Headline: Expressing Firm Determination to Solve Global Environmental Problems and Promote Business Transformation Using AI
He introduced the example of Panasonic HX, which efficiently supplies renewable energy by controlling the coordination of pure hydrogen fuel cells, solar cells, and storage batteries using an advanced energy management system while responding to changes in electric power demand and weather conditions. This solution is already in operation at the Kusatsu site in Japan and a manufacturing site in the UK, and it will be deployed in an office building in Munich, Germany, this spring.
Kusumi also spoke about the OASYS residential central air conditioning system to be released in the US market, which air conditions and ventilates an entire house using a combination of a mini split air conditioner, an energy recovery ventilator, and transfer fans using a DC motor-driven ventilation system. He pointed out that it is at least 50% more energy efficient*1 than conventional air-conditioning systems.
＊1: Conventional air-conditioning systems use a heat pump cooling system (14.2 SEER2) and a gas furnace (80% AFUE) for houses that are performance-compliant with IECC 2015. OASYS uses Panasonic’s mini split air conditioners and transfer fans for both cooling and heating functions in houses that are performance-compliant with OASYS-required specifications (estimated by converting gas energy consumption to electricity).
In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have taken the spotlight for their contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. Regarding automotive cylindrical lithium-ion batteries that support the widespread use of EVs, Kusumi mentioned that Panasonic has supplied a total of 15 billion cells to power over 3 million EVs. He also introduced the 2170 cell with the world’s highest energy density,*2 the high-capacity 4680 cell, whose mass production will begin soon, and the company’s collaboration with major carmakers. Furthermore, he mentioned the partnership with Redwood Materials Inc. in the US for the purchase of recycled cathode active materials and copper foil. JB Straubel, CEO of Redwood Materials, joined Kusumi and offered words of encouragement, “Panasonic is an incredible leader when it comes to technology and their commitment to sustainability.”
＊2: As of January 8, 2025, survey by Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd.
Upcoming issues will introduce key figures engaged in Panasonic HX, OASYS, and the automotive cylindrical lithium-ion battery business.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force have arrested a 30-year-old male in relation to domestic violence offences on Thursday afternoon.
Around 10am Thursday, police received intelligence that a male who was allegedly involved in a domestic violence assault the previous day, Wednesday 22 January 2025, was in possession of a firearm and driving through the Palmerston area.
Territory Safety Division (TSD) members attended the male’s residence on Tarakan Court, established a cordon, and the 30-year-old male was arrested. During a lawful search of the unit, officers located and seized a quantity of illicit substances.
A subsequent search of the offender’s vehicle located a firearm and ammunition, which were also seized.
The firearm was not used during either incident.
The offender remains in police custody, with charges expected to follow. Investigations are ongoing.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please reach out on 131 444 or, in an emergency, call 000. You can also anonymously report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, issued the following statement after voting to confirm John Ratcliffe to serve as Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director. Ratcliffe was confirmed by a vote of 74 to 25.
“John Ratcliffe is a strong choice by President Trump to serve as CIA Director. The men and women of the CIA have some of the most difficult, most impactful jobs in our government. They need a leader to provide a steady hand as they carry out the dangerous work that keeps Americans safe. I have confidence that Mr. Ratcliffe will bring his valuable experience as Director of National Intelligence to this role, empowering our CIA to excel in its operations while trimming any bureaucratic hurdles that detract from its core missions. As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I look forward to working with him to provide the CIA with the resources it needs to protect the American people,” Senator Capito said.
Senator Capito previously met with Ratcliffein December of 2024 to discuss his nomination and learn more about his vision to lead the agency.
A Turkish airliner lands at Damascus International Airport in Damascus, Syria, on Jan. 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
A Turkish Airlines passenger jet carrying Syrian passengers landed at Damascus International Airport on Thursday for the first time in 13 years, state news agency SANA reported.
In a press conference at the airport, Syrian Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates for Humanitarian Affairs Ahmad Dukhan applauded the resumption of flights, thanking “the Turkish government and people for standing by the Syrian people.”
Dukhan underscored the “deep roots” of the bilateral relationship, calling the return of direct flights “the beginning of renewed cooperation” and a ray of hope for Syrians abroad hoping to return to their country with dignity.
Turkish Airlines Director General Bilal Akshi said the move would serve the interests of Syria, its people, and the region.
Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz, also on board the flight, hailed the development as “a historic moment,” saying the restored air link will reconnect Damascus to the rest of the world.
Privatising public services like health that we all rely on will move the focus from delivering for people in need to cutting costs to boost profits of companies.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi strongly opposes increased delivery by private providers of public services like health and education, and asset sales as mooted today by ACT leader David Seymour.
Acting PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says the ACT proposals would take money from public services and funnel it towards private providers. This defunding of public services would see the interests of private companies and a limited number of shareholders prioritised over the common good in the provision of vital services.
“Privatisation will inevitably mean syphoning money off from providing services for all to pay profits to private corporations, says Fitzsimons.
“This will result in only those who can pay being able to access adequate health care and other vital services.
“Just look at the health system in the USA where the private sector dominates and sick people without health insurance are left at hospital doors. We don’t want that here.
“Assets sales have been tried and failed in New Zealand. The only winners are private companies.
“Public services and assets belong to all of us and are there to deliver for people not shareholders.
“Privatisation will also mean that the workers who deliver quality public, health and community services will see their livelihoods threatened by redundancies and reduced pay and conditions,” Fitzsimons says.
“The coalition Government’s savage attacks on, and funding cuts to public, health and community services, are clearly aimed at destroying trust in these services as a step towards privatisation.
“The PSA calls on Prime Minister Luxon to rule out privatising public services now and in the future,” Fitzsimons says.
A 19-year-old Stoodley man has been charged in relation to evade police and hooning matters that occurred in the Kentish area on two occasions in January. On Saturday 18 January, members of Latrobe Police Station were on mobile patrol on Buelah Road, Stoodley, when they observed a grey Ford Falcon Sedan conducting a large burn out. Police attempted to intercept the vehicle, when the driver evaded police. A search warrant was subsequently executed at a residence in Stoodley, where the vehicle was located. The 19-year-old driver was charged with multiple offences and bailed to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court in April. The man’s vehicle was clamped for a period of 28 days. As part of the investigation, the man was also charged in relation to a separate hooning matter on Railton Road and Native Rock Road at Railton on New Year’s Day. Sergeant Jeremy Williams said police remained committed to road safety and continued to conduct high-visibility patrols. “It is disappointing when drivers not only put their own lives at risk, but the lives of other road users,” he said. “Tasmania Police has zero tolerance when it comes to hooning offences and this type of driving behaviour is unacceptable. Anyone with information or cash cam footage should contact Latrobe Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force have arrested a 30-year-old male in relation to domestic violence offences on Thursday afternoon.
Around 10am Thursday, police received intelligence that a male who was allegedly involved in a domestic violence assault the previous day, Wednesday 22 January 2025, was in possession of a firearm and driving through the Palmerston area.
Territory Safety Division (TSD) members attended the male’s residence on Tarakan Court, established a cordon, and the 30-year-old male was arrested. During a lawful search of the unit, officers located and seized a quantity of illicit substances.
A subsequent search of the offender’s vehicle located a firearm and ammunition, which were also seized.
The firearm was not used during either incident.
The offender remains in police custody, with charges expected to follow. Investigations are ongoing.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please reach out on 131 444 or, in an emergency, call 000. You can also anonymously report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glenn Banks, Professor of Geography, School of People, Environment and Planning, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
Luxon specified mining and tourism among a number of sectors where the government was anticipating and facilitating growth. Having researched these sectors across the Pacific and Aotearoa New Zealand for more than 30 years, we would echo a cautionary approach.
