Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
Hegseth should be confirmed immediately, but Democrats have chosen to put partisan politics over national security
WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) today spoke on the Senate floor strongly supporting Pete Hegseth’s nomination to be the next Secretary of Defense. He also blasted Senate Democrats for putting partisan, political games over national security.
Mr. Hegseth needs to be confirmed immediately to begin implementing President Trump’s peace through strength agenda. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats have chosen to engage in political theater, delaying Pete’s critical confirmation.
*Click the photo above or here to watch*
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise today to urge my colleagues to support the confirmation of my constituent and friend, Pete Hegseth, to be Secretary of Defense.
Last week, during his four-and-a-half-hour confirmation hearing, America saw exactly why President Trump nominated Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense. Pete is a patriotic, smart, and energetic leader. His priority is our warfighters, and having their backs, by focusing the Department on lethality and competence—rather than extraneous political and social issues. He is the type of leader that can inspire, recruit and retain the best talent.
Despite Pete’s qualifications, the mainstream media—desperate to derail President Trump and his nominees—has gone after his character by airing false and unsubstantiated allegations.
Take for example the article published Tuesday by The New York Times.
Despite the salacious and misleading headline, buried beneath 13 paragraphs of slanderous allegations, the Times disclaims the entire story with a direct quote from the supposed victim herself denying the allegations against Pete, saying: “There was no physical abuse in my marriage.”
Take a moment to think about this.
The New York Times intentionally ran with the salacious and debunked account buried the truth and distorted the lead simply to undermine President Trump and his nominee.
The New York Times is not alone, unfortunately; NBC News, The Hill, Politico, and even the Associated Press all chose to run the salacious, false headline instead of the facts.
Unfortunately, I’m not surprised.
This is the type of misleading—and often unequivocally false—reporting we’ve learned to expect from the left-leaning media.
The American people remember that The New York Times is the same publication that denied and suppressed the Hunter Biden Laptop story leading up to the 2020 election. It’s the same paper that endorsed Joe Biden for President in 2020, and it’s the same outlet that endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024.
The American people are sick and tired of the deception stemming from the alliance between Democrats and the so-called “mainstream media.”
This is yet another example of a story published, with an aim to do harm, despite evidence to the contrary. It’s why media has lost much of its credibility with the American people who see this article for what it is—a desperate last-minute attempt to generate controversy where none exists.
Pete Hegseth is someone who is going to fix the Pentagon and deliver on President Trump’s vision of peace through strength. He is exactly the type of leader the Pentagon needs in the face of an increasingly complex and escalating security situation around the world.
So, while I am disappointed, I am not surprised at this eleventh hour attempt by the media to raise debunked and completely discredited falsehoods simply with an aim to derail a confirmation. I urge my colleagues to see through the noise and evaluate Pete’s nomination based on the merits—which is why I plan to vote to confirm Mr. Hegseth.
I yield the floor.
Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Andy Kim (D-NJ) reintroduced a bipartisan resolution to officially designate January 23 as Maternal Health Awareness Day. The resolution emphasizes the importance of raising public awareness about maternal health outcomes and promotes initiatives to address and eliminate its disparities.
“The United States spends more on health care than any other country, but we still have the highest rate of maternal mortality among our peer countries,” said Senator Booker. “It’s disheartening that Congress has failed to pass comprehensive federal legislation to protect mothers and their babies, and ensure moms receive the essential care they need throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journeys. I remain committed to working across the aisle to create and implement effective policies that address the maternal mortality crisis and promote equitable maternal health care across our nation.”
“Improving maternal care is not a red or blue issue, it’s an American issue,” said Senator Britt. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in recognizing National Maternal Health Awareness Day, while acknowledging we have more work to do to reduce maternal mortality. I will continue to work across the aisle with my colleagues to improve health outcomes for women throughout their pregnancy journeys and support moms across our nation.”
“In a country of such great wealth and power, it is heartbreaking that we continue to let down expecting mothers who deserve to feel safe and supported,” said Senator Kim. “The pain of our country’s maternal mortality crisis is felt harshly in New Jersey, disproportionately hurting Black women and devastating too many families. With this resolution, I don’t just stand for awareness but call on my colleagues in Congress to see this urgency, understand the vast majority of maternal deaths are preventable, and help push forward on tangible action to protect lives and be there for growing families.”
“As the maternal health crisis in the U.S. continues, it’s critical to continue to shine a spotlight and bring national attention to the importance of prioritizing maternal health. ACOG is grateful to Senator Booker and Senator Britt for their support in making sure that across the country, people learn about Maternal Health Awareness Day and understand the need for policies that will empower us to make a meaningful difference to improve maternal health outcomes,” Stella Dantas, MD, FACOG, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Senator Booker’s resolution notes that as many as 60,000 women in the United States suffer from a severe maternal morbidity, which includes unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery that can result in significant short- and long-term health consequences, and recognizes community-based maternal health models that have been proven to improve the health of birthing people throughout the country. With one-third of maternal mortality cases occurring between one week and one year postpartum, expanding access to health care after delivery nationwide is a vital step to saving lives.
In 2018, New Jersey led the way by becoming the first state to acknowledge Maternal Health Awareness Day, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Tara Hansen Foundation, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and other essential organizations dedicated to raising awareness and combating maternal mortality. Since this historic recognition, numerous state entities, advocacy groups, community organizations, and others have united on January 23 to elevate awareness surrounding maternal health. This day serves as a platform to educate healthcare providers on maternal mortality, urging birthing individuals, families, and healthcare professionals to identify and discuss potential signs of emergencies.
The resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Peter Welch (D-VT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
The full text of the resolution can be found here.
Homai Station is now ready for more frequent train services when the City Rail Link opens in 2026, with safer access to the station as well as improvements for the local blind and low vision community.
The safer access replaces two pedestrian level crossings which are now closed as part of an ongoing programme replacing level crossings to support more frequent trains while improving safety and keeping roads moving.
Homai Station was blessed today by mana whenua, Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua and will re-open to passengers with a new accessible ramp and pathways when train services resume on 28 January.
It is one of many projects Auckland Transport (AT) and KiwiRail are carrying out during the month-long closure of Auckland’s rail network, says AT Programme Director Kris Gibson.
“Replacing the level crossings with this new accessible ramp and stairs will make it safer to access Homai Station, where there will be an increased number of trains running once the City Rail Link opens in 2026,” he says.
“In particular, it will be safer for people accessing the nearby BLENNZ (Blind Low Vision Education Network NZ) School and Blind Low Vision NZ South Auckland office and Guide Dog Training Centre.
“We engaged with the community early and their feedback helped us make sure the upgrades to Homai Station will benefit those who use it,” Mr Gibson says.
A new modular-structure ramp runs from Browns Road Bridge to the station, along with new lighting, wider footpaths and new pathways from the carpark and Mcvilly Road. The ramp colour scheme and bright yellow handrail is specifically designed to be high contrast, helping people with low vision to differentiate between the sloping and flat sections of the ramp.
BLENNZ School Homai Principal Saul Taylor says, “BLENNZ (Blind Low Vision Education Network NZ) have been delighted with the excellent level of inclusion and connection with Auckland Transport’s project team.
“The engagement with BLENNZ has been invaluable and we have felt listened to throughout the project. By including our suggestions and working alongside us so closely, the walkways and new ramp for the station will be more accessible, safe, and enjoyable for our whole school community.
“The benefits will be felt for many years to come,” Mr Taylor says.
A positive step towards the development of local industry6 min read
In early December, the Victorian Government announced a series of measures designed to reinvigorate Victoria’s economy and encourage business investment in the state. Among these announcements was the release of the new Victorian Critical Minerals Roadmap (the Roadmap), targeting further development of the industry in Victoria to take advantage of the state’s critical minerals deposits.
The Roadmap is an encouraging sign of Government support for the development of critical minerals projects and a recognition of some of the challenges proponents face including, in particular, a slow and uncertain approvals process. It also highlights the Government’s vision of Victoria as a leading supplier of ‘ethically-sourced’ critical minerals through equitable sharing of benefits between local communities, Traditional Owners and proponents, and the maintenance of high environmental standards.
This Insight provides an overview of the Roadmap and some of its key initiatives.
Key takeaways
The Roadmap sets out an ambitious vision for developing the critical minerals industry in Victoria, centred around four guiding themes: mapping the opportunities; a modernised regulatory regime; production and processing; and sharing the benefits.
It includes several concrete initiatives that the Government proposes to implement over the next 12 months across these four themes as well as possible longer-term initiatives. The Roadmap is intended to be a live document that will be reviewed and adapted to changing circumstances.
Importantly, the Roadmap outlines several actions that the Government is already taking or will implement in the short term to streamline and reduce uncertainty in the approvals process for critical minerals projects.
It also contemplates developing a community benefit sharing model, and inviting Traditional Owners to co-design a benefit sharing model, in the short term.
There is some uncertainty about how the Government plans to balance sometimes competing objectives in the Roadmap – for example, encouraging investment while ensuring equitable sharing of benefits between proponents, local communities and Traditional Owners. However, overall, the indication of support from the Government is a positive step in the industry’s further development in Victoria.
Background
Victoria is the latest Australian jurisdiction to recognise the importance of facilitating the development of local critical minerals and strategic materials resources to support the transition to a carbon net-zero economy and, in the case of critical minerals, secure diversified supply.
Although it garners little public awareness, Victoria holds significant deposits of critical minerals and strategic materials (in particular, in the northwestern and central regions). The Victorian Government estimates the value of Victoria’s critical minerals endowment to be approximately $200 billion and that a local critical minerals industry could support up to 7,000 jobs.1
Overview of the Roadmap
The Roadmap sets out the Government’s vision for a ‘strategically and economically important critical minerals industry’ in the state. In particular, the Government envisages a ‘world-leading ethical critical minerals sector’ that:
has timely approvals for development;
delivers significant economic benefits for regional communities;
is environmentally responsible;
creates opportunities for future downstream industries; and
forms strong and lasting partnerships with local communities and Traditional Owners.
As the Roadmap is intended to be a live document that is reviewed and updated at regular intervals, it focuses on concrete actions to be undertaken in the short term while outlining possible future initiatives to be considered at a later date.
Deep dive – four core themes
The actions that the Government proposes to undertake over the next 12 months and possible future initiatives are centred across four themes, which are explored below.
Mapping the opportunities
The first theme promises to modernise geoscience data and to use geological mapping to assist in identifying new critical minerals opportunities, with land use assessments identifying future areas for development, referred to as ‘Critical Minerals Priority Development Zones’ (Priority Zones). The Victorian Government has established a whole-of-government critical minerals taskforce, led by Resources Victoria, to coordinate the Government’s actions in Priority Zones, including approvals facilitation and community consultation to drive faster development. A strategic land use assessment pilot program is currently underway in north-west Victoria to define mineral sands Priority Zones. The Roadmap flags that, based on this first pilot, in the short term, the Government will also commence a strategic land use assessment potential to identify a Priority Zone for antimony projects in central Victoria.
