Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to a single vehicle crash that occurred in McMinns Lagoon over the weekend.
Around 12pm Saturday 5 April 2025, a white Toyota RAV4 travelling on the Stuart Highway in the vicinity of Sayer Road, spun in a circle before coming to a stop on the median strip.
A male driving a silver Mitsubishi Triton, with a flat tray and toolboxes, stopped to render assistance to the Toyota before making a report to police.
Detectives believe the driver of Mitsubishi can assist with the investigation and urge them to make contact.
Police urge anyone with information or dash-cam footage in the area between 11:30am and 1pm to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference NTP2500035499.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to property offences at a Government facility overnight in Katherine.
About 2:30pm, police received reports of an unlawful entry at a Government facility on First Street. It is alleged an unknown number of offenders smashed a window to gain access to the building before damaging a locker and stealing keys. The offenders then stole a Toyota Rav 4 located at the premises and drove through the properties rear gate.
Police attended and recovered the vehicle at a small community nearby.
If you have any information in relation to this incident you are urged to contact police on 131 444 and make reference to P25099954. You can anonymously report crime through Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested two people in relation to a crash in Nightcliff yesterday.
Around 3:40pm yesterday, police received reports of a TV theft that occurred at a business in a shopping centre at Yarrawonga. A male purchased a TV and allegedly provided two females believed to be known to him with the receipt afterwards. It is alleged the two females walked around for an hour and loaded their trolley with a separate TV and other items before walking out and presenting the same receipt.
Shopping centre security staff were made aware of the suspicious activity and upon questioning the females one of them allegedly swung a metal bat at the security guard before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
About 11:20pm the same day, Strike Force Trident detectives attended a residence in Nightcliff in relation to the ongoing investigation. The alleged offender from the previous incident arrived at the residence while police were in attendance and tried to flee by jumping on the side of a vehicle that was being driven by someone believed to be known to her.
The vehicle later crashed into a fence on Eugenia Street with all occupants within the vehicle fleeing, and the woman, fleeing the scene on foot. Three adult occupants of the vehicle were located hiding in nearby yards. The female that police were looking for remains outstanding.
A 37-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of being the driver and conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for the purpose of a blood test and medical assessment.
A 29-year-old female was arrested for disorderly behaviour and conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for a medical assessment.
Strike Force Trident have carriage of the investigations.
Anyone with information in relation to either of these incidents is urged to contact police on 131 444. You can anonymously report crime via Crimestoppers by calling 1800 333 000.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information after an assault occurred in Wadeye last week.
Around 5:45am on Friday 11 April, it is alleged that a 23-year-old male was driving his Toyota Hilux work vehicle along Perdjert Street when an unknown man threw a large rock at the vehicle.
The rock impacted the driver’s side window with the victim suffering serious facial injuries, requiring treatment at the local clinic.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing and police are urging anyone within the community with information to come forward on 131 444 or visit your local station.
Please quote reference number NTP2500037483. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested three female youths in relation to two stolen motor vehicles in Nightcliff overnight.
Around 8:35pm, police received reports that a residence was unlawfully entered, and a grey Lexus and a quantity of alcohol were stolen.
Later at 9:25pm, police received a report that a blue Volkswagen was stolen from a separate residence after having had the keys stolen two days ago.
Police allege the two vehicles travelled together throughout the Greater Darwin Region before stopping within the vicinity of a business on Camphor Street in Nightcliff at around 3am. Police received reports of the suspicious activity, and the offenders fled in one of the vehicles before police arrival. With assistance from police CCTV operators the attending members located the vehicle a short distance away.
The vehicle was observed losing control and crashing into a fence at a slow speed at the intersection of Progress Drive and Phoenix Street. All three female youths, aged 14, 14 and 17-years-old, self-extracted from the vehicle and were apprehended.
The blue Volkswagen was located abandoned on Pandanus Street this morning and Strike Force Trident detectives have carriage of the investigation.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stone of development projects in Yamuna Nagar, Haryana Viksit Haryana for Viksit Bharat, this is our resolve: PM
Our effort is to increase the production of electricity in the country, lack of electricity should not become an obstacle in nation building: PM
PM Suryagarh Muft Bijli Yojana started by us can reduce electricity bill to zero by installation of solar panels : PM
Our effort is to increase the potential of the farmers of Haryana: PM
Posted On: 14 APR 2025 3:12PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects in Yamuna Nagar, Haryana today. Extending his greetings to the people of Haryana, he paid homage to the sacred land of Haryana, acknowledging it as the origin of Maa Saraswati, the abode of Mantra Devi, the site of Panchmukhi Hanuman Ji, and the blessed Kapalmochan Sahib. “Haryana is a confluence of culture, devotion, and dedication”, he described. He also conveyed his heartfelt wishes to all citizens on the 135th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, highlighting Babasaheb’s vision and inspiration, which continue to guide India’s journey toward development.
“Yamunanagar is not just a city but a vital part of India’s industrial landscape, contributing significantly to the economy with its industries ranging from plywood to brass and steel”, said Shri Modi, highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the region, mentioning the Kapal Mochan Mela, the sacred land of Rishi Ved Vyas, and the site of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s weaponry. He shared his personal connection with Yamunanagar, recalling his frequent visits from Panchkula during his tenure as Haryana’s in-charge. He expressed gratitude for the dedicated workers he collaborated with and acknowledged the enduring tradition of hard work and commitment in the region.
Underlining that Haryana is witnessing the double speed of development under the Union and State governments for the third consecutive term, the Prime Minister emphasized the commitment to a developed Haryana as part of the vision for a developed India. He highlighted the government’s dedication to serving the people of Haryana and fulfilling the aspirations of its youth by working at greater speed and scale. He pointed to the development projects launched today as a testament to this commitment and extended his congratulations to the people of Haryana for these new development initiatives.
Expressing pride in his government’s commitment to advancing the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Shri Modi highlighted Babasaheb’s belief that industrial development was a pathway to social justice. He noted that Babasaheb identified the issue of small landholdings in India and emphasized that Dalits, lacking sufficient agricultural land, would benefit the most from industrialization. He shared Babasaheb’s vision that industries would provide greater employment opportunities for Dalits, improving their standard of living. He also acknowledged Babasaheb’s significant role in India’s industrialization efforts, working alongside the country’s first Industry Minister, Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, to drive progress in this direction.
Remarking that the synergy between industrialization and manufacturing was also recognized by Deenbandhu Chaudhary Chhotu Ram Ji as the foundation for rural prosperity, the Prime Minister highlighted Chhotu Ram Ji’s belief that true prosperity in villages would come when farmers enhance their income through small industries alongside agriculture. He further noted that Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji, who dedicated his life to the welfare of villages and farmers, shared a similar vision, emphasizing Charan Singh Ji’s perspective that industrial development should complement agriculture, as both are pillars of the economy.
Emphasising that the essence of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ lies in fostering manufacturing, Shri Modi underscored the government’s focus on manufacturing, as reflected in this year’s budget announcement of ‘Mission Manufacturing’. “The mission aims to create maximum employment opportunities for Dalit, backward, underprivileged, and marginalized youth, provide them with essential training, reduce business costs, strengthen the MSME sector, equip industries with modern technology, and ensure Indian products are world-class”, he stated. Underscoring the importance of uninterrupted power supply to achieve these goals and highlighting the significance of today’s event, he announced the commencement of work on the third unit of the Deenbandhu Chaudhary Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant, which will benefit Yamunanagar and Haryana. The Prime Minister noted that Yamunanagar produces half of India’s plywood and is a hub for manufacturing aluminum, copper, and brass utensils. He added that petrochemical plant equipment from Yamunanagar is exported to several countries. He emphasized that increased power production will benefit these industries and support ‘Mission Manufacturing’.
Underlining the critical role of electricity in building a developed India, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s multifaceted efforts to enhance power availability, including initiatives like One Nation-One Grid, new coal power plants, solar energy projects, and the expansion of the nuclear sector. “Increasing electricity production is essential to ensure that power shortages do not hinder nation-building”, he stressed recalling the frequent blackouts before 2014 under previous dispensation’s rule, stating that such crises would have persisted if Congress had remained in power. He noted that during those times, factories, railways, and irrigation systems were severely affected. He shared that over the past decade, India has nearly doubled its electricity production capacity and now exports power to neighboring countries. He highlighted the benefits of their government’s focus on electricity production for Haryana, which currently generates 16,000 MW of power. He also announced the goal of increasing this capacity to 24,000 MW in the coming years.
