Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
To echo the National Security Education Day on April 15, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) held the “National Security Education Day cum Police Museum Open Day” today (April 13) to enhance public awareness of national security, foster their sense of national identity and offer an opportunity for the community to learn more about the history and work of the HKPF.
Addressing at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, said that safeguarding national security is everyone’s responsibility. The HKSAR Government has always been committed to promoting national security education to enhance public awareness and foster a sense of responsibility in protecting national security. He praised the HKPF for their crucial role in safeguarding national security. He said that Hong Kong has long been regarded as one of the safest cities in the world. This reassures investors and tourists to visit and should never be taken for granted; rather, it is the result of concerted efforts, with significant contributions from the HKPF.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, in his opening remarks, said that national security is the cornerstone of prosperity and stability for a society. He added that the HKPF will continue its unwavering efforts to prevent, suppress, and impose punishment for acts endangering national security. Stressing that community support and participation are essential elements for safeguarding national security, he hoped the public would remain vigilant at all times and work together to safeguard national security.
At the opening ceremony, the officiating guests were accompanied by children in mini police uniforms to display the 20 key areas of national security, symbolising the Police and the public’s concerted efforts to convey the message of “national security, a mission we share”.
To commemorate the 5th anniversary of the implementation of the National Security Law, the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the National Security Department of the HKPF, the 1st anniversary of the implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, and the 10th anniversary of the National Security Education Day, the open day featured the “National Security Express – Police Museum Station”, which showcased the Force’s efforts in safeguarding national security. The advanced equipment of various units, including the Police Dog Unit, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau and the Counter Terrorism Response Unit, were also on display, providing the public with an opportunity to learn about the work of the Force.
In addition, officers dressed in police uniforms from different generations were present to take photos with the public, showcasing the evolution of police uniforms. In addition to the interactive technology elements in the Police Museum’s exhibitions, retired police officers and civilian staff also provided guided tours to the visitors, enabling them to have a better understanding of the history of the Force. The open day also featured a “drone football” experience game, an anti-drug publicity vehicle and a number of check-in spots where the public could take photos and have fun.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Welcome Dinner of InnoEX 2025 today (April 12):
Margaret (the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Ms Margaret Fong), å¾�常委 (Member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Ms Xu Xiaolan), 任秘書長 (the Secretary General of the World Internet Conference (WIC), Mr Ren Xianliang), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Hello! ä½ å¥½! What a thrill to have you all here this evening! A very warm welcome to friends from around the world to the InnoEX 2025 in Hong Kong.
This welcome dinner is a prelude to the InnoEX 2025, Hong Kong’s signature exhibition on innovation & technology (I&T) to start tomorrow. Also an anchor event of our vibrant Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week), InnoEX 2025 can be “digitised” into the magic figure of “12345” –
1 vision to connect global I&T power;
2 much to anticipate;
3 years in a row;
4 incredible days of a full programme from April 13 to 16; and
5 frontier tech areas we are going to focus on.
InnoEX returns stronger and bigger this year, from countries and regions – from Hong Kong, Macao, and 16 Mainland provinces and cities, to France, Canada, India, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, and across ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Joining us first-time also include those from Australia, the UAE (United Arab Emirates), Malaysia, Sweden, and Luxembourg.
To the familiar faces and all new friends, thank you so much for bringing your tech, your creativity and your interest to our city!
This year’s theme of InnoEX – “Innovate • Automate • Elevate” says it all: only with innovation powering the engine, automation steering the course, our journey towards a more prosperous economies and societies could be elevated to the next higher level.
The five tech areas we focus this year, namely artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, low-altitude economy, and smart mobility, are the components of this autonomous vehicle, leading us to a better and smarter future.
Indeed, these aren’t just tech and small parts of an engine. They fundamentally change the way we work, connect, interact and grow. They change how we see the future.
And right here at InnoEX, you’ll see how these agents are applied in different places around the globe, and how ideas translate into impact on industries and people.
As the brand InnoEX implies, Hong Kong is also witnessing the exponential power of innovation. We may be like a GPU (graphics processing unit) in terms of physical size, but Hong Kong is huge in terms of innovative power – top-notch R&D (research and development), five world-class universities, 16 State Key Laboratories, and a staunch supporter of free economy and international partnerships. This is how we fuel novel ideas, groom talents, attract investment, and build an increasing robust I&T ecosystem.
And we believe innovation thrives when people come together – across sectors and borders, and blending cultures and values. That’s what the BIT Week and InnoEX are all about: a global stage with no boundaries and limits. This spirit of connection is echoed at the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit happening soon at this convention centre.
So this evening, we are here to start conversations; to cultivate friendships; and to scale possibilities. Whether you are a policymaker, buyer, exhibitor or tech leader – there is always a space here in InnoEX for you to spark something big.
Before I close, my heartfelt thanks to our incredible partner, HKTDC, and my fellow colleagues at the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and the Digital Policy Office for their hard work. You have made this possible.
To our guests: please enjoy the evening, get ready for four exciting days ahead, and make the best out of InnoEX! Thank you.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
To echo the 10th National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development (ISITD) held an open day today (April 12), drawing the participation of over 4 000 citizens. The open day featured a range of activities, including introduction and demonstrations of the daily work of the Immigration Department (ImmD), exhibitions, guided tours and booth games, with the aim to raise public awareness of national security and strengthen their sense of national identity through interactive experiences, while highlighting the ImmD’s values and mission in defending against national security risks and firmly guarding the country’s southern gateway.
Various thematic exhibitions and booth games were set up to introduce the public to the ImmD’s technologies used in detecting suspicious documents, counter-terrorism work, management work of detention centre and tactical equipment, etc. Members of the public could also try out training facilities, such as the mock immigration clearance hall and mock court room, to better understand how the ImmD has been leveraging the work of effective immigration control, thereby safeguarding national security and ensuring the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.
In addition, the Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps (IDYL) also set up an interactive booth, where IDYL members crafted panda and golden snub-nosed monkeys dough figurine for the members of the public on site, aiming to drawn public attention to endangered animal species while promoting the concept of ecological security and its importance to members of the public in a lively and interesting way.