In addition, within the next 12 months, the Government intends to develop a policy regarding when the Minister will exercise their powers under section 7 of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 (Vic) (MRSD Act) to designate areas as exempt from minerals exploration and development. The powers granted under section 7 are broad and entitle the Minister to exempt land for any reasons they decide to be appropriate. However, in making such a decision, the Minister must take into account the known or potential value of the resources, the impact that the proposed exemption may have on that value, and the social and economic implications of the decision. We expect that this policy will be of interest to those assessing the viability of potential development opportunities, as it will provide greater certainty regarding when the Minister is likely to exercise these powers.
Modernised regulatory regime
The Roadmap outlines several key initiatives and reforms aimed at streamlining and improving the approvals process for mineral exploration and mining projects. This is a welcome development, as approval timeframes for exploration activities in Victoria lag those in other mining jurisdictions and a lack of transparency in the approval process has been cited as a key deterrent for investment.2
This will primarily be delivered through the implementation of reforms in the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Amendment Act 2023 (Vic) (MRSD Amendment Act), which will commence by 1 July 2027. These reforms introduce a duty-based model for regulation, which imposes a duty on a licence or work authority holder to eliminate or minimise, as far as reasonably practicable, the risk of harm to the environment, the public, land, property or infrastructure by its exploration, extractive industry, mining or rehabilitation of land or related activities (the breach of which will be an offence). The licence or work authority holder will not be able to commence work until the department head has determined whether the risk level for the licence or authority is lower, moderate or higher which, in turn, determines the obligations with which the holder must comply. The existing requirement to lodge work plans will no longer apply, however rehabilitation plans will continue to be required for moderate or higher-risk operations. Rehabilitation for lower-risk operations will need to be undertaken in accordance with a compliance code made under the Act. Although these reforms are intended to reduce the time and administrative burden of the existing approvals processes, largely by removing the work plan approval process, whether they are effective in doing so will depend on the details of their implementation.
Importantly, the Roadmap also indicates that the Government has committed to reforming the Victorian Environment Effects Statement process to facilitate accelerated approvals, with a targeted timeframe of no longer than 18 months for assessment under that process as a result of sharper assessment scopes and the provision of extra support to proponents.
Further, the Government has extended Resources Victoria Approvals Coordination (RVAC), a division of Resources Victoria, until 2027 so that it can continue, through its case management role, to assist with reducing the uncertainty associated with earth resources development approvals. It is not clear whether RVAC will continue to focus, in the mining workstream, on critical minerals and gold given the Roadmap also provides for the establishment of a new Critical Minerals Coordination Office (CMC) within Resources Victoria within the next 12 months with responsibility for all critical minerals project approvals. It may be that the CMC assumes responsibility for critical minerals projects while RVAC continues to be responsible for gold resources. The Roadmap does not include any further detail regarding the division of responsibility between the two offices.
Overall, these initiatives are designed to provide clearer regulatory pathways, reduce administrative burdens, ensure timely project approvals and maintain high environmental standards while fostering responsible investment in Victoria’s critical minerals sector.
Local production and processing
Across Australia, industry participants and governments have sought to explore opportunities to develop downstream critical minerals processing and end-use manufacturing capabilities. If done right, there are clear economic, security and environmental benefits that can be achieved through this. The Roadmap promises to continue to investigate these opportunities. This is a promising show of support, and industry participants will keenly await the announcement of any initiatives to navigate the challenges that Australia faces in competing with other jurisdictions for future investment in production and processing, including relatively higher labour costs and more stringent environmental regulation.
Sharing benefits
The Victorian Government has also indicated its intention to design ‘benefit sharing models’ involving regional communities and Traditional Owners. These benefits are stated to be both financial and non-financial. The Roadmap sets out key principles underpinning these proposed models, including that the benefits of Victoria’s mineral wealth should be shared equitably, and that these benefits include tangible and non-tangible opportunities. These models may, for example, encompass environmental protection, the building of a local workforce to support the development of the industry, and other means of enriching local areas. Investment in projects located in regional areas will undoubtedly contribute to local communities through employment and training opportunities and increased economic activity. It remains to be seen how the Government intends to balance these potentially competing benefit sharing objectives with the desire to create an attractive investment environment for proponents.
Continuing a trend of government support
This latest announcement continues the trend we have observed in recent times of increasing government support across Australia and globally for the development of the critical minerals industry, including:
governments globally, including Australia’s, have engaged in government-sponsored initiatives to secure diversified supply of critical minerals;
the New South Wales Government released its Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy 2024–35, including a centrepiece announcement of a $250 million royalty deferral initiative for critical minerals projects;
the Western Australian and Federal Governments announced initiatives to support critical minerals investment, namely Western Australia’s Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy 2024-2030, and support for the critical minerals industry in the recent Federal Budget; and
This is a promising trend that we expect to see continue given the challenges the volatility inherent in the markets for critical minerals present in developing projects and obtaining funding sources.
Next steps
The Victorian Government’s Roadmap is a step in the right direction to encourage investment in critical minerals projects in the state. Stakeholders at all stages of the critical minerals value chain – be they explorers, producers, financiers or otherwise – are likely to benefit from these initiatives.
However, given the significant regulatory changes to be implemented under the MRSD Amendment Act and the need to balance the potentially competing interests of proponents, local communities and Traditional Owners, time will tell how effective the Government’s proposed policy changes are at attracting investment in the exploration and development of the state’s critical minerals resources.
CFA firefighter Lisa Hicks was recognised in today’s Australia Day Honours, receiving an Australian Fire Service Medal for her 49 years of dedicated service to CFA and her community.
Lisa Hicks has been a dedicated member of CFA for almost 50 years. During this time, she has served in a range of roles in Narre Warren North and Pakenham Upper brigades and supporting roles in Cardinia Group.
She is currently the secretary and community safety coordinator of Pakenham Upper brigade and group community safety coordinator and is employed full-time as a brigade administrative support officer (BASO). She has supported incident control centres (ICC) and incident management teams for 30 years as a public information officer and is an endorsed crew leader and is still operational.
“When I’m in an ICC, I know what the firefighters are facing and that helps me to understand what they need to make informed decisions. And as a crew leader, I see it through the eyes of a firefighter on the ground and know what I need from an ICC,” Lisa said.
Lisa also delivered the Fire Safe Kids Program to local schools and kindergartens for the past 20 years and is involved in a working group to update the program.
“Fire Safe Kids has been an amazing journey,” Lisa said. “Although each class is different, the children are like sponges absorbing the information. When you deliver the information in a fun way, they learn better. I recently worked with all the schools in Cardinia and asked the kids to do a home fire safety plan and make sure they have working smoke detectors.”
She was instrumental in establishing and maintaining the Cardinia Group compressed air breathing apparatus refilling station. She supervised the build and testing of the facility, development of documentation and the training of all refilling operators.
In her role as a BASO she has supported brigades across the Cardinia Group to recruit new members over many years. She has a strong understanding of the operational and non-operational requirements of brigades.
As a dedicated firefighter for almost 50 years, Lisa has made a significant contribution on the frontline of many major fires, including the 1983 Ash Wednesday fire at Upper Beaconsfield. When the fire started in Belgrave South, she responded on Narre Warren North brigade’s tanker and was on one of the first trucks on scene. Despite having only just married Steve Hicks, captain of Narre Warren North, she spent the next fortnight working long hours on opposite shifts to her husband. She fought through all stages of this major fire, including the response, containment, blacking out, patrolling, and supporting the local community, brigade, family, and friends.
“As we headed to Belgrave South, the column of smoke just kept growing – it looked bad. None of us had experienced anything like it before. It seemed to change direction at will,” Lisa said.
“It was a hot, windy day and nothing was going to stop the fire. We couldn’t hold it, so we were sent further along to try to get ahead of it. Unfortunately, that was impossible so we just did what we could, wherever we could. We never stopped fighting until late that night when we changed crews.
“Through the heartache of the loss of fellow firefighters, we took comfort that this was a turning point for CFA to make sure it was never repeated. We now have crew protection, diesel pumps, better radio communication, strike teams and incident control centres.”
Another catastrophic fire, the Bunyip Ridge fire, ripped through the Cardinia Group area in February 2009 following a lightning strike three days earlier. In the lead-up to the fire, Lisa supported key district pre-planning meetings and activities to prepare for the extreme weather. She ensured the Pakenham ICC was fully operational and Cardinia Group brigades were fully stocked and prepared. Over the next few weeks, Lisa worked continuously, undertaking fire brigade activities wearing her two hats – that of a CFA employee and CFA volunteer. Perhaps the most important support she gave was offering a friendly face and focusing on the wellbeing of our brigade leaders and volunteers.
On 1 March 2019, multiple lightning strikes started fires across the Bunyip State Park and Gembrook areas. Over the next five days, four fires combined to form one large blaze with the Bunyip fires burning until the end of the month. Through March, Lisa was in high demand by her brigades and the Cardinia Group. She was constantly picking up and dropping off replacement turnout gear, maps, incident action plans, water, foam, and countless other items to brigades and the divisional command point.
Lisa’s husband Steve received an AFSM last year.
“It’s amazing that both Steve and I have now received this award. To be nominated for an AFSM was an honour, and I’m even more honoured to receive one,” Lisa said.
Residents and visitors alike have been watching episodic lava fountains in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea since late December 2024. While beautiful and safe to view, this activity has left residents of communities nearby wondering about the dusting of glittery threads on their property.
Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological SurveyHawaiian Volcano Observatoryscientists and affiliates.
On January 16–17, persistent lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit, coupled with Kona wind conditions, resulted in Pele’s hair falling on nearby communities and within parts of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. This photo was taken near Kīlauea Visitor Center, where strands of the fine volcanic glass had accumulated into tubular tumbleweeds of Pele’s Hair reaching up to 56 centimeters (22 inches). USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Pele’s Hair is the name for the strands of volcanic glass that are created when globs of liquid lava are stretched apart during an eruption. These golden strands can be more than a meter (3 feet) long and less than 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) thick. They are very light weight and can be wafted up in the hot or warm eruption plume, allowing them to be carried by wind and fall in areas far from eruption sites.
Tradewind conditions would typically take these particles downwind in a southwest direction from Kīlauea summit, into the Kaʻū Desert area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. However, during episode 4, from January 15–18, there were no tradewinds. The lack of wind allowed the eruption plume, and all the particles in it, to spread out to the north dropping Pele’s Hair fell in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National, Volcano Golf Course, Volcano Village, Mauna Loa Estates, and Ohia Estates. In some areas, the hair tangled into tumble-weed like structures up to 60 cm (about two feet) long.
You may be wondering if there are steps you need to take regarding vehicles, pets and children being outside, grazing livestock, or water catchment systems if you live in an area that has been affected by Pele’s Hair.
Much of the general guidance about volcanic ash exposure and cleanup can be applied to Pele’s Hair, though the two are not exactly the same. Ash is defined as particles smaller than 2 millimeters (0.079 inches) in diameter. While Pele’s Hair is usually thicker and longer, it is likely that ash-sized particles are also falling with Pele’s Hair. And fragile Pele’s Hair can also easily break into ash-sized pieces. Pele’s hair doesn’t wash off of grassy areas as easily as ash and might impact grazing animals, but there are no studies of these impacts. If you are concerned, considered supplementing your animals’ feed or relocating them to an area where Pele’s Hair did not fall. Pele’s Hair could be beneficial to pasture growth in the long term.