Highlighting the government’s dual approach of investing in thermal power plants while empowering citizens to become power generators themselves, Shri Modi mentioned the launch of the PM Suryagarh Muft Bijli Yojana, enabling individuals to install solar panels on their rooftops, eliminate electricity bills, and even earn by selling surplus power. He noted that over 1.25 crore people across the country have registered under this scheme, with lakhs from Haryana applying to join. He expressed satisfaction with the scheme’s expansion, which is fostering a growing service ecosystem. He emphasized that the solar sector is creating new skills, generating opportunities for MSMEs, and opening numerous avenues for youth employment.
Prime Minister underscored the government’s focus on ensuring adequate electricity and financial resources for small industries in smaller towns. He mentioned that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government provided financial assistance worth lakhs of crores to support MSMEs. He further said that the definition of MSMEs has been revised to allow small industries to expand without fear of losing government support as they grow, while mentioning the introduction of special credit cards for small industries and an increase in credit guarantee coverage. He noted the recent 10-year milestone of the Mudra Yojana, under which ₹33 lakh crore in collateral-free loans have been disbursed. He emphasized that over 50% of the beneficiaries of this scheme are from SC, ST, and OBC families. He expressed the government’s commitment to enabling small industries to fulfill the big dreams of India’s youth.
Lauding the hard work of Haryana’s farmers, which contributes to every Indian’s plate, the Prime Minister emphasized that the governments at Center and state stands as a steadfast partner in the joys and challenges of farmers. He highlighted efforts to empower Haryana’s farmers, noting that the state government now procures 24 crops at MSP. He shared that lakhs of farmers in Haryana have benefited from the PM Fasal Bima Yojana, with claims exceeding ₹9,000 crore under the scheme. Additionally, he mentioned that ₹6,500 crore has been disbursed to Haryana’s farmers through the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, further supporting their livelihoods and growth.
Underlining the Haryana government’s decision to abolish the colonial-era water tax, relieving farmers from paying taxes on canal water, Shri Modi noted that over ₹130 crore in outstanding dues under this tax have also been waived. He emphasized the efforts of the Union and state government in providing new income opportunities for farmers and livestock owners. He mentioned the Gobardhan Yojana, which enables farmers to manage waste and generate income by producing biogas from cow dung, agricultural residues, and other organic waste. He shared that this year’s budget includes the announcement of 500 Gobardhan plants across the country. He highlighted the foundation stone laying of a new Gobardhan plant in Yamunanagar, which will save ₹3 crore annually for the municipal corporation. “Gobardhan Yojana is also contributing to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, furthering the mission of cleanliness and sustainability”, he further said.
Prime Minister underlined Haryana’s rapid progress on the path of development, mentioning his earlier visit to Hisar, where direct flight services to Ayodhya Dham were inaugurated. He also announced the new bypass for Rewari, which will ease traffic congestion in markets, intersections, and railway crossings, allowing vehicles to bypass the city smoothly. He noted that the four-lane bypass will reduce travel time between Delhi and Narnaul by an hour and congratulated the people on this achievement.
Emphasising that for them, politics is a medium of service—service to the people and the nation, Shri Modi stated, “our party delivers on its promises, as evident in Haryana”, where the government is fulfilling commitments made after being elected for the third term. He contrasted this with opposition-ruled states, citing betrayal of public trust. He pointed to the struggles faced by people in Himachal Pradesh, where development and welfare projects have stalled. In Karnataka, he highlighted rising costs of essentials like electricity, milk, bus fares, and seeds under current dispensation’s rule. He mentioned public dissatisfaction with the incumbent government in Karnataka, as seen on social media, and noted allegations of corruption, with even close associates of the Chief Minister acknowledging Karnataka’s ranking as number one in corruption.
Shri Modi criticized the current government in Telangana for neglecting its promises to the people and focusing on bulldozing forests, causing harm to nature and wildlife. He contrasted two models of governance and described his party’s model as genuine and dedicated to building a developed India, while the opposition’s as deceitful and focused solely on power. He highlighted the ongoing efforts in Yamunanagar as an example of his party’s commitment to progress.
Reflecting on the significance of Baisakhi and the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the Prime Minister honored the memory of the patriots who sacrificed their lives and highlighted the cruelty of the British regime. He emphasized another aspect of the massacre—the unwavering spirit of standing for humanity and the nation, exemplified by Shri Shankaran Nair. He further shared that Shankaran Nair, a renowned lawyer and high-ranking official in the British government, chose to resign and raise his voice against the atrocities of foreign rule. He fought the Jallianwala Bagh case single-handedly, shaking the foundations of the British Empire and holding it accountable in court. He described Shankaran Nair’s actions as a remarkable example of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,” showcasing how a man from Kerala stood against British power for a massacre in Punjab. He remarked that this spirit of unity and resistance was the true inspiration behind India’s freedom struggle and remains a driving force in the journey toward a developed India.
The Prime Minister concluded by urging everyone to learn about Shankaran Nair’s contributions and emphasized the Union and state governments continuous efforts to empower the pillars of society—poor, farmers, youth, and women. He expressed confidence that collective efforts will lead Haryana toward development.
The Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Union Ministers, Shri Manohar Lal, Shri Rao Inderjit Singh, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Background
Boosting power infrastructure in the region along with the vision of electricity reaching the last mile, Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of 800 MW modern thermal power unit of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant at YamunaNagar. This unit, spread across 233 acres, worth around Rs 8,470 crore, will significantly boost Haryana’s energy self-sufficiency and provide uninterrupted power supply across the state.
Taking forward the vision of GOBARDhan, i.e. Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan, Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of a Compressed Biogas Plant in Mukarabpur, in YamunaNagar. The plant will have an annual production capacity of 2,600 metric tonnes and will help in effective organic waste management, while contributing to clean energy production and environmental conservation.
Prime Minister also inaugurated the 14.4 km Rewari Bypass project, worth around Rs 1,070 crore under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. It will decongest Rewari city, reduce Delhi–Narnaul travel time by around one hour, and boost economic and social activity in the region.
हरियाणा लगातार तीसरी बार, डबल इंजन सरकार के विकास की डबल रफ्तार देख रहा है। आज यमुनानगर में विभिन्न विकास परियोजनाओं का लोकार्पण और शिलान्यास कर बेहद प्रसन्न हूं। https://t.co/hpFWZRiVa4
Clothing can kill. So, too, can the absence of personal protective equipment. For decades, the medical establishment has understood the role of fabric in both spreading contagion and guarding against its transmission — but never with greater urgency than 80 years ago.
On April 15 1945, British troops liberated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp near Celle in northern Germany. Shocking scenes awaited behind the barbed wire.
On entry, British personnel found an epidemic of typhus decimating the camp’s surviving population. Thousands of unburied corpses, appallingly overcrowded huts, the absence of running water and chronic emaciation contributed to the rapid spread of this louse-borne disease. So too did unwashed garments into which lice burrowed and deposited their contaminated faeces.
For warmth, some camp inmates removed clothing from corpses, heedless of the danger of contagion. Others feared infection so acutely that they went unclothed rather than risk contamination. Anne Frank died, just weeks before the camp’s liberation, in a state of naked terror.
For military and medical personnel, burying bodies and burning garments was imperative, along with triaging survivors and moving the fittest from the camp’s corpse-strewn huts to a hastily established hospital area. To transform a site of mass death into a place of recovery wasn’t easy. Staff lacked supplies of every sort, substituting newspaper for mackintosh sheeting and commandeering dog bowls for use as bedpans.
Protective clothing was also in desperately short supply. There, too, improvisation was the order of the day. Around 100 British medical students drafted into action at Belsen sported a motley assemblage of British military and appropriated German Wehrmacht apparel. They, like everyone else in the camp, were liberally sprayed with DDT. This pesticide was later proven to be carcinogenic.
Female British Red Cross workers modified their uniforms, ditching regulation skirts. “I always go about in slacks and battle dress, trousers being a greater protection against the louse!” Margaret Ward wrote home to her mother with forced bravado.
Meanwhile, members of the Royal Army Medical Corps, better provisioned than anyone else at Belsen, wore “typhus suits” as they stretchered patients from the huts to the hospital. These outfits – complete with drawstring hoods, gauntlets and gaiters, but no masks – helped keep contagion at bay, though their alien appearance terrified some patients.
British authorities “solved” their protective equipment crisis at Belsen by compelling captured German SS personnel to undertake the most dangerous work. Sometimes, prisoners were given rubberised capes. But more often, as numerous photographs taken by British military photographers attest, German prisoners handled corpses without any protection at all.