There is certainly scope for more activity in both sectors. But there also needs to be a dose of realism about what they can deliver, and recognition of the significant risks associated with focusing solely on growth.
NZ is not Australia
Luxon wants to see mining “play a much bigger role in the New Zealand economy”, comparing the local sector with the “much higher incomes” generated in places such as Australia. If we wanted these, he suggested, we need to be aware it is “mining that pays” them.
But it is simplistic to compare domestic mining’s potential to the industry in Australia, which exports more than 400 times as much mineral wealth as New Zealand.
In addition, mineral wealth does not necessarily translate into significant increases in local or even national wealth. This is especially relevant when the local sector is dependent on foreign investment, high levels of imports and offshore expertise for construction and operations, highly volatile commodity prices and generous taxation regimes.
Luxon cited Taranaki and the West Coast as potential areas where mining could deliver “higher incomes, support for local business and families, and more investment in local infrastructure”.
The West Coast has seen the longest continuous presence of large- and small-scale gold and coal mining (for well over a century). And yet the region consistently scores among the worst for socioeconomic deprivation. Mining itself does not create regional development.
The ‘critical minerals’ cloak
The prime minister also gave a nod to the minerals “critical for our climate transition”.
While it’s true that “EVs, solar panels and data centres aren’t made out of thin air”, they are also not made in any significant way with the minerals we currently or might potentially mine (aside from some antimony, possibly).
The “critical minerals” argument risks being a cloak for justifying more mining of coal and gold.
So, even leaving aside the very real (though unacknowledged by Luxon) environmental risks, mining will not be the panacea the government suggests, and certainly not in the short term.
New Zealand does need mining, of course. Aggregates for roads and construction are the most obvious “critical mineral”. But the country also deserves a 21st-century sector that is environmentally responsible and transparent, and which generates real returns for communities and the national economy.
The tourist trap
Echoing Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ speech earlier in the week, Luxon also said “tourism has a massive role to play in our growth story”.
Willis said, “We want all tourists.” But this broad focus on high-volume tourism goes against international best practice in tourism development.
The negative impacts of a high-growth tourism model have been well documented in New Zealand. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s 2019 report – titled “Pristine, popular … imperilled?” – warned of the environmental damage that would be caused by pursuing this approach.
Mayors and tourism industry officials have responded to the Willis and Luxon speeches this week by expressing concern that boosting tourism numbers will only work if there is more government funding.
This is needed to manage growth and provide infrastructure, particularly in areas with low numbers of ratepayers. The need stretches from providing public toilets for busloads of tourists flowing through MacKenzie District, to maintaining popular tracks such as the West Coast Wilderness Trail.
A 2024 report from Tourism New Zealand showed 68% of residents experienced negative impacts from tourism, including increased traffic congestion and rubbish.
Further expansion could see tourism losing its social licence – a dire outcome when international tourists particularly value the “warm and welcoming” nature of locals.
High value vs high volume
Luxon and Willis point to major employment wins from tourism growth. But tourism is notorious for creating low-income, insecure jobs. This is not the basis for strong and sustainable economic development.
While we agree with Luxon that our tourism industry is “world class”, we risk seriously damaging that reputation if we compromise the quality of experience for visitors.
Post-COVID, there have been significant efforts by the tourism industry to support and implement a regenerative approach. This aligns with a high-value – or “high values” – approach, rather than being fixated on high volume.
We are not arguing against mining or tourism per se. Rather, we are sounding a caution: they are sectors that need careful assessment and regulation, and reputable operators, to deliver sustainable and equitable growth, regionally and nationally.
Simply generating profits for foreign investors and leaving local communities to deal with the costs cannot be a sustainable model.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Arthur’s Pass is about to get the benefits of the ongoing state highway summer maintenance season.
Contractors will be hard at work on the Alpine Highway near Arthur’s Pass Village early next month carrying out essential resurfacing works.
Work is planned for Monday, 3 February, and Tuesday February. It will require State Highway 73 to be closed between Rough Creek Bridge and Peg Leg (near the Otira Viaduct Lookout) between 10 am and 5 pm on both days.
The highway will open on the hour, every hour, to clear queued traffic. However, travel delays can be expected, and drivers must plan their journeys accordingly.
The narrowness or the road means a full closure is required. This is for the safety of road crew as well as drivers. It will also allow the work to be completed faster.
Because resealing work requires warm and dry conditions, and the location is in an alpine area, this work can only be done during the day.
State Highway 73 is a critical link between the South Island’s east and west coasts. This maintenance is essential for ensuring it remains a safe and resilient route for road users.
NZTA/Waka Kotahi thanks drivers for their patience and co-operation while this work is underway.
Works Schedule:
Monday, 3 February and Tuesday, 4 February. 10 am – 5 pm
SH73 CLOSED between Rough Creek Bridge and Peg Leg
The highway will reopen on the hour, every hour, to let queued traffic through.
These works are weather-dependent and may be scheduled if bad weather occurs
Secure and seamless communication is important to complete day-to-day military operations. It’s required when they are executed from afar.
The 8th Communications Squadron successfully tested their extended capabilities for the first time during Exercise Beverly Pack 25-1, simultaneously connecting operations at Kunsan Air Base and a simulated forward operating base through an expeditionary communications team Jan. 12-16. The exercise marks the largest-scale agile combat employment generation, deployment, and sustainment exercise within Seventh Air Force.
“The 8th expeditionary communications team consists of four AFSCs within the communications career field who are dedicated to providing ACE support and capability,” said 1st Lt. Mackenzie Clay, 8th CS operations flight commander. “They were given orders to provide C4I (command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence) for the wing, simulating and testing all the equipment in the flyaway kits to ensure constant communication between operational forces and wing leadership.” The Communication Flyaway Kits, consisting of tactical satellite communications and network devices, are designed by coordinating with other units and assessing deployment requirements to sustain operations at Kunsan and at simulated locations. They are imperative to integrate plans and agencies during exercises and any potential contingency operations.
“The team operates on mission-type orders to provide C4I, communicating through the Emergency Operations Center via the primary, alternate, contingency and emergency (PACE) plan,” said SrA Luis Del Carmen Diaz, expeditionary communications operator. “Through the use of the Communication Flyaway Kit package, the 8 CS can provide short and long range Non-Classified and Secret Internet Protocol Router (NIPR and SIPR) Networks as well as mission partner environment communication capabilities.”
Expeditionary communications teams and other CS assets are necessary for ACE operations: they help provide integral information regarding locations and statuses of adversaries and friendly forces. Providing the fullest picture of the operational scenario, they are a necessary component for quality decision-making which enables dispersed forces to adapt and prevail.
“We are continuously testing our equipment and ideas to bring faster speeds, options, and sizes to support ourselves and our allies,’ said SSgt Guillerma Khan, expeditionary communications NCOIC. “Mobility is essential, and our assets are the glue between us and any given location. The ability to communicate on-the-go pushes us further ahead of our adversaries.”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Proposed construction of lift and pedestrian walkway system between Lau Sin Street and Tin Hau Temple Road gazetted Proposed construction of lift and pedestrian walkway system between Lau Sin Street and Tin Hau Temple Road gazetted ******************************************************************************************
The Government gazetted today (January 24) the proposed construction of a lift and pedestrian walkway system linking Lau Sin Street and Tin Hau Temple Road, Tin Hau, to provide a convenient, comfortable and barrier-free pedestrian link between Tin Hau Temple Road and the MTR Tin Hau Station as well as the public transport interchange at King’s Road. Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plan and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,G/F, Harbour Building,38 Pier Road, Central, Hong KongWan Chai Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,G/F, 2 O’Brien Road, Wan Chai, Hong KongDistrict Lands Office, Hong Kong East,19/F, Southorn Centre,130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong The gazette notice, scheme, plan and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html. Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays); By fax to 2868 4643; or By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.