The recent eruption episode deposited less than 1 millimeter (a fraction of an inch) of Pele’s Hair in communities near Kīlauea’s summit. This amount usually does not require any action but it’s good to be aware and prepared in case more Pele’s Hair falls in the future or accumulates over time.
Take a look at any flat surfaces outside on your property to evaluate the amount of Pele’s Hair that has accumulated. The hood of a vehicle that was parked outside, for example. If you do notice any material on your vehicle, it’s a good idea to rinse the particles off with water—especially from windows and door handles as it can scratch paint and metal surfaces.
Both Pele’s Hair and volcanic ash are abrasive and can irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory systems. Limiting exposure is the best way to avoid being impacted; consider wearing protective clothing or equipment (gloves, eye protection, facemask) if you cannot limit your exposure. Rainfall and wind will eventually remove the Pele’s Hair, or plants will bind it into the soil.
The amount of Pele’s Hair that fell recently was small enough to be handled by most general filtration systems. However, if you are concerned about Pele’s Hair getting in your water catchment system during future lava fountain episodes, there are steps you can take to prevent that from happening. Disconnect the downpipe that connects your gutter system to your tank when Pele’s Hair is falling. This will prevent particles from entering your tank. A rainfall or rinsing will clean much of the material off your roof and flush it out of your downpipe. Then, reconnect your downpipe to your tank again.
Pele’s Hair deposition depends on the type of eruptive activity and wind conditions. Five fountaining episodes have taken place so far at Kīlauea summit and monitoring data show patterns suggesting that this type of activity could continue. If you live near the eruptive activity, please stay aware and reach out to askHVO@usgs.gov if you have any questions or concerns.
Volcano Activity Updates
Kīlauea is erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is WATCH.
The summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano that began in Halemaʻumaʻu crater on December 23 ended its 5th episode at 4:30 AM HST January 23 after 14 hours of eruptive activity from the north vent. Kīlauea summit has been inflating since the eruption ended. Resumption of eruptive activity is possible within days if summit inflation continues at current rate. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region during active eruption episodes. Earthquake rates in the Southwest Rift Zone and upper to middle East Rift Zone remained comparable to the previous week. Ground deformation rates outside of the summit region remained steady.
Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
No earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week.
HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
Please visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
Headline: Ultimate Microsoft 365 community event returns May 6-8
It’s an incredible time for our customers as we continue to see the future of work come to life with Microsoft 365 Copilot product announcements and enhancements. But as much as we focus on pushing the boundaries of technology, we never lose sight of the fact that this journey is about you: our customers who use these tools to power work, teams, and businesses––and our partners who have built their businesses around helping people get the most out of Microsoft solutions. We’re always listening to your feedback, learning from your experiences, and working to make our products better for you.
When it comes to collaboration, we know how important it is to bring together teams, customers, partners, and individuals across both digital and hybrid spaces. However, there’s still something special about meeting face to face. That’s why I’m excited to welcome you back to the Microsoft 365 Community Conference (#M365Con).
Taking place May 6 through May 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the Microsoft 365 Community Conferenceis your front-row seat to the future of work. Whether you’re a longtime Microsoft enthusiast or new to the ecosystem, we’ll meet you where you are and help you go further.
Expect a jam-packed agenda with a variety of sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. We’ll share more details on the agenda and speakers soon. For now, following are the key details you should know.
What you can expect
You’ll do more at #M365Con than sit back and listen—you’ll actively participate in an experience that’s designed to inspire, engage, and empower, with more than 200 sessions, including keynotes, breakouts, workshops, and roundtables. More than 100 sessions will be led directly by Microsoft.
Keynotes will explore the future of work and the Microsoft 365 product roadmap that’s redefining how we work today. Breakout sessions will dive deeper into Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 apps including Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Viva, and more. And if you’re eager to get hands-on and technical, workshops will explore topics in depth, improving your skills and enhancing your expertise.
Attendees will also have more opportunities to get up close and personal with Microsoft’s product makers, who are building the tools you use every day. You can ask your burning questions, share product feedback, and engage in open dialogue about what matters most to you.
#M365Con is also an opportunity for our partners to gain new insights about what’s in store for the future of work, strengthen relationships, and attend with customers to explore the right solutions to level-up their AI transformation. This is a chance to connect with top Microsoft leaders, explore partner-focused content, and deepen collaboration by engaging with key customers and Microsoft executives.
There’s no doubt that the Microsoft 365 Community Conference isn’t just an event––it’s a springboard for game-changing ideas, connections, and growth that stays with you long after the sessions end.
Who you’ll hear from
This event brings together an exciting team of Microsoft executives and product makers as well as the depth and breadth of the global Microsoft 365 community, including an amazing roster of Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs). You’ll also have access to industry experts and solution-providers from across the tech world, who will share how Microsoft tools fit into the broader landscape of digital transformation.
But perhaps most importantly, you’ll hear from a community of your peers. From discussing the latest product features, to sharing success stories or troubleshooting challenges in the era of generative AI. These conversations will help you learn from the experiences of others.
Who should attend?
If you use Microsoft 365 in your work or business, or are passionate about staying at the forefront of technology, the Microsoft 365 Community Conference is for you. This event welcomes everyone—from IT professionals and business leaders to educators and enthusiasts—who want to harness the full potential of Microsoft tools.
Whether you’re responsible for driving adoption of AI at work, seeking ways to optimize workflows, or aiming to elevate your business with the latest innovations, you’ll find sessions and resources tailored to your needs. It’s also an incredible opportunity for those who teach about or build their businesses on Microsoft products, as well as anyone who simply loves discovering how technology can transform the way we work.
What you’ll take home with you
When you leave the Microsoft 365 Community Conference, you’ll take back much more than presentation notes and LinkedIn connections. You’ll gain:
Knowledge about the tools you use and best practices to strengthen your business, add value to your team, and build your career.
A sense of how AI is already transforming the way we work and what’s on the horizon.
A clear view of the Microsoft product roadmap—what features you can use now and what will soon be available to you.
The best business solutions for driving successful business outcomes, uncovered through collaborating one-on-one with key customers and Microsoft executives.
A stronger connection to our global community of tech enthusiasts who are passionate about helping their teams and businesses achieve their best work together.
Microsoft 365 Community Conference
Join us May 6 through May 8 in Las Vegas.
If you’re ready to take your career and your business to the next level, now’s the time to register. Save $150 with our exclusive customer code SAVE150, plus save more with early bird pricing through March 3.
Headline: 5 ways that AI modernization is transforming trade financing
The newest wave of business and operating model transformation in corporate banking is underway in one of the oldest domains of international commerce: trade finance. Underpinning the great majority of global commerce, trade finance provides the financial instruments and products for importers and exporters to conduct business reliability and with minimum risk. Long underinvested in, trade finance is now undergoing rapid and fundamental change, thanks to the advent of cloud and AI technologies.
Helping banks and other financial institutions modernize and take full advantage of cloud and AI technologies is central to our work at Microsoft Cloud for Financial Services. We offer a secure, compliant, scalable infrastructure tailored to support financial services and unlock new benefits and opportunities.
Microsoft Cloud for Financial Services
Unlock business value and deepen customer relationships
How data became the third leg of bank business models
From its inception, banking has always been a business of data—its movement and processing, and the insights derived therefrom.
As financial intermediaries, banks survived for centuries based on data at the heart of a two-sided business model: taking deposits (liability ledger) and making loans (risk assets). Profit was the lucrative spread between these two pillars. Business cycles and financial crises have come and gone but this fundamental model has not changed.
Technology has been integral to data management since the rudiments of data processing automation and Management Information System (MIS) dashboards. The rise of the modern real-time data economy, however, completely alters the environment in which banks operate.
Retail banking was first to transform by monetizing fragmented data in correlation with context and other factors. That beginning marked a signpost to a new space where the value of insights became the third important leg of bank business models. With the power of AI and the simplicity of natural language copilots, we are at the start of a new epoch which marks a profound transformation in banking.
Developing this trajectory, it is clear that Business-to-Business (B2B) flows contain much richer datasets to be monetized across a broader spectrum of economic activity, from local Main Street to global supply chains. Corporate banking is the epicenter of this next wave of B2B value creation through its main business lines: working capital management, payments and transaction banking, and, in particular, trade finance.
Unlocking B2B data insights is driving banking transformation
Trade finance is a natural starting place for bank modernization. It is unusually rich in untapped B2B details, it is super relevant to a bank’s overall commercial banking proposition, and it offers the most easily addressed “low hanging fruit” for return on investment (ROI) due to the prevalence of so many manual processes.
Note that this near-term upside should not be confused with the industry’s longer-term policy agenda on “trade digitization,” which focuses on transitioning from traditional, paper-based processes to digital formats. Global bodies such as the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT), the International Trade and Forfaiting Association (ITFA), and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) will, in due course, develop legal frameworks that facilitate this transition. But before that, there is a clear business case within banks to adopt currently available new technologies in a race to transform client experience, improve operating efficiency, and gain marketplace advantage from B2B data insights.
Banks are naturally rich in B2B data as a consequence of their existing franchises and the daily flow of transactions through their processing systems. Yet, insights from the graph of these non-linear B2B relationships languish trapped and untapped in legacy silos. With this in mind, Microsoft has been leading the development of new AI-focused technologies for knowledge workers in today’s modern banking environment. These include natural language copilots, starting with Microsoft 365 Copilot, custom copilots built with Microsoft Copilot Studio, and Agentic AI for more complex tasks. Concurrently, solutions like Microsoft Fabric can unify data for analysis and action from disparate sources irrespective of the technical environments in which they sit.
Microsoft’s data tools unlock data insights and help make trade finance processes more efficient and accessible. Importantly, they are all designed with the same security, compliance, and content entitlements that are already established within banks, so getting started is easier.
A benefits-driven roadmap for trade finance modernization
The roadmap that banks are adopting for trade finance modernization follows five simple steps, starting with the basics of helping colleagues do their work better:
Generative AI copilots can transform operations and drive new efficiencies in many powerful ways. For example, copilots can help front-office trade sales and relationship managers identify new financing opportunities when advising clients. Natural language queries can convert a daunting amount of manual research into simple and repeatable investigative questions. A client’s Annual Report, 10-K filings, and other sources can be analyzed in real time with opportunities summarized for action. Microsoft’s Financial Meeting Prep on Microsoft Teams, launched with LSEG, shows the simplicity of how this could work in trade finance. Financial Meeting Prep helps organize more effective meetings through a single view of all relevant content. It drives better meeting outcomes and improves engagement, job satisfaction, and revenue growth. By the same token, trade finance product managers can transform how they conduct research in developing and managing new products with Copilot for project. Mundane tasks, like generating monthly product performance reports, can be automated with conversational copilots that are embedded in familiar tools like Copilot in Excel and Copilot for Power BI. This provides all users with proactive drilldown capabilities to discover desired insights without reversion to a lot of manual rework.
Improved internal collaboration can be achieved with modern office tools. Many banks have legacy processes designed for linear workflows—for example, sending credit applications as email attachments to multiple stakeholders for approval. This process is cumbersome, often involving a lot of back and forth to reconcile a “golden truth” of client exposure sourced from multiple systems. Redesigning these team workflows with modern technology like Copilot Pages provides a single, persistently updated canvas that allows for multiparty interactive collaboration that integrates all relevant data.