Dressed in their SS uniforms, German men and women set to work (under armed guard) removing piles of contaminated clothing and dead bodies from the huts. With uncovered mouths and bare hands, they carried corpses to mass graves.
In April and May 1945, anti-Nazi feelings ran understandably high among allied personnel, particularly those who just participated in the camps’ liberation. Few found anything ethically wrong with the decision to expose German prisoners to a high risk of infection.
War crimes trials, with the prospect of execution for defendants found guilty, awaited SS prisoners. Forcing German camp personnel to confront the deadly consequences of their actions – in the most visceral way possible – struck most uniformed Britons as an entirely warranted form of retribution. A moral corrective for SS prisoners was also a medical expedient made necessary by the camp’s dire shortage of protective equipment.
The brunt was borne by the captured enemies. Reuters reported on June 28 1945 that 20 SS guards had “died of typhus before their trials by the war crimes court could be held”, adding that it was “believed that they caught the disease when they were forced to bury the bodies of some of the prisoners”.
Meanwhile, Belsen’s survivors urgently required garments and footwear. Retributive justice played a role here too. British military personnel ordered German civilians in the environs of the camp to surrender clothing, shoes and bedding for use by survivors. Here was postwar redress at its most literal. People stripped of so much by the Third Reich would begin life anew in apparel removed from Germans.
Susan L. Carruthers 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.
Last week, I travelled to the historic city of Perugia in Umbria, Italy. With clear blue skies, wisteria hanging over ancient Roman walls, plenty of gelato and beautiful vistas from the hilltop, the setting was pretty special. More inspiring though, were the people I spoke to during my visit. Perugia is the home of the annual international journalism festival, a meeting of media movers and shakers from all over the globe. These are my five biggest takeaways.
1. In-person connections are irreplaceable
Yes, I see the irony of flying to talk about climate journalism, but sometimes face-to-face connections, impromptu chats and dinner table discussions are just impossible to replicate on a video call. I caught up with journalists from my Oxford Climate Journalism Network cohort. Run by the Reuters Institute, this six-month programme is proving invaluable, not only for seminars from guest speakers at the top of their game, but for the collaborations that are developing within the network. Learning from my peers working in Austria, Brazil, Canada and way beyond has opened my eyes so much to the diversity of challenges we all face – and the creative possibilities.
Kevin Burden (European media leaders fellowship project manager), Nina Fasciaux (director of Solutions Journalism Network) and Anna Turns. Kevin Burden, CC BY-NC-ND
During my discussions with colleagues from my European media leaders climate solutions fellowship visiting from France, Italy and the Czech Republic, I listened to the lightbulb moments others have had and reflected on my own progress – internally, in terms of what leadership means to me and how I can effect meaningful change, plus externally, in terms of supporting my own team and encouraging more collaboration within this organisation.
By sharing joys and worries over a margarita pizza or scoop of nocciola (hazelnut icecream – my favourite), I was struck that authenticity is the most important attribute. All else follows and every single one of those real, honest and open in-person connections deepens my appreciation for that.
2. Environmental journalism is thriving
So many early career journalists approached me, keen to chat and wanting to know more about how to immerse themselves in this specialism. When I first started out as a biology graduate, I worked in wildlife TV production and magazine journalism. Back then, environment coverage tended to be an outlier, an afterthought at best. Climate journalists were few and far between; willing mentors were difficult to find.
Anna Turns chatted to lots of environmental journalists after her conference event. Monica Rizza #IJF25, CC BY-NC-ND
That landscape has shifted so much over the past 20 years and I’m proud that this part of our industry is growing, and becoming richer for it. Now, people want to cover climate stories in so many creative formats and that’s invigorating.
3. Science doesn’t have to stay in silos
With growing misinformation, (both inadvertent misinterpretation and deliberate miscommunication) online, combined with widespread disengagement from mainstream news sources, social media has a big role to play in how we engage with climate, or not.
I hosted an event with Adam Levy about how to make climate science shine on social media. With a PhD in atmospheric physics from the University of Oxford, Levy now works as a science journalist and broadcaster, while producing jargon-free videos that make complex climate issues relatable and succinct.
Anna Turns interviewed Adam Levy at the International Journalism Festival. Monica Rizza #IJF25, CC BY-NC-ND
Climate communication is definitely not just about imparting facts. There’s space for nuance, even humour. We chatted about bridging the gap between science and storytelling, how to apply a rigorous journalistic approach to all forms of content and how integrity must be the top priority. That all builds precious trust and creates connection.
4. Time is ticking
The next UN climate summit (Cop30) is coming and we’re getting ready. One of my favourite sessions was a talk by Daniel Nardin, another solutions journalist member of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network. He lives in Belem, the Brazilian city that will be hosting Cop30 in November, where negotiators will continue to debate how best to tackle and adapt to climate change. But those strategies, frameworks and commitments can seem dry, dense and hard to digest.
Nardin’s publication, Amazonia Vox, platforms the voices of the people living in the Amazon, in forested, deforested and urban areas. He explained that the environmental, social and political issues in the Amazon are complex and full of nuance, which is why he makes local voices central to the narrative.
None of this is rocket science. But Nardin is proactively cracking on with it, because there isn’t time to wait.
Mark Hertsgard from Covering Climate Now (far left) talks about how newsrooms can make climate training effective. Alexa Cano #IJF25, CC BY-NC-ND
5. Newsroom culture is transforming
The Conversation is already highly respected. So many expert communicators, academics and readers told me how much they love what we do and what we stand for. Tackling misinformation in engaging ways is what we do best. Connecting you, our audience and community, with the most accurate and evidence-based knowledge is our purpose. We’re already bridging the gap between research and the real world. But there’s still scope to evolve and embrace change.
Looking ahead, The Conversation can help shift the way climate stories can be told. The climate crisis has gone way beyond being an environmental issue. It’s linked to all aspects of our lives, from health and education to business and democracy, as well as conflicts and culture. Newsrooms don’t have to function like they have done for decades. By being curious, we can experiment, find out what works and reinvent the norm.
At the New York Times, the climate team is physically in the centre of the office. At the French newswire Agence France-Presse, job titles such as “future of the planet, global editor” reflect big ambitions to integrate climate into everything. At CBC, the Canadian public broadcaster, the science and climate unit has made climate literacy training a top priority for all staff – not because it’s worthy, but because future proofing makes business sense.
As the executive director of Covering Climate Now, a media community based in the US, Mark Hertsgard said: “Every journalist in the 21st century will need to be a climate journalist.”
Now, my job is to turn Perugia’s inspiration into action. Watch this space.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
As Sudan marks two years of war, people continue to experience the catastrophic consequences and can no longer wait for real assistance.
As the rainy season approaches, humanitarian organisations must scale up, and the warring parties must allow, desperately-needed humanitarian assistance.
As bombing and violence continues, MSF calls on the warring parties to ensure civilians, humanitarian personnel, and medical teams are protected.
Sudan – As the war in Sudan between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) enters its third year, people remain unseen, bombed, besieged, displaced, and deprived of food, and basic lifesaving services. Of the country’s 50 million people, 60 per cent need humanitarian assistance, and people are facing simultaneous health crises and limited access to public healthcare. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reiterates our calls on the warring parties and their allies to ensure that civilians, humanitarian personnel, and medical teams are protected. All restrictions on the movements of humanitarian supplies and staff must be removed, especially as the rainy season fast approaches.
“The warring parties are not only failing to protect civilians — they are actively compounding their suffering,” says Claire San Filippo, MSF Emergency Coordinator. “Wherever you look in Sudan, you will find needs — overwhelming, urgent, and unmet.”
“Millions are receiving almost no humanitarian assistance, medical facilities and staff remain under attack, and the global humanitarian system is failing to deliver even a fraction of what’s required,” says San Filippo.
As frontlines have shifted over the course of the war, especially in Khartoum and Darfur, civilians feared retaliatory attacks from both warring parties. For the past two years, both RSF and SAF have repeatedly and indiscriminately bombed densely- populated areas. RSF and allied militias have unleashed a campaign of brutality, including systematic sexual violence, abductions, mass killings, looting of aid, erasure of civilian neighbourhoods, and occupation of medical facilities. Both sides have laid siege to towns, destroyed vital infrastructure, and blocked humanitarian aid.
Widespread starvation is taking hold, according to the UN; Sudan is currently the only place in the world where famine has been officially declared in multiple locations. Famine was first declared in Zamzam internally displaced people’s camp in August 2024, and has since spread to a further 10 areas, while 17 additional regions are now on the brink. Without immediate action, hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk.