A notice of objection should describe the objector’s interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than March 25, 2025.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Paducah, KY – Today, following a three-day trial, a federal jury convicted a Hopkinsville, Kentucky, man of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as seven counts of money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison, of the USPIS Pittsburgh Division, Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd, of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Cincinnati Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Shawn Morrow of the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Louisville Field Division, and Chief Jason Newby of the Hopkinsville Police Department made the announcement.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between May 20, 2020, and January 22, 2022, Robert Blaine, 46, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky conspired with Roderick Tutt and Jessica Ochoa to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and over 400 grams of a fentanyl mixture. During that time frame, Blaine wired money to Ochoa as payment for the drugs and in furtherance of the overall conspiracy. Blaine also mailed a box containing $36,960 in U.S. currency to Ochoa that he obtained from proceeds of illegal drug sales. On January 21, 2022, Blaine arranged for Tutt to travel to Arizona to pick up fentanyl and methamphetamine from Ochoa. Tutt was supposed to bring the drugs back to Blaine in Hopkinsville. Tutt was arrested on the way back to Hopkinsville with 2,059 fentanyl pills and approximately 8 kilograms of methamphetamine. Blaine has numerous prior drug trafficking convictions.
On July 20, 2023, Roderick Tutt, 36, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Jessica Ochoa, 40, of Phoenix, Arizona pled guilty to conspiring with Blaine to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and 400 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl. Ochoa also pled guilty to seven counts of money laundering. Tutt and Ochoa are scheduled for sentencing on March 25, 2025, before a United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky.
Blaine is scheduled for sentencing on May 5, 2025, and remains in federal custody pending sentencing. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the DEA Paducah Post of Duty, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division, ATF – Louisville Division, and the Hopkinsville Police Department, with assistance from the FBI Louisville Field Division, the Tonto Apache Police Department, and the DEA – Phoenix Division.
Assistant United States Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, prosecuted the case with assistance from paralegal Cristy Crockett.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) welcomed over 120 guests and friends to celebrate the Year of the Snake together at a spring reception jointly hosted with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (Canada) (HKTB) on January 23 (Toronto time) in Toronto. Business, cultural, academia and community partners came together and learned about the latest developments of Hong Kong on its economic and cultural fronts.
In her welcoming speech at the reception, the Director of the Toronto ETO, Ms Emily Mo, said that Hong Kong achieved a series of encouraging results in 2024.
“We shone brightly on the world stage,” she said. “Hong Kong is recognised as the world’s freest economy and the third-largest international financial centre. It has risen two places to fifth in world competitiveness, and re-entered the top 10 for talent competitiveness. The city continues to maintain the world’s top position in investment environment, international trade, business legislation, and air freight volume.”
The International Monetary Fund Executive Board just published a Staff Report today acknowledging Hong Kong’s economic recovery and resilient financial system. The Report recognised that Hong Kong’s economy is on a path of gradual recovery, reaffirmed Hong Kong’s status and function as an international financial centre and recognised that Hong Kong’s financial system remains resilient, supported by robust institutional frameworks, ample room for policy buffers, and the smooth functioning of the Linked Exchange Rate System.
Looking ahead to the Year of the Snake, Ms Mo added that Hong Kong will better leverage its unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” arrangement. The city will continue to be a “super-connector” and “super value-adder,” bridging traditional and emerging markets and creating opportunities for global investors, including Canadian businesses.
At the reception, the Senior Manager of Marketing and Public Relations of the HKTB, Mr Jorge Lee, shared with participants the HKTB’s achievements in 2024 and tourism publicity initiatives in 2025.
“In 2024, Hong Kong welcomed almost 45 million travellers, with 1.2 million visitors from North America. For our Canada market, over 320,000 Canadians visited Hong Kong last year, reflecting an impressive year-on-year growth rate of nearly 50 per cent. We introduced unique offerings centred around iconic events with our trade partners, bringing Canadians closer to Hong Kong’s vibrant culture. To our trade partners, we extend our deepest gratitude to and appreciation for their continued collaboration.
“In the coming years, visitors to Hong Kong can expect a vibrant and evolving destination that seamlessly blends its ‘East-meets-West’ cultural identity with sustainable tourism initiatives. Hong Kong will continue to showcase distinctive experiences by integrating culture, art, sports, nature, and mega events, appealing to diverse interests.”
This year, the Toronto ETO invited internationally renowned Hong Kong sand artist Hoi Chiu to showcase his skills at the spring reception. Through sand and his exquisite technique, the artist told the traditional story of the Lunar New Year. His performance was a perfect fusion of skill, art, and storytelling, drawing the audience into an engaging narrative world.
In closing, Ms Mo invited the guests to visit Hong Kong to experience its unique East-meets-West culture and seize the tremendous opportunities presented by Asia’s world city.
The Toronto ETO and the HKTB will jointly host a spring reception in Vancouver on January 28, celebrating the Lunar New Year with local guests and friends.
This report examines business-as-usual and low-carbon scenarios for Bangladesh at the national level and Dhaka at the city level. It outlines the technologies, efficiency measures, and investment costs associated with the low-carbon transition in the country for 2025¬–2050.
Only qualifications and programmes at Levels 3 and above on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) are eligible. Eligible qualifications and programmes must be recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) or Universities New Zealand and funded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) from:
the Delivery at Levels 3–7 (non-degree) on the NZQCF and all industry training Fund (DQ3-7), or the Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) to 10 on the NZQCF Fund (DQ7-10), or grants under section 556 of the Education and Training Act 2020 for tertiary provision towards a qualification on the NZQCF at Levels 3 or above.
Provider-based qualifications Eligible provider-based qualifications are TEC-funded and are equal to or greater than 0.5 equivalent full-time students (EFTS). Work-based programmes Eligible work-based programmes are TEC-funded programmes comprising at least 120 credits. Qualifications and programmes that are not eligible for final-year Fees Free The following are not eligible for final-year Fees Free:
School learning programmes and secondary tertiary programmes Certificates of proficiency Pathway qualifications Zero fee programmes Programmes where fees are met under another funding arrangement, such as the Youth Guarantee (YG) Fund, Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT), or the Refugee English Fund Qualifications and programmes at Levels 1 or 2 on the NZQCF Provider-based qualifications that are less than 0.5 EFTS, or work-based programmes that are less than 120 credits.
Pathway qualifications Pathway qualifications are qualifications that prepare learners to progress into further study and training by supporting them to meet minimum entry requirements and/or develop the required skills for higher study. For the purposes of final-year Fees Free:
This includes bridging qualifications, Certificates of University Preparation, Certificates in Study and Employment Pathways, and Level 3 Study and Career Preparation (except when primarily intended for career preparation). This does not include qualifications that are used for staircasing, or programmes that comprise part of, or are cross-credited towards a higher qualification.