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung attended the open day. Accompanied by directorate officers of the ImmD, they toured the exhibition booths, interacted with the public, and encouraged members of the Immigration Service to remain dedicated and steadfast in upholding national security.
The open day offered an array of splendid programmes, including a musical performance by the Immigration Band and a Chinese-style foot drill demonstration by the Departmental Contingent. Holding flags printed with the five essential elements of the holistic approach to national security, the Departmental Contingent formed the shape of a shield, symbolising the logo of the National Security Education Day, as well as demonstrating the ImmD’s concerted efforts to safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of our nation. Afterwards, the Emergency Response Team of the Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre demonstrated how to handle emergencies and quell disturbances professionally and promptly with the use of various firearms and anti-riot equipment, showcasing the ImmD’s capabilities to deal with incidents endangering public security and its commitment to maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Also, there was a demonstration session of the ImmD’s vehicles at the open day, introducing the multi-purpose vehicle of ImmD’s Enforcement Division and the mobile identification tactical unit to members of the public, so as to help them to learn more about the ImmD’s work in preventing and defending against national security risks.
CFA is calling on Victorians to dig deep alongside thousands of volunteers rattling tins for the annual Good Friday Appeal (GFA) this week, supporting the Royal Children’s Hospital.
From fire trucks to traffic lights, community clubs to local events, Victorians can expect to see CFA volunteers out in force this Good Friday. In fact, you’re likely to find a CFA volunteer shaking a tin in nearly every town across the state.
Since 1951, CFA brigades have proudly raised more than $39 million for the Appeal, becoming a cornerstone of the fundraising effort. This year, CFA is aiming to reach a historic milestone – raising a grand total of $40 million.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the image of CFA volunteers in their firefighting gear collecting donations has become an iconic part of Good Friday.
“A significant number of our CFA members will be out in force again this year, and it’s just one of the things that truly defines the spirit of the Good Friday Appeal,” Jason said.
“Our long-standing partnership with the GFA is not possible without the incredible generosity and passion of our CFA volunteers who give up their time year after year to raise funds for kids who are in need of care.
“So, this Friday, give what you can to a firey – and help us make a difference.”
This year, Chief Officer Jason Heffernan will have the honour of presenting CFA’s total collection amount live on-air during the Good Friday Appeal telethon late on Friday night.
He will be joined by Epping CFA volunteer Rohan Stevens, whose son Jack is one of the official faces of the 2025 Appeal.
Jack received life-saving care from the Royal Children’s Hospital, and the support his family received during that time has left a lasting impact. Their story is a powerful reminder of why every donation matters.
The continued partnership between CFA and the Good Friday Appeal reflects the selfless dedication and community-first ethos that CFA volunteers embody. For many, it is a powerful way to give back and connect.
Members of the community are encouraged to look out for CFA crews in their local area and donate generously – every dollar makes a difference to the lives of children and families across the state.
Serious Two Vehicle Crash, East Derwent Highway, Geilston Bay
Sunday, 13 April 2025 – 5:44 am.
At approximately 10:48pm on Saturday 12th April 2025, emergency services responded to a two-vehicle crash on the East Derwent Highway Geilston Bay, at the intersection of Sugarloaf Rd. A silver Opal sedan, driven by a 19-year-old man from Warrane, had been travelling south on the East Derwent Highway, when it collided with a north bound white Toyota Camry at the intersection of Sugarloaf Rd. The Toyota was being driven by a 32-year-old man from Berriedale. There were a combined total of 7 occupants in both vehicles, all of which were transported to the Royal Hobart Hospital for medical treatment or assessment. A 17-year-old woman who was travelling in the Opal sedan at the time of the crash has suffered serious injuries. Investigations in relation to this crash are ongoing, however initial investigations suggest that excessive speed may have been a contributing factor in this crash. Police would like to ask anyone with information about this crash or those who may have observed the manner of driving of the vehicles prior to the crash, to contact police on 131 444 or crime stoppers on 1800 333 000, quoting ESCAD number 531-12042025.
A wave of restrictions on protesting has been rippling through Australia’s top universities.
Over the past year, all of Australia’s eight top research universities (the Group of Eight) have individually increased restrictions on campus protests.
In the 1960s and ‘70s, they were a breeding ground for social protest, including rallies against apartheid and the Vietnam War, and in favour of women’s rights. In more recent years, students have protested on key social, political and environmental issues, from university fees to the invasion of Iraq and climate action.
The changes across the Group of Eight mean students announcing a rally for climate action in class now risk disciplinary action at some universities. Sit-ins calling on universities to divest from weapon companies are no longer permitted at others. At some campuses, union members going to stop-work meetings to protest staff cuts could be engaging in employee misconduct.
The legal basis of the restrictions
Australian universities are typically set up under state legislation and through this have broad powers to regulate campus protests.
Universities in South Australia and Victoria also have powers under state legislation to make university statutes and regulations.
The protest restrictions have relied on a mix of these powers.
Could these changes be challenged?
But these restrictions are also subject to enterprise agreements made under the federal Fair Work Act which protect academic and intellectual freedom. For example, the University of Sydney’s enterprise agreement entitles staff to:
express opinions about the operation of the university and higher education policy in general
express unpopular or controversial views, provided that in doing so staff must not engage in harassment, vilification or intimidation.
This means both the Fair Work Act and Constitution may provide grounds for a legal challenge to many of these new restrictions. The High Court has previously ruled restrictions on protest must be proportionate and necessary for preventing harm and damage.
The protest restrictions also implicate various human rights. Under international law, which Australia has ratified, staff and students have freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly. As workers, staff have freedom of association through trade unions, including the right to organise.
Many of these measures would seem to restrict activities where there is no or little threat to safety. In some cases, there are arguably excessive and disproportionate means to ensure safety.
What will happen now?
Some university students, staff and unions have opposed these protest restrictions.
Given the doubts over their legality, court challenges may be on the horizon. It is also possible some groups will actively test these restrictions.
But we may see a chilling effect on university activism and protests, when individuals would otherwise speak their minds on campus. Some staff may be worried they will lose their jobs. Students may be also worried about academic penalties or expulsion and the impact on their future careers.
This undermines universities as a place where people talk, debate and test ideas as a key part of the learning and research process – and a vital component of our democracy.
