, with the timeline of this Premier Minns was saying he was briefed on the 20th, you had a National Cabinet meeting on the 21st to discuss matters to do with antisemitism. So, was this something that was raised at the National Cabinet meeting? And if it wasn’t, isn’t it something that should have been raised, given that all the First Ministers were dealing with their own problems?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I’ve been asked this before. And I repeat, I don’t intend to go through operational matters, nor do we go through the detail of what’s discussed at Cabinet meetings or National Cabinet meetings or National Security Committee meetings.
JOURNALIST: The Opposition Leader says it’s entirely predictable that the nation has seen this escalation in antisemitic incidents. What’s your response to that?
PRIME MINISTER: This is a time for unity and for the country to come together against these atrocities and these appalling acts. Not a time to look for political partisanship or to make political points. I don’t intend to do so. I intend to do my job, which is to work with the police and national security agencies. I must say they do an extraordinary job. We want people hunted down and put in the clink. That is what we want. And there have been a range of arrests made. Some of those have been made public, were made public on the 21st. I take the advice of the police and national security agencies for when those matters become public so that we ensure that ongoing investigations are not undermined. There is a common sense approach to this and I note that the New South Wales Police Commissioner has made comments on that this morning as well.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, do you have any update on the status of Oscar Jenkins?
PRIME MINISTER: We continue to request the Russian authorities to provide more information. They have provided information at this point, but we don’t take anything we hear off the Putin regime at face value. So, we want to – we have made it very clear that we think Mr. Jenkins should be released. We don’t think that he should have to suffer from ongoing incarceration and will continue to make representations, but we’ll also continue to work as we will with Ukraine as well, on ascertaining further information.
JOURNALIST: Are there any certain under which you’d consider a prisoner swap for Oscar Jenkins?
PRIME MINISTER: No, well, Australia doesn’t have prisoners in those circumstances –
JOURNALIST: There aren’t a couple of suspected Russian spies in Brisbane?
PRIME MINISTER: What we want is for Mr Jenkins to be able to return home.
JOURNALIST: Do you have any message for the Jenkins family?
PRIME MINISTER: My heart goes out to you. This is a really difficult time for you. And the fact that some information has been made available, will be a difficult time. And we stand with you and we continue to offer every assistance that we can to these families.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, do you intend to fund both Melbourne Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop and the Airport Rail Link?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, there’s no link between the two things. We have funding available here for Victorian infrastructure. Suburban Rail Loop is an important project for a growing city. And I’ve been in consultation with the Premier. Minister King is looking after infrastructure. But one of the things about our cities and people will see this when Melbourne Metro opened. When I was the Infrastructure Minister some time ago, there was $3 billion from the Commonwealth for Melbourne metro. It was cut by Tony Abbott. For Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, both – all suffered, all three Eastern capitals suffered from a clogging in the centre. Now, the keys to that have been in Sydney, the metro, in Brisbane, the Cross River Rail project and in Melbourne, Melbourne metro. But the next stage is how do you get around this growing city that will be Australia’s largest without having to go into the city and out again? That’s what Suburban Rail Loop is about.
JOURNALIST: So the $2.2 billion will be given to Victoria before the Federal election? I mean, it was committed at the last election. Will it be handed over to Victoria before?
PRIME MINISTER: It’s in our Budget and we are working through those issues for early works. Because one of the things about Suburban Rail Loop that I know, as well, is it’s not just about a rail line. It’s about housing and it’s about infrastructure more broadly as well, and about making this great city of Melbourne more liveable, more sustainable and more productive.
JOURNALIST: Could an airport rail be built sooner?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, airport rail – I’m not the infrastructure Minister for Victoria.
JOURNALIST: But you’re in charge of the money. Is it a priority or is SRL, for you?
PRIME MINISTER: No, it’s not a matter of either or. That’s like saying, is Boronia Heights Public School a priority or is the school down the road a priority? We regard – they’re two very different projects. All of Victorian infrastructure is a priority. I’ll give you the big tip on the difference between us and the former Government. The former Government reduced Victorian infrastructure funding to about eight per cent of the national funding. Under my Government, that won’t happen. Under my Government, Victoria will always get its fair share.
JOURNALIST: Just on the railway link. Is there currently an additional $2 billion on offer for the Commonwealth to build the airport rail link?
PRIME MINISTER: I’m not sure what you’re referring to.
JOURNALIST: Well, previously there’s been $5 billion. (Inaudible). This is a lot of money, and it’s important.
PRIME MINISTER: Negotiations are taking place.
JOURNALIST: Is there $2 billion on the table, in addition to the $5 billion from both the Commonwealth and the state that’s been previously committed to?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I suggest you ask Minister King. Those discussions take place between, with due respect, as Prime Minister, we run a big Budget across a whole lot of portfolios. I’m here today announcing significant funding for public schools. The Infrastructure Minister deals with state and territory jurisdictions on specifics of the infrastructure program.
JOURNALIST: Do you think it’s possible to have Suburban Rail Loop work happening in one side of the city and then Melbourne Airport happening at the same time, or would they have to be separate?
PRIME MINISTER: There’s lots of projects happen across lots of cities. You know, I’m a Canberran these days. There’s a light rail project under construction and there’s roads under construction around Canberra, let alone in a city the size of Melbourne. You need to deal with the growth in the West of this great city and the growth in the East of this great city, and indeed the growth in the North. I note you haven’t mentioned there’s a pretty significant road project here in the North East that has how much Commonwealth funding? That has $5 billion. And I’ve been to that project that’s under construction right now. We will do a range of projects here in Victoria. And can I say this as well, not just in Melbourne, but in regional Victoria as well.
JOURNALIST: It is a point of quite some contention in Victoria whether we can afford to do both. Are you saying we can afford to do both? Will you tell taxpayers if you’ll prioritise one over the other?
PRIME MINISTER: I’m saying that Victoria will get its fair share of infrastructure funding from my Government, unlike what the former Government did. That, for reasons unbeknown really, ripped that $3 billion out of Melbourne Metro, ripped money out of Victorian road projects and never put anything back.
JOURNALIST: Can we return to the caravan and particularly the broader issues of antisemitism? I’m not drawing a direct link here, but there was an interesting speech Richard Marles made at the Sydney Institute the other night, two nights ago. And he said, ‘questioning the right of Israel to exist strikes at the heart of global Jewry. It is antisemitic’. He said, ‘denying Israel’s right to defend itself is an attempt to delegitimise Israel’s existence and has dangerous real world consequences, including here in Australia’. And the reason I ask is I think it talks about the thing that’s been the heart of the pro-Palestinian protest in many forms has been this delegitimisation of Israel. Do you agree that we are seeing the real world consequences of that and somehow this has got to stop because it’s gotten out of control?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, of course I agree that antisemitism has to stop, full stop. People need to be put, people need to be hunted down as is occurring. People are being arrested, they’re being charged, and they’re in the clink without release, without bail. That is occurring. If you go back to the resolution that was passed with the support of both major parties in the Parliament after the October 7 terrorist atrocities – that spoke about Israel’s right to defend itself, I spoke about that on the Sunday as well. I support what has been Australia’s long standing bipartisan position. The UN decision in 1947 for 1948 wasn’t for the creation of one state, it was for the creation of two – the state of Israel and the state of Palestine. I support a two state solution where both Israelis and Palestinians are able to live in peace and security. Now to do that, in order to achieve that, clearly there needs to be as well some reform on the Palestinian side. Hamas can play no role in any future state. I go back to that resolution which I looked at it the other day. Quite frankly, history treats it well. The fact that the Parliament came together at that time and overwhelmingly, with the exception of the Greens who can speak for themselves, they overwhelmingly, the Parliament passed that resolution. That was a good thing. Thanks very much.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, the Labor Party was right there. I mean you make the point, I mean Doc Evatt was right there. Formation of Israel played a crucial path to his role in the UN. The question I had for you, and I was hoping you could answer it, is whether or not this continuing question of Israel’s existence is fuelling antisemitism?