In March 2025, MSF supported multi-antigen catch up vaccination campaigns for children under the age of two in South Darfur. Over 17,000 children who received vaccinations were also screened for malnutrition, with a rate of 30% global acute malnutrition, and 7% suffering from severe acute malnutrition. In December 2024, during a therapeutic food distribution in Tawila locality, North Darfur, MSF teams screened over 9,500 children under five years old. They found a staggering 35.5% global acute malnutrition rate, with 7% of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
A scene in the busy emergency room at Al-Nao hospital, supported by MSF in Omdurman. Khartoum state, Sudan, March 2025.Tom Casey/MSF
Simultaneously, Sudan is facing multiple, overlapping health emergencies. MSF teams have treated over 12,000 patients — including women and children — for trauma injuries directly resulting from violent attacks. During the first week of February 2025, MSF teams in Khartoum, North Darfur, and South Darfur states treated mass influxes of war-wounded patients. Sudan is also experiencing one of the worst maternal and child health crises we are seeing anywhere in the world. In October 2024, in two MSF-supported facilities in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, 26 per cent of the pregnant and breastfeeding women seeking care were acutely malnourished.
“Outbreaks of measles, cholera and diphtheria are spreading, driven by poor living conditions and disrupted vaccination campaigns,” says Marta Cazorla, MSF Emergency Coordinator. “Mental health support and care for survivors of sexual violence remain painfully limited.”
“These compounding crises reflect not just the brutality of the conflict, but the dire consequences of the crumbling public healthcare system and a failing humanitarian response,” says Cazorla.
Since April 2023, more than 1.7 million people have sought medical consultations at hospitals, health facilities and mobile clinics MSF supports or is working in. More than 320,000 people were admitted in our emergency wards.
More than 13 million people have been displaced by the conflict, many of them multiple times. Of these, 8.9 million remain displaced inside Sudan, while 3.9 million have crossed into neighbouring countries. Many live in overcrowded camps or makeshift shelters, without access to food, water, or healthcare. People depend entirely on humanitarian organisations — but only where these organisations are responding.
Health facilities destroyed
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 70 per cent of health facilities in conflict-affected areas are barely operational or have closed, leaving millions of people without access to critical care amid one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. Since the war began, MSF has recorded over 80 violent incidents targeting our staff, infrastructure, vehicles, and supplies. Clinics have been looted and destroyed, medicines stolen, and healthcare workers assaulted, threatened, or killed.
In June 2023, Tawila hospital, in North Darfur, was attacked and looted.
“Buildings were destroyed, even beds were looted, and medicines were burned to the ground,” says Muhammad Yusuf Ishaq Abdullah, MSF health promotion officer in Tawila. “From afar, it looked like a hospital, but when you entered it, it was a shelter for snakes and grass.”
These attacks must stop — medical personnel and facilities are not targets.
Zahra Abdullah holds her baby inside the kitchen of shelter after receiving her food basket. South Darfur, Sudan, January 2025.Abdoalsalam Abdallah
Upcoming rainy season
The rainy season, fast approaching, threatens to make an already catastrophic situation even worse. Supply routes could be severed and entire regions flooded, cutting off people just as the hunger gap peaks, and malnutrition and malaria spike.
MSF calls for immediate preparedness measures ahead of the rainy season. More border crossings must be opened, and key roads and bridges must be repaired and kept accessible, especially in Darfur, where seasonal flooding isolates communities year after year.
Humanitarian restrictions must be lifted, and unhindered access must be guaranteed. MSF urges all groups — including donors, governments, and UN agencies — to enable and prioritise aid delivery, ensuring that assistance not only reaches the country but is transported swiftly and safely to the hardest-hit and most remote communities. Without a serious commitment to overcoming the political, financial, logistical, and security barriers that hinder last-mile delivery, countless lives will remain beyond the reach of help.
The people of Sudan have endured this horror for two years too long; they cannot and should not wait any longer.
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Headline: New Initiative Uses Behavioural Science to Encourage Bengaluru Metro Adoption
Bengaluru, April 11, 2025: The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) and the Electronics City Industries Association (ELCIA), in collaboration with Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) and WRI India today launched the “STAMP: Nudging Commuter Behaviour” – a pioneering initiative that leverages behavioural science and technology to encourage commuters to shift from personal vehicles to public transport.
China’s railway network transported 970 million tonnes of cargo in the first three months of 2025, up 3.1 percent year on year, the railway operator said Sunday.
Daily loading amounted to a total of 179,000 cars, an increase of 4.2 percent year on year, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.
The railway network also facilitated cross-border trade in this period. Notably, China-Central Asia freight trains operated a total of 3,582 services, marking a year-on-year surge of 25.5 percent, the railway operator revealed.
The China-Laos Railway, which links Kunming in southwest China’s Yunnan Province and the Laotian capital Vientiane, transported 1.51 million tonnes of cross-border cargo in the first quarter of 2025, up 10 percent year on year.
China-made new energy vehicles are becoming popular in overseas markets, which is expected to fuel the upward spiral of the country’s vehicle exports.
In March, NEV makers operating in the country, including foreign ones such as Tesla, shipped more than 143,000 vehicles overseas, up 6.4 percent compared with same period last year, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association.
The continuous rise came when exports of passenger cars fell 8 percent to 391,000 units that month.
For NEVs, Europe and Southeast Asia are among the top destinations. Last week, BYD introduced its alternative premium brand, Denza, to the European market with a brand launch in Milan, Italy.
Denza unveiled the Z9 GT station wagon at the Milan Design Week, which ran from April 6 to 13. The model is expected to hit European showrooms in the fourth quarter.
The model impressed attendees with its signature features, including parking assist, high-speed tire blowout stability control, extreme steering capabilities, a tight turning circle, and intelligent crab walking capabilities.
Since 2024, the brand has entered several Asian markets, including China’s Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It also plans to enter dozens of European countries within the next two years.
State-owned GAC also made a splash at the Milan Design Week, where the Aion UT made its European debut. The electric hatchback, born in the carmaker’s Milan Advanced Design Center, harmonizes Italian design aesthetics with local market preferences.
Among other things, it features a 14.6-inch central touch screen, an 8.88-inch digital instrument display, and Level 2 driving assistance.
Its second-generation Magazine Battery enables fast charging from 30 percent to 80 percent in just 24 minutes. Analysts say the model will take on local European models like the Volkswagen ID.3.
Thomas Schemera, chief operating officer of GAC International, said: “By empowering production through design, we aim to deliver products with outstanding design, top-tier quality, and pioneering technology — ultimately creating better mobility experiences for European consumers.”
The growing popularity of Chinese NEVs is expected to boost the country’s total vehicle exports this year.
The trade conflict between the United States and China won’t have much effect on domestic automakers, as the US is a tiny market for Chinese cars, the CPCA said.
China shipped a total of 6.41 million vehicles overseas in 2024, a surge of 23 percent year-on-year. The top five countries driving China’s growth in vehicle exports were Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Belgium and Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, some carmakers are stepping up efforts to produce vehicles in overseas markets.
Chery was the first to establish a European manufacturing plant. Located in Barcelona, Spain, the plant will produce Chery’s Omoda 5 SUV, among other models.
Chery, the partner of British premium carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, is also planning to set up a $1 billion plant in Turkiye, Bloomberg reported in late March, citing the country’s industry ministry.
It will make EVs and components at the new facility in Samsun, which will have an annual production capacity of 200,000 vehicles, said the media group.
These strategic moves underscore Chinese automakers’ dedication to establishing a robust international presence, leveraging technological innovation, and localized production to navigate the complexities of global trade and meet diverse consumer preferences, said analysts.
Home Support workers will hold stop-work meetings tomorrow in response to their employer, Access Community Health, offering them no pay increase and reduced work conditions, despite the company receiving increased government funding.
Workers at these meetings will be discussing what options they wish to take in response to this poor attitude from their employer.
Stop work meetings will be held from 8am to 10am tomorrow, for over 1000 union members. Most earn the minimum wage and some slightly more, but none have received a pay increase for nearly two years.
Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi assistant secretary, Melissa Woolley, says Access offered no pay increase, instead, is proposing to reduce sick leave, and remove pay recognition for qualifications and tenure, while introducing 90-day trials.
“Removing pay recognition for qualifications and tenure was won by all care and support workers as part of the historic care and support pay equity settlement. It is outrageous that Access Community Health want to undo that historic settlement at their first opportunity since the support workers settlement act has expired,” says Wooley.