Operational efficiencies can be greatly enhanced with AI. Consider Letters of Credit processing, a mainstay of classical trade finance which remains paper-based to this day, with literally billions of pieces of paper circulating between parties at any given time. Banks must examine all these documents for compliance—a costly effort requiring a skilled workforce. To ease this burden, Microsoft partners leverage Azure technologies to automate much of the work, freeing bank staff to deal with exceptions rather than the bulk of mundane examination. Microsoft Document Intelligence Read Optical Character Recognition (OCR) dematerializes trade documents while AI algorithms spot compliance issues, detect signs of trade-based money laundering (TBML), and meet other requirements to complete a transaction before payment. The result is improved quality and profitability, as well as new data insight APIs from digitized trade documentation. The next wave of this process will apply semi-autonomous Agentic AI that further understands context and can complete multiple assignments digitally.
Knowledge Management tools using natural language can advance the effectiveness of staff and banking operations. Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) technology will reason over a bank’s broad SharePoint catalogue of material and surface only relevant information for a given request. This will be especially useful in training bank staff who are not familiar with the day-to-day technicalities of trade finance. For example, legal documentation can be surfaced as needed for each appropriate use case. In certain circumstances, this could be extended as curated material directly to clients. Using natural language copilots can simplify how staff and clients learn and understand trade finance, which historically has been a specialized field.
Customer service tools can enhance the customer experience. One of the greatest areas for improvement with natural language processing and copilots is client service problem resolution. Agent-first workflow tools, such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Contact Center, immeasurably improve efficiency by putting all the facts at an agent’s fingertips. Accessing a bank’s catalogue of products, an agent can also upsell solutions while reducing time spent on “swivel chairing” between different systems. These tools can also be designed to enable client self-help functions that reduce mundane repetitive calls to the bank, like status of a shipment or payment. Client queries with an agent can be in written form, spoken through Interactive Voice Response (IVR), or conversed with an avatar.
Get started on your modernization journey
Trade finance AI is not just for big banks that finance global supply chains. In fact, the impact of AI automation could be greater for regional and smaller banks where skilled staff are fewer and transactions are less frequent, but where client needs require receivables discounting, performance bonds, or other working capital assistance. Moreover, increasing demand for trade financing by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing nations is a significant driver of market growth.
The benefits of modernization impact banks of every size and geography. To help understand how your organization can explore the new opportunities, begin by engaging with your Microsoft representative. They can help develop strategies and solutions that deliver immediate and long-term benefits to meet your bank’s unique needs.
Empower your organization with Microsoft Cloud for Financial Services
Peter Hazou
Director of Business Development, Financial Services, Microsoft
Peter Hazou is Directory of Business Development at Microsoft, responsible for corporate and commercial banking. A career banker, he was the EMEA Regional Head of GTB at HSBC and the CEEMEA Regional Head for GTS at Citigroup, and previously served as Head of Strategy for transaction banking at UniCredit in Milan. He began his career in New York as a credit officer at Manufacturers Hanover Trust.
Headline: How using AI to integrate data sources can improve shopper experiences
Transforming the customer experience requires a solid foundation of data that is accurate, accessible, and secure. A strong data estate also helps future proof organizations, letting you realize the full potential of the latest technology innovations, like AI, and ensure a unified and effective experience across the customer journey.
Retailers collect vast amounts of data from multiple sources—inventory and staffing, product development, sales, marketing, and more. By unifying this data, retailers can better understand customer preferences, anticipate their needs, and provide memorable shopping experiences that build loyalty. Meanwhile, consumer goods (CG) companies can better monitor manufacturing equipment to reduce downtime, monitor supply chains, anticipate new product trends, and better meet customer needs. It also effectively boosts revenue and balances costs by providing business leaders with insights that drive better decision-making and resource management.
Get the e-book to optimize shopper experiences >
Data challenges holding organizations back
Gaining a unified view of data comes with several key challenges. Fragmented data is a common cross-industry challenge for both retailers and CG companies. Retailers pull omnichannel data from various sources, including e-commerce sites, in-store sales, social media, supply chain systems, and customer service interactions. For consumer goods companies, data comes from research and development (R&D), marketing, sales, industrial equipment (including sustainability data), and supply chain management tools. All of this data is scattered across many sources and comes in a variety of formats, making integration a complex and time-consuming task.
The result? Disconnected insights that prevent business leaders from making timely, informed decisions.
Without a unified data source, retailers struggle to understand customer preferences, predict shopping trends, or manage inventory accurately, while CG companies face machine downtime, supply chain disruptions, and extended product lifecycle management cycles. This lack of cohesion hinders business growth, as it’s harder to provide personalized offers or stock the right products. It also affects profit margins, as data silos lead to inefficiencies and redundancies that could be eliminated.
On top of that, fragmented data can weaken customer loyalty when the shopping experience becomes inconsistent and lacks personalization. It also makes it harder for customer-facing employees at all levels to access, manage, and store information accurately, raising security and compliance concerns.
In retail, consider a furniture store as an example. A shopper browses the website, showing interest in specific items and adding a few to their cart. Later, they visit the physical store, hoping to see those items in person. However, the store associate has no record of the shopper’s online activity and can’t offer personalized recommendations. Frustrated by the lack of connectivity between the online and in-store experiences, the shopper leaves without purchasing, impacting revenue and customer loyalty.
In consumer goods, a company operating large factories might struggle to track real-time performance and maintenance needs without connected data on equipment. When a machine breaks down, production halts, causing costly delays. By integrating real-time data into a unified system, the company could better anticipate issues, schedule preventative maintenance, reduce downtime, and improve efficiency and profitability.
These challenges can significantly hinder growth for retailers, CG companies, and those in both categories. For retailers, the disconnect between online and in-store experiences can lead to missed sales opportunities, customer frustration, and diminished brand loyalty. For CG companies, the inability to accurately forecast demand, track sustainability data, and gain actionable insights creates inefficiencies that hurt profitability, reputation, and competitiveness. Ultimately, the lack of a unified data strategy stifles growth by preventing companies from making informed decisions, optimizing operations, and delivering seamless customer experiences.
Using data to create seamless, connected customer experiences
Fragmented operational data significantly impacts the customer experience, and retailers and CG companies need a comprehensive data estate to remain competitive and meet growing expectations.
A unified platform for data helps consolidate all relevant data into a single source of truth, providing a 360-degree view of the business and its customers. This robust data foundation enables businesses to integrate AI and other advanced technologies to be better equipped to unlock insights, enhance personalization, and optimize the customer journey.
A comprehensive data view also allows retailers to anticipate better and meet customer needs. Returning to the furniture store scenario, imagine if the shopper’s online purchasing history was available to the in-store associate. When the shopper arrives, the associate can seamlessly guide them to their preferred items in the store and even offer a relevant promotion.
In the CG scenario, having a single source of truth for data would make it easier to predict maintenance needs for equipment, reducing costly downtime and ensuring production stays on track to meet demand. In both scenarios, bringing data together helps create a more seamless, responsive experience that drives customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and overall business performance.
Activating the power of data across your retail organization
The value of data unification goes far beyond the retail stores and the factory floors. A single, unified data platform also simplifies data access and management across the organization. Whether employees are in brick-and-mortar locations, in headquarters, or working remotely, they can securely access relevant insights, enabling better decisions at every level and enhancing operational efficiency.
The advantages of data unification extend beyond front-line operations, providing significant benefits for both leadership and IT teams.
Explore Retail data solutions in Microsoft Fabric >
Empowering leaders and executives with insights
Unified data platforms equip C-suite executives with real-time insights into customer behavior, purchasing trends, and inventory movement. These tools enable leaders to:
Make strategic, data-driven decisions that drive revenue growth.
Identify high-performing products and emerging market demands.
Pinpoint new revenue streams, such as personalized service offerings or targeted loyalty programs.
Allocate resources effectively, focusing on impactful areas like expanding popular product lines or enhancing store layouts based on foot traffic data.
Unlocking advanced capabilities for IT teams
A consolidated data foundation for IT teams opens doors to innovative technologies that enhance customer experiences. With comprehensive data at their disposal, IT teams can:
Implement AI-powered solutions like intelligent product recommendations and predictive restocking alerts.
Develop sophisticated digital tools like web-based concierge services to offer real-time personalized assistance.
Ensure seamless, efficient customer interactions that strengthen satisfaction and loyalty.
By harnessing the full power of your data, your organization can empower all employees to make more data-driven decisions, enhance operational efficiency, and improve customer experiences.
Transform a strong data estate into innovation
In today’s shopping landscape, you most likely have all the data needed to serve your customers better than ever before. You can turn that data into clear and actionable insights with a robust strategy and the right technology solutions. A unified data platform lets you harness the full potential of your information, helping you streamline operations, improve customer experiences, and drive growth.
For a deeper dive into how unified data can transform your business, check out our comprehensive e-book. To learn more about how Microsoft solutions help businesses drive efficiency and growth, visit Microsoft Cloud for Retail and learn more about Microsoft for consumer goods.
Register for a no-cost Microsoft Fabric trial to organize and unify your data and begin unlocking its true potential.
Optimize Shopper Experiences with a Strong Data Estate
Headline: Xbox Developer_Direct 2025 recap: Everything we announced
In addition to Xbox Cloud Gaming, all the games in our show also support Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning when you buy them through the store on Xbox or Windows, they’re yours to play on Xbox and Windows PC at no additional cost, and your game progress and achievements are saved across Xbox and Windows PC.
Here’s a summary of everything we announced and covered during Developer_Direct today:
DOOM: The Dark Ages – Launching May 15, 2025
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, and play it day one with Game Pass*
[embedded content]
The team at id Software shared a deep dive into DOOM: The Dark Ages and revealed that the cinematic, epic first-person shooter will launch on May 15, 2025.
DOOM: The Dark Ages, a prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, is set in a dark fantasy/sci-fi world with DOOM’s immediately recognizable hellish twist. In the segment, three core pillars of the game were explored: Combat, which dug into deadly new weapons of mass destruction the Slayer can wield; Exploration, which offered a glimpse at an incredible new medieval-inspired setting that will take players to never-before-seen dark and sinister realms; and Story, which gave an overview of the characters and stakes the Slayer will face in his journey to turn the tides of a war.
This is the most ambitious DOOM game to date. id Software is seizing the chance to present both newcomers and long-time fans alike with an epic adventure as the super weapon in a medieval war against hell itself. Find out more about the game, with extra information from the developers in our Xbox Wire article.
South of Midnight – Launching April 8, 2025
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, cloud, and play it day one with Game Pass*
[embedded content]
Compulsion Games took us behind the scenes at their studio in Montreal, Canada to learn more about South of Midnight, their new third-person action adventure game which releases on April 8, 2025.
In Compulsion’s segment, we learned more about the journey of Hazel, the game’s protagonist, which leads her into a darkly magical world where she discovers her new abilities as a Weaver. Her story is filled with macabre Southern Gothic folklore and encounters with mythical larger-than-life creatures that shape her growth and understanding of her newfound powers.
