Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police can now name the man who died in a crash on State Highway 6 near Kingston on 19 December.
He was Timothy Peter Herrick, aged 36 of Invercargill.
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)
Dec. 21, 2024
Release Number 20241221-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted precision airstrikes against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by Iran-backed Houthis within Houthi-controlled territory in Sana’a, Yemen, on Dec. 21 Yemen time.
CENTCOM forces conducted the deliberate strikes to disrupt and degrade Houthi operations, such as attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden.
During the operation, CENTCOM forces also shot down multiple Houthi one way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and an anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) over the Red Sea.
The operation involved U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy assets, including F/A-18s.
The strike reflects CENTCOM’s ongoing commitment to protect U.S. and coalition personnel, regional partners, and international shipping.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Since 2002, foster parents Mrs Ip and her husband have opened their hearts and home to nine foster children, including the two currently under their care. Many of these children have special needs, but for Mrs Ip, fostering is more than just a career, it is a calling.
“When children feel that you treasure them, they will treasure you in return. I wish them all a happy ever after, and I will take care of them. I will not leave them.”
Mrs Ip cherishes every memory of her foster children, carefully keeping thank you cards and student handbooks as mementos of their time together. Reflecting on her journey, she shared: “Most of the foster children were raised by me since they were just babies. It is hard to let them go. Watching them improve brings me great joy. Helping them become healthier and learn is truly fulfilling. This is a vocation.”
Unforgettable moments
Mrs Ip recounted both the joys and challenges of fostering, in particular, a special two-month-old baby girl.
“As soon as I started caring for her, I realised she was experiencing severe asthma at night. Despite multiple consultations with a paediatrician and several hospital visits, her condition did not improve. Eventually, after discussing with a social worker, further examinations revealed the baby had a lung disease.
“It was difficult, but the process taught me so much about perseverance and love,” Mrs Ip said.
She also shared the story of a baby boy she cared for since he was less than a month old. Now 17, the boy has moved into a hostel but still visits frequently.
“He comes back for a ‘staycation’ every week. He loves the room I reserved for him, filled with his favourite cartoons. He always says he will take care of us in the future, which makes us so happy.”
Positive impact
Fostering has not only impacted the lives of the children Mrs Ip has cared for but also her own family. Her husband and two sons have played an important role in supporting her journey.
“My sons treasure the foster children. When they go out, they walk hand in hand, just like elder brothers. I have been able to foster for so long thanks to their support.”
Her youngest son has even chosen a career in special education, a path Mrs Ip believes may have been influenced by their fostering experiences.
Fostering incentive
Foster care services in Hong Kong are provided by 11 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) overseen by the Social Welfare Department’s (SWD) Central Foster Care Unit.
To encourage more people to become foster parents, the SWD nearly doubled the incentive payment for foster families in April. This led to a 35% increase in fostering enquiries from April to November compared to the same period last year. By the end of November, over 1,000 registered foster families were providing care for children in need.
According to Central Foster Care Unit Officer-in-charge Tsung Ka-yee, anyone who is healthy, committed to providing love and time for foster children, and can offer a safe living environment may apply to become a foster parent.
“Any adult, regardless of their sex, marital or employment status, can apply. Applicants must complete a home suitability assessment and pre-service training to ensure they are prepared to provide proper care.”
Foster homes must meet specific safety requirements, such as installing window grilles or safety devices for balconies. They must also provide adequate living space, including separate beds and activity areas for the children.
Tailored support
Foster parents receive a monthly incentive payment based on the type of service they provide, with additional payments for caring for children with special needs or those under the age of six.
To support foster families, the Central Foster Care Unit and 11 Foster Care Agencies offer professional assistance. Social workers conduct regular home visits, interviews, and phone check-ins to monitor the children’s adjustment and provide guidance to foster parents. For children with special educational needs, social workers also offer tailored advice, parenting support and psychological consultation services, ensuring the well-being of both the children and their caregivers.
Source: Minister of Infrastructure
SALLY BOWREY: Power will be given back to Australian travellers with a raft of new rights for cancelled and delayed flights. The initiative is designed to keep airlines honest and hold the industry accountable in some of the biggest travel reforms in a decade.
JAMES TOBIN: For more, we’re joined by Transport Minister, Catherine King. Good morning Catherine. Now, as someone who does quite a lot of travel, normally on the road with weather, catches a lot of flights, I am all ears on this one. What’s it going to mean for passengers?
CATHERINE KING: Well, what it will mean for passengers is that you get what you pay for, so either you’re able to enforce your rights to be able to get a refund or actually get the flight that you’ve actually asked for. And so, we’ve put out a draft charter of rights today. They’re out for consultation until the 28th of February. And really it is about enforcing the rights that you’ve booked a flight and that you should get what you actually pay for. So, there’s a range of rights in the draft charter that will ensure that airlines, and airports as well, actually lift their game when it comes to delivering the services that so many of us use to get around the country to work, to actually visit family, get to medical appointments, all of those things. So really, that’s what we’re doing today. It forms part of the ombudsman scheme that we’ve developed as part of the Aviation White Paper work we did this year. That scheme will be legislated next year, and the Charter of Rights really does spell out what you should be entitled to. It’s backed up by the Australian Consumer Law, what you’re entitled to if your flight doesn’t go ahead. So, if your flight is delayed by three hours or more at the fault of the airline, you should expect to be able to at no cost to yourself, get your flight rebooked either with that airline or another airline. If, because of time sensitivity, you can’t take another flight, they should be giving you a refund for that. Or if you’re stuck in not in your port where you live, you should be able to get accommodation and meals and again at no cost to yourself.
SALLY BOWREY: And I think anyone, when you pay for something, you expect to actually get the product. And we do, have some pretty dismal stats in terms of, you know, flight delays, 30% of flights are delayed. So, I think the report is showing that it can take also up to almost 100 days for customers when they complain this is way too long. So, it is promising to push airlines to really reduce that. How will the new rules actually hold them to account to make sure that issues are resolved quickly?
CATHERINE KING: Well, the first thing is that the Charter of Rights basically spells out very clearly what travelling public’s rights actually are. And so, we want to make sure that’s got out widely so people are aware of exactly what their rights are to enforce them in the first instance, to try and resolve the dispute with the airline, or if it’s a dispute with the airport, and then it’s backed up by an ombudsman scheme that is legislated. So, in the same way you’ve got a telecommunications ombudsman scheme, people, if they can’t get a remedy, then can go to the ombudsman and basically then have that referred up and they’ll do the work with you to try and make sure that your rights are enforced. It doesn’t preclude you still going to the Australian Human Rights Commissioner if you’ve got an issue in terms of disability access or things like that, but it’s basically underpinned by that. At the moment, if you book a flight, it’s really complicated and it’s often not until you try and get on the phone, try and get your refund that you actually then find out, well, what you booked. You know, they’re saying you can’t have a refund, you can have a flight credit. It’s not something you can use. And so this is really spelling out what the expectations are on the airline and then backed up by the ombudsman.
SALLY BOWREY: Yeah. And I think there is a great deal of room for improvement. Catherine, just before you go, can I just quickly ask obviously in a separate issue in New South Wales, we’ve got trains being delayed and cancelled. It’s causing a lot of stress for people trying to get around at Christmas and also businesses. Is this fair and how do you see this issue being resolved quickly?
CATHERINE KING: Well, I can’t imagine a circumstance where the iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks on Sydney Harbour are coming under pressure. And I think, you know, I’d say really clearly to the union, you know, understand you’ve got a dispute with the New South Wales government, but you need to sort this out because you’re doing yourself quite a bit of damage. This is not a great time of year to be doing this. People are trying to get their last-minute Christmas shopping done. Understand you’ve got a dispute. You need to resolve it quickly, because those fireworks, I mean, you know, everyone watches them. The world.
SALLY BOWREY: Unfortunately, it seems we have just lost the transport minister, Catherine King. They’re just talking about the train strike in New South Wales. Let’s move on now.
Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
SALLY BOWREY: Power will be given back to Australian travellers with a raft of new rights for cancelled and delayed flights. The initiative is designed to keep airlines honest and hold the industry accountable in some of the biggest travel reforms in a decade.
JAMES TOBIN: For more, we’re joined by Transport Minister, Catherine King. Good morning Catherine. Now, as someone who does quite a lot of travel, normally on the road with weather, catches a lot of flights, I am all ears on this one. What’s it going to mean for passengers?