Any qualification confirmed as a pathway qualification will be excluded for all learners. The exclusion is not able to take into account individual learner intentions. You can view the list of pathway qualifications that are excluded from Fees Free: Pathway qualifications (XLSX 15 KB) To request to add or remove a qualification from the list of pathway qualifications excluded from Fees Free, contact customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject: (EDUMIS number) Final-year Fees Free – pathway qualifications. Please briefly outline how the qualification you wish to add/remove from the list does/doesn’t meet the definition of a pathway qualification. Qualification completion date The date the learner completes their eligible provider-based qualification or work-based programme is defined as the date the requirements have been met by the learner to be awarded the qualification. This should align with what is recorded on the learner’s New Zealand Record of Achievement. For provider-based study, TEOs will be required to submit the qualification completion date as part of their SDR submission from August 2025. TEOs already report work-based programme completion dates to NZQA, which NZQA provide to TEC. Qualification and programme eligibility FAQs Why must provider-based qualifications comprise at least 0.5 EFTS and work-based programmes at least 120 credits to be eligible? Setting a minimum threshold mitigates the risk of learners using their Fees Free entitlement on small pieces of study or training. For example, a learner will not be able to inadvertently consume their entitlement on a very short programme of 0.2 EFTS. Setting the eligibility criteria for provider-based qualifications at 0.5 EFTS or greater means that the large number of learners who complete qualifications at this level, and don’t go on to do further study or training, can access final-year Fees Free. A work-based programme minimum of 120 credits gives assurance that the training programme has career benefit to the learner. It reduces the risk that learners will use up their Fees Free entitlement on short training programmes directed by (and often entirely paid for by) their employers, or that employers will shift training costs onto learners. Why aren’t Level 1 and 2 qualifications covered by Fees Free? The Fees Free policy aligns eligibility with student support and government tuition subsidies. Foundation programmes and qualifications (at NZQCF Levels 1 and 2) are excluded because provider-based Level 1 and 2 study is already fees-free, and learners shouldn’t have to use their Fees Free entitlement on courses and programmes intended to prepare them for tertiary education at Levels 3 and above. Why do programmes and courses have to be recognised and funded to be available for Fees Free? Fees Free was designed to help New Zealanders access high-quality tertiary education that provides skills for life and work. When a course or programme is both recognised by the NZQA or Universities New Zealand, and funded by the TEC, it means the course is of a high educational standard. Are private training establishment (PTE) courses covered by Fees Free? Yes, as long as the provider-based qualification or work-based programme meets the eligibility criteria. What happens if a learner is enrolled in two qualifications at the same time? For provider-based study, a learner enrolled in two qualifications at the same time will only receive Fees Free on completion of their first qualification. This applies, for example, when a learner is enrolled in a concurrent degree, or is studying towards two qualifications simultaneously. We’ll use the qualification completion date reported by TEOs to determine the first completed qualification. For work-based learning, eligibility is based on the learner’s first programme completion (apprenticeship or training programme) rather than the qualifications that make up that programme, many of which will be under the 120-credit minimum.
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
SINGAPORE (Jan. 16, 2025) Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jeffrey Bowman, attached to Motor Vessel Carolyn Chouest, participates in the E-7 Navy-wide advancement exam at Sembawang Naval Installation, Jan. 16, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in Naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings/Released)
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
SINGAPORE (Jan. 23, 2025) Capt. James Bach, left of center, Chief of Staff, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, delivers a command capabilities brief to staff and personnel assigned to Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/ Task Force 73 (COMLOGWESTPAC/CTF 73), during a scheduled visit to Sembawang Naval Installation, Jan. 23, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional Allies and partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today, on National Girl Child Day, reiterated the Government’s commitment to keep empowering the girl child and ensure a wide range of opportunities for her.
In a thread post on X, Shri Modi wrote:
“Today, on National Girl Child Day, we reiterate our commitment to keep empowering the girl child and ensure a wide range of opportunities for her. India is proud of the accomplishments of the girl child across all fields. Their feats continue to inspire us all.”
“Our Government has focused on sectors like education, technology, skills, healthcare etc which have contributed to empowering the girl child. We are equally resolute in ensuring no discrimination happens against the girl child.”
Today, on National Girl Child Day, we reiterate our commitment to keep empowering the girl child and ensure a wide range of opportunities for her. India is proud of the accomplishments of the girl child across all fields. Their feats continue to inspire us all.
Our Government has focused on sectors like education, technology, skills, healthcare etc which have contributed to empowering the girl child. We are equally resolute in ensuring no discrimination happens against the girl child.
Police will have a strong presence in the city on Sunday to ensure community safety as six major events coincide.
Police have been working with event organisers within the Adelaide CBD with the bulk of events taking place between Elder Park, King William Road and Victoria Square.
Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens said tens of thousands of people are expected in the city throughout the day.
“Police will have additional resources to ensure public safety and the capacity to boost numbers if needed,” Commissioner Stevens said.
“Everyone has the right to participate in these activities safely and police will have a highly visible presence in all parts of the city and North Adelaide to ensure this occurs.
“While SAPOL supports the right for peaceful protest and freedom of expression, police will have zero tolerance for anti-social, racist or violent behaviour.
“For those events which have not been planned in conjunction with police, any inflammatory conduct or criminal offending will be dealt with quickly to ensure public safety.”
Starting the day with a Morning of Mourning at Elder Park from 7:30am the Women’s Tour Down Under (TDU) race will kick off nearby on King William Road at 10am. Survival Day 2025 events will be held at Victoria Square, with a march down King William Street at 11 and events continuing at the Square. The Men’s TDU will be held from 1:30pm and Aus Lights on the River, including the Respecting Country Parade will begin at 5pm.
“Many of the events will occur in the Declared Public Precinct, meaning police can conduct a metal detector search of a person and any property in their possession for the presence of weapons,” Commissioner Stevens said.
Police also have the power to:
carry out general drug detection in relation to any person within the precinct,
order a person or group posing a risk to public safety to leave the declared public precinct
ban a person who commits an offence of a kind that may pose a risk to public safety and order or behaves in an offensive or disorderly manner within the precinct (for up to 24 hours).
remove children from the declared public precinct who are in danger of physical harm or abuse, behaving in an offensive or disorderly manner, or otherwise committing or about to commit an offence.
Road closures will be in place to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, so motorists are encouraged to check www.traffic.sa.gov.au
US President Donald Trump has called time on working from home. An executive order signed on the first day of his presidency this week requires all federal government departments and agencies to:
take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person.
There are a few different models of working from home. Strictly speaking, remote work is where employees work from an alternative location (typically their home) on a permanent basis and are not required to report to their office.
This is distinct from “telework”, a hybrid model whereby employees work from home an agreed number of days each week. But it’s clear Trump wants to end telework too.
Under guidelines released on Wednesday, federal agencies were given until 5pm local time on 24 January to update their telework policies to require all employees back in the office full-time within 30 days.
Obviously, Trump can’t end working from home for everyone. Private organisations are allowed to set their own policies. But the US government is a seriously big employer, with more than 3 million employees.
According to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), about 10% of federal workers are fully remote. The impact of this order will be far-reaching.
Trump abruptly pulls the rug
The work-from-home movement was a profound global shift, brought on by the COVID pandemic. We’ve been living with it for five years.
Federal workers who have been working remotely for an extended period are likely to have made significant life decisions based on their flexible working arrangements.
Flexible working arrangements have been mainstream for years, influencing key life decisions for many people. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock
It may have influenced where they bought a house, what school their children attend, and what their spouse or partner does for work.
Trump’s order is likely to have a dramatic ripple effect on workers’ families and other life arrangements and responsibilities.
True, federal heads of department and managers and supervisors will be allowed to make some exceptions – including for a disability, medical condition or other “compelling reason”.
But the message is clear. What has been a growing but informal trend among some employers worldwide to “bring employees back into the office” is now being incorporated into US government policy.
Why the backlash?
Trump’s executive order reflects longstanding concerns among some employers and managers who think it is simply better to have employees in the office.
They argue, among other things, that in-office work makes it easier to keep a close eye on performance, and supports more face-to-face collaboration. It also makes better use of often very expensive real estate.