You can see more of South of Midnight’s hand-crafted art style, world building, and combat in South of Midnight’s new story trailer and get ready to explore the American Deep South with Hazel by pre-ordering today – and play up to five days early with the South of Midnight Premium Edition. Find out more about the game’s story in our exclusive Xbox Wire article here.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Launching April 24, 2025
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, and play it day one with Game Pass* (see developer website for other platforms)
[embedded content]
We visited Montpellier, France, home of Sandfall Interactive, as they develop their first game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This turn-based RPG is set in a fantasy version of late 19th Century France, where the world is facing an existential threat, one year at a time. The developer shared a deeper look at the game’s innovative mechanics, such as the “Reactive Turn-Based” system, and the unique art direction that brings the game’s world to life. We even got a first look at Expedition 33’s expansive overworld map.
As the coup de grace, Sandfall Interactive confirmed the game’s release date: our journey to stop the Paintress begins April 24. For more on the team’s creative vision and deep customization options, we’ve got more on Xbox Wire here.
NINJA GAIDEN 4 – Launching Fall 2025
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, cloud, PlayStation 5, and play it day one with Game Pass*
[embedded content]
Team NINJA announced the return of a beloved franchise with the reveal of NINJA GAIDEN 4. After more than a decade, the masters of action at Team NINJA and PlatinumGames have partnered with Xbox Game Studios Publishing to bring us an exciting new chapter in the NINJA GAIDEN series, a series with a long history on Xbox.
We were introduced to Yakumo, a new protagonist whose objective lies at the heart of a devastated Tokyo. On his mission, Yakumo will not only encounter fiends and demons , but also the legendary master ninja himself: Ryu Hayabusa. Gameplay footage showed that Yakumo will introduce players to a stylish new take on ninja action with Bloodbind Ninjutsu, alongside legacy techniques like the Flying Swallow and Izuna Drop. Ryu will also return as a playable character with a revamped arsenal that stays true to his signature brutality and precision.
During the segment, developers from both PlatinumGames and Team NINJA shared details about the game’s story, the setting in a near-future Tokyo, and its action-packed combat mechanics. We also got a glimpse into the creative process behind this highly anticipated title, which will be released in Fall 2025, and can be wishlisted on Xbox, PC, and PlayStation 5. For the latest information, follow Team Ninja on social media (YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram). Check out an exclusive interview with the developers on Xbox Wire.
NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black – Available Today!
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, and play it day one with Game Pass*
[embedded content]
The highly-acclaimed and legendary game from 2008 returns graphically remastered! NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black features the high-speed ninja action of iconic hero Ryu Hayabusa and his deadly Dragon Sword. Embark on a global battle against formidable foes, engage in relentless combat, and play as additional characters Momiji, Ayana and Rachel.
Looking Ahead
As with every Developer_Direct, today’s show marks just a selection of the games coming to Xbox this year. Next up is Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming fantasy RPG, which launches on February 18, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app for Windows PC, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, and will be available on day one with Game Pass. With our own studios and incredible partners working on new experiences, stay tuned to Xbox Wire and Xbox social channels this year to see why there’s never been a better time to be an Xbox player.
Headline: Podcast: Staying curious at the forefront of AI
Subscribe Amazon | Apple | YouTube Music | iHeartRadio | Spotify
Episodes
Season 4, Episode 2
View full transcript
Season 4, Episode 1
View full transcript
Season 3, Episode 11
View full transcript
Season 3, Episode 10
View full transcript
Season 3, Episode 9
View full transcript
Season 3, Episode 8
View full transcript
Season 3, Episode 7
View full transcript
Season 3, Episode 6
View full transcript
Season 3, Episode 5
View full transcript
Season 3, Episode 4
View full transcript
Season 3, Episode 3
View full transcript
Season 3, Episode 2
View full transcript
Season 3, Episode 1
View full transcript
Season 2, Episode 7
View full transcript
Season 2, Episode 6
View full transcript
Season 2, Episode 5
View full transcript
Season 2, Episode 4
View full transcript
Season 2, Episode 3
View full transcript
Season 2, Episode 2
View full transcript
Season 2, Episode 1
View full transcript
Season 1, Episode 6
View full transcript
Season 1, Episode 5
View full transcript
Season 1, Episode 4
View full transcript
Season 1, Episode 3
View full transcript
Season 1, Episode 2
View full transcript
Season 1, Episode 1
View full transcript
Series trailer
About
Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith speaks with leaders in government, business and culture to explore the world’s most critical challenges at the intersection of technology and society.
As a 30-year veteran of an industry driven by disruption, Brad Smith hosts candid conversations with his guests that examine, reframe and explore potential solutions to the digital issues shaping our world today, including cybersecurity, privacy, digital inclusion, environmental sustainability, artificial intelligence and human rights.
A relics site, first discovered in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region in 2019, has been identified as the earliest Neolithic lakeside site in the heartland of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau with the highest altitude and longest duration, according to local authorities.
This undated combo photo shows the unearthed relics discovered at the Mapu Tsho relics site in the city of Xigaze, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xizang Institute for Protection and Research of Cultural Relics/Handout via Xinhua)
The findings are the result of a five-year excavation project at the Mapu Tsho relics site in the city of Xigaze. The excavations were jointly carried out by the Xizang regional institute of cultural relics protection and institutions including Lanzhou University and Peking University, between 2020 and 2024.
The site, located at altitudes of 4,410 to 4,430 meters on the shore of Mapu Tsho Lake, has a distribution area of more than 140,000 square meters. An area of 1,650 square meters was excavated at the site, said the Xizang regional institute of cultural relics protection.
During the excavations, archaeologists collected large amounts of materials, including the specimens of the phytoliths, residues and ancient DNA of the sediment at the site.
Through subsequent analysis and research, the results indicated that the cultural remains of the site date back approximately 4,800 to 2,000 years, according to Shargan Wangdue, head of the joint archaeological team.
He said that the unearthed relics show that the ancestors at the Mapu Tsho site were typical of the people from East Asia and represented indigenous groups of the plateau.
The excavations and multidisciplinary research of the relics at the site have for the first time identified the “historical origins” of the prehistoric culture in the central part of Xizang 4,000 years ago, said Shargan Wangdue.
He added that the discovery marks another milestone in Xizang’s Neolithic archaeological research after the Karub ruins in the city of Qamdo and the Qugong ruins in the regional capital of Lhasa.
“The Mapu Tsho site provides us with practical examples to understand how the prehistoric plateau people utilized lake resources and adopted different cultural and economic strategies to adapt to different developmental stages through cultural integration,” said Shargan Wangdue.
Crews continue to tackle a significant programme of summer maintenance on State Highway 29 (SH29).
Work to rebuild and resurface the road across 9 sites began in October 2024, with 3 sites near Hanga Lane, Old Kaimai Road and Gargan Road now complete.
Resurfacing got underway near Kaukumoutiti Stream Bridge last week, north of Soldiers Road, with 2 final night shifts required on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 January.
Works will take place between 7pm and 6am, with stop/go in place. There will be a reduced speed limit of 50km/h during the day. Some periods of stop/stop, of up to 30 minutes, will also be required to complete work within the narrow bridge area. People are advised to expect delays.
Drainage and asphalt resurfacing work will get underway near McLaren Falls Road on Tuesday 28 January* to Tuesday 11 March (*this work was originally scheduled to start Monday 20 January).
The drainage work will be carried out first, with work occurring during the day, Monday to Friday.
Temporary traffic management will be in place including the closure of the entire passing lane starting at Poripori Road and finishing just after McLaren Falls Road (Monday to Friday only, opening at the weekends), plus a reduced speed limit of 50km/h through the site, and 30km/h at the intersection with McLaren Falls Road.
Once drainage works are complete, asphalting is expected to get started in February and will involve lane closures, a reduced speed limit of 50km/h and periods of stop/go at night.
Road users should be prepared for delays and allow extra time for their journeys.
Further sites getting underway next week include chip sealing near Kaimai School (Tuesday 28 January), near Hanga Lane (Wednesday night) and near Ruahihi Road (Thursday night).
Works at each site will take place across 1 night, between 7pm and 6am, with stop/go in place. There will be a reduced speed limit of 30km/h during the day. People are advised to expect delays.
These will be followed by the next round of full Kaimai Range overnight closures.
The Kaimai Range will see night closures (for all traffic) over 2 weeks, from Sunday 9 February to the morning of Friday 14 February (5 nights) and from Sunday 16 February to the morning of Friday 21 February (5 nights), between 8pm and 4.30am each night.
During the day SH29 will be open but may be under a temporary speed restriction.
The detours for this closure are significant and add considerable time to journeys. People are encouraged to check the NZTA Journey Planner and allow extra time for their journey, or if possible, delay travel over SH29 on these nights.
The detour routes are:
South: SH28, SH5, SH30, SH33, SH2 via Rotorua
North: SH24, SH27, SH26, SH2 via Karangahake Gorge
Meanwhile resurfacing work on SH29, between Cambridge Road and the SH29/SH36 roundabout, is scheduled for late February and will include a 1-night full lane closure. Details will be provided closer to the time.
Following this, resurfacing on the SH29 Toll Road is also scheduled for March 2025.
These works form part of the government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund.
Once complete, drivers will have smoother and safer journeys along this section of the SH29 corridor.
People are encouraged to plan ahead and see where disruptive works are by using the NZTA Journey Planner.
On his way to the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro in November, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte to officially open a new US$3.6 billion (A$5.8 billion) deepwater mega-port in Peru called Chancay.
China’s state-owned Cosco shipping giant had purchased a 60% stake in the port for US$1.6 billion (A$2.6 billion), which gave the company exclusive use of the port for 60 years.
Days later, the first ship departed for Shanghai loaded with blueberries, avocados and minerals.
Chancay is part of China’s vision of a 21st century maritime Silk Road that will better connect China’s manufacturing hubs with its trading partners around the world. This has involved a heavy investment in ports in many countries, which has the West concerned about China’s expanding influence over global shipping routes.
Newly re-elected US President Donald Trump made clear these concerns when he claimed China was “operating” the Panama Canal and the US intended to take it back.
China does not operate the canal, though. Rather, a Hong Kong company operates two ports on either side of it.
A booming port expansion
The scale and scope of the maritime Silk Road is impressive. China has invested in 129 ports in dozens of countries through its state-owned enterprises, mostly in the Global South. Seventeen of these ports have majority-Chinese ownership.
According to one estimate, Chinese companies invested US$11 billion (A$17.7 billion) in overseas port development from 2010–19. More than 27% of global container trade now passes through terminals where leading Chinese firms hold direct stakes.
China has entered Latin America aggressively, becoming the region’s top trading partner. Its port strategy has clearly signalled a long-term goal to access the exports essential to its food and energy security: soybeans, corn, beef, iron ore, copper and battery-grade lithium.
Last year, for example, Portos do Paraná, the Brazilian state-owned enterprise that acts as the port authority in the state of Paraná, signed a letter of intent with China Merchants Port Holdings to expand Paranaguá Container Terminal, the second-largest terminal in South America. China may invest in even more Brazilian ports, as 22 terminals are scheduled to be auctioned before the end of 2025.
And in Europe, Chinese enterprises have complete or majority ownership of two key ports in Belgium and Greece – the so-called “dragon’s head” of the Belt and Road Initiative in Europe.
What’s driving this port strategy?
China’s emergence as a maritime and shipping power is central to Xi’s ambition for global economic dominance.