“Having a well-qualified care and support worker workforce was a fundamental element of the negotiations that led to the care and support worker settlement in 2017 that was delivered under a National led government,” says Woolley.
“It’s despicable that while Access has received increased funding in Government contracts, no pay increase has passed on to workers. Instead, they chose to pass on their profit off the back of low paid women workers to their shareholders.
“The company is imposing clawing back terms and conditions, and no cost of living increases to already struggling care and support workers. Our society can’t function without support workers, but their low pay rates block them from going to the dentist or getting the car serviced which is critical to them performing their roles. These workers are already subsidizing the system by using their own cars for work to travel in between clients.
“This blatant attack on workers has major connections to the health crisis. When Access do not value their staff, clients suffer the effects of short-staffing – missing the carers they need to shower and get dressed in the morning. Access needs to come to the table with a reasonable pay offer that respects their people,” says Woolley.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahiis Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
Road freight industry group Transporting New Zealand is welcoming proposed changes to driver licensing rules, saying they will help encourage more young people to become truck drivers.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the changes would remove the need for new drivers to take a second practical test to get their full licence. Other proposed changes include toughening up alcohol restrictions and reducing the number demerit points required before a driver can have their licence suspended.
Transporting New Zealand chief executive Dom Kalasih says that attracting more young drivers is critical for the future of the industry. A large proportion of truck drivers are older, with many of them over 60, and as they retire that will lead to a driver shortage, which in turn will hurt the economy. Other countries are also facing this issue.
In the recent 2025 National Road Freight Industry survey, conducted by Research New Zealand, almost all industry respondents ranked workforce challenges as one of the top issues facing the industry with 94 per cent of respondents agreeing that the industry needs to attract more young people. There was also general agreement the current heavy vehicle driver licensing system makes it too difficult for new entrants to join the road freight industry.
Kalasih says getting their class one licence is the essential first step for young drivers progressing on to more specialised heavy vehicle licences, but fewer young people have been getting their licences compared with recent decades. He supports any move that makes it easier for young people to get their licence.
However, Kalasih agrees with the Automobile Association that safety is the number one priority and that the details of the proposed changes must be carefully examined. He welcomes the road transport industry being involved in consultation before the changes are introduced in the middle of next year.
About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealandis the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
Back-to-back Easter and Anzac Day long weekends will see officers from South Australia Police (SAPOL) continue working with partner agencies as part of ongoing water safety operations.
An increase in people enjoying a variety of waterways is egg-spected over the period, with police and Marine Safety Officers ramping up patrols across inland and coastal locations coinciding with school holidays.
“We encourage the public to make the most of the warm weather and enjoy our waterways, but they must do so safely,” Senior Sergeant Darian Leske from SAPOL’s Water Operations Unit said.
“Police will be working with our partner agencies to ensure everyone is acting responsibly while on the water, by detecting breaches of the Harbours and Navigation Act.
“We will be conducting safety equipment checks and random alcohol and drug testing of boat operators, observers and skiers, because as on land, a blood alcohol limit of 0.05 applies.”
From 27 December 2024 to 3 February 2025, Operation Riversafe saw 205 vessel checks by police alone, 204 alco tests, 115 drug tests, 28 cautions, eight expiations and six reports (four positive drugs, two prescribed concentration of alcohol). Marine Safety Officers also support this operation.
In addition to having a road safety operation in place, SAPOL is also mindful avoidable water tragedies can occur when risks are taken.
“While South Australians are being asked to ‘keep it sweet on the road’ this Easter, let’s also keep it sweet on the water,” Senior Sergeant Leske urged.
“Alcohol or drugs and water don’t mix. An incident at Mannum over the Australia Day long weekend is a prime example of this.”
Failing to carry appropriate safety equipment, misuse of or not carrying lifejackets, outdated flares, unregistered vessels and exceeding speed limits were the top five non-compliance issues among water users last Easter period.
“It only takes a moment to put a lifejacket on, but not wearing one on the water when trouble strikes can cost your life in an instant,” Gordon Panton, Manager Marine Safety and Compliance at the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, said.
“More than one third of the vessels we checked last Easter on coastal waters and at boat ramps were non-compliant, with misuse of or not carrying lifejackets among the most common issues.
“Boaties and holidaymakers are reminded to check their lifejackets are to standard, fit well, and are in good working condition, that they are operating safely and keeping to speed limits around other water users, and they have the right safety equipment on board.”
Since 1 January 2025, older standard lifejackets have no longer been acceptable to use, and jackets must now meet the AS 4758 standard.
Fisheries will also have an on-water and on-land presence across the entire state over the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends, and officers will be especially checking compliance with the no take zones for snapper over the period.
“We ask that fishers adhere to size and bag limits and fishing gear regulations and are encouraged to access the Rec Fishing App or the PIRSA website for further information,” Gary Darter, acting General Manager Operations Support at PIRSA, said.
“To combat the spread of the Abalone virus AVG, decontamination protocols apply to fishing devices and boats, especially those operating from the Murray Mouth to the Victorian Border.
“Remember, Check, Clean and Dry. Full details are also on the PIRSA website.
“If you see anything unusual, please report any concerns to Fishwatch on 1800 065 522.”
Plus, don’t forget:
* Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
* Slow your vessel to 4 knots when near other boats, ramps, jetties, swimmers, surfaces and the shore.
* Keep your keys in a safe location. Do not hide them in your car, caravan or boat.
* Remove fishing rods, tackle boxes and eskies from boats and trailers when not in use.
* Securely attach trailers and boats to a vehicle or a solid fixture when not in use.
* Be aware of water safety issues at the beach or at the river including rips and currents, maritime safety and the dangers of marine life.
* Never leave valuable items unattended or under a beach towel. Use a watertight container or leave your items secured in your holiday home.
Report any suspicious behaviour to SAPOL by calling 131 444.
Gordon Panton, Manager Marine Safety and Compliance at the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Senior Sergeant Darian Leske from SAPOL’s Water Operations Unit and Gary Darter, acting General Manager Operations Support at PIRSA at North Haven Marina today, sharing a school holiday water safety message.
Police Minster Senzo Mchunu is this afternoon expected to visit two drug laboratories and a warehouse which were discovered and shut down by the Hawks in Mpumalanga this week, said the Ministry of Police.
In a statement, the Ministry said the Minister will be accompanied by the National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, together with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation National Head, (Dr./Adv) Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya.
The discovery was made in Standerton.
“Equipment and substances with an estimated value of R48 million and seven vehicles have been seized for further investigation. Nine suspects have been arrested,” said the Ministry ahead of Sunday’s visit.
On Wednesday, the Hawks said that two suspects would appear in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court after the arrest of six Mozambican nationals.
This as the Hawks’ Secunda based Serious Organised Crime investigation monitored the origin of drugs in Standerton after numerous cases of possession of drugs were reported.
“The task was successfully executed as two clandestine laboratories were clamped down within a week,” the Hawks said at the time.
Additionally, a pressing machine and 35 buckets filled with powder and ready to be pressed into tablets were recovered. –SAnews.gov.za
Samsung Electronics today announced the addition of five new Young Leaders to Generation17, an initiative in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that supports young changemakers driving progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the ‘Global Goals.’
Since launching Generation17 in 2020, Samsung and UNDP have supported Young Leaders from across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America, addressing critical issues that span all 17 Global Goals. The partnership has provided these Young Leaders with the latest Samsung Galaxy technology, along with networking and mentorship opportunities, to amplify their stories and advance their work. The newest cohort, focused on advancing solutions in marine conservation, environmental sustainability, gender equality and quality education, reflects Samsung’s continued commitment to a more equitable future for all.
“As we accelerate efforts to achieve the Global Goals, we are proud to welcome the next cohort of Young Leaders to Generation17,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing, Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics. “Their passion, creativity and commitment to addressing global challenges embody the spirit of innovation that fuels meaningful change. We look forward to seeing how these five new Young Leaders will leverage technology for good to inspire action, mobilize communities and create lasting impact for a more sustainable and equitable world.”
Five Global Changemakers
The newest Generation17 Young Leaders were selected from hundreds of applicants and bring new areas of expertise to the initiative, expanding the reach of Generation17. As members of the Generation17 community, they will leverage technology and global platforms to advocate for the issues that matter most to them.
Brigitta Gunawan (Indonesia) — An ocean-climate advocate who has engaged with over 15,000 people in 100+ locations with environmental education and marine conservation opportunities through her organizations 30×30 Indonesia and Diverseas.
“At 17, it struck me that we were nothing but a small speck in a big world that remains largely unexplored — that if we continued as bystanders, we would see this fragile ecosystem cripple within our lifetime — so there I was, ready to co-create a future where people and planet prosper.”