PRIME MINISTER: We support the right of Israel to exist.
JOURNALIST: But the question about whether you agree that it’s fuelling antisemitism?
PRIME MINISTER: That what is? Sorry, you’re not being clear about your question.
JOURNALIST: The continual questioning of Israel’s right to existence. Whether that fuels antisemitism?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I can speak for myself. I think that one of the issues that I certainly always say very clearly is that it is in the interests of Israelis, obviously, that Israel has a right to exist with security. It’s also in the interest of Palestinians that Israel has a right to exist with security as well. You need a solution that stops a cycle of violence. The solution that is being negotiated out, if you actually take a bit of a step back, look at what a solution looks like. And it looks like, as has been advocated by the United States and others such as Antony Blinken, is the creation of is Israel firstly being recognised by countries such as Saudi Arabia and others in the region. It is then Palestine being able to step forward with a path towards security for Palestinians as well. Obviously, the international community has a role to play in that. Thanks very much.
Source: Auckland Council
The opportunities to join in on a splash of fun in Tāmaki Makaurau abound.
Make the most of summer with Auckland Council’s Pool and Leisure Centres, suitable for all ages and comfort levels.
Whether you’re after an outdoor pool surrounded by nature, a safe and relaxing ‘women only’ space for working out, a dedicated room for martial arts, or an award-winning fitness instructor to keep you motivated – we’ve got you covered.
Plus, you’ll find some great suggestions here on the best spots for water sports around Tāmaki Makaurau – dive right in!
Come check out the only outdoor pool on the North Shore at Birkenhead Pool and Leisure Centre. Pack a picnic for after your swim and enjoy the designated picnic area available onsite. Keen to get the blood pumping with a little something extra? Bring friends and whānau along and have a go at the rock-climbing wall, skate park or pump track for some unique and exciting ways to stay active.
A special place awaits at Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa, which has eight pools on offer and much more! This multi-facility consists of a fitness centre, stadium, pool complex (8x), spa and sauna and bookable spaces for members of the community, making it a perfect spot for an outing with friends and whānau to be active, social or to kick back and relax.
Check out this award-winning pool and leisure centre in Stanmore Bay. You can stop by for a swim or to enjoy the splash pad with the little ones; have a workout at the gym, join a fitness class (includes access to the world-renowned LES MILLS classes), a round of badminton or even catch up with a friend at the onsite café. This location also hosts school holiday programmes, school-age and adult sports leagues, specialised programmes for seniors and drop-in sport sessions!
You can make a splash year-round at Papatoetoe Centennial’s heated pools! There are also some fun splash pools for toddlers and little ones, and a 50m outdoor pool for those who enjoy being out in the elements. This location also hosts a special ‘ladies’ nights’ which encourage women to make the most of their workouts in a relaxing environment.
How about a swim workout surrounded by nature? Check out Tōtara Park Pool’s outdoor summer-only pools that sit within the 216 hectares of lush native bush. You’re also welcome to make the most of the surroundings which consist of playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts and picnic areas.
Right in the heart of Auckland, you’ll find the best spot for some fun in the sun at Karanga Plaza Harbour Pool. Enclosed by pontoons, this location keeps swimmers safe and happy with this free facility that includes four 33 metre swimming lanes and a jumping platform. Changing facilities, including toilets and cold-water showers, are also available at the nearby Karanga Plaza.
For one of the most varied recreation programmes in Auckland, check out Howick Leisure Centre. While you won’t find any pools here, you can come for the work-out and stay for the fun and sense of community. There’s plenty on offer at this location, like a dedicated martial arts room, amazing school holiday programmes, basketball, volleyball, badminton and table tennis for all ages.
Plus, easy car parking options, a well-equipped gym with no wait times, and fun group fitness classes from an award-winning exercise instructor who delivers her own curated choreography with unmatched passion and dedication.
Keen for an active splash of fun in the outdoors? Tāmakai Makaurau has so much to offer when it comes to water sports. Try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) or kayaking for your next family outing. Some great paddling spots include Pt Chevalier, Mission Bay, Ōkahu Bay, Castor Bay and Takapuna Beach – just hire the gear and have a go.
For the adrenaline seekers, check out Vector Wero Whitewater Park, NZ’s first facility to offer an artificial river and water course for recreation, sports and training!
Choose from a wide range of adventure activities to suit your style and comfort level, from rafting, kayaking, paddle boarding and fun team-building challenges.
If you’re up for a multi-day paddling adventure, there’s the Te Ara Moana Kayak Trail – a thrilling self-guided five-day sea-kayak tour with a sea route between Ōmana Regional Park and Wharau Regional Park. This epic experience will have you paddling 50km along Auckland’s south-eastern coastline, enjoying the natural wonders and wildlife with overnight stops at some dreamy beachfront campgrounds.
While all Auckland Council Pool and Leisure Centres have staff available to keep you safe, that’s not quite the case when you’re outdoors making the most of nature around Tāmaki Maurau.
Don’t forget to check the Safeswim website for up-to-date information on water quality, wind, waves and tides as well as jellyfish swarms and other hazards. Safeswim is a fantastic tool to help keep you and your whānau safe and ensuring a great time outdoors for all.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force have arrested a 51-year-old man in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred in Papunya yesterday.
Shortly after 12am on 30 January, police received reports that the 51-year-old man was driving a vehicle dangerously within the community. The offender has allegedly intentionally struck a 26-year-old male relative before exiting the vehicle and making threats with a machete.
The 26-year-old victim was taken to the local clinic with a suspected fractured pelvis and spine.
The 51-year-old was arrested and currently remains in custody with charges expected to laid.
Investigations are ongoing and police urge anyone with information to call police on 131 444 and quote reference P25029611 . Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Support services for those affected by domestic or family violence are available, including 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) and Lifeline (13 11 14).
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
As the Spring Festival ushers in the Year of the Snake, China is flooded with auspicious representations of the hissing, scaly reptile, from pythons coiling around gold ingots to serpents with chubby faces and fluffy bodies.
Tourists enjoy a handmade lantern show in Longxi County of Dingxi City, northwest China’s Gansu Province, Jan. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Lang Bingbing)
This year’s Spring Festival is the first since being added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage in December 2024. The recognition has sparked excitement, boosting the festive atmosphere long before the holiday officially begins on Jan. 28, the Chinese New Year’s Eve.
Amid the festive cheer, the snake — a symbol that carries intricate cultural significance in both Eastern and Western traditions — is shaking off its negative connotations and taking on a more auspicious and celebratory role.
The snake comes sixth in the 12-animal rotation used by the Chinese to represent the year, following the loong and preceding the horse. Others in the zodiac include rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, sheep/goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
According to the Chinese lunar calendar, this Year of the Snake is a leap year, making it a super-long year with a total of 384 days. This year’s Spring Festival holiday, traditionally lasting seven days, has been extended by an additional day.