CATHERINE KING: Well, what it will mean for passengers is that you get what you pay for, so either you’re able to enforce your rights to be able to get a refund or actually get the flight that you’ve actually asked for. And so, we’ve put out a draft charter of rights today. They’re out for consultation until the 28th of February. And really it is about enforcing the rights that you’ve booked a flight and that you should get what you actually pay for. So, there’s a range of rights in the draft charter that will ensure that airlines, and airports as well, actually lift their game when it comes to delivering the services that so many of us use to get around the country to work, to actually visit family, get to medical appointments, all of those things. So really, that’s what we’re doing today. It forms part of the ombudsman scheme that we’ve developed as part of the Aviation White Paper work we did this year. That scheme will be legislated next year, and the Charter of Rights really does spell out what you should be entitled to. It’s backed up by the Australian Consumer Law, what you’re entitled to if your flight doesn’t go ahead. So, if your flight is delayed by three hours or more at the fault of the airline, you should expect to be able to at no cost to yourself, get your flight rebooked either with that airline or another airline. If, because of time sensitivity, you can’t take another flight, they should be giving you a refund for that. Or if you’re stuck in not in your port where you live, you should be able to get accommodation and meals and again at no cost to yourself.
SALLY BOWREY: And I think anyone, when you pay for something, you expect to actually get the product. And we do, have some pretty dismal stats in terms of, you know, flight delays, 30% of flights are delayed. So, I think the report is showing that it can take also up to almost 100 days for customers when they complain this is way too long. So, it is promising to push airlines to really reduce that. How will the new rules actually hold them to account to make sure that issues are resolved quickly?
CATHERINE KING: Well, the first thing is that the Charter of Rights basically spells out very clearly what travelling public’s rights actually are. And so, we want to make sure that’s got out widely so people are aware of exactly what their rights are to enforce them in the first instance, to try and resolve the dispute with the airline, or if it’s a dispute with the airport, and then it’s backed up by an ombudsman scheme that is legislated. So, in the same way you’ve got a telecommunications ombudsman scheme, people, if they can’t get a remedy, then can go to the ombudsman and basically then have that referred up and they’ll do the work with you to try and make sure that your rights are enforced. It doesn’t preclude you still going to the Australian Human Rights Commissioner if you’ve got an issue in terms of disability access or things like that, but it’s basically underpinned by that. At the moment, if you book a flight, it’s really complicated and it’s often not until you try and get on the phone, try and get your refund that you actually then find out, well, what you booked. You know, they’re saying you can’t have a refund, you can have a flight credit. It’s not something you can use. And so this is really spelling out what the expectations are on the airline and then backed up by the ombudsman.
SALLY BOWREY: Yeah. And I think there is a great deal of room for improvement. Catherine, just before you go, can I just quickly ask obviously in a separate issue in New South Wales, we’ve got trains being delayed and cancelled. It’s causing a lot of stress for people trying to get around at Christmas and also businesses. Is this fair and how do you see this issue being resolved quickly?
CATHERINE KING: Well, I can’t imagine a circumstance where the iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks on Sydney Harbour are coming under pressure. And I think, you know, I’d say really clearly to the union, you know, understand you’ve got a dispute with the New South Wales government, but you need to sort this out because you’re doing yourself quite a bit of damage. This is not a great time of year to be doing this. People are trying to get their last-minute Christmas shopping done. Understand you’ve got a dispute. You need to resolve it quickly, because those fireworks, I mean, you know, everyone watches them. The world.
SALLY BOWREY: Unfortunately, it seems we have just lost the transport minister, Catherine King. They’re just talking about the train strike in New South Wales. Let’s move on now.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
The Defence Secretary visited British Army soldiers deployed in Estonia this Christmas to thank them for their service
The Defence Secretary visited UK Armed Forces personnel deployed to Estonia to thank them for their vital service at Christmas.
Some 10,000 sailors, marines, soldiers, and aviators will spend Christmas Day deployed overseas, sacrificing celebrations with their families and friends to keep the UK safe.
The work of the UK Armed Forces continues over Christmas on 60 operations in 44 countries this, while hundreds more personnel are working to protect the UK’s skies, shores, and seas at home.
There are 900 British personnel deployed in Estonia, ready to defend NATO’s eastern flank and working alongside French and Estonian forces to deter aggression and uphold stability in eastern Europe.
The visit to Estonia by the Defence Secretary also highlighted the UK’s unwavering dedication to NATO and commitment to defending the alliance.
In a world in which global insecurities are rising, we depend more and more on those who are willing to serve. And those who are willing to serve are supported by the families that stand with them and behind them.
This Christmas, I pay special tribute to those 10,000 military personnel who are deployed overseas, many of them not seeing family and loved ones at this important time.
It was an honour to spend time with some of those troops in Estonia, to serve them Christmas lunch and thank them for their commitment and professionalism. This week they will sacrifice what most of us take for granted, that special time with our families, to ensure that our nation is safe.
Our British deployment in Estonia demonstrates our unshakeable commitment to NATO and the security of Europe, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad. Our presence here is a powerful message to our allies and adversaries: the UK stands ready to defend its allies and uphold our shared values, all year round.
The visit to Estonia provided an opportunity for the Defence Secretary to discuss Project ASGARD, which will help UK Armed Forces in the country utilise new and emerging tech to become more lethal and better able to defeat the enemy.
It will harness developing technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), drones, and advanced sensors to help more quickly discover and process information and strike enemies on the battlefield, with priority work continuing on the programme in 2025.
The UK’s relationship with Estonia is a cornerstone of NATO’s defence. British personnel stationed in Estonia form a vital part of the enhanced Forward Presence, ensuring a permanent presence along the alliance’s eastern flank.
The visit comes as the UK has recently signed a defence roadmap with Estonia. The agreement will see the UK’s 4th Brigade Combat Team held at high readiness from 2025, ready to deploy at short notice to Estonia in times of crisis.
It will also include the first overseas deployment of the UK’s cutting-edge Challenger 3 tanks and Boxer armoured vehicles, reinforcing NATO’s defensive capabilities along its eastern border.
The British deployment at Tapa remains the UK’s largest permanent overseas deployment, and both countries are working together closer than ever, with the UK leading on the new DIAMOND initiative, which will improve NATO’s integrated air and missile defence by ensuring that the different air defence systems across the Alliance operate better and more jointly across Europe.
Thank you to all our Armed Forces personnel for your extraordinary hard work this year.
From delivering the nuclear deterrent and policing NATO skies, to training Ukrainian recruits and protecting merchant shipping in the Red Sea, the Armed Forces have stepped up to deliver all that the nation asks of us.
I am immensely grateful to those deployed away from home over the festive season and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
In the UK, Royal Air Force aviators at RAF Boulmer and NATS Swanwick are ready to scramble Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth to monitor any hostile aircraft which approach UK airspace.
Behind the scenes and out of sight at the MOD’s digital HQ in Corsham, military cyber experts will remain vigilant this festive season, defending the UK against constant cyber threats every minute of every day.
These dedicated professionals ensure the security of vital digital networks, guaranteeing that the systems that connect our people, places, and equipment run smoothly and securely.
Royal Navy ships will also continue their work protecting the UK’s seas and coastline.
Somewhere, deep in the ocean, a Royal Navy nuclear attack submarine continues to provide the nation’s nuclear deterrent in a patrol that has continued 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for 55 years.
And the Household Division of the British Army will continue to guard royal palaces in the nation’s capital throughout the Christmas period.
I wanted to say, above all, thank you. Thank you on behalf of all those back home who will never have the chance to say this to you for themselves. Thank you for your commitment to keeping our country safe.
This is a really important deployment for us. What you’re doing here really matters. It matters for the security of Europe, and it matters to us all back home in Britain.
You are making good on Britain’s unshakable commitment to NATO and to a safe and peaceful Europe. And that’s why we have this Operation CABRIT, the biggest commitment of British troops in another country.
Here on the front line, we must also be on the cutting edge of new technologies and new combat techniques we must learn from Ukraine.
We ask a lot of you all in the Armed Forces, not least the separation from your families and your friends and your loved ones. And at Christmas, that sense of separation can be especially strong.
So thank you for your service. Thank you for your willingness to sacrifice what almost all of the rest of us take for granted. It’s an honour to be with you.
Published 22 December 2024
Source: South Australia Police
Police are at the scene of a serious crash in Copley in the State’s far north.
About 6.30am today (Sunday 22 December), police and emergency services were called to Harris Street after reports of a crash involving a car and pedestrian.
Major Crash officers are attending the scene.
Please avoid the area if possible.
Source: China State Council Information Office
Policemen stand guard at a Christmas market where a car rammed into a crowd in Magdeburg, Germany, Dec. 21, 2024. At least five people were killed and over 200 others injured after a car rammed into a large crowd at a German Christmas market in the central German city of Magdeburg Friday evening, German news agency dpa reported Saturday, citing State Premier Reiner Haseloff. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu)
Approximately 200 people sustained injuries, many of them serious. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise.