José Francisco Ochoa (Ecuador) — A biologist and co-founder of Academia del Océano, an edtech platform promoting marine conservation, digital tools and sustainability in Spanish-speaking communities, equipping thousands with the tools to protect marine ecosystems.
“The ocean sustains life, yet many don’t realize how deeply connected we are to it. We must embrace innovation, education and collective action to protect our blue planet before it’s too late.”
Renata Koch Alvarenga (Brazil) — Founder and Executive Director of EmpoderaClima, a youth-led organization advocating for climate justice by addressing the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and promoting girls’ climate action.
“Climate disasters are exacerbating gender inequality, but through the Global Goals, we can raise awareness of the need for women’s leadership in climate decision-making and ensure no one is left behind.”
Rahaf Abu Mayyaleh (Jordan) — A climate activist, sustainable technology advocate and founder of IBTKRGO, which develops eco-friendly educational kits using recyclable materials, including e-waste, to empower youth with digital skills.
“Green technology is key to a sustainable future, and young innovators have the power to lead this transformation. Through IBTKRGO, I strive to bridge the gap between technology and sustainability, ensuring solutions that serve both people and the planet.”
Soumya Dabriwal (India) — Co-founder of Project Baala, a social enterprise addressing menstrual hygiene and reproductive health access through innovative solutions, including the sustainable distribution of reusable sanitary products and educational initiatives to de-stigmatize women’s health while generating employment for women.
“Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is a fundamental human right. Through collective advocacy and innovation, we can break barriers, challenge stigmas and build a world where everyone has the freedom and resources to make informed choices about their own bodies and futures.”
Elevating Youth Voices for Global Action
Since the launch of Generation17 in 2020, Samsung and UNDP have partnered to empower Young Leaders — helping them amplify their stories and accelerate their efforts to drive meaningful change in communities across the world. Additionally, the initiative provides opportunities for Young Leaders to showcase their impact on a global scale.
In the coming months, these Young Leaders will attend various major global events, where they will engage with policymakers, innovators and fellow changemakers. Through these platforms, they will contribute to international conversations on sustainable development and drive tangible progress toward the Global Goals, ensuring that youth voices play a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable future.
This year, Generation17 alum Tamara Gondo took the stage at Samsung’s Galaxy Tech Forum, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainability and the power of collaboration with like-minded partners to tackle worldwide challenges. She also shared how the initiative has helped scale her organization’s impact since she joined in 2022.
“Young people are the future of global development, and with fewer than five years left to achieve the Global Goals, the time to act is now,” said Achim Steiner, Administrator of UNDP. “Through our long-standing partnership with Samsung, we are empowering youth to advance solutions that address climate and human rights challenges and to inspire a new generation to join the fight for a more sustainable and just future.”
Generation17 reflects the shared commitment of Samsung and UNDP to harness technology for positive impact. Their collaboration began in 2019 with the launch of the Samsung Global Goals App — a mobile platform that educates users about the Goals while enabling them to contribute through everyday use of their Galaxy devices. As detailed in Samsung’s Global Goals Report, as of September 2024, the app has been installed on nearly 300 million Samsung Galaxy devices worldwide — including smartphones, tablets and smartwatches — and has helped generate more than $20 million USD to support UNDP’s global environmental and social initiatives.
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at www.undp.org.
About Generation17
Generation17 is an initiative from Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that elevates the voices of Young Leaders who are changing the world and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or ‘Global Goals.’ Samsung and UNDP are providing mentorship, technology and networking opportunities for the Young Leaders as they advance their work. Learn more at www.undp.org/generation17.
Attribute to Senior Sergeant Andy Reid, Manawatū Road Policing Services Team Leader:
Road Policing staff from Manawatū and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Team conducted a four-day operation last week, targeting driver behaviour and Heavy Motor Vehicle compliance across the upper Rangitikei and greater Ruapehu areas.
The operation ran over four days, from Wednesday 9 April to Saturday 12 April, with the focus on safety of road users across the region.
Across the four days, 20 checkpoints were conducted, and 7755 drivers were breath tested.
Three people blew over the legal breath alcohol limit. Two of those drivers received a $200 fine, forbidden to drive for 12 hours and had 50 demerit points added to their licence for two years. The third driver will appear before the court.
Nearly 130 infringement notices were issued during the operation, with 62 for speed, 8 for not wearing seatbelts and 2 drivers were on their cell phones. More than 50 notices were issued for other vehicle related offences.
Of the 61 heavy motor vehicles inspected, two were ordered off the road and issued with stickers, and one was not up to certificate of fitness standards.
While most drivers are doing the right thing, we are still disappointed that we’re continuing to see people putting themselves and other road users at risk.
Our aim is to prevent tragic incidents on our roads, and we make no apology for targeting dangerous driving behaviour including restraints, impairment, distractions, and speed.
Photovoltaic panels are installed on a reclaimed area of Changxu coal mine in Narisong, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, in August, 2024. [Photo/China Daily] While renewable energy is playing an increasingly important role in China’s green energy transition, coal mining still exists in some areas. In these areas, the government and local industry are taking steps to reduce the environmental impact, improve sustainable development and increase economic gains for local people. In the coal-mining town of Narisong in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, locals say that not only is the air quality improving, but their wallets are getting fatter, too. The town of around 30,000 people has undergone five years of green reforms, which have seen its ecological landscape improve and economic growth increase. In Narisong’s 19 villages and two communities, collectives earned 14.4 million yuan ($2 million) in dividends last year alone, according to Hou Xianming, a member of the town’s Party committee and chairman of the town’s people’s congress. These dual gains stem from people-centered planning by the local government that started back in 2020. Back then, villages relying solely on mining struggled with unsustainable growth, while those without coal resources lagged behind. To holistically address ecological rehabilitation, sustainable industry development and income disparity, the government brought about the establishment of Juhe Industrial Co, Hou said. The Juhe enterprise would carry out work associated with mitigating the environmental impact of mining, funded by villages and communities, according to government regulations. The company also operates across sectors such as mine rehabilitation, environmental cleanup, equipment and land leasing, and waste management, said Hou. Su Haixia, an official in the Ordos bureau of natural resources, said that mining companies must allocate funds for ecological restoration to local stakeholders. “Taking the green mine construction project as an example, coal companies must establish restoration funds and deposit about 90 million yuan per 10 million tons mined,” Su said. Subject to government evaluations on ecological restoration, coal mining companies could handle the restoration work themselves, or outsource such projects to specialized contractors like Juhe Industrial Co. With professional teams and flexible local hiring, these collaborations have facilitated the reclamation of almost 10,000 hectares of land in the town, according to Hou. To date, Narisong has established 14 green mines — those that implement eco-friendly practices and technologies to reduce their environmental impact, with additional sites currently under evaluation, Hou said. Juhe Industrial Co has also created 198 stable jobs for local people in property services alone, boosting the average annual income by nearly 40,000 yuan for those people, according to Hou. “I was previously working in long-haul transportation far from home, but now I’ve been able to secure a job in my hometown, earning over 5,000 yuan a month with social security benefits — an opportunity I wholeheartedly cherish,” said Liu Meijun, a truck driver from Yangshita village in Narisong. Senior residents have also benefited. “Some villagers in their early 60s remain physically robust and mentally sharp and still seek employment, but urban companies reject them mainly based on age concerns,” said Hou. “However, we’ve chosen to hire them for suitable light work — enabling them to care for elderly parents at home while earning an income, a win-win for families and the community.” Last year, Juhe Industrial Co generated 200 million yuan in revenue with a net profit of 36 million yuan. A total of 10 percent of those profits go toward emergency assistance for residents affected by natural disasters or severe medical hardships, 40 percent go to village collective dividends and 50 percent for the company’s future development, according to Hou. On the land that has been revitalized and recovered, solar farms are being set up, as well as medicinal herb cultivation. A 1.95-billion-yuan 400-megawatt solar project has been established by Man Shi Group and Hanxia New Energy in Narisong. Occupying 652 hectares, the project leases 521 hectares from Wutumen village and 130 hectares from Wutugou village at 3,000 yuan per hectare, offering annual incomes of 1.56 million yuan and 390,600 yuan, respectively, for these communities. These new industries have generated around 500 local employment opportunities, according to Hou. “I work in the reclaimed area of Changxu coal mine, mainly maintaining and inspecting solar panels. After deductions for social security, I earn over 4,000 yuan a month. I also earn steady rental income from leasing my land to the companies — life keeps getting better and better,” said Nie Jianjun, a villager from Wutumen village in Narisong. Guided by government initiatives, villagers are enjoying diversified income streams ranging from collective equity dividends and wages to land rental money. Moreover, companies purchase saplings cultivated by locals for their land restoration efforts, with the profits from these sales further bolstering the community’s financial well-being, Hou added.