TRADITIONAL SYMBOLISM
Snakes, among the oldest creatures on Earth, have held significant cultural roles worldwide, with their symbolism varying widely across regions.
In the Western culture, snakes are often associated with temptation, sin and evil forces, famously symbolized by the serpent in the Bible who lured Eve into eating the forbidden fruit.
It is also associated with medicine and the medical profession, appearing on emblems of institutions including the World Health Organization. This imagery traces back to Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of healing, whose worship involved the use of snakes.
A bronze snake is pictured at Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan City, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Jan. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
In early Chinese mythologies, snakes are depicted as divine beings and worshiped as totems. Fuxi and Nuwa, mythological figures said to be the progenitors of the Chinese people, are often depicted as half-human, half-snake.
Some historians also believe the national emblem of China — loong, or Chinese dragon — is based on images of snakes, which explains why people in many places still call snakes “lesser dragons.”
In Chinese literary tradition, the snake symbolizes renewal, longevity and health, with the shedding of its skin seen as a powerful symbol of rebirth and rejuvenation.
However, this does not mean snakes are universally viewed as auspicious in modern China. The Chinese language, for example, features many derogatory idioms related to the cold-blooded creature: “a tiger’s head and snake’s tail” describes something that starts well but ends poorly, while villains are said to “have the heart and soul of a snake and scorpion.”
Its image in Chinese pop culture is also mixed. On one hand, a household snake appears as a vicious yaoguai in the 1986-1987 animation “Calabash Brothers.” On the other hand, the kindhearted “White Lady,” a snake who transforms into a woman and marries a doctor, presents a more positive portrayal. In Chinese folklore and various adaptations, the snake lady and her human husband save many lives during a deadly plague, only to be separated by a Buddhist monk.
MODERN SIGNIFICANCE
Historically, parts of snakes, such as their skin and gall, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat ailments and promote longevity.
While snake hunting has diminished significantly due to stricter laws protecting wildlife, snake farming for medical purposes continues in some parts of China.
In 2022, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region established a medicinal snake professional committee to regulate the industry. Today, around 200 snake farms are spread throughout the region.
In the folk traditions of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups, medicinal snakes are believed to have therapeutic properties, such as strengthening bones, easing rheumatism, promoting circulation, and alleviating skin disorders.
The Spring Festival is expected to inspire the country’s designers, folk artists and cultural heritage inheritors to incorporate snake motifs into their creations.
Luo Huaqing, an inheritor of the paper-cutting tradition of the Mulam ethnic group, has been busy working on hundreds of snake-themed orders. Hailing from Luocheng Mulam Autonomous County in Guangxi, the Mulam paper-cutting craft is known for its simplicity, rustic beauty and ethnic uniqueness.
However, the snake is not a traditional motif in Mulam paper-cutting. “Unlike dragons, phoenixes, pomegranates, or fish, snakes are generally not associated with auspicious meanings,” Luo said.
To cater to modern tastes and customer demands, Luo has introduced innovative elements into her designs. She incorporates snake scales with patterns resembling gold coins and the Chinese character “Fu,” which symbolizes good fortune and happiness.
“By integrating symbols of prosperity and good luck, these innovative snake-themed paper-cutting designs have gained significant popularity in the market during the New Year,” Luo added.
Source: New Zealand Labour Party
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders.
“Shane Jones’ announcement is shortsighted, environmentally reckless, and a giveaway to private mining interests,” Labour’s energy spokesperson Megan Woods said.
“We are not against mining as long as it is done in an environmentally sustainable way. Under the Labour government, we were also doing work on critical minerals that would help us decarbonise and move away from fossil fuels like coal in a way that ensures jobs in the long term.
“However, the government’s plans, combined with the Fast Track law, lead to greater environmental risks with no public scrutiny.
“This Government wants New Zealanders to believe mining is essential for the energy transition, but what they won’t tell you is that gold mining has nothing to do with renewable energy and fossil fuels are the most expensive energy source that we have.
“Shane Jones talks about economic benefits, but what he is really talking about is private profits being shipped offshore while Kiwis are left with the environmental damage.
“Kiwis deserve an energy strategy that moves us forward, one that invests in wind, solar, and storage, creates sustainable jobs, and puts people before corporate profits. Instead, Shane Jones is pushing a plan that prioritises mining private profits over climate action, regional prosperity, and long-term energy security,” Megan Woods said.
“His proposal to mine the iron sands off the Coast of Taranaki drove away offshore wind investment, proving once again that this Government is holding New Zealand back while other countries move forward with clean energy solutions,” Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said.
“Climate and environmental protections are critical to our future, and this Government’s shortsighted and destructive approach will harm New Zealand’s economy long after Shane Jones is gone from Parliament.”
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing today to consider the nomination of Dan Driscoll to be the 26th Secretary of the Army. Driscoll, who was nominated by President Donald Trump in December, is a businessman, Army veteran, and Yale Law School graduate.
In this position, Driscoll would have the primary responsibility of overseeing all aspects of the U.S. Army. Among other duties, he would be tasked with recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping, training, mobilizing and demobilizing personnel, maintaining military equipment, the construction of buildings and utilities, and the acquisition of real property necessary to carry out responsibilities. The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) also reports to the Secretary of the Army.
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U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who also serves as chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, asked Driscoll about bipartisan language he authored in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022 requiring the USACE to establish a Western Water Cooperative Committee (WWCC). The WWCC provides North Dakota and other Western states with a platform to bring problems directly to the USACE and help ensure USACE policies align with state water rights and water laws.
While the legislation was signed into law December 2022, and fully funded a year later, the WWCC has not been established yet. After sending a letter to the Army Corps with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) last October, Cramer said some clarity on the process DOD and the Army are working through has been given.
Yesterday, Cramer was told the WWCC’s charter currently sits before the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Advisory Committee Management Office and will be approved within 30 days, at which point it moves back to the Army for action.
“It’s a law! It’s been approved by the only people that matter, the people in Congress and the President of the United States,” said Cramer. “So, 30 days to approve something that they’re required to do by law seems a little outrageous to me, but I’m going to be generous today. After the ‘30 days,’ which we’ll see, I’ll believe it when I see it, it goes back to the Army for action. […] That doesn’t give me a lot of solace. […] It’s a law, and has been a law for over two years.”
Cramer asked Driscoll if he would commit to getting the charter approved by DOD’s Advisory Committee Management Office at least within 30 days, if not earlier.
“Unequivocally, Senator,” said Driscoll. “I intend to work with this committee and follow the law, and so I would absolutely commit to looking into that.”
As chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee and co-chair of the Defense Modernization Caucus, Cramer emphasized the importance of acquisition reform. He said, “it’s time to get disruptors in place, and Dan is one of those.”
Cramer stressed the importance of “going faster” when it comes to DOD weapons development and procurement. As Secretary of the Army, Driscoll would lead the Army as the service is pursuing sweeping modernization initiatives across the force.
“We just have to go faster, and the Army does it quite well, by the way,” said Cramer. “If people go faster and innovate more and encourage innovation, particularly from smaller companies, I promise not to be the person that sits up here and says, ‘I gotcha’ when something bad happens. I promise you, I’ll be your worst nightmare if you fail to go fast because you’re worried about your backside and some DOD lawyer or leader that doesn’t have the guts to do what needs to be done to keep up with the pace of China.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chrystal Zhang, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering & Aviation, RMIT University
On Wednesday night US time, a passenger jet and US Army helicopter collided at a low altitude near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and crashed into the the Potomac River.