Amazon recently ordered all of its staff back into the office five days a week. Other surveys suggest many employers are planning a crackdown this year.
City planners and businesses have also lamented the impact of remote and flexible working on restaurants, dry cleaners and coffee shops that rely on trade from commuters.
What might be lost?
Some employees may actually welcome the return to the office, particularly those who prefer more social interaction and want to make themselves more visible.
Others will find the change jarring, and may lose a range of benefits they’ve grown used to.
A 2023 report by policy think tank EconPol Europe found working from home had become most prevalent in English-speaking countries.
It suggested strong support, saying:
the majority of workers highly value the opportunity to work from home for a portion of their work week, with some placing significant importance on it.
Many also wanted to work more days from home than their employers were willing to allow.
A recent analysis by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) found that working from home had significantly increased workforce participation for two key groups: working mums and people with a disability or health condition.
Many employees now prioritise flexible work arrangements, and some are willing to sacrifice part of their salary for the privilege.
Work-from-home arrangements also offer individuals living in remote communities access to employment. That benefit goes two ways, allowing employers to tap into a bigger talent pool.
Will Australia follow?
Trump’s executive order could have big, immediate impacts on federal workers in the US, but it’s unclear whether there’ll be domino effects here. It would be unwise for the Australian government or major employers to adopt a blanket approach.
Indeed, some multinational US firms with offices in Australia may get caught up in Trump’s return-to-office movement.
In the short term, this forced change is unlikely to make its way to Australia. While social trends do travel between regions, each country has its own employment laws, customs and trends.
Researchers have shown it can be difficult, and in some cases impossible, to transfer human resource practices between countries
and across cultures.
Australia’s geography may be a factor on remote work’s side. A complete ban would immediately have a negative impact on employment opportunities for talented workers in the regions.
The key message for Australian employers and policy-makers is that the benefits of remote work aren’t just for employees.
It can enhance an organisation’s performance, widening the talent pool to include not only those who live far away from the office, but also talented workers who may otherwise be excluded.
Julia Richardson 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 Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
***Click here for audio.***
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pro-life members of Congress like U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) have long recognized the importance of providing additional support for pregnant mothers. In recent sessions of Congress, Cramer has co-sponsored legislation to expand child support payments for expectant mothers, implement tax credits, and create a clearinghouse for pregnancy and post-partum resources.
In honor of the annual March for Life in Washington, Cramer and U.S. Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24) reintroduced the Unborn Child Support Act in support of mothers-to-be and their children. Cramer is a co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and received an A+ rating from Susan B. Anthony List for voting “consistently to defend the lives of the unborn and infants.”
The Unborn Child Support Act allows pregnant women to receive child support payments. It recognizes the needs of mothers and allows them to opt-in to receive prenatal payments, should they choose to pursue them via the court system. Specifically, the judges would be required to consult with mothers on payment plans and give mothers discretion as to whether or not child support payments will be awarded retroactively. The bill also directs all paternity tests be at the discretion of the mother and not be conducted if the test puts the child at risk.
“I believe life begins at conception and therefore, our duty to care for mothers also begins at conception,” said Cramer. “What our bill does, is empowers moms to simply seek prenatal child support and rightly puts the financial obligation on fathers to help provide for their unborn children. We should encourage motherhood and fully support them along the way.”
“By enabling child support to begin at conception, we empower mothers with financial assistance while respecting their freedom to make the best choices for themselves and their unborn children,” said Tenney. “The Unborn Child Support Act emphasizes the value of life from the very beginning of pregnancy and provides vital support to mothers. If a mother chooses to seek prenatal child support, we must ensure she and her unborn child receive the resources and assistance they deserve.”
Additional cosponsors of the legislation include U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
The Unborn Child Support Act is endorsed by several organizations, including Concerned Women for America, March for Life Action, Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), CatholicVote, Family Policy Alliance, Family Research Council, Americans United for Life, National Right to Life, Christians Engaged, and National Association of Pro-Life Nurses.
Click here for bill text.
The Western Australian State Election will be held on Saturday 8 March 2025, in line with other public sector agencies, we will assume a caretaker role from 5 February 2025 and will follow the State Government’s guidelines.
During the caretaker period, we will continue to receive and assess grant requests, however funding decisions will be deferred until after the caretaker period has ended.
We will also take on a caretaker role for the Federal Election, and further information will be provided once the election date has been announced.
Please continue to check our website regularly for updates and sign up to our e-newsletter. If you think your organisation may be affected by these caretaker periods, please contacts us on 133 777 or email healthway@healthway.wa.gov.au
Galaxy Unpacked 2025 in San Jose, California, set the stage for the next wave of AI-powered experiences with Galaxy AI.
On January 22, Samsung Electronics announced the release of the Galaxy S25 series, featuring significant hardware upgrades and ushering in a new era of AI-driven innovation. These advancements empower users to unlock new realms of creativity, forge deeper connections and streamline everyday tasks like never before.
The Galaxy S25 series transcends the concept of a smartphone to become a platform for AI integration, with Galaxy AI set to redefine everyday experiences through personalized, meaningful and human-like interactions.
▲ TM Roh, President and Head of the MX Business at Samsung Electronics, delivers his keynote address at Galaxy Unpacked 2025.
“The Galaxy S25 series has set a new standard of mobile AI innovation though an AI OS we built from the ground up,” said TM Roh, President and Head of the Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, during his keynote address. “Thanks to One UI 7 and its integrated AI agents, users can effortlessly enjoy a more personalized, intuitive and natural mobile experience than ever before.”
Samsung Newsroom explored how the Galaxy S25 series is setting new standards with intuitive solutions that reshape the way people interact with technology.
New Ways To Get Things Done: AI That Learns, Adapts and Delivers
At the heart of the Galaxy S25 series is the evolution of its AI capabilities, powered by the next-generation One UI 7 operating system. This upgrade introduces advanced features designed to make tasks easy and intuitive. For example, the newly introduced Now Brief learns user routines and delivers customized information like exercise updates, translations, music and more, directly to the lock screen, eliminating the need to toggle between multiple apps.
▲ Drew Blackard, VP of Product Management at Samsung Electronics America, introduces the audience to the Galaxy S25 series’ many advanced Galaxy AI features.
Another game-changing feature is AI Select, introduced for the first time on the Galaxy S25 series. Accessible through the Edge Panel, AI Select functions as a personal AI assistant, capable of summarizing lengthy articles in seconds or aiding in creative tasks like generating colorful images with Drawing Assist.
With One UI 7, the Galaxy S25 series’ built-in multimodal AI recognizes natural language, images and text, enabling users to interact naturally and achieve more with minimal effort. This means its intelligent features can be triggered by simple voice commands. For instance, saying “My eyes are tired” prompts the Galaxy S25 series to activate the blue light filter, while “Find a photo of Max from last winter in a red coat, eating cake” searches the Gallery app to locate the desired image.
▲ Gallery Search (top) and the music recognition capability added to Circle to Search (bottom)
Circle to Search has also been enhanced to identify music playing on-screen without needing to open a separate app.
While watching YouTube videos, users can also issue voice commands like “List the place mentioned in this video and save it as a Note,” and Galaxy AI, powered by Google’s Gemini, seamlessly saves the location directly to Samsung Notes.
▲ Sissi Hsiao, VP at Google and GM for Gemini Experiences, discusses the collaboration between Samsung Electronics and Google.
The Galaxy S25 series features a Personal Data Engine, developed in partnership with Oxford Semantic Technologies, which contextually understands user preferences and routines while safeguarding data. What’s more, the Galaxy S25 series adopts C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) standards, reinforcing transparency and trust and ensuring privacy remains a top priority in this AI-driven digital era.