A memorial service was held Saturday evening in the German city of Magdeburg to mourn the victims of a tragic attack at a Christmas market on Friday night, where a car rammed into a crowd, killing at least five people and injuring 200 others.
The service took place at the city’s cathedral and was intended primarily for the victims’ relatives, emergency responders, and invited guests, including Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Outside the cathedral, mourners gathered to lay flowers and light candles in remembrance of the victims.
To mark the tragedy, church bells tolled across Magdeburg at 7:04 p.m. (1804 GMT) — the exact time the attack occurred.
This photo taken on Dec. 21, 2024 shows a Christmas market where a car rammed into a crowd in Magdeburg, Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu)
VICTIMS INCLUDE 9-YEAR-OLD CHILD
A nine-year-old child is among the five people killed, confirmed Horst Walter Nopens, head of the local public prosecutor’s office, without disclosing further details about the other four adult victims.
He said approximately 200 people sustained injuries, many of them serious. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise.
According to German media, the attack lasted roughly three minutes. The emergency route used by the perpetrator was not secured with barriers, raising concerns about safety measures.
Condemning the act, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the incident as “a terrible tragedy to harm and kill so many people with such brutality.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks to the press during a memorial ceremony in Magdeburg, Germany, Dec. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu)
DOCTOR FROM SAUDI ARABIA UNDER INVESTIGATION
A 50-year-old doctor originated from Saudi Arabia was arrested at the site and taken into custody for questioning. Police searched his home overnight, and authorities assume he acted alone. He has lived in Germany since 2006 and worked in a nearby town.
Authorities noted earlier that the suspect was not previously known to law enforcement as an Islamist.
His motive remained unclear and police have not yet named the suspect. Nopens said one possible factor could be the suspect’s frustration with Germany’s handling of Saudi refugees.
According to the German news agency dpa, authorities had been alerted about the man approximately a year ago.
Scholz and other top officials, including Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser, arrived in Magdeburg on Saturday. Faeser ordered Saturday morning that all flags at all federal buildings be flown at half-mast nationwide.
This photo shows police vehicles near a Christmas market where a car rammed into a crowd in Magdeburg, Germany, Dec. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu)
Magdeburg, a city of approximately 237,000 residents, is located in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, about 150 km west of Berlin.
The incident echoes a tragic attack on Dec. 19, 2016, when a terrorist drove a truck into a Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 and injuring over 70 others. The perpetrator fled to Italy, where he was eventually shot dead by police.
Source: China State Council Information Office
The death toll from a road accident in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais has risen to 38, with 13 others injured, local authorities reported Saturday.
The accident, involving a bus, a truck, and a car, occurred in the early morning hours in the municipality of Teofilo Otoni. It was triggered when a large block of granite fell from the truck’s cargo onto the road, causing the bus to collide with the truck traveling in the opposite direction. A car following the bus then slammed into it from behind, according to the Federal Highway Police.
The majority of fatalities were caused by a fire that engulfed the bus after the collision, said the police.
According to Teofilo Otoni officials, 13 people sustained injuries, including the three occupants of the car, all of whom are in critical condition.
Source: China State Council Information Office
Tunisian security units have dismantled a drug trafficking network in the northern Ariana province, private radio station Mosaique FM reported on Saturday.
“On Friday, the security units dismantled a drug trafficking network, led by two brothers and operating in the Ettadhamen City,” said the radio.
After a raid on his home, the security units arrested a man, while his brother and other members of the network remain at large.
During the operation, three kilograms of marijuana, 2,100 ecstasy pills, and 150 grams of cocaine were seized.
The Tunisian government has taken a strong stance against drug trafficking. Recent nationwide operations have led to the arrest of hundreds of suspects.
Source: China State Council Information Office
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Saturday underlined the country’s commitment to electromobility as a cornerstone of its industrial policy.
At a year-end international press conference, Orban said Hungary’s industrial policy and future lie in electromobility. “For us, the defining issue of the next decade will be electromobility, and it’s not just about mobility but about electro-specifically,” he added.
Orban said that from Hungary’s perspective, this direction is strategic and will remain unchanged.
Noting that large battery factories will go online, Orban also mentioned the BYD plant in the southern Hungarian city of Szeged, which will become the first Chinese electric car factory in Europe to start operation.
These are “pivotal developments for Hungary’s industrial future,” according to Orban.
On the electric vehicle (EV) dispute between the European Union (EU) and China, Orban said that “it is a consequence of bad European policy, particularly affecting Germany.” Hungary is aligned with Germany on this matter, he noted.
Orban qualified Hungary’s EU Council presidency as “successful,” which tackled major issues such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and European competitiveness.
The Hungarian prime minister also touched on EU-U.S. relations and the potential impact of Donald Trump’s presidency on global trade and Western policies. He urged the EU to adapt to a changing reality, including shifts in migration, family values, and economic policies.
Source: South Australia Police
Police are at the scene of a serious crash at Pewsey Vale.
About 12.30pm today (Sunday 22 December), police and emergency services were called to Springton Road after reports that a car had crashed down an embankment.
Major Crash officers are attending the scene.
Please avoid the area if possible.
Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Australian Government will provide an additional $5 million in practical humanitarian assistance to the people of Vanuatu, following Tuesday’s tragic earthquake.
This support builds on the Australian Government’s initial $2 million package and will assist the next phase of the Vanuatu Government’s emergency response.
It includes $2.5 million for medical care for those injured, and to supply water, sanitation and hygiene products and services.
Assistance will also be directed to NGOs through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) consortium to address the distinct needs of vulnerable community members and to the Australian Red Cross, who in partnership with the Vanuatu Red Cross will deliver services and supplies including shelter, first aid and non-food items.
An Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT), with 16 members will depart tomorrow. They will continue to support local health services to address critical injuries. The team has been drawn from across Australia, and we thank them for their contribution, especially over Christmas.
The 64-member Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which has been assisting with search and rescue efforts, and the six-person AUSMAT team that were deployed on Wednesday will return to Australia tomorrow.
The Royal Australian Air Force will conduct two further flights to Port Vila today. Commercial flights are now resuming.
Australians should be proud of the emergency rescue and medical teams that deployed less than 24 hours after the earthquake. We are grateful to all of those involved in Australia’s response for their work.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is continuing to provide consular assistance where needed to Australians present in the affected region.
Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre (+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas or 1300 555 135 in Australia).
Imagery will be available via Dropbox.
Source: Australian Ministers 1
CATHERINE KING: Today the Albanese Labor government is releasing our draft consumer rights charter for airline travellers. This is part of the work we have done this year as part of the Aviation White Paper and the establishment for the first time ever of an aviation industry ombudsman. We know the travelling public has not been happy with the services that they are getting both from our airlines and from our airports, and we want to improve the circumstances. Customers should get what they pay for or they should get a refund. This Charter of Rights, which is out for consultation now, spells out very clearly what people, the flying public, can expect. If they have flight cancellations, they should expect, at no cost of their own, to either be rebooked on that airline or another airline, or they should get a refund and that refund should be a timely refund within 14 days. We also know that people should – if they are stuck away from their home, away from the where they actually live – that they should also get access to accommodation and food to be able to stay overnight then go onto their travels. This is the first time we’ve had a consumer rights for the air travelling public and it’s part of the reforms that we have of trying to make sure customers actually get what they pay for or get a refund.
JOURNALIST: If this charter is ultimately improved, is there a plan to impose penalties on airlines if they don’t comply with it and how will you ensure that they do comply?
CATHERINE KING: We will be legislating next year the aviation industry ombudsman scheme. We’ve got an interim person in at the moment who’s been developing this Consumer Rights Charter and all of those issues in relation to penalties, in relation to the way in which people can get remedies, will all be detailed as part of that legislation. This is the first part of putting that together, drafting the consumer rights charter to make sure we get that right.
JOURNALIST: And what powers can you say at this stage? What powers will the interim ombudsman have?
CATHERINE KING: Well, similar to the communications industry ombudsman, where they will be able to seek remedies directly from airlines, being able to name and shame in terms of the amount of complaints that they are getting, and to seek remedies. But again, all of that will be in the draft legislation.
JOURNALIST: And I understand that this aviation code is now out for public comment until the end of January?
CATHERINE KING: Until the end of February, so 28th of February, people can access it on my department’s website, infrastructure.gov.au and look for the Aviation Charter of Rights, [indistinct] and you can just send an email to the email but basically says we think it should be this way, or we think it should have a shorter time frame, all of those things. It can just be a line in an email to give us some feedback about it.