At least 21 people were killed on Sunday morning in a Russian ballistic missile attack on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office said in a statement.
The attack also left other 34 people injured, including five children, the statement added.
The Sumy Regional Military Administration said that two ballistic missiles launched by Russian forces struck the city center, damaging residential and non-residential buildings.
Rescue operations were still underway as of midday local time (0900 GMT).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the international community to deliver a “firm” response to the attack.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China continues to rise as a key player in the global innovation ecosystem, ranking second globally in the number of unicorn companies and accounting for nearly 30 percent of the world’s total, said a newly released report.
According to a unicorn enterprise development report released at the Zhongguancun Forum in March, China’s unicorn companies are gaining global prominence, with a total of 409 unicorns valued at approximately $1.5 trillion.
Unicorns, generally defined as privately held companies that are less than 10 years old and valued at over $1 billion, are considered to have unique core technologies, competitive advantages and significant market potential.
Xie Shaofeng, chief engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said: “The rapid rise of China’s unicorns in recent years can be attributed to the dominance of intelligent technologies. Nearly a third of the country’s unicorns hail from smart technology fields, including large models and autonomous driving, which have fueled the growth of sub-sectors such as smart healthcare, logistics and manufacturing.”
The report said that China’s unicorns span 12 sectors, with significant representation in integrated circuits and semiconductors, software and information services, new energy technologies, AI, intelligent manufacturing and new consumption.
Among these, AI leads in terms of total valuation, with Chinese unicorns in the AI sector collectively valued at $461.2 billion. The new consumption and retail sector follows closely at $203.9 billion, while integrated circuits round out the top three with a valuation of $192.5 billion.
On average, the unicorns in AI, e-commerce and new energy smart vehicles have the highest valuations, with averages of $7.56 billion, $6.19 billion and $5.43 billion, respectively. The report also highlighted the emergence of “super unicorns” — companies valued at over $10 billion. Currently, there are 18 such companies in China.
In terms of quantity, the new consumption and retail sector leads with 66 unicorns, followed by AI (61), integrated circuits (54), intelligent equipment (54) and pharmaceutical health (43). Together, these five sectors account for 68 percent of all Chinese unicorns.
One such unicorn is Uisee, a leader in autonomous driving. Wu Gansha, co-founder and chairman of the company, highlighted the need for differentiation, either by focusing on niche markets that larger companies overlook or by optimizing technologies to offer affordable, high-quality products.
“Unicorns generally follow one of the two paths,” Wu explained. “Either they carve out a unique position in a neglected niche, becoming the first or the only in that field based on their core capabilities, or they bring down costs dramatically through innovative technologies and engineering. The key is to scale that advantage, turning a unicorn into a super unicorn.”
Looking ahead, Wu said that globalization is essential for China’s unicorns to thrive. “High labor costs and markets with rigid demand are ideal environments to maximize technological value,” he said.
For Chinese companies to succeed on the global stage, they must ensure that their products meet international standards, enabling them to quickly respond to global competition and “go global” with minimal lag time, industry experts added.
As China’s unicorns continue to expand their reach, their influence on global markets is expected to grow, further reshaping the landscape of innovation and technology across multiple industries. With government support and a growing ecosystem of talent and capital, the future looks promising for China’s fast-rising tech giants.
However, Li Daokui, director of Tsinghua University’s Academic Center for Chinese Economic Practice and Thinking, said that those firms on the verge of becoming unicorns face significant funding shortages.
Few unicorns are able to rely entirely on profits to sustain their growth, and many require patient capital to support their long-term development, he said.
As work progresses on a hi-tech weigh station at Taupō, traffic will continue to be managed through works on the surrounding state highways and local roads.
Five sites leading to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre are having in-road weighing technology installed and these will be coned off for 30 days from late April/early May to cure the asphalt before the technology is installed advises NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA)
“So while it may look like nothing is happening beyond the cones, it is essential to give the asphalt time to cure and be ready for installing the weigh-in-motion scales,” says Regional Manager for Infrastructure Delivery, Darryl Coalter.
“The asphalt layer at each site needs time to harden and gain strength. The new layer needs to be undisturbed for 30 days so that it hardens sufficiently for contractors to make precise cuts into it to fit the weigh-in-motion weigh plates.
“We can’t remove the traffic management and run traffic over it because it has been laid at precise levels so the scales work properly when they are installed. We want to avoid the risk of the soft asphalt crumbling.”
The scales are being installed on 5 of the roads heading towards the safety centre:
SH1 north of the SH1/5 roundabout
SH1 south of the roundabout
SH5 east of the roundabout
Napier Road west of the roundabout
Nearby Crown Road.
Temporary lanes have been built on the road shoulders to allow traffic to pass around the work areas and minimise the use of stop/go or temporary detours. Speed restrictions are in place and only minor delays are expected.
The curing period will run from the end of April to the end of May.
The Taupō weight station is 1 of 12 facilities NZTA is building on high-volume freight routes around the country for NZ Police to operate. The safety centres are part of the national Commercial Vehicle Safety Programme.
This technology will screen passing traffic and direct any suspected non-compliant heavy vehicles into the safety centre. Police officers on site will check vehicle weights, road user charges, certificates of fitness, logbooks and driver impairment.
Read more about the Commercial Vehicle Safety Centres:
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The economic and trade ties between China and Vietnam are expected to rise to a new level, driven by the two countries’ highly complementary trade structures, Vietnam’s modernization drive and the growing influence of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, according to market watchers and exporters.
Amid rising protectionism and unilateral challenges, China and Vietnam are pressing ahead with industrial upgrading and digital transformation, positioning themselves to tap into new growth opportunities across key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, green energy, smart logistics, e-commerce and regional supply chain integration, they said.
United by common aspirations for sustainable growth and economic resilience, the two countries are on track to forge even deeper and more dynamic economic ties in the years to come, said Wan Zhe, a professor specializing in regional economic development at Beijing Normal University.
Bilateral business relations have witnessed remarkable progress, especially in recent years, with Vietnam introducing key national strategies such as the National Green Growth Strategy for 2021-2030, vision towards 2050; the National Strategy on R&D and Application of Artificial Intelligence; and the National Strategy for 4th Industrial Revolution.
Wan said that these forward-looking initiatives have significantly enhanced Vietnam’s appeal as a destination for investment and innovation, attracting a substantial influx of Chinese and foreign capital and technologies over the past several years.
“This growing synergy has laid a strong foundation for deeper economic and technological collaboration between the two countries,” she added.
Vietnam has become a key overseas investment destination for China. In 2024, from January to August, Chinese companies invested $1.97 billion in the Southeast Asian country, maintaining a rapid rate of growth, according to the latest data released by China’s Ministry of Commerce.
Benefiting from a booming intermediate goods trade, the rising freight volume on the China-Vietnam Railway and substantial gains resulting from the RCEP and the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Vietnam trade surged 14.6 percent year-on-year to 1.85 trillion yuan ($254.05 billion) in 2024, statistics from China’s General Administration of Customs showed.
This momentum continued in the first two months of this year, with the value of bilateral trade rising 8.2 percent on an annual basis to 270.96 billion yuan, customs data showed.
China’s exports to Vietnam include machinery, telecommunication equipment, electronic components, industrial raw materials, trains, ships, trucks, household appliances and construction materials.
In addition to agricultural and aquatic products such as seafood, fruits, coffee and rice, Vietnam’s exports to China include smartphones, computers, rubber, footwear, garments and furniture.
In the medium to long term, China and Vietnam are more likely to deepen industrial complementarity and division of labor rather than engage in direct competition, said Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Institute of World Economics and Politics, which is affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing.
“This is because both countries are at different stages of development and have distinct strengths,” said Gao, adding China leads in high-end manufacturing and technological capabilities, while Vietnam offers advantages in assembly industries and young and high-quality workers.
On top of this, free trade deals with various economies, such as the EU (European Union)-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, have opened up opportunities, he added.
Echoing that sentiment, Lan Qingxin, a professor specializing in cross-border investment studies at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said that compared with other Southeast Asian countries as well as India and Mexico, Vietnam holds a competitive edge and market potential due to its proximity to China and its friendly foreign investment policies.