▲ Jay Kim, EVP and Head of Customer Experience Office at Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics, explains the evolution of One UI into an integrated AI platform.
Samsung continues to advance Galaxy AI through strategic partnerships with third-party app developers and AI solution providers, cementing its position at the forefront of secure AI innovation.
New Ways To Play: Power, Performance and Visual Excellence
The Galaxy S25 series is powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy processor (AP), delivering a significant leap in speed and efficiency. With 40% improved NPU performance, 37% enhanced GPU performance and 30% upgraded GPU performance compared to its predecessor, this processor drives the series’ advanced AI capabilities.
▲ Kareen Stephens, Senior Marketing Manager at Samsung Electronics America, explains how powerful the performance of Galaxy S25 series’ mobile AP is
Designed with gamers in mind, the Galaxy S25 series opens up new possibilities for mobile gaming. ProScaler, a display feature that utilizes AI-powered algorithmic processing, reduces noise and enhances the clarity of on-screen visuals, enabling smoother, more immersive gameplay. Along with Vulkan and game engine optimizations, the series offers a 40% boost in Ray Tracing performance, raising the bar for mobile gaming visuals.
Heat dissipation is another standout capability, with a vapor chamber roughly 40% larger than before.1 This advancement ensures more efficient heat management, even during intense gaming sessions.
Additionally, the Galaxy S25 series offers longer battery life and faster charging. Wireless charging speeds have increased to 25W (up from 15W), and the charging time for the 5000mAh battery has been halved — from two hours to just one.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts premium durability with a new glass-ceramic cover and a more robust display equipped with Corning® Gorilla® Armor 2.
▲ Spectators listen attentively to the speakers’ presentations during Galaxy Unpacked 2025
New Ways To Create: Unlocking New Camera Possibilities With AI
The Galaxy S25 series revolutionizes mobile photography with an upgraded ProVisual Engine that delivers unprecedented AI camera capabilities. AI learning has evolved to capture intricate details, from hair texture to the sparkle in one’s eyes, adding life-like vibrancy to every shot.
▲ Rachel Roberts, Senior Manager of Smartphone Product Management at Samsung Electronics America, discusses the ProVisual Engine and the Galaxy S25 series’ elite camera performance
With improved AP performance, the series takes Nightography to new heights, creating clearer night photos. The Galaxy S25 Ultra also features the series’ first 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera, offering an expansive field of view for capturing stunning landscapes and group shots.
Video creation is equally innovative with enhanced AI-powered video editing tools. The Audio Eraser feature, for example, eliminates distracting sounds from videos so users can capture special moments to perfection.
New Ways To Stay Healthy: AI for Smarter Health Management
Samsung Health leverages AI to track and analyze key health metrics, including sleep, heart health, diet and exercise, providing a comprehensive approach to well-being. Using these health measurements, it offers tailored insights to guide users to the best versions of themselves.
▲ Praveen Raja, VP and Head of Digital Health at Samsung Research America, highlights how Samsung Health has evolved into a personalized health management platform
Moving forward, Samsung Health envisions providing users with end-to-end health solutions, enabling them to manage their health from the comfort of their home.
Beyond physical health, Samsung Health also plans to support mental well-being with tools for stress and mental health management, and ultimately evolve into a holistic solution for both the body and mind.
New Ways To Manage Homes: The Future of Smart Ecosystems
Galaxy AI and SmartThings enhance home management through a connected smart ecosystem, driven by AI-powered automation and personalization. SmartThings and Bixby align home environments with daily routines, leveraging voice commands and wearable data to optimize convenience and deliver a personalized smart home experience.
▲ A demonstration of how Galaxy AI and SmartThings have come together to provide a seamlessly connected home management solution
Advanced AI features from Galaxy AI and SmartThings extend home management to include the well-being of family members and pets. For example, these tools allow users to monitor their pets remotely while away and even keep them company by turning the TV on for them. Preparations for pet healthcare services, such as connecting users to pre-veterinarian consultation services, are underway as well.
As one of the initial members of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, Samsung has partnered with the Alliance to support, develop and promote Matter, the connectivity standard for smart home and IoT devices, designed to ensure interoperability, accessibility and security across the smart home ecosystem.
New Efforts for Sustainability: Embracing a More Circular Approach to the Latest Galaxy Smartphones
Samsung continues to prioritize sustainability with initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact. The company aims to incorporate at least one recycled material in every module of every mobile product by 2030.2
In addition, Galaxy S25 will be the first Galaxy smartphone to include recycled cobalt sourced from the batteries of previously used Galaxy devices through the Circular Battery Supply Chain with each Galaxy S25 battery featuring a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt.3 These efforts reflect Samsung’s broader goal of exploring how technology can do more for people and the planet, creating a balance between innovation and environmental responsibility.
▲ Cassie Smith, Senior Manager of Corporate Sustainability at Samsung Electronics America, highlights Samsung’s circular economy efforts
Galaxy Unpacked 2025 came to an end with a teaser video offering a sneak peek of the slimmer but nonetheless powerful Galaxy S25 Edge, heightening the crowd’s expectations of what new innovations Samsung holds in store ahead.
Watch the full replay of this January’s Galaxy Unpacked 2025 showcase in the video below. Stay tuned to Samsung Newsroom for complete coverage of the event and an in-depth look at how the Galaxy S25 series and Galaxy AI are shaping the future of mobile innovation.
1 Based on Galaxy S25 Ultra model2During Samsung Galaxy Unpacked January 2024, we announced that we will incorporate at least one recycled material in every module of every mobile product by 2030. Samsung defines a module of a smartphone as the Antenna, Battery, Camera, Display, Mechanical Components, Motor, PBA/FPCB, Speaker, Wireless Charger Module and Packaging.3 A minimum of 25% of the Galaxy S25 battery is cobalt by weight, 50% of which is recycled cobalt.
Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined a group of 24 Democratic Senators led by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to call on President Trump to put veterans first and immediately exempt all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees from the hiring freeze he issued on Monday. In a letter to Trump, the Senators stressed concerns about the negative impact the hiring freeze will have on the delivery of veterans’ health care and benefits nationwide – if not quickly reversed.
“As written, this Memorandum could dramatically impair the ability of veterans across the country to get the care and benefits they desperately need,” wrote the Senators. “It could also delay or deny various other services across VA – from burial services to job training to assistance for homeless veterans to life-saving assistance from the Veterans Crisis Line. That is why it is imperative for you to provide an immediate, clear, and full exemption to this hiring freeze for VA so it can continue to deliver on its sacred mission for veterans.”
The group of Democratic Senators also underscored that despite assurances of exemptions, they have heard from employees on the ground that the hiring freeze will extend to certain positions promised to be exempt: “In your Memorandum, little detail is provided to understand the scope of its exemptions. And despite assurances that VA benefits would be exempt, we have become aware the hiring freeze will extend to the Veterans Benefits Administration – a decision that will dramatically impact the processing of disability claims, growing the backlog and making it more difficult for veterans to access their earned benefits, including those promised in the PACT Act.”
The Senators pressed Trump for scaling back on VA employees, rather than continuing efforts to address chronic workforce shortages Congress has implemented over the last few years: “Instead of building upon those efforts, one of your first actions was to stop them entirely, and to issue new directives to VA personnel across the country to not only leave vacancies unaddressed, but to revoke job offers that have already been made. That is a betrayal of trust to veterans on day one of your Administration, and it is a betrayal of trust to prospective VA employees intent on serving veterans – an action that will undoubtedly have long-term impacts on VA’s ability to effectively recruit and retain the physicians, nurses, and other critical positions that make VA the preferred option for care for veterans.”
The letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Peter Welch (D-VT).
In addition to the Senate Democrats’ letter to Trump, a group of House Democrats led by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) are sending a letter today calling on Acting VA Secretary Todd Hunter to also exempt all VA employees from the hiring freeze.
The full text of the Senators’ letter is available here.
Denver, CO – The U.S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF), along with the Vail Police Department, located and arrested a Florida homicide suspect Wednesday evening in Vail.
Aldo Armijos-Castillo, 32, is wanted by the Manatee County (FL) Sheriff’s Office on a felony arrest warrant for murder by person engaged in burglary in connection to a Dec. 26, 2024 home invasion in Bradenton, Florida that left one man dead. A warrant for Armijos-Castillo’s arrest in that case was issued on Jan. 6.
Investigators with the U.S. Marshals Service’s Florida-Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force in Tampa recently developed information indicating Armijos-Castillo had fled Florida and was traveling to California. On Jan. 22, that information was relayed to the U.S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force who picked up the investigation. COVOTF investigators learned Armijos-Castillo was travelling by bus westbound on I-70, but was delayed due to a large traffic accident near Vail.
COVOTF Task Force Officers from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in Grand Junction then contacted the Vail Police Department (VPD) for assistance. VPD officers along with members of their SWAT team were able to locate and positively identify Armijos-Castillo and safely take him into custody.
Armijos-Castillo was transported to the Eagle County Jail where he was booked on the outstanding homicide warrant from Florida. He is currently awaiting extradition.
The success of this arrest represents a culmination of extensive cooperative investigative efforts between the U.S. Marshals Florida-Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Vail Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
The Colorado Violent Offender Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional fugitive task force that targets the most violent offenders to include those wanted for murder, assault, sex offenses, and other serious offenses throughout the state and country. Nationally, the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 58 local fugitive task forces, eight regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.
Tips can be submitted to the U.S. Marshals Service directly and anonymously by downloading the USMS Tips App to your Apple or Android device. You can also follow the latest news and updates about the U.S. Marshals Service on X (previously Twitter): @USMSDenver.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
WASHINGTON – Today in the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan voted to advance the nomination of Representative Doug Collins to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
“I had a good conversation with Representative Collins at his confirmation hearing about the challenges facing our veterans and was glad to vote to advance his nomination today,” Senator Hassan said. “In particular, I appreciated his willingness to visit the Manchester VA Medical Center and to support efforts to modernize VA infrastructure, like Manchester’s VA Medical Center. I am also grateful for his service to our country in uniform and look forward to working with him to find more ways to support and honor the heroes who have kept America safe, secure, and free.”
During Representative Collins’ confirmation hearing, Senator Hassan raised the importance of modernizing Manchester’s VA Medical Center and building a full-service veterans hospital in New Hampshire, and Representative Collins committed to visiting the Manchester facility. Senator Hassan and New Hampshire’s Congressional Delegation had previously successfully pushed the VA to prioritize improvements to the Manchester VA Medical Center.
Click here to watch Senator Hassan’s questioning at Representative Collins’ confirmation hearing.
“[President] Trump supported a full-service VA hospital for New Hampshire when he was on the campaign trail. I’ve supported a full-service hospital in our state for years and will gladly work with you and the President to make that happen,” said Senator Hassan at Representative Collins’ confirmation hearing. “In the meantime, though, the current Manchester VA Medical Center is almost 75 years old and it needs significant upgrades…So following a push from the New Hampshire delegation to prioritize improvements to the Medical Center, the VA has begun implementing a multiyear upgrade plan. Will you commit to continuing these upgrades to make sure that Granite State veterans have the best possible medical facility to receive their care at? And will you come up to New Hampshire to visit the facility and meet our veterans?”
“I’ll tell you the last one first, yes,” Representative Collins responded, committing to visiting the Manchester VA Medical Center and meeting with Granite State veterans.
“But I will show you not only Granite State veterans but all across the country, they will be taken care of… The infrastructure needs – I’m glad we’re talking about them today – because it’s not just the new facility. It’s not just the new [Community Based Outpatient Clinics], it’s taking these older facilities that as you said once they’re shut down – and then the bureaucratic process to get it fixed,” continuedRepresentative Collins. “So that is it, but also with President Trump’s commitment, look I’m going to support the President, we’re going to look to that hospital. But look you’ve brought up a bigger issue that I hope all the committee members will understand. I wish, as we said before have this rose colored, all pixie dust, it’ll just fix itself, but construction issues are going to be one of our hardest because of aging facilities.”
Senator Hassan also discussed her bipartisan legislation to make it easier for veterans to schedule medical appointments through one phone call or online, which can be particularly helpful for reducing the number of the often-lengthy trips that rural veterans must make to receive their care. Representative Collins expressed interest in the bill and added, “from a conceptual standpoint, the better question for me is why haven’t we almost got there anyway?” Representative Collins also committed to Senator Hassan that he would effectively implement the Senator Elizabeth Dole Act, bipartisan legislation that Senator Hassan helped introduce which, among other measures, expands home care services for veterans.
As a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Hassan has led bipartisan efforts to support service members, veterans, and their families. In addition to the Dole Act, Senator Hassan helped develop and pass the bipartisan PACT Act into law to help veterans secure the benefits and care that they have earned. Senator Hassan also helped create and fund the 9-8-8 national suicide hotline, which has a specified veterans crisis line, as well as helped pass into law bipartisan legislation to strengthen the Solid Start program, which contacts every veteran three times by phone in the first year after they leave active duty service to check in and help connect them to VA programs and benefits.
Headline: Support for $10,000 apprentice incentive payments
Published: 24 January 2025
Statement by: Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education
We welcome the Albanese Labor Government’s $10,000 incentive payment for apprentices in the construction and clean energy sectors and its focus on apprentice retention.
NSW leads the nation in apprenticeship and traineeship participation, accounting for nearly 30% of Australia’s total, with more than 103,000 apprentices and trainees in training.
These figures highlight the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to building a skilled workforce for the future.
Importantly, completion numbers in NSW are also on the rise, with a 10% increase in the 2024 June quarter compared with 2023.
This includes a 13% jump in apprenticeship completions and 7% growth in traineeships, well above the national average of 3%.
However, we know there is more work to do and finding innovative ways to address skills shortages in the construction sector will be key if we are to meet our NSW commitment to boost housing supply and reach net zero by 2050.
Whenever I meet apprentices, they tell me how difficult it is to keep up with cost-of-living pressures. I know this $10,000 boost will be warmly welcomed by apprentices in NSW.