JOURNALIST: And so after feedback closes, how long could it realistically take for this charter to be approved and become legislation?
CATHERINE KING: Well, not long. We’re obviously subject to parliament sitting, and they’re sitting in February, and then obviously getting it past, but we hope to do so as quickly as possible.
JOURNALIST: The feedback closes at the end of February, after Parliament sits, so at this stage, is it likely there’ll be another sitting after that before the next election?
CATHERINE KING: What we will be doing is that obviously the legislation will reference the charter and then the actual wording of the charter can be finalised later.
JOURNALIST: So you hope to pass this legislation in the February week of parliament, is that correct?
CATHERINE KING: Well we are certainly hoping to introduce the legislation as soon as possible, but again, we announced this back in November that we were establishing an aviation industry ombudsman scheme. The drafting of that legislation is underway, but it is part of our commitment to improving the experience of the travelling public.
JOURNALIST: Obviously, the changes won’t be in effect this Christmas, this travel season, when do you want the changes to kick in, and if companies do not comply with the changes will there be penalties and what will they be?
CATHERINE KING: Well, people already have rights under Australian Consumer Law. The problem we have is, when you’re booking a flight ticket, very few of us look at the terms and conditions of the contract you’re entering into. But people do already have existing rights really under Australian Consumer Law, part of the problem has been, A). not knowing what those rights are, but also having real difficulty enforcing those rights – trying to get hold of someone in the first place, and waiting for hours on the phone to a call centre, or then in some cases, having almost 100 days in some cases before any remedy is put in place. So, building in a Charter that basically says, this is what your rights are, this is making it very clear what our expectation of the airlines and the airports are, provides that opportunity for remedies.
JOURNALIST: And when do you want that to kick in, and will there be penalties?
CATHERINE KING: It certainly when the legislation passes through the parliament, obviously the timing of that will be a part of the legislation but as I said, people do have rights and they should be upheld, but really what this charter is doing – and what we’re consulting on – is trying to codify those rights and ensure that they are part of the legislation and the ombudsman scheme going forward. But we hope for that to be in place certainly for next year.
JOURNALIST: And the penalties for non-compliant?
CATHERINE KING: Again, that would be part of legislation that we’re drafting at the moment.
JOURNALIST: You mentioned that this is the first time that airlines have been held to account or have such harsh laws in place. Why has it taken so long and I understand the Coalition’s private members bill has been up since March on Pay on Delay, why not support that? And do you think you will have the Coalition’s support in Parliament next year?
CATHERINE KING: Well, who knows what the Coalition is going to do, frankly, you know, you never know they seem to have decided to say no to absolutely everything just to cause political havoc, even when it is in the travelling public’s actual interest to do so. We know that the previous government, they were in power for a decade, they couldn’t have cared less about the aviation industry, couldn’t have cared less about aviation consumers, did nothing for a decade. What we’ve seen in the two and a half years of the Albanese Labor Government is the most significant reforms that they aviation sector and the travelling public have ever seen. That’s what we’ve done in the two and a half years that we’ve been in Government. The opposition can be accountable for their lack of action in the last decade.
JOURNALIST: [indistinct] is it enough to deter the practice?
CATHERINE KING: What we’re seeing in terms of the travelling public is where consumers are more informed about what their rights are, where they have information about what to expect and what their rights are, we know that they can be enforced in a much stronger way. Having an ombudsman for the first time, we’ve had a sort of voluntary system at the moment that’s really not been working for the travelling public. Having an ombudsman who then, you know, if you can’t get anywhere with the airline and yourself, then actually going to the ombudsman and having that capacity to get a remedy through that process really will be a significant change from the Australian travelling public.
JOURNALIST: Airlines make it hard enough to get a voucher or switch flight, how hard do you think they’re going to make it for passengers to get a refund?
CATHERINE KING: Well, certainly this is what we’re trying to rectify, we’re trying to make sure that the traveling public either gets what they pay for or they get a refund. If someone wants to have a credit voucher then that it is an option that they have available but it has to be at, the travelling public, if that’s what you want and you want the voucher, then that’s what you get, but that can’t be the default. So that’s what this Charter of Rights lays out really clearly that if you need a refund and you want and refund, then that is what you should actually get, you shouldn’t get a flight credit that you may or may not be able to use later on, unless you want one.
JOURNALIST: Minster, on Sunrise this morning, this flight delays of three hours or more, what about for delays like say a Volcano in Bali or you know, this considered out of the airlines control will you expect refunds for cancellations or at least a some sort of hotel room or meal provided oin those circumstances?
CATHERINE KING: So, certainly refunds for cancellations is part of the charter of rights and that’s important. If a flight gets cancelled, those refunds are important. If you don’t get what you pay for, then you should get a refund, and that is very much part of the charter. In terms of the delay, really, uh, you know, there are delays that, of course, that are no fault of the airlines themselves. Really what this is about is where the airline is at fault, you know, had crewing issues or maintenance issues, or they’ve really not delivered what they should be delivering. Then, really, the next thing is to say can you rebook? how else can we travel? And if you can’t do any of those things, being able to get a refund for your flight or getting your meals and your accommodation paid if you’re not at your home port.
JOURNALIST: Arguable you’ve got bigger airlines, Virgin and Qantas, [indistinct]… do you think that legislation like this might create a barrier for new airlines entering the market?
CATHERINE KING: No, I think that any new airline entering the market really should take into account what they are supposed to do under Australian Consumer Law. People do have substantial rights under Australian Consumer Law. What this draft charter is doing is codifying that, is putting that down in writing, so that people have a much better understanding of it. And of course, any new entrant it has to comply with that law.
JOURNALIST: So far have you had any feedback from the airlines?
CATHERINE KING: Well, we are just releasing it today. I’m sure they’ll have plenty to say. I’m sure the airports will have plenty to say, but at the end of the day, this is about the travelling public and improving the experience for everybody.
JOURNALIST: How much can you estimate this will cost the airlines annually?
CATHERINE KING: Well, we don’t know, hopefully it costs them nothing because they actually deliver the service that people pay for and that’s what really this is about improving the experience of the travelling public, and if nothing goes wrong, then it’s not you know, their fault, then they won’t have to pay for it. And so that’s what this is really about – improving the experience of the travelling public. And again, as I said, you know, we’ve had this is the single biggest reform, we’ve had to the aviation sector. Our demand management system at Sydney Airport, the slots reforms there, and this ombudsman scheme, really is a significant reform and it should improve the services that people are experiencing going forward.
JOURNALIST: And what lost luggage?
CATHERINE KING: Yeah, well, certainly in terms of luggage that is one of the rights that is part of the charter, and I encourage people to have a look at it and again, [indistinct]. So sometimes you have delayed luggage, your luggage, they can’t find where it is, so you might have some costs that are incurred having to buy some toiletries so that you can actually get through the next day or so. So, getting a refund or getting money back for those, but also making sure that you are fairly refunded or compensated for the luggage if it’s lost for good and that is very much part of the consumer rights charter that we’re putting forward at the moment and again encourage people to have a look at that and give us feedback as to whether that goes far enough.
JOURNALIST: Apologies, I haven’t read the paper…
CATHERINE KING: [laughs] I certainly have read it, yes, I’ve read it extensively.
JOURNALIST: Will there be any scope in here for how loyalty programs are managed?
CATHERINE KING: It doesn’t cover so much loyalty programs. Again, there are significant rights that people have under consumer law in relation to those. That certainly has been an area of some contention as well. Uh, but again, this is a draft, it’s out for consultation and we’re happy to have a look at whether there is broader things that needs to be picked up in the charter, or there needs to be something else that the ombudsperson looks at more broadly as part of those flight incentives as well.
JOURNALIST: I’ve just got a few more questions about two unrelated matters, first of all, have you heard the latest about the ADF flights out of Vanuatu?
CATHERINE KING: Yes, so certainly we’ve already repatriated 568 people out of Vanuatu. There are two more flights today, more RAF flights out of Port Vila today, and commercial flights are restarting as well. So options for people to get home continue. Obviously, it continues to be a difficult circumstance on the ground there, but really that’s what we’ve done, so there are two more flights out of Port Vila today and commercial flights are commencing as well. We’ve already repatriated 568 people. We’ve also announced a further $5 million of humanitarian assistance on top of the two million that’s already been there, but, you know, we’re in there for the long haul. This is a really important, one of our important Pacific neighbours and we want to make sure that we do everything we can to help them recover.
JOURNALIST: And looking a bit closer to home, obviously, there’s a bushfire emergency into Grampians at the moment. Can you say at this stage what Federal support is available to people who are evacuating or who might be spending weeks away from home?