For one, China requires stable access to key trading routes to continue meeting the demand for Chinese exports globally, as well as the imports Beijing needs to keep its economy humming.
Controlling ports also enables China to create economic zones in other countries that give port owners and operators privileged access to commodities and products. Some fear this could allow China to disrupt supplies of certain goods or even exert influence over other countries’ politics or economies.
Another key driver of this strategy is the metals and minerals needed to fuel China’s rise as a tech superpower. Beijing has concentrated its port investment in regions where these critical resources are located.
For example, China is the world’s largest importer of copper ore, mainly from Chile, Peru and Mexico. It is also one of the world’s major lithium carbonate importers.), mainly from Chile and Argentina. And its port deals in Africa give it access to rare earths and other minerals.
In addition, tapping into Latin America counteracts the trade tensions China has experienced recently with Europe. It also preempts concerns about possible US tariffs imposed on Chinese goods by Trump.
Military concerns
These moves have prompted concern in Washington that China is challenging US influence in its own backyard.
China maintains that its seaport diplomacy is market oriented. However, it has established one naval base in the strategically located African nation of Djibouti. And it is believed to be building another naval base in Equatorial Guinea.
According to a recent report by the Asia Society Policy Institute, strategy analysts believe China is seeking to “weaponise” the Belt and Road Initiative.
One way it is doing this is by requiring the commercial ports it invests in to be equally capable of acting as naval bases. So far, 14 of the 17 ports in which it has a majority stake have the potential to be used for naval purposes. These ports can then serve a dual function and support the Chinese military’s logistics network and allow Chinese naval vessels to operate further away from home.
US officials are also concerned China could leverage its influence over private companies to disrupt trade during a time of war.
How is the West responding?
While China’s investments are raising suspicions, the West’s willingness to invest in ports at this scale is limited. The US International Development Finance Corporation, for instance, has a much slower, rigorous process for its investments, which generally leads to fairer outcomes for both investors and host nations.
However, some Western companies are acquiring stakes in established and newly built ports in other countries, albeit not to the extent of Chinese enterprises.
The French shipping and logistics company CMA CGM’s global port development strategy, for example, includes investments in 60 terminals worldwide. In 2024, it acquired control over South America’s largest container terminal in the Port of Santos, Brazil.
Trump has threatened tariffs as one way of countering China’s global sea power. An advisor on his transition team has proposed a 60% tariff on any product transiting through the Chancay port in Peru or any other Chinese-owned or controlled port in South America.
Rather than making nations reluctant to sign port deals with Beijing, however, this kind of action just erodes Washington’s regional influence. And China is likely to take retaliatory measures, like banning the export of critical minerals to the US.
Host nations like Peru and Brazil, meanwhile, are using the competition for port investment to their advantage. Attracting interest from both the West and China, they are increasingly asserting their autonomy and adopting a strategy of using ports to “play everywhere” on the global stage.
Claudio Bozzi does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
January 23, 2025
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, today introduced the bipartisan Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act, a bill that would require price disclosures on advertisements for prescription drugs in order to empower patients and reduce Americans’ colossal spending on medications. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that prescription drugs advertised directly to consumers accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s spending on drugs between 2016 and 2018, while a 2023 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that two-thirds of advertised drugs offered “low therapeutic value.” By requiring direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements for prescription drugs to include a disclosure of the list price, patients can make informed choices when inundated with drug commercials and pharmaceutical companies may reconsider their pricing and advertising tactics. In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has sued to keep the prices of their drugs out of their TV advertisements.
“Pharmaceutical advertising is a uniquely American phenomenon that contributes to the astronomical cost of prescription drugs. With billions of dollars in targeted spending, patients are bombarded with commercials for the latest ‘wonder-drug’ but kept in the dark about one crucial factor—price. This practice of pushing patients toward the most expensive drugs drives up the cost of health care while undermining the role of doctors. A healthy dose of transparency is the prescription Big Pharma needs,” Durbin said. “Senator Grassley and I have introduced the DTC Act to shine light on the real costs of medications in these outrageous commercials.”
“Knowing what something costs before buying it is just common sense,” Grassley said. “Disclosing the list price of prescription drugs in advertisements is a no-nonsense way to empower health care consumers to make informed decisions about their care. It also spurs competition, which leads to lower prescription drug costs.”
Each year, the pharmaceutical industry spends $6 billion in DTC drug advertising to fill the airwaves with ads, resulting in the average American seeing nine DTC ads each day. Studies show that these activities steer patients to more expensive drugs, even when a patient may not need the medication or a lower-cost generic is available. Studies show that patients are more likely to ask their doctor, and ultimately receive a prescription, for a specific drug when they have seen ads for it. For these reasons, most countries have banned DTC prescription drug advertising—the United States and New Zealand are the only industrialized nations to permit this practice.
Additionally, a Kaiser survey found that 88 percent of Americans support this price disclosure policy for advertisements.
Below are some key findings from the GAO report:
Two-thirds of pharma’s spending between 2016 and 2018 on DTC ads ($12 billion out of $18 billion total) was concentrated on just 39 drugs. During this period, these advertised drugs accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s spending on drugs ($320 billion out of $560 billion).
In 2019, Humira had $500 million in DTC advertising, contributing to $2.4 billion in Medicare costs.
Among the top 10 drugs with the highest cost to Medicare, four were also in the top 10 for advertising spending (Humira, Eliquis, Keytruda, Lyrica).
Cosponsors of the DTC Act include U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
The DTC Act is endorsed by AARP, American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, American Academy of Neurology, American College of Physicians, Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, and Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing.
For years, Durbin and Grassley have advanced legislative proposals to require pharmaceutical companies to disclose the list prices of their prescription drugs when choosing to run DTC advertisements, including passing a bipartisan amendment through the Senate in 2018.
-30-
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
January 23, 2025
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with former U.S. Congressman Sean Duffy, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as the Secretary of Transportation. During their meeting, Durbin asked Duffy about President Trump’s recent executive order directing agencies to immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and what that means for the future of transportation and infrastructure projects already underway. Durbin also advocated for ongoing infrastructure projects in Illinois, including the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red Line Extension and the Chicago Hub Improvement Project to modernize Chicago Union Station and its surrounding infrastructure.
Durbin also raised the importance of Amtrak funding, and emphasized how many freight railroads run through Chicago as the rail hub of North America. Projects across the state, including the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program in Chicago and the Springfield Rail Improvements Project in Springfield have sought to alleviate congested rail corridors and chokepoints. Both projects received additional federal grant awards this past fall.
“Today, I had a productive meeting with former Congressman Sean Duffy, who has been nominated to serve as Secretary of Transportation,” Durbin said. “I shared the importance of funding ongoing infrastructure projects in Illinois like the CTA’s Red Line Extension Project and the Chicago Hub Improvement Project. If confirmed, I hope he will build upon the work started by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and ensure none of these projects are unnecessarily delayed.”
-30-
Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, today introduced the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act. The legislation would protect the right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and health care of their children by applying the strict scrutiny test.
“Parents have a fundamental right to control the upbringing of their child, whether it’s in the classroom or at home,” said Senator Scott. “Yet, far too often, parents are being pushed out of their child’s lives, and kids are paying the price. I will always fight to put parents back in the driver’s seat and ensure they remain the lead decision maker in their child’s life.”
“Parents deserve to raise their children without the looming threat of government infringement. The Families Rights and Responsibilities Act will shield parental rights while instituting a necessary, fundamental check against the government whenever it decides to enforce policies that fail to extend due deference to parental decision-making,” said Congresswoman Foxx. “I’m immensely proud to introduce this legislation alongside Senator Scott to further safeguard the rights of parents.”
“Parents know and love their children best, and they have the right and duty to direct the upbringing and care of their children. Yet parental rights have been eroded by government actions that view children as the property of the state and that exclude parents from critical educational and health care decisions,” said Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Senior Counsel Matt Sharp. “ADF applauds Sen. Scott, Sen. Lankford, and Rep. Foxx for introducing the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act, and stepping into the gap to protect the parent-child relationship that forms the bedrock of our society. This bill rightfully restrains federal government overreach by reaffirming the role of parents to guide the upbringing, education, and health care of their children. Now and always, it’s parents who know their children best, not the government.”
The bill is cosponsored by Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), as well as Representatives Randy Weber (R-Texas), John Rose (R-Tenn.), Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), and Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.).
BACKGROUND
The Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act works to:
Affirm that parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, and health care of their children;
Prevent the federal government from substantially burdening this fundamental right, without first passing the strict scrutiny test; and
Allow parents to raise a violation of the bill as a claim or defense in judicial or administrative proceedings at the federal and state levels.
During the previous administration, proposed Title IX regulations would have allowed the federal government to require schools to treat boys as girls, and vice versa, without informing parents. This would have constituted a blatant violation of parental rights, and the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act would provide legal recourse for parents to challenge this violation.
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
A scheme helping pupils to learn in a football environment is one of a range of regeneration projects set to share £62 million from the 2025-26 draft Scottish Budget.
The funding would help Spartans Community Foundation in Pilton, Edinburgh, complete construction of a permanent classroom. This would replace temporary cabins where students who may struggle in school receive lessons in literacy, numeracy, entrepreneurship, art and physical education. The project also assists young people to access jobs, apprenticeships and college placements as they leave school.
Other regeneration schemes earmarked for support in the draft Budget include:
clearing three derelict sites in the Lochee area of Dundee to make way for affordable homes
restoring Arbroath’s Courthouse as a centre offering careers advice and skills training
redeveloping Glen Urquhart Public Hall into a community hub
Visiting Spartans to hear about the organisation’s work within the local community, Employment and Investment Minister Tom Arthur said:
“Regeneration is a key priority for the Scottish Government – as it contributes to growing the economy and creating jobs.
“This inspiring scheme run by Spartans illustrates how local people can identify the issues they want tackled and then come up with the solution, at which point the Scottish Government is able step in with support.
“The new classroom will help more young people leave school with qualifications, find jobs and further education opportunities, as well as enjoy free football sessions. It is an example of delivering economic growth and tackling poverty at the grassroots.