A total of 60 passengers – including US and Russian champion figure skaters – and four crew were on board the American Airlines flight AA5342 from Wichita, Kansas. Three military personnel were in the chopper, which was conducting a routine training flight. Authorities say no one on board either aircraft survived.
This crash comes just over a month after a passenger jet crashed in South Korea – possibly as a result of a bird strike – killing all but two of the 181 people on board. The two incidents have focused attention on aviation safety around the world.
In the case of the most recent tragedy in the US, technology exists that is designed to help pilots avoid midair collisions with other aircraft. It is known as the Traffic Collision Avoidance System – or TCAS.
So how does it work? And why might it have failed to prevent disaster in this case?
A TCAS is an aircraft safety system that monitors the airspace around a plane for other aircraft equipped with transponders. These are devices that listen for and respond to incoming electronic signals.
The system – also sometimes referred to as an ACAS (Airborne Collision Avoidance System) – operates independently of an external air traffic control system. Its purpose is to alert pilots immediately to nearby aircraft and potential midair collisions.
Since the technology was developed in 1974, it has undergone a number of advances.
The first generation technology, known as TCAS I, monitors what’s around an aircraft. It provides information on the bearing and altitude of any nearby aircraft. If there is a risk of collision, it generates what’s known as a “Traffic Advisory” – or TA. When a TA is issued, the pilot is notified of the threat, but must themselves determine the best evasive action to take.
The second generation technology, known as TCAS II, goes a step further: it provides a pilot with specific instructions on how to avoid a collision with a nearby aircraft or conflict with traffic, either by descending, climbing, turning or adjusting their speed.
These newer systems are also able to communicate with each other. This ensures the advice given to each aircraft is coordinated.
Any aircraft used for commercial purposes must be equipped with a TCAS in accordance with international regulations under what’s known as the Chicago Convention. There are specific provisions under the convention for noncommercial aircraft.
Military helicopters are not subject to the provisions of the Chicago Convention (although they are subject to domestic laws and regulations). And there are reports the military helicopter did not have a TCAS system on board.
Regardless of whether the military helicopter involved in the crash was fitted with a TCAS, the technology still has limitations. In particular, it is inhibited at altitudes below roughly 300 metres.
The last recorded altitude of American Airlines flight AA5342 was roughly 90 metres. The last recorded altitude of the US military helicopter that collided with the plane was roughly 60 metres.
It is not an accident that a TCAS is inhibited at low altitudes. In fact, this is part of the design of the technology.
This is primarily because the system relies on radio altimeter data, which measures altitude and becomes less accurate near the ground. This could potentially result in unreliable collision-avoidance instructions.
Another issue is that an aircraft at such a low altitude cannot descend any further to avoid a collision.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States. Commercial, military and private aircraft share very limited airspace and corridors.
It has been the site of several near misses in recent years.
For example, in April 2024, a commercial plane pilot coming into land had to take evasive action to avoid a helicopter that was roughly 100 metres beneath it. In an incident report, the pilot said:
We never received a warning of the traffic from (air traffic control) so we were unaware it was there.
Many people, including Democratic US senator Tim Kaine, pointed to this near miss as evidence of why a plan to allow more flights into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport should not proceed. Despite this, the plan was approved the following month.
All of this will undoubtedly be examined as part of the investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board into this disaster.
Chrystal Zhang does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Planes have high-tech systems to stop midair crashes. So what went wrong in Washington? – https://theconversation.com/planes-have-high-tech-systems-to-stop-midair-crashes-so-what-went-wrong-in-washington-248744
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)
Thursday, January 30, 2025
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) today secured the commitment of Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to end the Biden-era FBI attacks on Christians and parents and seek accountability for those responsible.
During his Senate Judiciary confirmation hearing, Patel assured Senator Hawley that he would, “[F]ully utilize, if confirmed, the investigative powers of the FBI to give you the information you require and also to hold those accountable who violated the sacred trust placed upon the FBI.”
[embedded content]
Watch the full exchange here, or click on the image above.
Senator Hawley highlighted the FBI’s political persecutions of pro-life Christians exercising their faith, parents speaking out at school-board meetings, and Americans posting about politics on social media.
“Do you think it’s appropriate for the FBI to single out and target people of faith in order to discourage the exercise of their First Amendment rights?” Senator Hawley asked Patel.
The Senator continued, asking “Do you think it’s appropriate for the FBI to try to pressure the largest technology corporations in the world . . . to censor the political speech of everyday American citizens to try and violate the First Amendment?”
Patel unequivocally condemned the Biden Administration’s miscarriage of justice and vowed to deliver Americans the “new brand of justice” they deserve.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Today in a hearing with Department of Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) secured commitments on four crucial social issues: so-called “gender affirming care,” fetal tissue research, Title X funding for abortions, and the chemical abortion drug mifepristone.
Senator Hawley asked Kennedy if he would rescind the Biden Administration’s mandate that every doctor in America who receives federal funding–including pediatricians–must prescribe puberty blockers and perform gender “transition” surgeries on children, regardless of their conscience.
“This rule purported to preempt all state law,” Senator Hawley said. “So in states like mine and many others, where the voters have said we don’t want gender transition procedures performed on minors, the Biden Administration attempted to use federal money and force pediatricians to do it anyway. So I’m glad to hear you say you’ll rescind that rule.”
The Senator also received assurances from Kennedy that he would reinstate a Trump policy ensuring that “no federal tax dollars” would be used to fund National Institutes of Health (NIH) research using human fetal tissue from elective abortions.
[embedded content]
Watch the full exchange here, or click on the video above.
Finally, Senator Hawley secured Kennedy’s commitment to reestablish a Trump rule that blocked Title X taxpayer dollars from flowing to entities like Planned Parenthood that perform abortions or refer people to abortions. Kennedy also promised to implement President Trump’s policies on protecting unborn life, including mifepristone, a chemical abortion drug the Biden Administration required to be mailed upon request to women in every state, including those with laws protecting life.
Senator Hawley has been a staunch supporter of protecting minors from gender mutilation and defending the unborn. This week, he introduced the Jamie Reed Protecting Our Kids from Child Abuse Act to allow those harmed by gender-transition procedures as minors to bring lawsuits against the participating individuals and entities.
Earlier this month, he also introduced the End Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Providers Act, which would defund Planned Parenthood and abortion providers across the nation, as well as the Defense of Conscience in Healthcare Act which would safeguard the conscience rights of healthcare providers.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today met with the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, to discuss their shared goal of restoring peace through strength and rebuilding the military.
“It was an honor to visit with President Trump at the White House today. The president has a mandate for reform and a vision for American prosperity. This is the moment for the president and Congress to enact the ‘peace through strength’ policies that America needs,” Chairman Wicker said. “Alongside Secretary of Defense Hegseth, I will keep my commitment to build the Iron Dome for America, construct a next-generation naval fleet to command the seas, restore our nation’s arsenal of munitions, and empower our country’s best entrepreneurs to dominate the technology race with China. That starts with a strong reconciliation process. Since we also cannot have national security without border security, I strongly support the president’s mission to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity against the cartels and other foreign elements. We are already at work so that we can realize a Golden Age for America.”