Joo-Cheong Tham has been an employee of the University of Melbourne for more than two decades. During this time, he has participated in campus protests at the university that would now be banned by the university’s protest restrictions.
He is the Victorian Division Assistant Secretary (Academic Staff) of the National Tertiary Education Union; a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia; a Director of the Centre for Public Integrity; and an Expert Network Member of Climate Integrity.
Joo-Cheong has received funding from the Australian Research Council, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, European Trade Union Institute, International IDEA, the New South Wales Electoral Commission, the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Victorian Electoral Commission.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Wolfgang Alschner, Hyman Soloway Chair in Business and Trade Law, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs have shaken the global trading system. Canadians have rightly been preoccupied by the tariff’s devastating impact on U.S.-Canada relations, but the wider ripple effects could prove just as damaging.
The tariffs have redirected billions of dollars in exports originally bound for the U.S., which are now poised to flood global markets — including Canada’s. This will trigger a historic trade diversion that will put even the most free trade-minded nations to the test.
These days are now over. On April 2, the U.S. increased its average tariff rate seven-fold to a staggering 22 per cent — by far the highest among countries with a major economy.
Together, they form a tariff wall around the U.S. unlike anything seen in generations.
The Great Trade Diversion
Much of the trade disruption stems from China. In 2024, China exported US$438.9 billion worth of goods to the U.S. Millions of parcels, sent via e-commerce platforms like Shein, entered the U.S. duty-free because they fell below the US$800 “de minimis” threshold.
This rate was increased further after China vowed to retaliate on April 4, and is now stacked on top of a 20 per cent fentanyl-related tariff. The result is an effective tariff rate exceeding 100 per cent, making it prohibitively costly for China to export to the U.S.
Vietnam, a major destination of Chinese export-oriented foreign investment, exported US$137 billion in goods to the U.S. in 2024. While the 46 per cent reciprocal tariff against Vietnam has since been suspended, the U.S. is unlikely to tolerate such circumvention this time around.
All told, billions of dollars in trade are being rerouted, with a tidal wave of diverted goods now headed for markets around the world.
A repeat of the Great Depression
The world has been here before. In the 1930s, the U.S. enacted the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which raised tariffs on thousands of imported goods in an effort to shield American industries during the Great Depression. The result was a rapid contraction of global trade.
What ultimately tipped the world over the edge wasn’t direct retaliation against the U.S. Instead, global trade collapsed as U.S. trading partners turned on each other. Faced with a flood of diverted goods, they rushed to protect their own manufacturing by enacting trade restrictions of their own.
Similarly, today, we face a similar risk. The greater concern is not Trump’s tariffs themselves or even the retaliation they provoke, but rather the resulting trade diversion and wave of protectionism it can trigger.
Old fears, new pressures
In some respects, the world may be in a more precarious position today than it was in the early 1930s.
For close to a decade, western policymakers, including G7 members, have sounded alarm bells over “Chinese overcapacity.” China consumes too little at home and exports too much abroad, often using unfair non-market practices such as covert subsidization to undercut local prices.
The Great Trade Diversion is set to put an already strained system to the test. There is still time for countries to reaffirm their commitment to international trade rules. Those same rules also allow countries to temporarily restrict trade when faced with a flood of imports.
The Canadian government can proactively identify sectors at risk of disruption and call on the Canada Border Services Agency to self-initiate investigations into vulnerable sectors to swiftly clear the procedural hurdles for imposing temporary import restrictions.
If countries stick to these rules, the global trading system can weather the storm. Just as possible, though, is a slide toward protectionism. Faced with a deluge of goods coming from China, the temptation to erect illegal trade barriers like the U.S. already has will be high.
The global economy stands at a crossroads: one path leads to a reassertion of international co-operation and global rules; the other to a cascade of protectionist measures and a weakening of the very system that has enabled decades of economic growth and stability.
Wolfgang Alschner receives funding from the SSHRC.
Maritime activities, from global trade to tourism, exceed US$3 trillion annually. The “ocean economy” is the fourth largest in the world. Furthermore, our global economic vitality is largely due to the cost-effective nature of ocean transportation, which contributes to the reduced price per ton of shipped goods.
The ocean has changed dramatically in the past century, and we expect more change to come. Collapses of fisheries, coral reefs, shark populations and other species — along with increased dead zones, red tide blooms and invasive species — have followed increased human development, industrial use of the sea, climate change and pollution.
Humanity is at a social, political, environmental and scientific nexus point.
We are a group of researchers and experts who served on a committee of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to advise the National Science Foundation on forward-looking approaches to investing in ocean science research, infrastructure and workforce development.
We considered the question: What vital research must we pursue now, and what investments must we make to achieve ambitious research goals?
Our scientific efforts must focus on the key gaps in our predictive knowledge, and on the critical pathways and thresholds for ocean change. We should support ocean science to prepare for the future.
Readying ocean science
Given limited resources and rapid changes, we need to consider how to set priorities. Our committee offered a distinction between urgent and vital research: urgent research is time-sensitive, with immediate relevance to emerging regional and global issues, while vital research transforms our ability to grapple with rapid changes in the ocean and the Earth system.
The growing focus on links between the chemical, physical, geological and biological states of the ocean, and planetary climate states, provides a much-improved structure for forecasting the state of the ocean.
Healthy oceans, healthy people
A focus on human well-being and its dependence on ocean processes can provide an important connection that places ocean sciences in key conversations related to human health.
When it comes to understanding the importance of ocean and climate, we need to determine how the ocean’s ability to absorb heat and carbon dioxide will change. While the ocean presently absorbs 90 per cent of global heat and roughly 30 per cent of carbon dioxide, changes in the physical and biological ocean will likely slow these rates, leading to accelerated atmospheric warming.
Related to this climate question, how will marine ecosystems respond to changes in the Earth system? Declining ecosystem resilience will likely have strong negative impacts on food supplies and livelihoods.
Can we develop new understanding that will support model forecasts to determine the effects of warming, acidification and de-oxygenation on marine life?
Another challenge is to improve our ability to forecast extreme events driven by ocean and seafloor processes. Marine earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and storm surges are natural processes that pose serious risks to human well-being. Societal vulnerability to these extreme events can be profound.