Background
Recent projects to regenerate northern Edinburgh include the transformation of derelict industrial units at Granton Waterfront into communal spaces and the ongoing development of a community hub with an early years centre, library and space for North Edinburgh Arts on Pennywell Road.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Section of road within frontier closed area near Lin Ma Hang Village in Sha Tau Kok opens today (with photos) Section of road within frontier closed area near Lin Ma Hang Village in Sha Tau Kok opens today (with photos) ******************************************************************************************
The Government has, with effect from today (January 24), opened a specified section of road within the frontier closed area (FCA) near Lin Ma Hang Village in Sha Tau Kok, by exempting the requirement to apply for a closed area permit for the public travelling by green minibus passing through this section of road, with a view to facilitating travel for members of the public and tourists to Lin Ma Hang Village and Robin’s Nest Country Park. A spokesman for the Security Bureau stated, “Robin’s Nest Country Park was established in November last year. Having considered public views on opening the relevant section of road within the FCA near Lin Ma Hang Village and after careful study of the feasibility, the Government decided to implement special arrangements to open the relevant road portion.” The Hong Kong Police Force published in the Gazette today that, pursuant to section 38A(1) of the Public Order Ordinance, the requirement to apply for a closed area permit would be exempted for any person travelling to and from Lin Ma Hang Village by green minibus passing through the road within the FCA between Wang Lek and the entrance of Lin Ma Hang Village. Starting from today, members of the public and tourists can take green minibus No. 59K (Sheung Shui Station – Lin Ma Hang) from Sheung Shui MTR Station to reach Lin Ma Hang Village through the relevant section of road within the FCA. After alighting, members of the public can visit tourist attractions such as MacIntosh Forts and Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine directly via the Lin Ma Hang Country Trail and can continue towards the direction of Sha Tau Kok via the Robin’s Nest Country Trail to enjoy the scenery around Yan Chau Tong and Shenzhen Wutong Mountain. “We hope this measure can facilitate visits by members of the public and tourists to Robin’s Nest Country Park and nearby areas for sightseeing and experiencing Hong Kong’s rich geological features and historical heritage,” the spokesman said. The spokesman added that this exemption is only applicable to persons travelling by green minibus through the relevant section of road within the FCA and does not apply to private vehicles, taxis or other vehicles without a valid closed road permit, or to members of the public using other means of travel such as walking or cycling. “In fact, there are various ways to visit Robin’s Nest Country Park, not limited to the above road within the FCA. Members of the public and tourists may choose other transportation means and routes, including New Territories green minibus No. 55K (Sheung Shui Station – Sha Tau Kok), KMB bus No. 78K (Sheung Shui Station – Sha Tau Kok), or KMB bus No. 277A (Lam Tin Station – Sha Tau Kok), to arrive at the Tam Shui Hang stop of Sha Tau Kok Road (Shek Chung Au), and then to the entrance of the Lin Ma Hang Country Trail through Shan Tsui Village Road. Public transport operators will closely monitor passenger demand and reserve sufficient vehicles and manpower to enhance frequency according to actual passenger growth,” the spokesman said. For more information on Robin’s Nest Country Park, please visit the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk) or the Enjoy Hiking website (www.hiking.gov.hk).
CRAIG REUCASSEL, HOST: Dr. Anne Aly is the Minister for Early Childhood Education. She joins us now. Morning, Minister.
MINISTER ANNE ALY: Good morning, Craig.
REUCASSEL: Do you understand Kirsten’s frustration with the way this pay rise works?
ALY: I do. I understand that for smaller organisations, smaller early childhood education centres, this can be quite an arduous task, which is why we’ve included $10 million for the sector to help them navigate the process. So, there’s $10 million out there. I heard that Kirsten’s looking at paying $4,500. That’s one option. There are a whole range of other options as well, and I would encourage her and the committee to contact the Department and they can steer them in the right direction of where they can get the assistance for applying for that grant.
REUCASSEL: So, my understanding is that this is – my understanding is that $4,500 is an industry organisation that’s linked and has been actually directed through the department. Are there free options here or is there always some kind of payment required by – I think this is a small centre of about 40 children, so, you know, it’s not a large one.
ALY: No, you’re right. But there are other options and I’d encourage them to contact the Department and have a look at some other options. I did just want to address the issue of it being a grant. Grants are a very normal way for the government to distribute funding. This is a $3.6 billion investment into the sector and the reason that it was done as a grant is to ensure that accountability, to ensure that the money goes into the pockets of that critical early childhood education workforce sector and that it is done efficiently and with accountability and with transparency.
REUCASSEL: Yeah, I understand the efficiency and making it transparent and making sure that we’re aware it’s going to the right people is very important. But as you say a big part of it was getting into the pockets of the early childhood educators. What proportion of early childhood educators have received this grant at this date?
ALY: So, right now, at this date, over 50 per cent of services have applied. Now that’s 50 per cent of services have applied in two months. I think that’s pretty good tracking when you look at it in that way. There are around 31,000 – we estimate around 31,000 workers have received that pay rise.
REUCASSEL: Okay. Now in terms of this, if Kirsten’s organisation is slow at getting this done, you know, because they’re a small, you know, community run, not-for-profit, just say they get it in six months’ time. Do the workers get paid back for that six-month time? Is there retrospective?
ALY: Absolutely, absolutely. You know, recognising that for some smaller organisations that perhaps don’t have agreements in place, that is why we backdated the grant. So, they’ve got right up until the end of this financial year to apply. And if they apply before the end of this financial year, every single worker that they have at their centre will get their pay backdated to December 1st of last year.
REUCASSEL: Kirsten’s other frustration with this was she said, here’s the kicker, it’s going to end in two years. Are we going to see child care workers at the end of two years basically getting a 10 to 15 per cent pay cut?
ALY: Well, let me tell you why we did it in this way, Craig, because there is a rationale to it. Okay. So, one of the first things that we did in government was we introduced legislation. Tony Burke, the relevant Minister, introduced legislation to the Fair Work Commission that enabled them to undertake what’s called gender under evaluation decisions. Right now, with the Fair Work Commission, there is a gender under evaluation process in place that will determine what is a fair and just increase to the award wage of early childhood educators. That process is going to take two years, which means that it will be sometime in the middle of next year. We recognise that there is a workforce crisis, that families and children and parents are missing out of early childhood education and care because of worker retention. That is why this grant is called a worker retention grant. So, we decided we would fund a wage increase for two years through a grant process, which is a normal way of getting government money out, until the Fair Work Commission can make this determination with its gender under evaluation case.
REUCASSEL: Ok, so I understand. So, you’re hoping that the Fair Work’s gender under evaluation survey comes in place before the end of this two years, and therefore the wages are increased so that there’s not a sudden drop there. Do you think you were clear enough when you were setting this out at the beginning, because one of Kirsten’s complaints, and to be honest, maybe this is a criticism of the media, not necessarily of the government, was that they had no idea. This wasn’t how it was presented. It was presented, hey, there’s this pay rise coming for child care workers, you know, as if it’s just going to appear in their pay. And it didn’t necessarily suggest the problems. I mean, I look at the press release that was put out by yourself and the Honourable Jason Clare when this came out. It talked about this being phased in over two years. It didn’t necessarily say it was ending in two years. I must admit it didn’t give the impression of what was behind this.
ALY: Well, you know, to be honest, I can’t control how the media reports the announcements that we make. I know –
REUCASSEL: No, but as I said, I’m talking about your press release. Your press release also was fairly misleading.
ALY: There are a couple of -there are quite a few press releases out there as well as information on the Department website. I know that in every media interview that I’ve done, I’ve explained that it’s a two-year grant, that every interview that Jason Clare has done, he’s explained that it’s a two year grant and every statement that the Prime Minister has made has explained that it is a two year grant. It is called a worker retention payment for a reason, because it is specifically to retain that critical workforce with the understanding that there is a current case before the Fair Work Commission that will take two years to work through.
REUCASSEL: Yesterday when we discussed this, Georgie Dent from the Parenthood called in and said that it has been successful in actually retaining workers or getting workers. Has it kept workers in the early childhood sector? Has it overcome the kind of shortage there?
ALY: Well, as Georgie said, there’s been a 22 per cent drop in job vacancies in the early childhood education care sector. Now, in the time that I’ve been the Minister for Early Childhood Education and Care, every single centre that I went and visited had vacancies. To see a 22 per cent drop in vacancies since the announcement of the wage increase is pretty phenomenal. So, it is doing what it was intended to do.
REUCASSEL: Thank you for speaking to us, Minister. I think I understand it more. We’ll see whether it’s calmed Kirsten down, despite the amount of paperwork that has to be done at this point. But thanks for at least explaining it. And I do want to check in maybe at the end of this process. I want to find out how many child care centres have managed to do the application because, you know, we want it to be 100 per cent. This is meant to be getting to all child care workers, not just some.
ALY: Absolutely. And that’s our intention, that every single worker who does this vital work deserves this pay rise.
REUCASSEL: Alright. Thanks for speaking to us. Anne Aly is the Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education there.
SEATTLE — Un juez federal aprobó hoy la moción del estado de Washington para obtener una orden de restricción temporal en todo el país contra el intento inconstitucional del presidente Donald Trump de negar la ciudadanía por derecho de nacimiento a los hijos de inmigrantes que nacerán en los Estados Unidos. La orden del juez impide que las agencias federales implementen la orden ejecutiva del presidente sobre la ciudadanía por derecho de nacimiento mientras el tribunal examina inicialmente el caso.
Al aprobar la moción del procurador general, el tribunal aceptó que es probable que la demanda de los estados prevalezca en base al fondo del asunto. Esta orden garantiza que las familias inmigrantes a nivel nacional estén protegidas de cualquier amenaza inmediata de que sus hijos pierdan la ciudadanía. El gobierno federal no puede adoptar ninguna medida para negar la protección de la ciudadanía a los niños que nazcan en los Estados Unidos mientras procede la demanda.
“Esperamos que esta orden ejecutiva inconstitucional y antiestadounidense nunca entre en vigor gracias a las medidas que están adoptando los estados en nombre de sus residentes”, dijo Brown. “La ciudadanía por derecho de nacimiento deja en claro que la ciudadanía no puede estar condicionada a la raza, la etnia o el origen de los padres. Es la ley de nuestra nación, reconocida por generaciones de juristas, legisladores y presidentes, hasta la acción ilegal del presidente Trump. Por eso intervenimos para proteger a los habitantes de Washington de cualquier daño”.
Antecedentes del caso
El procurador general Nick Brown presentó el 21 de enero una demanda federal multiestatal y solicitó una orden de restricción temporal contra la orden ejecutiva inconstitucional del presidente Donald Trump que intenta revocar unilateralmente la ciudadanía de estadounidenses de todo el país, incluidos miles de bebés que nacen en el estado de Washington cada año.
A la demanda, presentada en el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Occidental de Washington, se unieron Oregón, Arizona e Illinois. La denuncia sostiene que la orden ejecutiva del presidente Trump para poner fin a la ciudadanía por derecho de nacimiento en el país viola la Decimocuarta Enmienda de la Constitución de los Estados Unidos y Ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad federal. La demanda argumenta que el presidente no tiene autoridad para contradecir a la Constitución y que ninguna disposición constitucional ni ley le otorgan el poder de determinar quién debería o no recibir la ciudadanía estadounidense al nacer.
Obtenga más información sobre la demanda en inglés aquí y en español aquí.
Colleen Melody, jefa de la División de Derechos Civiles Wing Luke, los subprocuradores generales Lane Polozola, Daniel Jeon y Alyson Dimmitt Gnam, y las asistentas legales Tiffany Jennings y Anna Alfonso están a cargo del caso por parte del estado de Washington.
-30-
El Procurador General de Washington sirve a la gente y al estado de Washington. Como el bufete de abogados más grande del estado, la Oficina del Procurador General brinda representación legal a cada agencia, junta y comisión estatal en Washington. Además, la Oficina sirve a la gente directamente al hacer cumplir las leyes de protección al consumidor, derechos civiles y protección ambiental. La Oficina también procesa casos de abuso de ancianos, fraude a Medicaid y maneja casos de depredadores sexuales violentos en 38 de los 39 condados de Washington. Visite www.atg.wa.gov para obtener más información.
Fiji’s Minister for Health and Medical Services has declared an HIV outbreak.
Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu announced 1093 new HIV cases from the period of January to September 2024.