Chairman Wicker and President Trump discussed:
Supercharging the ‘peace through strength’ agenda through defense investment in upcoming budget reconciliation legislation.
Revitalizing our Navy and merchant fleet.
Fielding a national missile defense system and new space-based capabilities.
Rebuilding our defense industrial base and deterring China.
Increasing innovation and technology dominance in American national defense.
Ensuring air and ground dominance for the next generation.
Passing a funding bill for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2025 and a budget resolution for the next fiscal year.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led his committee colleagues in a hearing examining the nomination of Mr. Daniel P. Driscoll, President Trump’s nominee to serve as the next Secretary of the Army.
In his opening remarks, Chairman Wicker recounted the many challenges facing the United States Army in its effort to modernize and develop new ways of deterring our adversaries.
The Army, Chairman Wicker noted, is failing to realize the full potential of recruitment opportunities. He also noted the Army’s need to refocus on transforming its material readiness to ensure it can properly support conflict in Europe or the Western Pacific. Specifically, Chairman Wicker called for Mr. Driscoll to improve army initiatives on small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS).
“I believe Mr. Driscoll’s record, his Army service, his legal background, and financial experience have prepared him to handle the myriad responsibilities of Army Secretary. If he’s confirmed, Mr. Driscoll will face the challenges I’ve already outlined. He will be handed a budget that has not kept pace with inflation. He’ll also take the helm at a time of increasing danger around the world,” Chairman Wicker said. “…[The Army] must choose to remain relevant in today’s complex threat environment, the Army should accelerate its transformation efforts and focus on new portions of the defense industrial base. It should expand its work on small unmanned aerial systems, or UAS, and counter-UAS.”
Chairman Wicker previously met with Driscoll, commenting that the nominee that “would bring relevant combat experience, a decorated military career, and a proven track record at the highest levels of law and business to keep the Army focused on its mission.”
Read the remarks as delivered below or watch them here.
The hearing will come to order. We thank the witnesses for being here, and those in attendance.
Certainly, all of us are concerned and saddened by the tragedy which occurred near Reagan National Airport last night, and I ask that the committee observe a moment of silence before we begin the hearing.
Thank you very much.
The Committee on Armed Services has convened this hearing to consider the pending nomination of Mr. Dan Driscoll to be the 26th Secretary of the Army. In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Mr. Driscoll served our country in Iraq, spending four years with the Army. So, we thank him, and the entire Driscoll family: his wife Dr. Cassie Driscoll, and their two children, Daniel and Lila, who could not be with us today, for their willingness to serve this country again, by accepting this new assignment.
After his military service, Mr. Driscoll received his law degree from Yale and has worked in private equity and venture capital, all the while he’s retained many ties to his former service.
The Army faces a complex array of challenges. Recruitment and retention improved last year, but the Army still has more than 10,000 fewer recruits than it did in 2023. Since the beginning of the Biden administration, the service is down 36,000 soldiers. On top of that, the Army is not taking full advantage of opportunities to nurture interest in military service. Almost 300 high schools sit on a waiting list to get their own Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit. These units mean more than potential individual recruits. They represent communities where the Department of Defense can put down roots, developing the Army of leaders for tomorrow, as well as excellent citizens for our entire society.
As the service catches up on recruitment, it must also ensure that those who do enlist are equipped for the mission. The nature of large-scale combat operations is changing. The world sees this every week in Ukraine. To be ready for potential combat in the Western Pacific, the Army must expedite modernization efforts.
On top of recruitment and modernization projects, the next Secretary of the Army must address the service member quality of life issues that afflict this, the largest service. In the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, the Army increased funding for barracks maintenance problems, but the effects of decades of neglect cannot be fixed overnight. The Army has a facility backlog of more than $100 billion. I offered an amendment which passed the most recent NDAA requiring all of the service to adopt minimum annual facility sustainment levels. My colleagues and I need to see evidence that this change has been embraced within the service.
I believe Mr. Driscoll’s record, his Army service, his legal background, and financial experience have prepared him to handle the myriad responsibilities of Army Secretary. If he’s confirmed, Mr. Driscoll will face the challenges I’ve already outlined.
He will be handed a budget that has not kept pace with inflation. He’ll also take the helm at a time of increasing danger around the world.
The Army is playing a largely quiet but crucial role in the Western Pacific. It is deepening partnerships with our allies and partners in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, the service is helping us maintain deterrence against the Chinese Communist Party, and it ensures that our South Korean allies are postured to prevent North Korean aggression.
Soldiers from across the United States remain stationed in Europe. Their presence helps deter Russia and helps assure our NATO allies.
In the Middle East, the Army continues to play a lead role in combating Iranian aggression.
Clearly, the Army’s work has been instrumental in these theaters. It must choose to remain relevant in today’s complex threat environment, the Army should accelerate its transformation efforts and focus on new portions of the defense industrial base. It should expand its work on small unmanned aerial systems, or UAS, and counter-UAS. And I say that even as I recognize and appreciate the chief of staff the Army’s focus in this area.
In the Western Pacific theater, the Army’s contribution to sensing and shooting remains in its infancy. The service has the chance to realize its key logistics role for the joint force in contested areas, but it can do so with significant investment and focus.
So, I look forward to this hearing on how Mr. Driscoll will work to change the culture around the issues I have listed, as well as other pressing matters. And I now recognize my friend, the ranking member of the committee, Senator Jack Reed for any opening remarks he may offer.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Newsweek published the following op-ed penned by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) ahead of her questioning of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., nominee for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, in front of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP):
Newsweek: RFK Jr. Is Bad for Our Health
When I was 9 years old, I was diagnosed with a serious illness similar to spinal meningitis. The experience not only landed me in the hospital for three months, it also shaped the rest of my life. I was a child with a pre-existing condition, uninsurable for more than a decade after I got better.
I got into politics because of my experience with health care, and it informs how I think about keeping Americans safe and well today. I know what it’s like to be a child in a hospital bed and just how important it is to protect children from life-threatening diseases.
I’m committed to giving President Donald Trump’s nominees a fair shake and continue to carefully evaluate if each nominee will help or hurt my constituents. This, of course, includes the position to lead our nation’s largest public health agency. While I have been proud to support various Republican nominees—I even introduced former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy in front of the Senate Commerce Committee to be secretary of transportation—there are some that clearly will hurt American families.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is one of them. RFK Jr. has been nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), an agency that is responsible for keeping our nation healthy. HHS is charged with overseeing vaccines to stop the spread of diseases like polio and measles, spearheading lifesaving research into cures for cancer and Alzheimer’s, and so much more.
Make no mistake, this agency has helped save the lives of millions from diseases through safe vaccines. It has given hope to millions who now have treatments and cures for cancer and other illnesses. The agency is far from perfect and needs reforms—and I have some good places to start—but the head of the HHS better believe in its core mission to keep people healthy and believe the experts, not conspiracy theories. That’s why I believe Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is simply unfit for this position.
Kennedy is one of the top spreaders of misinformation about vaccines, peddling bogus conspiracy theories that these safe and effective protections for Americans are harmful. He said that “no vaccine is safe and effective.”
Well, I’d bet the tens of millions of people who don’t have polio, measles, mumps, and many other diseases because of vaccines would beg to differ.