As our built coastal infrastructure expands, and climate change shifts patterns of such extreme events, it is critical to improve our ability to observe, understand and forecast extreme events.
Investing in ocean futures
Ocean research depends on continued funding of basic studies and investment in key ocean science infrastructure. We must integrate emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and expanded use of existing ocean infrastructure such as globally ranging research vessels, global drifters that float on the ocean surface and gather information, underwater communication cables and coastal marine laboratories.
International co-operation is needed since few of these challenges are truly local. A move towards more collaborative, transdisciplinary research is necessary, alongside an expanded ocean science workforce with training and knowledge well beyond those of traditional disciplines.
Our assessment of the state of ocean science in the United States identified key infrastructure required to address these challenges.
For example, while advances in autonomous vehicle technology offer many opportunities, there will remain a need for specialized research ships that can operate in coastal and deep-sea waters and ice-covered regions to drill for** seafloor samples. Globally, there has been a decline in available ships to support ocean research.
Likewise, nearly 100 marine laboratories dot U.S. coastlines, providing training, access and research for thousands of students each year. The development of this infrastructure offers opportunities for international collaboration and cooperation with private sector partners. It may also be that some of the existing infrastructure, such as the Ocean Observatories Initiative, needs to be reconsidered in light of shifting priorities and developing technologies.
An ocean glider deployed at sea. (B. DeYoung), CC BY-ND
Collective action
We differentiate between urgent and vital ocean science research priorities.
While the urgent will continue to demand our attention — the next coral bleaching event, the latest fisheries collapse — it is our commitment to the vital research priorities identified in the report that will ultimately determine our ability to steward rather than merely react to complex changes in the oceans.
Our work offers a compass, but navigation requires collective action. Research institutions must transform their approach: restructuring tenure and promotion criteria to reward transdisciplinary investigations, supporting reskilling and upskilling of faculty, and preparing an innovative, adept workforce.
Policymakers must create frameworks that value long-term investigation. And citizens must advocate for sustained investments in ocean science that transcend political cycles. The ocean’s future — and our own — depends on our willingness to pursue what is vital.
Kristen St John receives funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation. She is the author of a lab book Reconstructing Earth’s Climate History: Inquiry-Based Exercises for the Lab and Class, and an in press textbook Earth’s Climate: A Geoscience Perspective.
Mona Behl receives funding from U.S. National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautic and Space Agency, and the U.S. Department of Commerce. She is affiliated with the American Meteorological Society, and the Oceanography Society.
Peter Girguis receives funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, Schmidt Sciences, the National Aeronautic and Space Administration, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. He is affiliated with Harvard University, Schmidt Sciences, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution .
Richard W Murray has received funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation and other U.S. federal agencies.
Stephen Palumbi receives funding from NSF, The Pew Charitable Trusts among other sources. He is affiliated with The Ocean Conservancy as a Board member, and is a member of the National Academies of Sciences. He has been vocal about the value and fun of bringing ocean science to the general public in book like The Extreme Life of the Sea and the upcoming book Born Predators.
Brad deYoung 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: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HAIKOU, April 13 — A seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies into daily life is taking center stage at the ongoing fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in south China’s Haikou City, painting a vivid picture of a smarter, more interconnected future.
Slated from April 13 to 18, this year’s expo features dedicated exhibition zones for groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and low-altitude economy for the first time.
Tech giants like Huawei and China Mobile are showcasing futuristic solutions. Huawei’s HarmonyOS ecosystem demonstrates cross-device synergy across “people, vehicles, and homes,” featuring AI-powered eye-tracking technology for hands-free e-book navigation.
China Mobile’s smart home ecosystem includes quadruped robotic companions for elderly care and AI-driven home security systems.
“AI is accelerating its integration into everyday scenarios. The expo is undoubtedly a major platform to showcase these advances,” said Zhan Wenyu, vice president of AI company iFLYTEK, which has participated in the expo for five consecutive years.
The expo’s dedicated AI zone displays humanoid robots capable of complex tasks, such as dancing in traditional local Li ethnic brocade costumes or handling delicate objects.
Tesla’s latest humanoid robot boasts enhanced mobility and tactile sensitivity, while the Ti5 Robot unveils breakthroughs in electric drive technology with lightweight joint modules and smart dexterous hands.
Health and wellness technologies also claim a prominent spotlight. Continuous glucose monitors and light therapy glasses under various brands further spotlight the fusion of tech and well-being, while brain-computer interfaces highlight advancements in medical accessibility. Companies like SenseTime and Asus are presenting smart health ecosystems at the event.
Brands like OSIM and Ogawa have debuted AI massage robots. Air Nutri Solution Inc., a Vancouver-based non-medicinal sleep solutions provider, introduces its “deep sleep cabin,” which uses charged particle waves to create immersive rest environments.
The OSIM sees the expo as a key platform for engaging in meaningful conversations with global consumers, said Lin Xiaohui, deputy general manager of brand management and marketing of OSIM North Asia.
Making its debut this year, the low-altitude economy zone showcases electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, flying cars, and drones.
Autonomous vehicles served expo attendees, offering driverless shuttles and cleaning services around key venues, providing a glimpse into smart city logistics.
United Aircraft brought the TD550, which obtained the first type certificate for unmanned helicopters in China, to the exhibition. “China is entering an era of rapid development of the low-altitude economy,” said Zhou Xiaoyue, director of the firm’s public relations.
“The Hainan Free Trade Port provides unprecedented opportunities for the innovation of the drone industry,” Zhou said, adding that the firm will work with global partners through the expo platform to promote the industrial implementation of the low-altitude economy.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Seth Asare Okyere, Visiting lecturer, University of Pittsburg and Adjunct Associate Professor, Osaka University, University of Pittsburgh
Humans are walking beings. Walking is intrinsically linked to our physical development from childhood and enables our connections with people and places. We can say it is essential to our physical and mental well-being.
Walking can also help create inclusive and sustainable cities. Most western cities incorporate this need in their spatial planning.
In African countries like Ghana, however, the fact that most people walk doesn’t always mean they prefer to. They need to walk because it’s cheaper than using motor vehicles. But many African cities are not friendly to pedestrians.