CATHERINE KING: At the moment we’re really in the emergency phase. There’s an emergency warning, obviously for Grampians fire and a watch and act in Pomonal. These are communities that we’re hit very hard in February Pomonal, in particular. We’ll let the emergency services agencies do their work at the moment, in fighting the fires. This is going to be something that is quite difficult, but Minister McAllister will have a bit more to say when we are working with the Victorian state government about what emergency services and relief will be put in place fairly quickly for people. But right at the moment it’s really the emergency situation just trying to make sure we keep people safe. I do want to give a shout out to our emergency services personnel, from our firefighters in the air to those that are on the ground, really doing an amazing job, to our relief services, there’s relief centres at Stawell, at Ararat and I believe one opening up at Kyneton shortly. Just doing an amazing job and I want to thank them and say, please stay safe everyone. Take head of the emergency warnings. It is absolutely critical that you do so. Leave if leaving is your best option and leave if they tell you to leave.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police are still actively searching for 19-year-old Maia Johnston, who is missing from Totara Park, Upper Hutt.
Maia was last seen leaving a family home in Totara Park at around 8.30pm yesterday (Saturday 21 December).
Previously, Police asked for residents in the Totara Park, Upper Hutt area to share any CCTV footage they might have.
We are now expanding this request and are asking for anyone in the vicinity of Harcourt Park and Brown Owl, as well as those in Totara Park, to review their CCTV for any sightings of Maia after 8:15 PM last night.
We believe that Maia was wearing a black cardigan or light top, short shorts, and black and white converse shoes.
Police continue to search this evening.
Residents of Totara Park may see a drone in the air behind the houses on the northern end of Totara Park and should not be alarmed, as this is part of the search.
If you have any information or CCTV footage that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105. Please use the reference number 241222/0237.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: China State Council Information Office
Five people were injured after a fleeing driver crashed into a shopping mall in Killeen in the U.S. state of Texas on Saturday evening, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Responding law enforcement officers shot the driver dead, who was chased by police for nearly 32 km before driving his pickup truck “several hundred yards” through the entrance of the mall and “actively running people over,” Sgt. Bryan Washko of the Texas Department of Public Safety said at a news conference.
The victims are aged from six to 75, Washko said. The suspect has not yet been identified.
A Texas Highway Patrol trooper attempted to stop the driver around 5 p.m. Central Time (2300 GMT) for possibly driving while intoxicated, Washko said.
According to Washko, the driver exited the highway and entered the Killeen Mall parking lot, where he drove through the glass doors of the main entrance of a JCPenney store.
“The suspect drove through the doors and continued to travel through the JCPenney store, striking multiple people,” he said.
“This mall is pretty busy at this time of year,” he said.
An investigation is underway to determine whether the man drove into the mall intentionally or “out of desperation because he was being pursued,” Washko said.
Killeen, a city of nearly 160,000 residents, is about 240 km south of Dallas.
Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Mikhail Mishustin congratulated the President of the A.N. Bakulev National Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Surgery on his 85th birthday.
The telegram states, in particular:
“Your life is an example of selfless service to people, boundless devotion to your calling. You have made a significant contribution to the development of domestic medicine and health care, and your advanced scientific discoveries have become a real breakthrough in the field of cardiac surgery and have been awarded honorary titles and state awards.
For over thirty years, you have headed the Bakulev Center, which, thanks to your deep knowledge, high level of professionalism, experience and organizational skills, has become a major clinic, research and educational center. Over these years, you have developed and successfully implemented innovative methods of performing operations, clinical diagnostics and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in surgical practice, saving the lives of thousands of seriously ill patients.
I wish you good health, happiness and prosperity.”
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
More than 500 million rubles will be allocated in 2024 for the construction of medical institutions in the Smolensk Region and the Republic of Ingushetia. An order has been signed to redistribute federal budget funds for these purposes.
Of the total amount, over 232.4 million rubles will go to completing the construction of the infectious diseases department of the Children’s Republican Clinical Hospital in Ingushetia. The new building is designed for 60 beds. Additional funds for these purposes will be allocated within the framework of the federal project “Development of children’s health care, including the creation of a modern infrastructure for providing medical care to children.”
The Smolensk region will receive an additional 282.5 million rubles to support the first stage of construction of the regional oncology dispensary. The funds will be allocated within the framework of the federal project “Fight against oncological diseases”.
The federal projects “Development of children’s healthcare, including the creation of a modern infrastructure for providing medical care to children” and “Fight against oncological diseases” are being implemented within the framework of the state program “Development of healthcare”.
The document will be published.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: China State Council Information Office
Shanghai Port became the first in the world to see the annual container throughput exceed 50 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) on Sunday.
The port has ranked first globally for 14 consecutive years in terms of annual container throughput.
According to Yang Yanbin, deputy general manager of the production and business department of the Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd, the growth of container throughput indicates that China’s complete industrial system and manufacturing capability continue to empower global trade.
Seen as a window of China’s opening up and collaboration with the world as well as an engine boosting trade and exchanges, Shanghai Port saw its annual container throughput top 1 million in 1994.
Yang noted that the growth in container throughput at Shanghai Port was driven not only by the rise in export-heavy containers but also by an increase in international transfer containers and ship-to-ship transfer volumes.
“The port’s robust functionality and high-quality services attract large cargo ships from around the world,” he said, adding that the proportion of ship-to-ship transfers at the port is expected to reach a record 60 percent in 2024, which highlights the continued enhancement of Shanghai Port’s role as a global hub.
At present, the Shanghai Port boasts nearly 350 international ship routes reaching more than 700 ports in over 200 countries and regions around the world.
The development of Shanghai Port reflects the broader transformation of Shanghai as a whole.
The eastern Chinese metropolis has once again secured third place in the 2024 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Center Development Index Report, demonstrating that its status as an international shipping center of great significance has been continuously consolidated.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), January 27, 2025/APO Group/ —
The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum 2025, scheduled for March 24-26 in Brazzaville, will bring together global energy leaders and policymakers to explore the Republic of Congo’s energy sector. The forum will feature high-level technical sessions, focusing on the latest investment opportunities, regulatory reforms and key developments in oil, gas and power generation.
Key technical presentations will focus on the structure of Congo’s gas market, providing insight into the country’s efforts to capitalize on its natural gas reserves. With the implementation of the Gas Master Plan and the introduction of a new Gas Code, Congo is creating a more attractive investment climate for gas-to-power projects and the development of a national gas company. These sessions will explore opportunities for monetizing stranded gas resources and developing infrastructure to meet growing demand, positioning Congo as a potential regional hub for gas production with lucrative opportunities for both local and international stakeholders.
The inaugural Congo Economic and Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société National des Pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.
As the country works to transform its energy sector, the forum will also feature key discussions on its legal and regulatory frameworks for gas market development. These sessions will offer valuable insights into recent reforms designed to attract foreign investment and enhance energy infrastructure. With Congo aiming to double oil production by 2027 and expand electricity generation, discussions will address how the new Gas Code and other reforms are streamlining energy exploration and production, creating a more transparent and attractive environment for international investors.
A unique technical workshop at CEIF 2025 will focus on Congo’s partnerships with Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in energy sector development. By comparing Congo’s gas market to successful models in these countries, the session will highlight the importance of international collaboration in boosting energy production, technology transfer and capacity building. With multi-sectoral agreements already signed, the workshop will explore how these partnerships are enhancing Congo’s oil and gas infrastructure, positioning the country as a competitive player in the global energy market.
In a session dedicated to floating LNG (FLNG) technology, CEIF 2025 will showcase the country’s flagship Congo LNG Project – a game-changer for the country’s natural gas industry. The Nguya FLNG vessel, launched in 2024 with a capacity of 3 million tons per year, will play a critical role in liquefying Congo’s gas for export. This workshop will delve into the technical aspects of FLNG, its benefits for Congo’s energy infrastructure and its broader implications for the country’s natural gas export potential.
CEIF 2025 will also feature two workshops focused on offshore exploration in Congo’s prolific oil and gas fields. The “Expanding the Congo/Angola Basin” session will explore the growing collaboration between Congo and Angola to develop reserves in the Lower Congo Basin, where companies like ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies and Chevron are expanding production. The “Deepwater Congo” session will focus on deepwater oil projects, providing an in-depth look at production techniques, technological advancements and how new fields will drive Congo’s oil output.
Additional technical sessions will focus on Congo’s marginal fields and the country’s growing gas-to-power generation potential. Marginal fields in Congo present new opportunities for smaller independent operators, while ongoing and planned projects aimed at leveraging the country’s natural gas reserves for domestic electricity generation are set to meet rising energy demand and improve energy access.
Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English
Christian Bock: Yes, that’s correct. We asked consumers with property loans how often in the preceding 24 months they had faced difficulties making their monthly repayments while also covering their living costs with their regular income. We found that over half of them experience such difficulties. Many of them stated that this happened “rarely” or “sometimes”, while 13% said it occurred “frequently” or “always”.
Bock: Many dip into their savings, postpone or reduce planned expenses, work more or take on an additional job.
What worries us is that more than half of respondents who experienced problems at least “rarely” said that they took on further debt, which has to be repaid in the short term. They stated that they pay bills late or by credit card and that they use overdrafts or exceed arranged overdraft limits. We view this as a problem because such short-term forms of credit are usually very costly.
Bock: Correct. Such consumers can lose track of their debts and slip into a debt spiral, meaning that they will no longer be able to repay their debts.
The BaFin website provides consumers with comprehensive information about property loans.
Bock: If anyone has difficulties making their monthly loan payments, they should seek professional support. This is especially important if borrowers are overindebted. In such cases, it can be helpful to look at the website of the German association of debt advisors (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Schuldnerberatung). This website informs consumers about where they can obtain advice and what assistance is on offer.
Bock: There are a few questions that borrowers need an answer to before taking out a property loan. No matter how alluring the property seems or how strong your desire to own it might be, the first step always has to be careful planning and asking yourself honestly: What are my regular expenses? What level of repayments can I actually afford? Loan payments need to be set at a level that leaves some money for savings.
When seeking to buy a property, also remember that your life circumstances may change. This may be due to an accident or illness, for example, or perhaps due to separation. Various unplanned events could undermine your ability to finance the loan. In some cases, just a career change is enough.
We also advise borrowers to agree to loans that allow for unscheduled repayments. If borrowers have money to spare, they can use it to reduce the interest they will pay over the long run. The resulting savings are often greater than the potential gains from conservative investments, in fixed-term deposits for example.
Bock: Fixed interest rates for longer periods usually mean the interest rates are higher. The upside is that they provide borrowers with far greater certainty when planning. Anyone interested in a property loan should take these factors into account. After all, interest rates may change in the future. If they rise again, this could result in higher repayments and problems in obtaining follow-up financing.
This is also reflected in the results of our survey. Of the respondents who were seeking follow-up financing in summer 2024, almost one quarter received one or more rejections in response to their enquires with banks. The most common reasons that banks provided were inadequate income levels and insufficient own funds. If borrowers need follow-up financing, they should leave themselves enough time to obtain it and to seek advice.
Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English
Very few people can afford to buy a property without financial assistance. That is why so many want to take out loans. Do they think they received good advice? Were they granted the loan? Do they have problems making loan payments? And do they need follow-up financing? These are some of the questions that BaFin sought to answer in its survey of more than 3,000 consumers in summer 2024 (see info box).
The key findings of the BaFin survey:
• Around four in five respondents seeking a property loan get professional advice. 88% believe that they are well informed about the risks associated with the loan.
• Just under half of respondents with a current fixed-rate property loan will need follow-up financing. 40% of this subset will need it as early as 2025 or 2026.
• Almost one in four people who made enquiries about conditions or applications for follow-up financing received one or more rejections.
• More than half of the respondents with a property loan find it difficult to cover their costs of living alongside monthly loan payments.
• Every fifth woman and every tenth man who is paying off a property loan on their own spends more than 40% of their monthly net income on loan payments.
81% of respondents who were looking for a property loan when BaFin conducted its survey had sought professional advice from a bank, savings bank (Sparkasse), insurance company, Bausparkasse or credit intermediary. Almost all of them felt they were well informed. During discussions, respondents were almost always given a precise calculation of the loan payments that would suit their individual circumstances. Most respondents also thought they were well informed about how to safeguard financing arrangements against unfortunate life events, such as unemployment or illness. 88% believed they had been well informed by their advisor about the risks relating to property loans. However, that also means that more than one in ten respondents do not think they were well informed.
71% of respondents who were looking for a property loan had made one or more loan applications or enquiries about conditions. Almost a third of them received at least one rejection. The rejection rate for applications for follow-up financing was somewhat lower (22%). When providers gave reasons for their rejection, the most frequently cited factors were insufficient own funds or insufficient income. Other reasons for rejection included bounced payments on bank statements, overdrafts exceeding agreed limits and negative Schufa scores.
A representative sample of 3,060 people took part in BaFin’s online survey on property financing.
The main aims of BaFin’s study were to find out:
BaFin’s survey also looked into how often borrowers struggle to cover their costs of living alongside monthly loan payments using their regular income. The results showed that more than 50% have such problems at least “rarely” (see infographic 1). In order to cover their expenses, many people dip into savings, postpone planned spending or take on an additional job.
Of the respondents who experienced payment difficulties, more than half stated that they had taken on additional short-term debt, e.g. by paying bills late or using credit cards and arranged overdrafts. “We view this as a problem because short-term borrowing like this is usually quite costly,” explains BaFin Consumer Protection Officer Christian Bock in an interview on the BaFin website. He also noted that consumers might also lose track of their debts and slip into a debt spiral.
Of the respondents who had a property loan at the time BaFin conducted its survey, almost one quarter were concerned that they might not be able to finance it.
On the basis of 706 participants Source: BaFin
Most borrowers (91%) had agreed a fixed interest rate for their current loan. Almost half will need follow-up financing to pay off the remaining debt. Of this amount, 40% will require such financing as early as 2025 or 2026. If mortgage interest rates do not fall significantly by then, many of these borrowers will have to obtain follow-up financing at a substantially higher interest rate, in particular those whose interest rate is currently fixed for a period of five or ten years. Durchschnittliche Kreditrate: 767 Euro
The survey also revealed that 44% of respondents finance their loan jointly while 56% do so alone. The average monthly rate paid by the borrowers surveyed is €767. This equates to an average debt-to-income ratio of 27% in the case of those paying off loans alone and only 16% in the case of those paying off loans jointly.
There is also a clear gender gap here. 20% of women paying off loans alone have a debt-to-income ratio of more than 40%. This is the case for just under one in ten men paying off debt alone (see figure 2). Regardless of gender, once they have made their repayments, these respondents have an average of €823 remaining from their net income to cover all other expenses. This group is therefore at a particular risk of becoming overindebted, especially if an unfortunate life event, such as an accident or job loss, further undermines their financial fitness.
On the basis of 694 borrowers (167 female, 227 male) Source: BaFin
The BaFin website provides consumers with comprehensive information about property loans.
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
Signage at an autism legislation symposium in Beijing, Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]
A symposium focused on advancing the enactment and implementation of autism-related laws and regulations was held in Beijing on Friday. The China Legal Exchange Foundation (CLEF) and Beijing Highking Law Firm hosted the event, gathering experts from the legislative, judicial, education and social service sectors to discuss building a more inclusive society for people with autism.
Zhang Mingqi, vice president and secretary-general of the China Law Society, highlighted the urgency of this initiative. He referenced the decision from the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to improve the social security and service systems for people with disabilities.
“China has over 13 million individuals with autism,” Zhang said. “The challenges they face are multifaceted, spanning access to education, health care and employment, as well as long-term structural issues like social integration and support. This makes the creation of autism-specific laws and regulations both critical and urgent.”
He advocated for an inclusive judicial system with protective measures for individuals with autism in legal proceedings, calling for increased policy support across multiple sectors.
CLEF Chairwoman Zhang Suofei emphasized the symposium’s role in facilitating professional exchange. She expressed hope that it would advance autism-related legislation and create a friendlier, more inclusive social environment where individuals with autism can live with equality and dignity.
Zhang Qinghua, director of Beijing Highking Law Firm, discussed the firm’s two decades of public welfare work and its commitment to supporting the autism community through legal advocacy and public interest initiatives.
Participants attend an autism legislation symposium in Beijing, Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]
Zhang Junru, founder of the Golden Wings Rehabilitation Center, shared the organization’s achievements in empowering autistic youth through art and physical rehabilitation over 14 years. Since its founding in 2010, Golden Wings has developed a unique teaching system that combines art and sports to build confidence and a sense of accomplishment among its participants.
The center provides instruction in painting, music, calligraphy, fitness, basketball and climbing. Participants’ artwork has been converted into postcards, calendars, stickers and silk scarves, generating 1.34 million yuan ($183,649.68) in supplemental income for families.
Golden Wings has helped 1,425 young people with autism develop their artistic abilities, with 523 winning awards at home and abroad. The center has mounted exhibitions in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Japan and seven Chinese cities, displaying 11,888 paintings to over 100,000 visitors.