He’s questioned the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine that was first developed under President Donald Trump and even tried to stop it from being used just six months after its rollout. This vaccine saved millions of lives and allowed Americans to return to work and school safely.
RFK Jr. helped spread anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, fueling a measles outbreak in Samoa that led to the deaths of 83 people, primarily infants and children. He’s threatened to downsize the National Institutes of Health, which work every day to find lifesaving breakthroughs and treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s, infectious diseases, chronic health conditions, diabetes, and so many other illnesses that have an impact millions of American families.
As a child who spent months in a hospital bed, I know the consequences of not protecting our kids from serious illness. I know the toll it takes on a family, emotionally and financially, to have a loved one hospitalized for a serious disease. I also know what it’s like to have science-backed medicine and good health care. And that all starts at the top of the federal government’s largest health agency, the Department of Health and Human Services. All of us have the responsibility to protect our kids and families, and that includes soundly rejecting a nominee who has spent much of his career spreading misinformation that endangers American lives.
Americans deserve a leading health official who believes in science, not conspiracies. And Americans agree. I urge my colleagues to ask themselves a simple question: will this nominee keep your constituents safe, or harm them? For Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I think the answer is clear.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
WISCONSIN – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined a group of her colleagues in introducing a resolution calling for uninterrupted health warning services for the American people following reports that the Trump Administration has paused critical communications from federal health agencies, including warnings on disease outbreaks and food contamination.
“Wisconsinites need to know if diseases are spreading nearby, if there are food recalls, or about ongoing outbreaks, like the avian bird flu. But, this misguided directive stops that and could put families and businesses in harm’s way,” said Senator Baldwin. “Keeping people informed and healthy all starts with communications and this freeze prevents that and needlessly puts lives at risk.”
The resolution is co-sponsored by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD.), Peter Welch (D-VT) Ed Markey (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Tina Smith (D-MN).
The full text of the resolution is available here and below.
Expressing the sense of the Senate that the people of the United States should have continuous access to timely, up-to-date, and accurate health information.
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services provides crucial external communications to protect the health and well-being of the people of the United States;
Whereas urgent communications provided by the Department of Health and Human Services help health care providers and the public learn about and respond to public health incidents and threats, including outbreaks of infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and the opioid overdose epidemic;
Whereas the United States has published the epidemiological digest, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, every week since 1961;
Whereas foodborne disease outbreak notices published by the Department of Health and Human Services are essential in coordinating and investigating illness, helping to respond to the estimated 48,000,000 people who get sick from foodborne disease each year in the United States; and
Whereas in 2024, public health information reported through the Health Alert Network of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention included information regarding increased risks in the United States of avian influenza, dengue virus, and measles: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the people of the United States should have continuous access to timely, up-to-date, and accurate health information provided through the Department of Health and Human Services.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
January 30, 2025
[embedded content]
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Thursday questioned Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a hearing on his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Murphy challenged Kennedy’s credibility and pressed him on past statements comparing America’s vaccine program to the Holocaust and the Catholic Church’s pedophilia scandal. Murphy argued that Kennedy’s long history of spreading misinformation about vaccines raises serious concerns about his ability to lead HHS, emphasizing the need for a Secretary who prioritizes science and public trust.
A full transcript of Murphy’s exchange with Kennedy can be found below:
MURPHY: “Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Kennedy, thank you for joining us here today. Listen, credibility matters so much when you lead the most important health agency in the world. The Secretary of HHS has got to be trusted that he’s telling the truth, that he cares about science, [and] has no political agenda.
“Mr. Kennedy, I want to go back to some of your testimony yesterday, before the Finance Committee, when you either feigned ignorance about some very clear statements that you have made in the past, or you outright denied saying things about the vaccine program that you have undoubtedly said.
“So with a day’s hindsight, I want to give you another chance to be honest about the things you have said. Senator Warnock asked you yesterday if you had compared America’s vaccine program to the Catholic Church’s pedophilia scandal. You said you never said that. Now I’m not asking you to explain what you said.”
KENNEDY: “I didn’t say I never said that. I did not say that I hadn’t said that, Senator. I said [I didn’t say] the other question he asked me, about the Nazi death camps.”
MURPHY: “That’s fine, you’re doubling down on that. Senator Warnock also asked you if you compared America’s vaccine campaign to the Nazi death camps and the Holocaust. Again, you said yesterday you didn’t say that.”
KENNEDY: “I did not say that.”
MURPHY: “Senator Bennett asked you yesterday if you had made an allegation that AIDS is a different disease in Africa than it is in America. On that one you said you didn’t recall. Having had a day to think about it, do you recall saying that AIDS is a different disease in Africa than it is in the United States?”
KENNEDY: “I looked up that passage in my book and found that indeed the diagnostics for AIDS are very different in Africa and the United States– that the list of symptoms is almost completely different.”
MURPHY: “So let me just– I’ll submit this for the record, but having denied the first two statements, let me just read what you said. You said in 2013, ‘Is it hyperbole to say that the people who run our vaccine program should be in jail? They should be in jail. To me, this is like Nazi death camps. Look at what it does to the families [who participate in the vaccine program]. I can’t tell why somebody would do something like that. I can’t tell you why ordinary Germans participated in the Holocaust. I can’t tell you what was going on in their minds.’
“With respect to the pedophilia scandal, you said: ‘The pedophilia scandal in the Catholic Church is a perfect metaphor for what’s happening in the United States. The vaccine program– it’s the same reason we had a pedophilia scandal in the Catholic Church. It’s because people were able to convince themselves that the institution of the church was more important than these little boys and girls who were being raped.
“I don’t disagree with Senator Mullin. I don’t want a HHS Secretary that’s not going to question science. I think it’s important to question science. But you’re not questioning science– you’ve made up your mind. You have spent your entire career undermining America’s vaccine program. You make these purposeful comparisons to those that are administering the vaccine program to the Nazi executioners, to the people who covered up the Catholic Church’s pedophilia scandal, because you have made a decision that there is a comparison; that there is evil in the vaccine program as there was evil in the pedophilia scandal and the Nazi death camps.
“You aren’t exploring science, you have made up your mind. You have spent your entire career trying to undermine these programs. The reason that these statements–these incredibly aggressive, over-the-top statements–matter to us is because it just isn’t believable that when you become secretary, you are all of a sudden going to be consistent with science. People who have spent their career saying these kinds of things, running the kinds of campaigns that you have run, don’t all of a sudden change their stripes. So Mr. Chairman, I will submit these statements into the record.”
KENNEDY: “Can I respond to that, Senator? My statement about the Catholic Church is almost identical to the findings of the Government Oversight Investigation Committee that investigated the CDC’s vaccine program in 2003. Senator Burr was Chairman of that committee. And he said that the certain individuals in that program had written off a generation of kids because of ‘misplaced institutional loyalty to the CDC’ and because of ‘entanglements with the drug companies.’”
MURPHY: “You equate pedophilia to the administration of vaccines?”
KENNEDY: “It wasn’t pedophilia.”
MURPHY: “You said it was a perfect metaphor.”
KENNEDY: “If you have one in 36 kids who has neurological injuries, and if that is linked, that should be studied.”
MURPHY: “Is it a perfect metaphor?”
KENNEDY: “It’s not a perfect metaphor, but there’s no metaphor that’s perfect. I am pro-vaccine. I am going to support the vaccine program. I want kids to be healthy, and I’m coming in here to get rid of the conflicts of interest within the agency and make sure that we have gold standard, evidence-based science. And if you show me where I’m wrong on this, show me a single statement I’ve made about science that is erroneous.”