More than 70% of the urban population in Africa walk daily for various purposes. To deal with the challenges pedestrians encounter, some African cities have incorporated policies and strategies for walking into their motorised transport policies. For instance, in Nigeria, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has developed a policy that aims to create a safe and pleasant network of footpaths, greenways and other facilities that serve everyone in the city.
In Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), a similar policy was developed. Its objective is to increase the number of people who walk by investing in walking facilities and improving connectivity to public transport.
The strategies in these documents are commendable, but they have met practical challenges like funding, public perception and technical capacity.
Ghana also has several transport and local development planning policies. Yet most urban areas in Ghana don’t have walking infrastructure and a safe walking environment.
As scholars interested in sustainable urban development planning and policy, we reviewed some of these policies to explore how they treat walking as a way of getting around. The research also assessed institutional perspectives and residents’ everyday lived experiences of walkability in Accra, the capital city. We found that both policies and urban plans paid little attention to making the walking experience enjoyable.
The Ghana Transport Survey Report indicates that over three-quarters (75.3%) of the country’s population make up to ten daily trips on foot, and most urban areas lack walking infrastructure. Pedestrians account for about 42% of road deaths in Ghana.
We chose two study sites in Accra, the capital, where many come to find work. The sites represented inner-city and suburban areas. The research used in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 80 people to capture the perspectives of institutional representatives and community residents. We explored walking experiences in terms of accessibility, safety and enjoyment.
Findings
Accessibility: The national transport policy seeks to provide dedicated, safe, reliable and appropriate facilities for users across all transport modes. What we found, however, was an absence of infrastructure to enhance pedestrian access to facilities and services.
One resident commented:
The roads are not only in poor condition but they have no sidewalks. It is not hard to assume that these were built for car owners, not pedestrians’ everyday use.
Safety: The research revealed a chasm between policy ambitions for walking and realities at the community level. Municipal development plans don’t say how they will address the frequent crashes that result from commuters, vendors and motorists competing for space. The most at risk are pedestrians, who represent 42% of transport-related fatalities. This is because of noncompliance with bylaws that regulate activities on the roads and pedestrian pathways.
One municipal official said:
Look at the streets: Motorists, street vendors, school children on the same street space. There is encroachment, reckless driving, illegally parked cars on road shoulders. School children and the disabled face constant risks. But the plan aims to make the neighborhoods walkable. Just words as always.
Enjoyment: Enjoyment was the least considered aspect of walkability in both national policy and municipal development plans. The absence of facilities and infrastructure that offer comfort, aesthetics and other pleasures for pedestrians provides a clear indication of this.
A community leader complained:
Flooding and poor sanitation create an unpleasant walking environment. Clogged waste, poor drains, and rubbish along streets and alleyways are a problem. There is nothing pleasant about walking: the smell, the dust, the noise and the heat. You walk because you have no choice.
The deep gulf between what the policies say and everyday experiences in our study calls for new ways of thinking and implementation within the urban transport in Ghana’s development planning regime.
We suggest that there is a need for transport planners, urban and development planners, and policymakers to consider coproduction strategies in identifying, framing, developing, and implementing interventions. This will help harness the potential for walking as a social equaliser and its contribution to healthy, safe, equitable cities and communities.
Here, action-oriented collaborative strategies like workshops that consider communities as partners can transition African urban residents from captive walkers to walkers who enjoy it.
– Accra is a tough city to walk in: how city planners can fix the problem – https://theconversation.com/accra-is-a-tough-city-to-walk-in-how-city-planners-can-fix-the-problem-253636
Government cuts price of everyday items and summer essentials
The Government has cut prices on the imports of everyday essentials like spices and juices to boost economic growth.
Prices slashed on 89 foreign products – ranging from pasta, fruit juices and spices to plastics and gardening supplies – over next two years
Cheaper imports will save businesses at least £17 million per year in a further bid to kickstart growth as part of the Plan for Change
Savings could be passed onto families, mixologists and amateur gardeners through lower prices on everyday items and summer essentials
UK committed to economic growth, business security and lower prices through free and open trade
UK businesses and consumers could benefit from lower prices on imports of everyday essentials like spices and juices as the Government takes further action to make the UK the best place to do business and kickstart economic growth.
In a further demonstration of the government’s commitment to free trade and responding to business need, the UK Global Tariff will be temporarily suspended on 89 products saving UK businesses up and down the country at least £17 million a year.
The products include plywood and plastics, which are essential for construction – making life easier for chippies all over the country.
Working in partnership with industry, the government has decided to suspend import tariffs on a whole range of products to lower costs for businesses, tariffs will now be cut to zero until July 2027.
The savings to businesses on products such as pasta, fruit juices, coconut oil and pine nuts could be passed onto consumers just in time for the summer season, meaning lower food prices in supermarkets, restaurants and pubs.
Products including agave syrup, often used in margaritas, and plant bulbs will also see tariffs removed meaning keen cocktail-makers and amateur gardeners could enjoy lowered costs as the warmer weather approaches.
These changes will support key growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing and clean energy to compete with international rivals, supporting the Government’s Industrial Strategy with the Plan for Change.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:
Free and open trade grows economies, lowers prices and helps businesses to sell to the world, which is why we’re cutting tariffs on a range of products.
From food to furniture, this will reduce the cost of everyday items for businesses, with savings hopefully passed onto consumers.
As we face a new era of global trade, this government is going further faster to make Britain the best country to do business, delivering on our Plan for Change. These suspensions are just another example of that.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
In a changing world we know families are anxious about the cost of living, and businesses uncertain about their future. That’s why we’ve announced lower prices on imports of everyday essentials – helping businesses to thrive and pass on savings to customers.
Through our Plan for Change we’re supporting British business and putting more money in people’s pockets.
The UK Global Tariff applies to goods entering the UK that do not qualify for preferential treatment under, for example, a free trade agreement.
Businesses across the UK apply for temporary suspensions on a regular basis by providing evidence of the benefits to themselves, their sector and the wider economy.
CBI Europe and International Director Sean McGuire:
In the face of an uncertain and unpredictable global trading environment, government should be commended for suspending import duties on an array of products. Measures like these will be important for reducing the financial pressures on firms and help to drive growth for businesses of all sizes across the country.