This incentive payment complements the work under way as part of our newly released NSW Skills Plan, the first in over 15 years, the Apprenticeship & Traineeship Roadmap 2024-26, and the NSW VET Review, which all have a key focus on construction and renewable energy workforces and giving young people opportunities and pathways to fulfilling careers.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Marine traffic control and safety measures to be followed at Lunar New Year Fireworks Display Marine traffic control and safety measures to be followed at Lunar New Year Fireworks Display ******************************************************************************************
With regard to the 2025 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display to be held on January 30, the Marine Department (MD) will implement marine traffic control and strengthen the inspection of spectator vessels on the event day to ensure that safety requirements are met. A Closed Area in the waters off the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, where barges for the fireworks display are to be anchored, will be established from 2pm to about 10.30pm on the event day. A Restricted Area will be established in the Central Harbour from 7pm to about 9pm on the event day. Other than authorised vessels, no vessels will be allowed to enter these two areas. Scheduled ferry vessels with permission may continue services until 7.40pm. Spectator vessels may stay inside the Specified Area, excluding the Restricted Area and the Closed Area, for viewing from 6pm to 9pm (the specified period) on the event day. To enhance marine safety during this major event at sea, coxswains of spectator vessels in the Specified Area during the specified period must ensure that children on board are accompanied by an adult and wear a lifejacket at all times. Coxswains must also keep a passenger and crew list on board for emergency purposes. The MD will step up vessel inspections. If any vessel fails to meet these requirements, the department will initiate prosecution. In addition, to ensure that vessels disperse in an orderly manner, the Eastern and Western Cordon Lines of the Restricted Area will be lifted in stages after the event. The Western Cordon Line will be lifted first at about 9pm. Spectator vessels behind the Western Cordon Line and those wishing to move east must follow the instructions of officers from the MD and the Police at the scene. The Eastern Cordon Line will be lifted later, depending on traffic conditions in Victoria Harbour. It is anticipated that the Restricted Area will be lifted by about 9.15pm on the event day. For landside crowd control, the public landing steps No. 4 to 6 at Kowloon Public Pier will be closed temporarily from 6am to midnight, and the public landing steps No. 1 to 3 will be closed temporarily from 6pm to about 9pm. Other public landing steps within the Restricted Area will be closed temporarily from 6.30pm to about 9pm. Buffer zones at Kowloon Public Pier, Kwun Tong Public Pier and Central Piers 9 and 10 will be established immediately after the event for the safe and orderly disembarkation of passengers. Officers from the MD and the Police will also maintain order at major landing facilities after the event. To ensure smooth disembarkation, coxswains and crew members should remind passengers to pack their personal belongings early before the vessels arrive alongside the landing steps and assist passengers in disembarking. Coxswains and passengers should follow the instructions of the MD and the Police at the scene. The MD and the Marine Police will also strengthen law enforcement, especially concerning life-saving appliances, speeding and overloading. Coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels should check again and reconfirm that the operating licence, the certificate of survey and the third-party risk insurance are valid before setting sail, and that relevant crew members are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. MD Notice No. 14 of 2025 on marine traffic control and safety measures has been issued and is available for viewing on the MD’s website (www.mardep.gov.hk).
Nokia Deepfield to provide London Internet Exchange members with advanced DDoS protection
The London Internet Exchange (LINX) becomes the first UK-based internet exchange point (IXP) to offer advanced DDoS protection with high performance and scale, ensuring minimal impact on member connectivity and services.
Nokia Deepfield Defender provides crucial service when network operators can experience more than 100 DDoS attacks in a day.
Nokia 2024 report found DDoS traffic continues to grow at a higher rate than any other type of network traffic, increasing 166% between June 2023 and June 2024.
27 January 2025 Espoo, Finland – Nokia has been selected by global Internet Exchange Point, the London Internet Exchange (LINX), to deliver advanced network protection capabilities against the latest and future generations of DDoS threats and attacks. With Nokia Deepfield DDoS security, LINX becomes the first UK-based IXP to offer advanced DDoS protection with trusted performance, scale and mitigation granularity, ensuring minimal impact on member connectivity and services.
DDoS is malicious traffic that aims to deny access, degrade services or stop connectivity for individual users, internet hosts and service provider network infrastructure. The Nokia Threat Intelligence Report, released in October 2024, found that the number and frequency of DDoS attacks have grown from one or two a day to well over 100 per day in many networks, with botnet DDoS continuing to be the primary source of DDoS attacks. To combat sophisticated DDoS attacks, service and cloud providers need a more intelligent, cost-effective, scalable and adaptable defense strategy.
Deepfield Defender is a software-based DDoS detection and mitigation solution that combines real-time network telemetry with Nokia’s patented Deepfield Secure Genome®, a continuously updated data feed that tracks the security context of the global internet. Using AI-driven, automated DDoS detection by Deepfield Defender and the dynamically configured, high-scale DDoS mitigation performed by 7750 Defender Mitigation System (DMS), attacks are blocked before they can impact LINX’s members or services. Introducing Deepfield Defender will also equip LINX with advanced network security analytics and reporting capabilities.
Mike Hellers, Head of Product Development at LINX, said: “With Nokia Deepfield, LINX will gain significant cyber security capabilities. We are proud to be the first UK IXP to deliver this next generation of advanced DDoS protection to our members, which, in turn, will be providing essential or critical services to their customers.”
Paul Alexander, VP and Country General Manager UK&I, Nokia, said: “The past year has accelerated massive and transformative changes to the internet, bringing with it an incredible rise in DDoS attacks – they are more potent, frequent, and sophisticated than ever. With Nokia, LINX will obtain critical DDoS security-related visibility, leveraging Nokia Deepfield’s big data approach and using Deepfield Defender and 7750 DMS to access a more intelligent, cost-effective, scalable and adaptable defence strategy.”
LINX will initially offer the advanced DDoS service to any network connected to their LON1 interconnection fabric in London.
About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.
As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.
With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.
About The London Internet Exchange (LINX) The London Internet Exchange (LINX) is one of the world’s leading Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), enabling networks to interconnect and exchange network traffic efficiently. Founded in 1994, LINX operates a mutually owned membership organisation, providing a neutral and reliable environment for its members to connect, keeping traffic local.
With robust, state-of-the-art infrastructure spanning multiple locations in the UK, LINX also operate interconnection hubs in the US and Africa, while also powering facilities in the Middle East for strategic partner Center3.
LINX facilitates high-performance peering services, cloud connect and more for over 850 global networks, including internet service providers (ISPs), content delivery networks (CDNs), gaming, and large enterprise and financial networks. Members benefit from seamless traffic exchange, reduced latency, and cost efficiencies, all while contributing to the growth of an open and collaborative internet ecosystem.
As a leader in the industry for over 30 years, LINX is committed to innovation, transparency, and maintaining its position as a critical hub for the global internet community.
Nokia to upgrade BBIX network to massively increase bandwidth and enhance operational efficiency
BBIX will deploy a Nokia IP networking solution to improve existing capacity as internet traffic continues to grow exponentially
This 400GE network upgrade paves the way for BBIX customers to grow and expand their business
Deployment to begin in Japan and will expand to other markets, including Singapore
27 January 2025 Tokyo, Japan — Nokia today announced that BBIX, Inc. (“BBIX”), a leading Internet Exchange in the world, has selected Nokia’s IP routing technology to upgrade its network to 400GE to meet the demand of growing data traffic. Once deployed, BBIX will not only increase capacity, but will improve stability, flexibility, and reliability of BBIX’s network operations, translating to superior services to its customers.
BBIX will deploy Nokia’s 7220 Interconnect Router (IXR) that runs the Nokia SR Linux Network Operating System (NOS), allowing BBIX to ensure high-quality network interconnection even as the number of high-bandwidth customers continues to rise. The deployment will start in Japan this year and will be subsequently expanded to other markets, including Singapore.
Hideyuki Sasaki, President & CEO at BBIX, said: “Managing today’s explosive internet traffic growth requires more than just capacity—it demands intelligent, reliable infrastructure. Nokia’s solution provides the sophisticated capabilities we need to handle high-volume traffic while maintaining exceptional service quality. Their technology enables us to build a network infrastructure that excels in three critical areas: cost-effectiveness, reliable performance, and seamless scalability.”
Kent Wong, Vice President and Head of IP Networks, Asia Pacific at Nokia, said: “Nokia is at the forefront of developing a comprehensive range of IP solutions in line with the evolving needs of the industry. A thorough evaluation of our routing portfolio convinced BBIX of the strength of our solutions. We are delighted to work with BBIX to upgrade its network with our 7220 IXR that runs the SR Linux NOS to help our customer improve its operational efficiency while its customers benefit from a massively scalable and future-proof network.”
About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.
As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.
With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.