MURPHY: “Thank you.”
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
As the clock struck eight on Thursday evening, the sky above Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour erupted in a kaleidoscope of colors, marking the arrival of the Chinese New Year.
Fireworks illuminate the sky over Victoria Harbour in celebration of the Spring Festival in Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)
This year’s 23-minute fireworks display, a dazzling spectacle of 23,888 pyrotechnic bursts featuring nine scenes, drew over 250,000 residents and tourists to the waterfront, united in celebration of the Year of the Snake.
The annual event, co-organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, is a must-see for many Hong Kong residents and tourists.
Addressing the crowd on Thursday night, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee underscored the significance of the fireworks display as a centerpiece of the Chinese New Year festivities in Hong Kong, noting that each year’s performance features new elements, bringing fresh brilliance to the skies above Victoria Harbour. Much like the agile snake symbolizes flexibility and adaptability, this reflects the spirit of innovation and resilience of the people of Hong Kong.
As dusk settled, the promenade at Tsim Sha Tsui buzzed with anticipation. Families, couples, and international visitors staked out prime viewing spots hours in advance, eager to witness the grand spectacle. From Wan Chai to Causeway Bay, the atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter and the chatter of excited spectators.
The show began with the first scene, titled “A Brand New Beginning,” igniting cheers from the crowd. The scene “Blossoming Prosperity” painted golden ingots in the sky, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. The eighth scene, “Double Luck and Goodness,” featured giant panda images against a backdrop of green lighting representing bamboo and decorative silver illumination. Six adorable “panda head” images representing “An An,” “Ke Ke,” “Ying Ying,” and “Le Le,” along with the newborn twins “Elder Sister” and “Little Brother,” illuminated the sky, signifying reunion and happiness.
The fireworks display reached its climax in the final act, “Harvesting Year of the Snake.” The vibrant scene featured wandering star pattern fireworks dancing against the powerful gongs and drums of the background music “Golden Snake Dance,” wishing continued prosperity for the nation and peaceful lives for the people.
For many, this was more than just a show; it was a moment of collective celebration and hope. Seventy-year-old local resident Mrs. Suen shared her thoughts: “This is one of the most crowded displays I’ve ever seen. The influx of tourists has added to the festive spirit, and it fills us all with optimism for the year ahead.”
Among the visitors was Mr. Xu from Zhejiang, who expressed his awe, saying, “Incredible! Emotional!” He had long heard of Hong Kong’s spectacular celebrations and had planned this trip specifically to experience the fireworks. “This is a highlight of our family trip and is definitely worth it,” he said.
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
State Highway 29 continues to be a hive of activity with night works starting on the Kaimai Range from Sunday 9 February for 10 nights.
SH29 Kaimai Range night closure schedule:
“The SH29 scheduled full closures for maintenance are providing huge safety benefits for both our crews and road users,” says Sandra King, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi System Manger, Bay of Plenty.
The Kaimai Range closures are enabling crews to carry out scheduled maintenance more efficiently. By locking in a schedule, regular road users including freight operators, can make plans to minimise disruption to themselves and their customers.
We’re taking advantage of the closure to do other work on SH29, increasing the effectiveness while traffic volumes are reduced across the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty state highway network.
“With so much work taking place it is inevitable road users will come across worksites and traffic management. When you see roadworkers out on the road, travel safely through their site, follow signage and any instructions you receive, and give them a wave to say thanks for their tremendous work,” says Ms King.
And, it’s likely there’s another long weekend in the mix for a lot of people, for those who decide to take Friday 7 February off after Waitangi day. If you do take the break with friends and whānau, don’t let your extra day lose its charm by getting stuck in the car, beat the traffic by using the NZTA Holiday Journey Planner, which shows predicted traffic flow across popular journeys.
“Patience is key when driving public holidays. Keep a safe following distance from vehicles in front so you can stop safely and drive to the conditions. We want to see people enjoying the long weekend and arriving at their destinations safely,” says Ms King.
To plan ahead and see where disruptive works are, people can use the NZTA Journey Planner (journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)) This is kept up to date in real time so you can see all disruptive activity and potential hazards on the state highway network.
Waikato Bay of Plenty works as at 31 January 2025 [PDF, 334 KB]
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Drivers can expect to see more work on State Highway 6 at Dellows Bluff with work to fix a new slip site set to get underway in February.
Resilience work has been ongoing at the area since a major rockfall in July 2022. This has seen rock scaling and rock blasting to remove overhanging rock and debris from the cliff face above the highway. Rock anchors, steel mesh, and protective shipping container barriers have also been installed at the site.
SH6 Dellows Bluff rockfall, July 2022.
Rob Service, System Manager Nelson/Tasman, says bad weather late last year caused a slip less than 200 metres away from the original rockfall site.
“This site also has an ongoing rockfall risk that we need to fix. From 10 February we’ll have crews and heavy machinery on site for around six to eight weeks carrying out remedial work.”
“Contractors will need to excavate and remove roughly 10,000 cubic metres of clay and rocks to establish a more stable face and create a bench above the road to capture any further rock falls,” Mr Service says.
Slip clearing, SH6 Dellows Bluff slip site – October 2024
He says the job is a big one and cannot be completed without affecting traffic on State Highway 6.
“We will have to close the highway’s southbound lane during the project. The space is needed to allow heavy machinery to operate and also to provide a safety buffer zone for traffic.”
“Reducing the road to one lane also means we will have to use stop/go traffic management and there will be times when we will have to stop traffic in both directions for 45-minute periods to ensure material, particularly dangerous overhanging boulders and trees, can be removed safely. Night closures are also likely to be used to help complete tree-felling too,” Mr Service says.
He appreciates the work will create significant delays for traffic.
“The nature of the work and the need to keep the public safe means this is unavoidable. Please bear with us while we get this job done. State Highway 6 is a critical transport link and resilience work like this is all about make the highway safer and more resilient in the future. There will be short-term pain, but it’s all about getting a long-term gain for road users and the local community.”
Steps will be in place to ensure access is available when needed. Allowances are being made to ensure school buses and school traffic can get through the work site, and access will always be available for emergency services. Updates on the project will be shared with the community as it progresses, including updates on any changes to traffic management at the slip site.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) are requesting President Trump provide the lawfully-required substantive rationale behind his recent decision to dismiss Inspectors General (IGs) from 18 offices. The senators are additionally asking President Trump to share the names of each official who will serve in an acting IG capacity, and are urging the President to quickly nominate qualified and nonpartisan individuals to permanently fill the current IG vacancies.
IGs are nonpartisan watchdogs responsible for identifying and rooting out waste, fraud and abuse at federal agencies. IGs serve at the President’s disposal. However, a Grassley-authored amendment signed into law as part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requires the President to provide written, detailed communication informing Congress of the President’s decision to dismiss or transfer an Inspector General at least 30 days before taking action to do so.
“While IGs aren’t immune from committing acts requiring their removal, and they can be removed by the president, the law must be followed. The communication to Congress must contain more than just broad and vague statements; rather, it must include sufficient facts and details to assure Congress and the public that the termination is due to real concerns about the Inspector General’s ability to carry out their mission,” the senators wrote.