The UK has already reduced tariffs on certain imported goods, benefitting British consumers with better choice, quality and prices on products like fruit juices from Peru and vacuum cleaners from Malaysia.
The Government is going further and faster in negotiating trade deals with partners including India, the Gulf Cooperation Council, South Korea and Switzerland which will unlock new opportunities for businesses, support jobs, and boost wages.
These measures come as the government acts swiftly to protect UK businesses and workers in a new era of global trade, through increasing flexibility on the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, cutting the red tape and bureaucracy that slows down clinical trials in the life sciences sector, investing up to £600 million in a new Health Data Research Service and backing a £30 million package to support the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport which is expected to support 5,000 jobs and boost the economy by £5 billion.
Since Friday 4th April 2025, our clean-up crews across the city have collected 11,588 tonnes of waste, including the waste taken to HWRCs – the equivalent to 1,000 killer whales.
Our crews have been clearing approx. 1,500 tonnes of waste a day since our vehicles have been able to deploy on time, with around 100-120 refuse collection vehicles out every day. We have repurposed between 40 and 60 housing and street cleansing vehicles and deployed multiple ‘grab trucks’ to clear large rubbish piles each day, prioritising 15 of the most affected hotspot wards.
We are also supported by extra vehicles through mutual aid.
We predict we have around 4,500 tonnes left to clear up this week.
Leader of the Council Cllr John Cotton said: “Our work to clear the backlog is gathering pace and we will continue collecting waste over the weekend.
“I fully appreciate that there is still more to do, and I share the frustration of people across the city, but now that we are getting our crews out on time every day, we are starting to see a difference and I want to thank our amazing crews for their hard work over the last week.
“I also want to thank every citizen, community group and organisation that is helping with the clear-up. People are helping in neighbourhoods right across the city and their support is helping to clear our streets.”
Some of our household recycling centres have extended opening hours and slots can be booked online, and our mobile household waste centres are operating on extended hours too. You can check locations here.
Talks to resolve the dispute will continue next week and Cllr Cotton added: “I will stress again that we have made a fair and reasonable offer that means that no-one has to lose any pay at all, with alternative roles offered within the service, or indeed a promotion to work as a driver. We’re determined to reach an agreement but in the meantime, the clear-up continues.”
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Seth Asare Okyere, Visiting lecturer, University of Pittsburg and Adjunct Associate Professor, Osaka University, University of Pittsburgh
Humans are walking beings. Walking is intrinsically linked to our physical development from childhood and enables our connections with people and places. We can say it is essential to our physical and mental well-being.
Walking can also help create inclusive and sustainable cities. Most western cities incorporate this need in their spatial planning.
In African countries like Ghana, however, the fact that most people walk doesn’t always mean they prefer to. They need to walk because it’s cheaper than using motor vehicles. But many African cities are not friendly to pedestrians.
More than 70% of the urban population in Africa walk daily for various purposes. To deal with the challenges pedestrians encounter, some African cities have incorporated policies and strategies for walking into their motorised transport policies. For instance, in Nigeria, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has developed a policy that aims to create a safe and pleasant network of footpaths, greenways and other facilities that serve everyone in the city.
In Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), a similar policy was developed. Its objective is to increase the number of people who walk by investing in walking facilities and improving connectivity to public transport.
The strategies in these documents are commendable, but they have met practical challenges like funding, public perception and technical capacity.
Ghana also has several transport and local development planning policies. Yet most urban areas in Ghana don’t have walking infrastructure and a safe walking environment.
As scholars interested in sustainable urban development planning and policy, we reviewed some of these policies to explore how they treat walking as a way of getting around. The research also assessed institutional perspectives and residents’ everyday lived experiences of walkability in Accra, the capital city. We found that both policies and urban plans paid little attention to making the walking experience enjoyable.
The Ghana Transport Survey Report indicates that over three-quarters (75.3%) of the country’s population make up to ten daily trips on foot, and most urban areas lack walking infrastructure. Pedestrians account for about 42% of road deaths in Ghana.
We chose two study sites in Accra, the capital, where many come to find work. The sites represented inner-city and suburban areas. The research used in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 80 people to capture the perspectives of institutional representatives and community residents. We explored walking experiences in terms of accessibility, safety and enjoyment.
Findings
Accessibility: The national transport policy seeks to provide dedicated, safe, reliable and appropriate facilities for users across all transport modes. What we found, however, was an absence of infrastructure to enhance pedestrian access to facilities and services.
One resident commented:
The roads are not only in poor condition but they have no sidewalks. It is not hard to assume that these were built for car owners, not pedestrians’ everyday use.
Safety: The research revealed a chasm between policy ambitions for walking and realities at the community level. Municipal development plans don’t say how they will address the frequent crashes that result from commuters, vendors and motorists competing for space. The most at risk are pedestrians, who represent 42% of transport-related fatalities. This is because of noncompliance with bylaws that regulate activities on the roads and pedestrian pathways.
One municipal official said:
Look at the streets: Motorists, street vendors, school children on the same street space. There is encroachment, reckless driving, illegally parked cars on road shoulders. School children and the disabled face constant risks. But the plan aims to make the neighborhoods walkable. Just words as always.
Enjoyment: Enjoyment was the least considered aspect of walkability in both national policy and municipal development plans. The absence of facilities and infrastructure that offer comfort, aesthetics and other pleasures for pedestrians provides a clear indication of this.
A community leader complained:
Flooding and poor sanitation create an unpleasant walking environment. Clogged waste, poor drains, and rubbish along streets and alleyways are a problem. There is nothing pleasant about walking: the smell, the dust, the noise and the heat. You walk because you have no choice.
The deep gulf between what the policies say and everyday experiences in our study calls for new ways of thinking and implementation within the urban transport in Ghana’s development planning regime.
We suggest that there is a need for transport planners, urban and development planners, and policymakers to consider coproduction strategies in identifying, framing, developing, and implementing interventions. This will help harness the potential for walking as a social equaliser and its contribution to healthy, safe, equitable cities and communities.
Here, action-oriented collaborative strategies like workshops that consider communities as partners can transition African urban residents from captive walkers to walkers who enjoy it.
Seth Asare Okyere receives funding from the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations.
Daniel Oviedo receives funding from University College London and the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations.