Experts from Peking University, Beijing Normal University and the Beijing Financial and Tax Law Society joined an Australian autism behavior therapist to offer recommendations for protecting the rights of people with autism.
The symposium marked the official launch of the Starlight Rights and Interests Fund under the CLEF. The fund, initiated by Beijing Highking Law Firm, will support autism research, public welfare activities and legislative efforts while raising public awareness.
Golden Wings students’ artwork is displayed at a charity auction during an autism legislation symposium in Beijing, Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]
The event concluded with a charity auction of paintings by Golden Wings students. Proceeds will support the center’s rehabilitation programs.
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
A commemoration event was held in north China’s Hebei Province on Saturday to honor Canadian surgeon Norman Bethune for his selflessness and spirit of internationalism.
Titled “Memories Through Time and Space,” the event was hosted by the North China Military Martyrs Cemetery in the provincial capital Shijiazhuang.
Around 100 people, including soldiers, students and individuals from various walks of life, attended the event.
This year marks the 85th death anniversary of Bethune, who died of blood poisoning at the age of 49 on Nov. 12, 1939 in China while aiding the Chinese people in their fight against Japanese aggression. His remains were relocated to the cemetery in 1953.
The commemoration began at 10 a.m., with participants bowing before the surgeon’s tomb and presenting flower baskets.
“My father met Norman Bethune in Spain during his recovery from battle injuries. Influenced by him, my father aspired to come to China, where he met my mother and later had me,” said Michael Crook, chairman of the International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives.
His parents, David and Isabel Crook, played an important role in training a large number of foreign-language professionals for China.
“The spirit of Bethune has not faded with time; instead, it has been widely inherited and carried forward in both China and Canada,” said Hu Jinqiang, director of the North China Military Martyrs Cemetery.
Hu noted that today Bethune is not just a name but a symbol of internationalism, humanism and selfless dedication. “We commemorate him to inspire more people to remember history and carry forward his spirit.”
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
China’s Ministry of National Defense on Saturday slammed a recent U.S. Department of Defense report on military and security developments involving China.
According to ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang, the report misinterpreted China’s defense policies, speculated about China’s military capacity development, flagrantly interfered in China’s domestic affairs, desperately slandered the Chinese military and exaggerated the so-called military threat posed by China.
China “strongly deplores and firmly opposes” all these statements, Zhang said.
For over 20 years, the U.S. has been publishing such deceptive and hypocritical reports year after year, only seeking excuses for the development of its own military capacity and misleading public opinion, Zhang said.
“We urge the U.S. to stop fabricating false narratives, rectify the erroneous perception of China, and push for the healthy, stable development of bilateral and military relations,” he said.
China adheres to the path of peaceful development and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. However, the United States is leveraging its military strength to impose regime changes and incite “color revolutions” in other countries, causing extremely serious civilian casualties and property damage, and leading to severe humanitarian disasters, the spokesperson said.
“The ‘war-addicted’ United States has become the biggest destroyer of international order and the greatest threat to global security,” said Zhang.
On China’s development of nuclear weapons, Zhang said that the intention is to safeguard the country’s strategic security. But the United States, which has the largest and most advanced nuclear arsenal in the world, sticks stubbornly to the policy of first use of nuclear weapons, undermining international and regional peace and stability. He called on the U.S. to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in its national and collective security policy to respond responsibly to the international community.
On the Taiwan question, the spokesperson stressed that it is the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations, and that the Chinese military’s recent exercise carried out near Taiwan had targeted external interference and the provocations of “Taiwan independence” forces. The United States, however, continues to sell arms to Taiwan, which seriously violates the one-China principle and could lead to conflict or war.
Zhang urged the U.S. to come to terms with the extremely dangerous nature of “Taiwan independence” separatism, cease any official interaction or military contact with Taiwan, and stop conniving with and supporting “Taiwan independence” forces.
He also expressed the hope that the U.S. would adopt a more positive, rational attitude toward China and the development of the Chinese military, and create bonds between the Chinese and U.S. militaries that do not involve conflict or confrontation but champion openness, pragmatism and cooperation, and gradually accumulate mutual trust.
By ,
New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) says impending bad weather for Port Vila is now the most significant post-quake hazard.
A tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to move into Vanuatu waters, bringing heavy rainfall.
Authorities have issued warnings to people living near landslide-prone areas around the Vanuatu capital.
People living near low lying areas or rivers have also been told to move, should water levels rise.
The heavy rain may also cause flash flooding.
USAR team leader Ken Cooper said last Tuesday’s 7.3 earthquake caused significant landslides.
“With the weather system that’s coming in, there is a high likelihood that the landslides continue and we need to ensure that there’s no life risks if those landslides should move further,” Cooper said.
Death toll now 12
Aftershocks have continued, and early this morning, the US Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 6.1 quake, at a depth of 40km west of Port Vila.
New Zealand and Vanuatu engineers were assessing prioritised areas in the capital, and a decision would then be made as to whether a community needed to be evacuated, Cooper said.
Since the team had been in Vanuatu, it had taken damage assessments of buildings and infrastructure, with the Vanuatu government, allowing them to prioritise the biggest risks and to assist the community in recovering more quickly, he said.
The official death toll from Vanuatu’s 7.3 magnitude quake is now 12 according to the Vanuatu Disaster Management office.
This has been confirmed by the Vila Central Hospital.
Earlier unofficial reports had placed the death toll at 16.
The team had completed almost 1000 assessments, alongside the Australia USAR team, which was a significant task, Cooper said.
Both teams shared common tools and practices, which had allowed them to work simultaneously and helped the teams to quickly carry out the assessments, he said.
“When we undertake the assessments that really gives us a clear picture of what should be prioritised and we work with the [Vanuatu] government and their infrastructure cluster, and some of the priorities we have looked at are bridges, [the] airport, the port, and also landslides,” he said.
Resilience shown by locals
The deployment lead for New Zealand in Vanuatu praised the resilience of the Ni-Vanuatu people following the 7.3 earthquake.
Thousands of people had been affected by the disaster but the response effort was being hampered by damage to core infrastructure including the country’s telecommunications network.
Emma Dunlop-Bennett said the New Zealand teams on the ground were working in partnership with the Vanuatu government.
She said she was in awe of the strength of locals after the disaster.
“As we go out into communities, working . . . with the government, people are out there, getting up and doing what they can to get themselves into business as usual, life as usual. I am really in awe and humbled.
The purpose of the New Zealand team being in Vanuatu was three-fold: To provide urgent and critical humanitarian assistance, a response for consular need to New Zealanders, and to support a smooth transition from relief, response to recovery, Dunlop-Bennett said.
Then to business as usual, working along side the priority need identified by the Vanuatu government, she added.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
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In an unprecedented move, the Office of the President hosted the first-ever public viewing of the Christmas decorations at State House grounds and gardens, drawing a crowd of over 1,500 on Saturday, December 21, from 7 PM to 11 PM.
Visitors of all ages flocked to the gates, eager to experience the State House grounds illuminated in dazzling festive splendour. Children were especially thrilled, delighting not only in the magical light displays but also in the showcase of vehicles on site.
The evening’s highlight was the appearance of President Wavel Ramkalawan and First Lady Mrs. Linda Ramkalawan, who personally welcomed attendees and shared season’s greetings with guests.
The event, programmed over two evenings, December 21 and 22, received overwhelming enthusiasm from the public. With such resounding success, the ‘Christmas Open Day’ is set to become a beloved annual tradition in future festive seasons at State House.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.
Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
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Highway M-12 “East”. Section Moscow – Kazan
A year ago, President Vladimir Putin launched the M-12 “Vostok” high-speed highway from Moscow to Kazan. Thanks to the implementation of this ambitious infrastructure project, travel time for motorists has been reduced by almost half. In addition, the modern highway has had a colossal effect on the socio-economic development of the regions located in its gravitational zone. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.
“We are building the M-12 Vostok highway on the instructions of the President, and we managed to complete its section to Kazan in the shortest possible time. This project has rightfully become the pride and asset of the country’s road industry, which has been rapidly gaining momentum in recent years. The new highway has helped relieve one of the most intensive federal roads, the M-7 Volga, which has directly affected traffic safety and made it possible to halve the number of accidents along the entire corridor from Moscow to Kazan. We see that the road is in demand among motorists: in just one year, they have driven along the M-12 more than 26 million times. Passenger traffic has exceeded 43 million people. And if at the beginning of this year, on average, about 6 thousand trips per day were recorded along the M-12, now it is 10 thousand, and during peak periods this figure exceeds 15 thousand. To ensure that trips are not only fast but also comfortable, we are carrying out large-scale work to create the most modern roadside service facilities. A year ago, when traffic on the M-12 opened to Kazan, there were already 18 multifunctional road service zones operating on the highway, and 6 more opened during the year. Today, a total of 24 MFSs provide all the necessary services for drivers and passengers on the M-12,” said Marat Khusnullin.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that the M-12 “Vostok” became an impetus for housing construction and an increase in the urban potential of the Moscow, Vladimir and Nizhny Novgorod regions, as well as the Chuvash Republic and Tatarstan. Thanks to the new road, unprecedented opportunities have opened up for the development of small and medium-sized businesses and the launch of new tourist routes.