“This declaration reflects the alarming reality that HIV is evolving faster than our current services can cater for,” he said.
“We need the support of every Fijian. Communities, civil society, faith-based organizations, private sector partners, and international allies must join us in raising awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring everyone affected by HIV receives the care and support they need.”
World’s largest epidemic A report released in mid-2024 showed that in 2023, 6.7 million people living with HIV were residing in Asia and the Pacific, making it the world’s largest epidemic after eastern and southern Africa.
“Among countries with available data, HIV epidemics are growing in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines,” the report said.
The regional director of UNAIDS Asia Pacific Eamonn Murphy said rising new infections in Fiji “put the entire Pacific region at risk”.
“Prioritisation of HIV by the government is critical for not only the people of Fiji, but the entire Pacific,” he said.
“Political will is the essential first step. There must also be community leadership and regional solidarity to ensure these strategies work.”
UNAIDS said the 1093 cases from January to September was three times as many as there were in 2023.
Preliminary Ministry of Health numbers show that among the newly-diagnosed individuals who are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy, half contracted HIV through injecting drug use. Over half of all people living with HIV who are aware of their status are not on treatment.
Second-fastest growth “Fiji has the second fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia and the Pacific region,” Murphy said.
He said the data does not just tell the story about a lack of services, but it indicates that even when people know they are HIV-positive, they are fearful to receive care.
“There must be a deliberate effort to not only strengthen health systems, but to respond to the unique needs of the most affected populations, including people who use drugs.
“Perpetuating prejudice against any group will only slow progress.”
UNAIDS also said the HIV Outbreak Response Plan called for a combination of prevention approaches.
Since the sexual transmission of HIV remains a significant factor, other key approaches are condom distribution and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a treatment taken by an HIV-negative person to reduce the risk of contracting HIV if they are exposed.
UNAIDS support Through the Australian government’s Indo-Pacific HIV Partnership, UNAIDS is supporting Fiji to scale up prevention approaches.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Fiji Dirk Wagener said the outbreak declaration and the launch of high-impact interventions, such as needle syringe programmes and PrEP, marked a critical turning point in Fiji’s efforts to combat the epidemic.
“The Joint UN Team on HIV, with UNAIDS as its secretariat, stands ready to provide coordinated and sustained support to ensure the success of these strategies and to protect the most vulnerable.”
The HIV Surge Strategy includes tactics for Fiji to achieve the Global AIDS Strategy targets — 95 percent of all people living with HIV aware their status, 95 percent of diagnosed people on antiretroviral therapy, and 95 percent of people on treatment achieving a suppressed viral load.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
China sent a new test satellite for communication technology into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan on Thursday. The satellite was launched by a Long March-3B rocket at 11:32 p.m. (Beijing Time) and entered the planned orbit successfully. According to the launch center, the satellite will be used for satellite communications, radio and television and data transmission services. It will also serve as a platform for testing and validating related technologies. This launch was the 558th mission of the Long March series carrier rockets.
China’s automotive company Geely Auto introduced the Geely EX5 as its first model for the Indonesian market.
“We firmly believe that Indonesia has great potential to become a hub for smart and sustainable mobility. Geely is here to offer mobility solutions that prioritize technology, sustainability, and an exceptional driving experience,” said Evin Ye, vice president of Geely Auto International Corporation, during the Geely EX5 launching in Jakarta on Wednesday.
According to him, the company plans to establish a knock-down factory for local vehicle production in the archipelagic country and begin manufacturing in the third quarter of 2025.
Cahyo Purnomo, investment promotion director for East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa at the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry, said that Chinese investment continues to grow and is an important part of Indonesia’s industrial development, particularly in the field of electric vehicles.
Geely Auto’s presence is more than just business, according to Cahyo, it also brings the newest electric car technology, which adds to the domestic automotive ecosystem and supports the archipelagic country’s economic progress.
Geely Auto is a subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, an automotive manufacturer based in Hangzhou, China, that has operated in over 100 countries.
wo Oregon strike teams were assigned overnight to a new fire in Southern California to help protect life and property. Strike Team 17 (Linn County) and Strike Team 18 (Clackamas County), both made up of water tenders, are working alongside California resources on the Lilac Fire near Bonsall. The fire has prompted evacuations for those living nearby.
The two teams are part of six water tender strike teams mobilized to California on January 11. They are assigned to a two-week deployment.
“These strike teams were mobilized at 3 a.m. and quickly engaged with the fire to support the initial attack,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Ruiz-Temple said. “They are working seamlessly with our CAL FIRE partners as we carry out our shared mission of protecting lives and property.”
Over the weekend, Ruiz-Temple was in Southern California, where she met with CAL FIRE officials, toured the fire-affected areas, and spoke with Oregon firefighters to learn about their experiences and work.
“Firefighters from across the country are working around the clock to support these communities,” Ruiz-Temple said. “I thank them, their communities, and their families who support their efforts during this deployment. The ability to share resources across state lines ensures states have the extra capacity needed during critical times.”
In total, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has sent 21 strike teams, 370 firefighters, and 105 apparatus to support California’s response to historic wildfires in the southern part of the state. This is the largest out-of-state deployment for the agency.
The sharing of resources is made possible through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The requesting state pays the local fire agencies directly for all costs.
The Chinese mainland’s top Taiwan affairs official has extended festive greetings to representatives of the Taiwan business community ahead of the Spring Festival, and reaffirmed the mainland’s commitment to deepening cross-Strait integrated development and delivering benefits to Taiwan compatriots. Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks during his visit to Taiwan enterprises and cross-Strait exchange events with nearly 400 Taiwan businesspeople and compatriots in Shenzhen, a technology hub in southern China, and Xiamen, a coastal city located near Taiwan, from Tuesday to Thursday. Song learned about the business operations and development of Taiwan enterprises and listened to their opinions and suggestions. He emphasized that the mainland will continue to refine policies and mechanisms to promote cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, while further advancing cross-Strait integrated development. The shared values of peace, harmony and the pursuit of a better life among people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait remain the foundation of the development of cross-Strait relations, Song said. He expressed the hope that Taiwan compatriots will uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, firmly oppose “Taiwan independence” separatism and external interference, and work together to expand cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and achieve integrated development. “The warm atmosphere of Spring Festival brings a sense of comfort. The mainland’s support for Taiwan enterprises and compatriots has given those from Taiwan and Taiwan-funded businesses in Fujian greater confidence to continue their investments and support the cross-Strait integrated development,” said Wu Chia-ying, executive vice president of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland. Wu attended a cross-Strait exchange event celebrating Spring Festival in Xiamen, east China’s Fujian Province, on Thursday. Designated as a demonstration zone for cross-Strait integrated development, Fujian saw 920,000 trips by Taiwan compatriots in the past year, and 8,817 trips were operated on direct routes between Fujian’s coastal areas and Kinmen and Mazu, transporting over 1.37 million passengers, marking year-on-year increases of 67.2 percent and 78.8 percent, respectively. In 2024, the mainland achieved its primary goals for economic and social development, shaping new advantages for cross-strait economic cooperation and providing new opportunities for Taiwan compatriots and businesses to deepen their engagement in the mainland, Song said. Last year, 7,941 Taiwan-funded companies were newly opened on the mainland, and the trade volume across the Strait reached 292 billion U.S. dollars, up 9.4 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs. Guangdong Province, where Shenzhen is located, serves as the front line of China’s reform and opening up and is geographically close to Taiwan. It has become one of the first destinations for Taiwan compatriots and businesses venturing into the mainland. “Most of the Taiwan businesses in Guangdong were engaged in manufacturing in the past. But now they can leverage their advantages to make forays in the service industry, semi-conductors and artificial intelligence here,” said Jeff Chen, president of the Dongguan Taiwanese Business Association. Guangdong is a representative example of Taiwan businesses seeking success on the mainland. Official statistics reveal that by the end of 2024, Guangdong had introduced nearly 35,000 Taiwan enterprises, involving more than 94 billion U.S. dollars of investment. Hsu Fu-hsien, president of the Taiwanese association in Shenzhen, who also manages a manufacturing company, has been settled in Shenzhen for 35 years. “I benefited a lot from the reform and opening up in the 1990s. We are now keeping in pace with the times to invest more in automation and innovation,” he said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BUDAPEST, Jan. 23 — Tourism professionals and cultural enthusiasts gathered at Budapest on Thursday evening for an event promoting China’s winter tourism offerings while celebrating the upcoming Chinese Spring Festival.
Organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and its Budapest Tourism Office, the event featured vivid video presentations and cultural activities, highlighting China’s iconic winter destinations known for their rich ice and snow resources. Regions such as Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, and Hebei were showcased as premier travel spots.
Li Huixin, director of the China National Tourist Office in Budapest, stressed the mutual potential for collaboration between China and the Central and Eastern European countries, noting their roles as both significant source markets and tourist destinations.
China’s diverse and abundant ice and snow tourism resources make it a premier destination for winter sports enthusiasts worldwide, Li said. Featured attractions include Changbai Mountain and Harbin Ice and Snow World in the Northeast, Zhangjiakou Chongli (a key venue for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics), and the Tianshan Ski Resort in Xinjiang.
Hungarian students Janka Kenez, currently studying master’s degree in China Studies at Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE), shared her personal experience of traveling in China. “Traveling through China is not just about famous sites like the Great Wall, it’s about the personal encounters that touch your heart,” she told Xinhua. Expressing admiration for China’s natural beauty, she called winter an ideal time to visit.
Balazs Szigethy, a PhD student at ELTE, highlighted the convenience of exploring in China. “With high-speed rail and user-friendly apps, exploring China has never been easier,” he said, encouraging attendees to experience the country’s winter attractions and its people firsthand.
The event also featured interactive activities, including a digital game to “light up” ice lanterns and a lucky draw. Guests also enjoyed Chinese delicacies and a musical performance of the “Spring Festival Overture” by the Cantabile Trio.
The event showcased the synergy between China’s winter tourism offerings and its rich cultural heritage, inspiring attendees to explore the charm of the Chinese Spring Festival and beyond.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China has just sent a new satellite group into space from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China’s Shanxi Province. The satellite group was launched at 1:15 p.m. Beijing Time on January 23 aboard a modified Long March-6 carrier rocket and entered orbit successfully. The group consists of 18 commercial satellites, which is the sixth batch that will constitute the Spacesail Constellation.
Spacesail is a low-Earth orbit mega-constellation that aims to offer global satellite internet services, supporting sectors such as transportation, new energy, smart cities, smart agriculture, emergency disaster relief and the low-altitude economy. The constellation officially began commercial network construction on August 6, 2024.
The modified Long March-6 carrier rocket is a new generation of medium-sized launch vehicle that both uses solid and liquid propulsion. The rocket has a carrying capacity of no less than 4.5 tonnes to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers.
Headline: Source of the Founder’s Aspirations: Meichi and the 250-year Plan
The Basic Business Philosophy guides Panasonic Group employees in striving to contribute to progress in society. At CES 2025, the opening keynote highlighted the founder Konosuke Matsushita’s recognition of the true mission of a company, and his grand vision to fulfill it. In this article, an epic anecdote demonstrates the thought of the founder, who announced the true mission of his business during a time of material scarcities.