Louis Kusi Frimpong receives funding from the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) funding program
Mariajose Nieto receives funding from Volvo Research and Educational Foundation
Matthew Abunyewah and Stephen Leonard Mensah 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.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Seth Asare Okyere, Visiting lecturer, University of Pittsburg and Adjunct Associate Professor, Osaka University, University of Pittsburgh
Humans are walking beings. Walking is intrinsically linked to our physical development from childhood and enables our connections with people and places. We can say it is essential to our physical and mental well-being.
Walking can also help create inclusive and sustainable cities. Most western cities incorporate this need in their spatial planning.
In African countries like Ghana, however, the fact that most people walk doesn’t always mean they prefer to. They need to walk because it’s cheaper than using motor vehicles. But many African cities are not friendly to pedestrians.
More than 70% of the urban population in Africa walk daily for various purposes. To deal with the challenges pedestrians encounter, some African cities have incorporated policies and strategies for walking into their motorised transport policies. For instance, in Nigeria, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has developed a policy that aims to create a safe and pleasant network of footpaths, greenways and other facilities that serve everyone in the city.
In Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), a similar policy was developed. Its objective is to increase the number of people who walk by investing in walking facilities and improving connectivity to public transport.
The strategies in these documents are commendable, but they have met practical challenges like funding, public perception and technical capacity.
Ghana also has several transport and local development planning policies. Yet most urban areas in Ghana don’t have walking infrastructure and a safe walking environment.
As scholars interested in sustainable urban development planning and policy, we reviewed some of these policies to explore how they treat walking as a way of getting around. The research also assessed institutional perspectives and residents’ everyday lived experiences of walkability in Accra, the capital city. We found that both policies and urban plans paid little attention to making the walking experience enjoyable.
The Ghana Transport Survey Report indicates that over three-quarters (75.3%) of the country’s population make up to ten daily trips on foot, and most urban areas lack walking infrastructure. Pedestrians account for about 42% of road deaths in Ghana.
We chose two study sites in Accra, the capital, where many come to find work. The sites represented inner-city and suburban areas. The research used in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 80 people to capture the perspectives of institutional representatives and community residents. We explored walking experiences in terms of accessibility, safety and enjoyment.
Findings
Accessibility: The national transport policy seeks to provide dedicated, safe, reliable and appropriate facilities for users across all transport modes. What we found, however, was an absence of infrastructure to enhance pedestrian access to facilities and services.
One resident commented:
The roads are not only in poor condition but they have no sidewalks. It is not hard to assume that these were built for car owners, not pedestrians’ everyday use.
Safety: The research revealed a chasm between policy ambitions for walking and realities at the community level. Municipal development plans don’t say how they will address the frequent crashes that result from commuters, vendors and motorists competing for space. The most at risk are pedestrians, who represent 42% of transport-related fatalities. This is because of noncompliance with bylaws that regulate activities on the roads and pedestrian pathways.
One municipal official said:
Look at the streets: Motorists, street vendors, school children on the same street space. There is encroachment, reckless driving, illegally parked cars on road shoulders. School children and the disabled face constant risks. But the plan aims to make the neighborhoods walkable. Just words as always.
Enjoyment: Enjoyment was the least considered aspect of walkability in both national policy and municipal development plans. The absence of facilities and infrastructure that offer comfort, aesthetics and other pleasures for pedestrians provides a clear indication of this.
A community leader complained:
Flooding and poor sanitation create an unpleasant walking environment. Clogged waste, poor drains, and rubbish along streets and alleyways are a problem. There is nothing pleasant about walking: the smell, the dust, the noise and the heat. You walk because you have no choice.
The deep gulf between what the policies say and everyday experiences in our study calls for new ways of thinking and implementation within the urban transport in Ghana’s development planning regime.
We suggest that there is a need for transport planners, urban and development planners, and policymakers to consider coproduction strategies in identifying, framing, developing, and implementing interventions. This will help harness the potential for walking as a social equaliser and its contribution to healthy, safe, equitable cities and communities.
Here, action-oriented collaborative strategies like workshops that consider communities as partners can transition African urban residents from captive walkers to walkers who enjoy it.
Seth Asare Okyere receives funding from the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations.
Daniel Oviedo receives funding from University College London and the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations.
Louis Kusi Frimpong receives funding from the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) funding program
Mariajose Nieto receives funding from Volvo Research and Educational Foundation
Matthew Abunyewah and Stephen Leonard Mensah 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.
A road policing officer was a couple of hours into her shift yesterday Saturday 13 April, when she responded to a report received shortly after 2pm of a group of people fighting on the side of the Lethbridge Street in Feilding.
She intervened and the situation began to calm down. However, the arrival of another aggressive person saw the incident flare up again, putting the officer in a potentially dangerous position.
Other Police staff were travelling to the incident but were still several minutes away. Fortunately, several members of the public saw what was happening, and came to the officer’s aid while she worked to resolve the situation.
Manawatu Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham says, “What started out as a fairly typical callout involving a handful of people quickly escalated with the arrival of an aggressive person. I appreciate that members of the Feilding community stepped in to provide assistance until this officer’s colleagues arrived.
“We work hard to be there for the community and we’re always grateful when they’re there for us.”
One person is reported to have received minor injuries as a result of the incident. No Police staff were injured.
Two people were arrested and have been charged with assault. A 35-year-old woman and an 18-year-old woman are due to appear in Palmerston North District Court on Thursday 17 April.
An 18-year-old man was also charged with driving while disqualified, and the vehicle he was driving has been seized and impounded. He is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court on 24 April.