“This is a matter of public and congressional accountability and ensuring the public’s confidence in the Inspector General community, a sentiment shared more broadly by other Members of Congress,” the senators continued. “IGs are critical to rooting out waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct within the Executive Branch bureaucracy, which you have publicly made clear you are also intent on doing.”
The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
Dear President Trump:
We write to you today concerning the reported firing of Inspectors General (IGs) from 18 offices.[1] Congress was not provided the legally required 30-day notice and case-specific reasons for removal, as required by law.[2] Accordingly, we request that you provide that information immediately.
On December 23, 2022, the “James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023” was signed into law and included provisions from the Securing Inspector General Independence Act, which was introduced by a bipartisan group of members.[3] Those provisions require that the President “shall” communicate to Congress in writing 30 days before removing or transferring an IG from office the “substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons” for the removal or transfer.[4] The law also prohibits an IG from being placed on non-duty status during the 30-day period preceding the date of removal or transfer unless the continued presence of the Inspector General in the workplace poses a threat as described by requirements in the Administrative Leave Act and the President submits a report to Congress.[5]
While IGs aren’t immune from committing acts requiring their removal, and they can be removed by the president, the law must be followed.[6] The communication to Congress must contain more than just broad and vague statements, rather it must include sufficient facts and details to assure Congress and the public that the termination is due to real concerns about the Inspector General’s ability to carry out their mission.[7]
This is a matter of public and congressional accountability and ensuring the public’s confidence in the Inspector General community, a sentiment shared more broadly by other Members of Congress. IGs are critical to rooting out waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct within the Executive Branch bureaucracy, which you have publicly made clear you are also intent on doing.
Accordingly, we request that you provide Congress with a written communication that contains the “substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons” for each of the IG’s removed. Further, we request the name of each official that will serve in an acting capacity and that you work quickly to nominate qualified and non-partisan individuals to serve in these open positions.
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[1] Yamiche Alcindor, Vaughn Hillyard and Laura Strickler, Trump fires 18 inspectors general overnight in legally murky move, NBC News (Jan. 25, 2025) https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-fires-multiple-inspectors-general-legally-murky-overnight-move-rcna189261.
[2] Id.; see Pub. L. 117-263.
[3] See S. 587, Securing Inspector General Independence Act of 2021, 117th Congress (introduced Mar. 4, 2021) https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/587/text.
[4] Pub. L. 117–263.
[5] Id.; see 5 U.S.C. § 6329b(b)(2)(A)(i)-(iv) (2) Requirements.-An agency may place an employee in leave under paragraph (1) only if the agency has-(A) made a determination with respect to the employee that the continued presence of the employee in the workplace during an investigation of the employee or while the employee is in a notice period, as applicable, may- (i) pose a threat to the employee or others; (ii) result in the destruction of evidence relevant to an investigation; (iii) result in loss of or damage to Government property; or (iv) otherwise jeopardize legitimate Government interests.
[6] Pub. L. 117–263.
[7] Pub. L. 117–263.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, laid out his priorities and expectations for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during a hearing to consider Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to be HHS Secretary. Grassley discussed the importance of lowering prescription drug prices, holding pharmacy benefit managers accountable, bolstering rural health care, answering congressional oversight and more.
In response to Grassley, Kennedy said: “I agree with all those provisions, Senator. My approach to the administration of HHS will be radical transparency. If members of this committee or other members of Congress want information, the doors are open… If Congress asked me for information, you would get it immediately.”
Video and excerpts from Grassley follow.
[embedded content]
VIDEO
Oversight:
“A key responsibility of each member of Congress is oversight. Oversight allows us to hold bureaucrats accountable to the rule of law, and it helps keep faith with taxpayers. I expect HHS to provide timely and complete responses to congressional oversight.”
PBMs:
“I’ve been working to hold Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) accountable in order to lower prescription drug costs. I expect you to work with us to hold PBMs accountable and ask for your support for legislation that’s before Congress.”
Prescription Drug Pricing:
“Senator Durbin and I have been trying to get a bill passed that requires price disclosures on TV ads for prescription drugs. Knowing what something costs before buying it is just common sense. President Trump tried to do this by regulation in his first term and Vice President Vance cosponsored our bill last Congress. I ask you to support my bill, or if you can do it by regulation, do it by regulation.”
Rural Health Care:
The previous administration dragged its feet in opening up slots for the Rural Community Hospital demonstration program. It also ignored concerns from rural pharmacies when implementing changes to Medicare Part D and ignored rural needs when it comes to distributing physician residency slots. I expect you to prioritize rural Americans’ health care needs.”
Agriculture:
“In our meeting earlier this month, we talked at length about agriculture. You prefaced the conversation by saying you will not have jurisdiction over those issues. I expect you to leave agricultural practices regulations to the proper agencies, and for the most part that’s USDA and EPA.”
Dietary Guidelines:
“I’ve sent letters to the Secretaries of Agriculture and HHS requesting they provide information regarding conflicts of interest on the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee to increase transparency. I expect you to provide Congress with confidential financial disclosures from the Advisory Committee before finalizing the Dietary Guidelines, so we know that nobody has a vested interest in it.”
HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement Oversight (ORR):
“Last year, I expanded my investigation into HHS’s Office of Refugee Resettlement. I wrote to two dozen contractors and grantees whose job it is to place unaccompanied children with sponsors. In many cases, children have been placed with improperly vetted sponsors, placing them at risk of trafficking. The Biden administration’s HHS directed these taxpayer-funded contractors and grantees to not respond to my inquiry. This is obstruction by the executive branch.
“I expect you to produce to me the records and data I’ve requested and instruct HHS contractors to fully cooperate as well. I also expect HHS to not retaliate against any whistleblowers, including those who identify ORR’s failures in vetting sponsors of unaccompanied [children].”
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today joined Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) in introducing the Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act. The bipartisan bill would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act.
Grassley will chair a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to examine permanent fentanyl scheduling on Tuesday, February 4.
“Today, roughly 150 Americans will die from fentanyl poisoning. Cartels fuel this crisis by marketing their poison as legitimate prescription pills. They also avoid regulation by chemically altering the drugs to create powerful fentanyl knock-offs,” Grassley said. “Congress closed that loophole by temporarily classifying fentanyl related substances under Schedule 1. The HALT Fentanyl Act would make permanent fentanyl related substances’ Schedule 1 classification and ensure law enforcement has the tools they need to combat these deadly drugs.”
“The Biden administration’s open border was an invitation to drug cartels smuggling Chinese fentanyl into the U.S., fueling the U.S. overdose epidemic,” Cassidy said. “Law enforcement must have the tools necessary to combat this trend. We cannot let this Schedule I classification lapse.”
The HALT Fentanyl Act is cosponsored by Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Maggie Hassan (D-Nev.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Kennedy (R-La.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H).
Background:
Fentanyl is a controlled substance, meaning U.S. statute prohibits its use. Illicit drug manufacturers and traffickers sidestep the law by producing fentanyl-related substances – drugs that are substantially similar to fentanyl, but chemically tweaked ever so slightly – to push potent drugs into the U.S. on a technicality.
To keep pace with rapidly evolving drugs and combat opioid-related deaths, in 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration under the leadership of President Trump temporarily restricted all fentanyl-related substances. Congress has extended President Trump’s temporary scheduling order multiple times since. The HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently extend the 2018 Schedule I classification for fentanyl-related substances, which is set to expire on March 31, 2025.
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