According to the head of the state company Avtodor, Vyacheslav Petushenko, road construction directly affects the improvement of the quality of life and well-being of Russians. And a striking example of this is the M-12 Vostok highway.
“A developed road network has a multiplier effect not only on the regions through which it passes, but also on the economy of the entire country. In the first year alone, more than 70 million tons of cargo were transported along the M-12 “Vostok” from Moscow to Kazan. This confirms that high-speed roads provide fast transit transportation, help to form new logistics routes, which guarantees sustainable growth of entrepreneurial activity and the creation of new jobs. Also, with the opening of the M-12, domestic tourism is gaining popularity. For example, in the first half of 2024 alone, the number of tourist trips in the Nizhny Novgorod region increased by 33%,” said Vyacheslav Petushenko.
The M-12 “Vostok” highway from Moscow to Kazan is driven without traffic lights and at-grade intersections with other roads. The entire highway is illuminated, and oncoming traffic flows are separated by a barrier fence. 323 artificial structures have been built on this section, including a cable-stayed bridge across the Oka, a monolithic bridge across the Sura, and a three-kilometer bridge across the Volga, as well as 19 interchanges with federal and regional highways.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
CHISINAU, Republic of Moldova, Dec. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The collaboration between FunEasyLearn and The Time + Tide Foundation brought free language education to girls in Madagascar. The main focus was on students from remote areas with limited access to schooling. As part of the initiative, students received new tablets and free access to the FunEasyLearn app. The scope is for the girls to learn languages and improve their digital skills for better academic and professional opportunities.
Empowering Girls through Language Education
Through its participation, FunEasyLearn reiterates its commitment to making a long-lasting impact in language education. Language skills can unlock higher education and better employment for those in developing regions of South Africa. That can be particularly important for girls who face additional challenges in accessing quality education.
Co-founder & CEO of FunEasyLearn, Diana Andronic, commented: “We are honored to be working with the Time + Tide Foundation to support girls in Madagascar through language education. The initiative complements our mission to make language learning accessible to anyone, regardless of age and background. Language skills can be crucial in areas where education holds the key to a brighter future.”
The initiative has already yielded promising results. Teachers reported a boost in student engagement and academic performance. Although the girls mainly use tablets to learn French, educators encourage them to learn English and browse other language courses. Although the girls mainly use tablets to learn French, educators encourage them to learn English too and browse other language courses.
The app provides a solution for schools experiencing teacher shortages. FunEasyLearn provides students with a personalized language learning experience and real-time feedback. It also helps teachers to better address students’ needs due to the detailed statistics. The feature allows schools to improve student performance despite a shortage of human resources.
About FunEasyLearn
FunEasyLearn is an award-winning language-learning app trusted by millions of learners worldwide. The app caters to people of all ages who are willing to learn languages or improve their vocabulary. From children driven by curiosity to adults motivated to add new skills to their resumes, FunEasyLearn offers a supportive environment for learning. The dedicated Child Mode adjusts the content so that it’s suitable for children under 13. That makes it appealing for educators, schools, and corporate environments alike.
With 34 language courses available in 62 native languages, learners can explore vocabulary tailored to their specific needs. The game-based approach and simplified navigation ensure an enjoyable experience regardless of a user’s technical background. Over 320 useful topics and subtopics offer a smooth transition through 10 proficiency levels aligned with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Website: www.funeasylearn.com
For media inquiries, please contact support@funeasylearn.com
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Erin A. Brennand, Gynecologist & Associate Professor, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects up to half of all women during their lifetime, and one in eight will have surgery to treat it by the age of 85. Yet, despite how common POP is, the public’s awareness and understanding of this condition remains limited.
Most people are unfamiliar with POP until they are personally affected, and even then, are often unaware of the different surgical options available to manage it. Our team of medical professionals and health researchers aims to change this.
POP occurs when pelvic organs, like the uterus, vagina, bladder or bowel, shift downward and sag into, or even through, the vaginal canal. This condition can lead to a range of physical symptoms, with pelvic pressure, urinary incontinence and a vaginal bulge being some of the most common complaints.
POP can be physically uncomfortable and disruptive to a woman’s quality of life, and the emotional and social impact can be profound. Many affected women report lowered self-esteem, avoidance of intimacy, and heightened anxiety or depression due to the persistent, painful and often stigmatized nature of the condition.
For decades, the standard surgical approach for treating POP has generally included a hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus. In many cases, the uterus itself is not part of the prolapse, but removing it allows surgeons to access pelvic ligaments and tissues for securing the vaginal walls. Almost one in three Canadian women aged 60 and older have had their uterus removed to treat a number of gynecologic conditions, including POP.
This surgery is deeply embedded in medical practice with the long-standing belief that removing the uterus is necessary to achieve durable repair of POP, and that the surgery has minimal impact on women’s overall health.
Newer evidence, including recent systematic reviews, questions whether hysterectomy is the only effective approach for treating POP in women. Studies have shown that uterine-preserving procedures carry lower surgical risks compared to hysterectomy surgeries, while providing similar effectiveness in reducing prolapse symptoms.
Adding to this body of evidence, our team of urogynecologists and health researchers developed the Hysterectomy vs. Uterine Preserving Prolapse Surgery (HUPPS) study to generate real-world evidence about outcomes after POP surgery.
Over three years, we enrolled 321 women with POP affecting the top of their vagina who lived in Calgary and surrounding areas of Alberta. Importantly, each woman was free to consider minimally invasive hysterectomy or uterine-preserving POP surgery, based on their own values, preferences and consideration of the evidence. Almost half (47 per cent) chose the uterine-preserving route, which demonstrated substantial interest among Canadian women to keep their uterus when given the option.
However, in many hospitals in Canada, hysterectomy remains the primary approach for surgical treatment of POP, partly due to historical and educational clinical practices.
At one year post-surgery, we found that 17.2 per cent of women who received a hysterectomy surgery experienced recurrence of POP, compared to only 7.5 per cent of women who received a uterine-preserving (UP) surgery. We then statistically accounted for patient differences such as age, body weight and the initial severity of their POP, and found that women who had uterine-preserving surgery indeed experienced approximately half the risk of POP recurrence than the women who had a hysterectomy.
Our data also showed other benefits of uterine-preserving surgery, including shorter operating time, shorter hospital stay, less post-operative opioid pain relief and fewer complications overall.
Emerging research suggests there can be long-term effects of hysterectomy. For example, hysterectomy may be associated with elevated risk of chronic health issues such as cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders. These risks are higher for people who undergo hysterectomy at younger ages.
However, there can be instances where patients may want to consider hysterectomy as part of their POP repair. These include a history of repeated abnormal pap smears signalling a higher risk of developing cervical cancer in the future, or in cases where it is strongly recommended to them by a surgeon, such as when precancerous cells have been determined by a biopsy of the uterus.
For people without these conditions, there is no medical need to remove the uterus.
However, the historical hysterectomy-based approach to POP assumes that all women want the same approach to their POP treatment. However, during the past five years, our team has noticed growing inquiries from patients around keeping their uterus, and questions about the risks and benefits of a hysterectomy.
Some women want to avoid hysterectomy due to personal or cultural beliefs about removing their uterus, while others are concerned about the potential long-term effects on their health. The International Urogynecological Association has a helpful pamphlet with more information on this topic.
Our research findings, combined with growing evidence on surgical treatment of POP, encourage an essential shift in the field of gynecological surgery towards an approach that offers all women a greater sense of autonomy.
The HUPPS study demonstrates that when people are presented with evidence-based information on the risks and benefits, they can choose the option that aligns with their personal values and long-term health goals and still achieve a good surgical outcome.
For women in Canada who are affected by POP, this means ensuring that two options are offered and accessible to them: both hysterectomy and uterine-preserving surgeries. If we can achieve a permanent shift in the medical landscape towards more informed, personalized and patient-centred care, it will change women’s lives for the better.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Women having surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse don’t always need a hysterectomy – https://theconversation.com/women-having-surgery-to-treat-pelvic-organ-prolapse-dont-always-need-a-hysterectomy-241755