This complementary dynamic fosters a win-win partnership, reinforcing the depth and resilience of China-Vietnam economic ties, said Lan.
Ningbo Dafa Chemical Fiber Co, a textile and chemical raw materials manufacturer in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, has been actively exploring new possibilities in the Vietnamese market.
“Vietnam has a well-developed furniture manufacturing industry, which drives strong demand for textile yarns and synthetic fiber materials. Our products are mainly used for furniture padding and bedding production,” said Wang Ling, the company’s sales director.
Ningbo Dafa’s exports to Vietnam grew by 10.3 percent year-on-year to 20.64 million yuan in the first two months of this year, according to Ningbo Customs.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) released the following statement to celebrate 100 days of leadership from Senate Republicans.
“During these first 100 days under Republican leadership, I’ve been hard at work delivering on the mandate Iowans and the American people gave us in November,” said Senator Ernst.“I’ve continued to lead the fight against Washington’s waste, fraud, and abuse; worked with President Trump to make Sarah’s Law the law of the land and bring closure to the Root family; helped cut red tape and reverse the era of big government under Biden; and secured real results for our farmers, small businesses, and rural communities. Republicans have accomplished a lot in just 100 days, but this is just the beginning. There is much more work to do, and I look forward to delivering more results for Iowans in every corner of our state.”
Background:
Iowans elected Senator Ernst with a mandate to cut Washington’s pork and make ‘em squeal, and she has leveraged her ten years of “Squeal Awards” as the blueprint for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), including her $2 trillion proposal and telework report. As founder and chair of the Senate DOGE Caucus, she continues working to cut trillions, save Iowans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars, and make government work for the people by making it more efficient.
On January 31, 2016, an illegal immigrant was driving drunk when he struck and killed 21-year-old Sarah Root. Before her family could even lay her to rest, a loophole in the law allowed her killer to be released and escape the consequences of his crimes. Since the tragedy, Senator Ernst has worked tirelessly to pass Sarah’s Law to bring closure to the Root family and ensure this never happens again. This year, she shepherded the legislation through the Senate and the House, and President Trump made this legislation the law of the land. Ernst played a critical role in attaining closure for the Root family when their daughter’s killer was delivered into U.S. custodyto face justice.
Ernst has been working in tandem with the Trump administration to deliver results forfarmers, small business owners, and rural communities. Already, Ernst has joined Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin to announce a revision to the definition of the “waters of the United States” and cut red tape for landowners. She alsohosted Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in Iowa where they announced continued support for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program – an initiative Ernst has championed since its inception.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Ernst is refocusing the Small Business Administration on its core mission of serving Main Street,cracking down on fraudsters who went unchecked under the Biden administration, andmaking Trump’s tax cuts permanent.
Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Waihi last night.
Emergency services were called to the single-vehicle crash, involving a motorcycle, at the intersection of Rosemont Road and Consols Street at around 8:20pm.
The rider sadly died at the scene.
The road has since reopened.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
Police have launched a homicide investigation after the discovery of a man’s body in a vehicle in the Far North town of Kawakawa on Sunday morning.
Emergency services were called to the scene on Station Road in a car park near the Caltex petrol station about 7.45am.
“The man’s death was initially treated as unexplained, however it is now believed that he was the victim of a violent assault,” Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston says.
A 49-year-old man located nearby has now been charged with murder, appearing in the Kaikohe District Court today.
Detective Inspector Johnston says Police are also searching a property in the seaside settlement of Te Tii in relation to the investigation.
Post-mortem and formal identification procedures are still to be carried out.
Police are releasing a photo of the vehicle which has since been removed from the scene where the man was found.
“We would like to talk to anyone who noticed this vehicle or spoke with the occupants during the morning of Sunday 13 April,” Detective Inspector Johnston says.
That vehicle is a black Ford Falcon, with registration number BYM765.
It visited the Caltex Station in Kawakawa at 7.15am on 13 April.
If you can help, please get in touch through our 105 service, using the reference number 250413/7779.
You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Government is proposing the first major changes to New Zealand’s driver licence system since 2011 The changes include removing the requirement for a practical driving test when getting a full driver licence Public consultation on the changes will begin tomorrow.
The Government proposes to remove the requirement for a second practical test when gaining a driver licence and reduce the number of eyesight tests required, among other sensible changes to the Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS), Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Getting a driver licence is very important for many Kiwis. Having a licence means people can access jobs, education, healthcare, and participate in society.
“Around one million adults in New Zealand don’t have a full driver licence, and nearly half of these people have no licence at all. “Right now the process for getting a driver licence is time consuming and inefficient. It involves a theory test to get a learner licence, and then two practical tests – one when going for a restricted licence, and another when going for a full licence. “It’s also expensive, with the full process from learner to full licence costing a minimum of $362.50 in fees. “The Government is proposing changes to the driver licensing system to make the process for getting a full driver licence more accessible, efficient and affordable. “The main change is to remove the requirement for a person on their restricted licence to do a practical driving test when going for their full licence. The full licence test currently costs $98.90 to book. “Internationally, we are an outlier in requiring a practical driving test when going from a restricted licence to full. Other countries such as Australia require those on restricted licences to have longer learner periods, reduced demerit thresholds, or mandatory practice hours. “We’re proposing new safety measures, including:
requiring drivers on their restricted licence to keep a clean driving record to progress to their full licence, for 18 months for under-25s – or 12 months if they complete an advanced driving course – with a zero tolerance for any driving offence halving the demerit threshold for learner and restricted drivers, meaning they can have their licence suspended if they reach 50 demerit points, as opposed to the current threshold of 100 demerit points introducing a zero-alcohol limit for learner and restricted drivers of any age, as well the current zero limit for everyone under 20 years
“NZTA will also look at introducing a hazard perception test at the end of the learner stage. “These measures are designed to encourage safe driving from these drivers while they gain experience behind the wheel. “We’re also proposing to reduce the frequency of eyesight tests for drivers. “At present, drivers are required to undergo an eyesight test before their learner, restricted and full driving tests. This means some people end up having their vision tested three times between age 16 and 18, while a person aged over 25 going through the process to get their driver licence can have their vision tested three times in just nine months. “Evidence suggests there is little safety benefit from this repeated eyesight testing. Instead, we propose that people would still need to have their vision tested when they apply for their first licence, and when they first renew their licence after they turn 45. At other times people would need to declare that their vision has not deteriorated. “We are not proposing changes to eyesight testing for heavy vehicle licences or endorsements, or for people over 75 years. “Any changes to the driver licensing system would be implemented in July 2026. Until the new system is in place, people will need to follow the current requirements for their licence. “We believe our proposals strike the right balance between making it easier to progress through the system and maintaining road safety.” Consultation on the proposed changes to the Graduated Driver Licensing System opens on 14 April and will close on 9 June 2025. Notes to the editor
See attached fact sheet. The last major update to New Zealand’s driver licensing system was in 2011, when the minimum age for obtaining a learner licence was raised from 15 to 16 years. The graduated driver licensing system consultation document and survey will be available on the Ministry of Transport website from 14 April. The removal of the full licence test would apply to car licences only. Other proposed changes to the Graduated Driver Licensing System include improving New Zealand Transport Agency’s (NZTA) oversight of approved advanced driver courses for all licence classes. There would be no change to licence requirements for overseas licence conversions, senior drivers, or licence reinstatements
In a significant late-night operation on April 11, 2025, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted a 12-wheeler truck and seized 52.67 kg methamphetamine tablets, valued at Rs. 52.67 crore in the international drug market, on the outskirts of Aizawl, Mizoram.
The operation uncovered a novel method of concealing and transporting smuggled drugs — 53 meticulously packed, brick-sized packets were found hidden within the folds of the truck’s tarpaulin cover.
The packets bore inscriptions such as “3030 Export Only” and “999”, alongside diamond symbols, and contained orange-pink tablets. Tests conducted using the NDPS Field Test Kit confirmed the tablets contained methamphetamine.
The truck, registered in Nagaland, had originated from Zokhawthar—a sensitive border town near the Indo-Myanmar frontier—and was enroute to Tripura. DRI intercepted the vehicle before it left Mizoram. Notably, the truck carried no declared goods at the time. Earlier, it had transported cement from Meghalaya to Champhai before continuing to Zokhawthar, where the contraband was loaded.
The truck’s driver and his assistant were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Preliminary investigations indicate that the drugs had been smuggled into Mizoram from Myanmar via the Zokhawthar sector.
The DRI has The DRI has seized 148.50 kg methamphetamine tablets in the North Eastern Region since January 2025 till today, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to combating drug smuggling.