People walk in the wind in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, April 12, 2025. Many parts in northern China are experiencing gale-force winds and temperature drops on Saturday. [Photo/Xinhua] A sweeping cold front has brought fierce winds across northern China since Friday evening, prompting widespread weather warnings, transport suspensions and emergency response measures. The National Meteorological Center (NMC) on Saturday renewed an orange alert for strong gales that are expected to sweep the country’s northern and coastal regions over the weekend, warning that winds of up to force 13 (37.0-41.4 meters per second) on the national wind scale will hit parts of Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Hebei and Beijing from 8 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday. China has a four-tier weather-warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. From 5 p.m. Friday to noon on Saturday, 109 weather stations in Beijing recorded gusts above force 10 (24.5-28.4 meters per second), and 296 stations registered winds at or above force 9 (20.8-24.4 meters per second). Gusts exceeding force 10 were recorded in 13 districts of the national capital, including Haidian, Chaoyang and Fengtai, according to municipal meteorological authorities. At 8 p.m. Saturday, the Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued a regional orange alert for high winds. Forecasts for 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Sunday predict winds ranging between force 9 and force 11 (28.5-32.6 meters per second) in most areas in the districts of Yanqing, Huairou, Changping, Mentougou and Fangshan, and parts of the districts of Haidian, Shijingshan, Fengtai and Tongzhou, with mountainous areas potentially experiencing gusts above force 12 (32.7-36.9 meters per second). The gale alert has been lowered to yellow in other districts of Beijing. To ensure public safety, Beijing has temporarily shut 15 overground railway sections, affecting a total of 106 stations and over 200 kilometers of tracks, including Beijing Subway Capital Airport Express tracks. The Beijing-Tianjin intercity high-speed trains, and bullet trains between Beijing and major cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Harbin, as well as some non-high-speed passenger trains running through mountainous areas, will temporarily suspend service on Sunday, given the scope of the gale winds, the China Railway Beijing Group said on Saturday. In Beijing, two airports have cancelled hundreds of flights scheduled for Saturday, and a humanoid-robot half marathon that was set to take place on Sunday has been postponed to April 19. Numerous parks and museums have been closed, including the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and Beihai Park, and fueling operations at gas stations and oil depots have been suspended. A number of museums, including the National Museum of China, announced on Saturday evening that they would remain closed on Sunday. As of 10 a.m. Saturday, a total of 288 trees were toppled across the city due to the strong winds, damaging 19 vehicles, according to Beijing’s emergency management authorities. There have been no reports of damage to ancient trees. According to the local administration of financial regulation, as of 11 a.m. Saturday, the property insurance institutions in Beijing had handled 101 insurance claims involving gales, with an estimated loss worth over 1.6 million yuan (about 221,954 U.S. dollars). No injuries or fatalities related to the extreme winds have been reported in Beijing. In the neighboring Tianjin Municipality, peak gusts of 43.2 meters per second were recorded in Jizhou District’s Panshan area — the strongest winds since records began in 1951. In the city’s urban center, record-high winds reached 25.3 meters per second, and authorities have warned that the extreme conditions are expected to persist through Monday. Farther northeast, in Liaoning Province’s Dalian, local authorities have issued yellow alerts for strong winds that will affect both land and sea areas. In northern Shanxi Province, the State Grid branch has deployed over 3,000 personnel to inspect and reinforce electrical facilities. Emergency repair teams and mobile generators were positioned across the province in advance to ensure rapid power restoration in the event of outages. In the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, strong winds have disrupted rail, road and air traffic. Beijing-bound high-speed rail services departing from the region’s central and western areas have been temporarily suspended, and airports in cities like Hohhot, Xilinhot and Hulunbuir have canceled dozens of flights due to adverse weather conditions. Experts say that as the strong cold air hits northern China, most parts of Inner Mongolia have seen strong winds. Many places in the east have experienced heavy rain and snow, while blizzards swept across some areas, with the temperature dropping by 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. The regional meteorological authorities forecast on Saturday that rain and snow will continue in eastern Inner Mongolia over the next two days. Meanwhile, in central China’s Henan Province, extreme winds have triggered a Level-III emergency response and prompted the issuance of over 100 meteorological warnings. Multiple tourist attractions, including the Zhengzhou Fantawild Resort, have been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Electric vehicles take advantage of the ACT’s 100 per cent renewable electricity supply to help reduce emissions from transport.
In brief:
The ACT Government has added 10 more electric vehicles to its fleet.
Electric vehicles are better for the environment and cheaper to run.
Making your next car electric could save you money.
Canberra continues to lead the nation in supporting the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs).
About 10 new electric vehicles are coming onto ACT roads every day. In fact, you might spot a few new ACT Government EVs out and about this spring, including:
a ute
two tipper trucks
a litter picking truck
a delivery van.
These vehicles will join the City Services fleet as a trial to see how the ACT Government can continue to provide essential services in a more environmentally friendly way. An additional four electric passenger vehicles have also joined the fleet in the past month. These vehicles join more than 400 electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles already in the ACT Government fleet.
The trial will showcase the variety and availability of EVs for commercial use and promote their benefits to local industry and community. The new vehicles have been funded through the ACT Government’s Social Cost of Carbon Fund and Zero Emission Government Fund. These funds aim to reduce emissions produced by government activity.
Making the switch
Zero emission vehicles, like EVs, are better for the environment and quieter than petrol and diesel vehicles. They’re also much more affordable to run.
Making your next car electric could save you around $18,000 in running costs over 10 years. It could also reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by around 3 tonnes per year.
The ACT Government offers multiple incentives for people and businesses when they purchase an EV. And with new public chargers being installed all over the city, charging your EV is quick and easy.
Canberran’s are embracing EVs at a rapid pace, with over 9,100 EVs currently registered. If you’re thinking about making your next car electric, but not sure where to start, check out this handy guide on EVs for beginners.
Transport contributes over 60 per cent of the ACT’s emissions. This means electric vehicles have the potential to make a big difference as the ACT continues towards our goals of net zero emissions by 2045.
For more information about zero emissions vehicles in the ACT, visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Almond, chocolate or plain? Canberrans have plenty of options when it comes to croissants and other pastries. Image: VisitCanberra
In Brief:
We asked Canberrans on the @weareCBR Instagram account to name their favourite local pastry spot.
This list includes cafés, pâtisseries and bakeries around Canberra.
Whether it’s a croissant for breakfast, a box of Danishes for the office morning tea or a mid-afternoon sweet treat, Canberran’s can’t get enough pastries.
Here are the results:
The scent of baked bread will lure you into this bakery tucked away at Fyshwick Markets. Inside, you’ll find a pastry counter heaving with fruit Danishes, croissants, Italian cream-filled donuts, Portuguese tarts and more.
Wildflour sell a range of different pastries, but they’re most well-known for their croissants. Ube, matcha, pistachio, salted caramel, Biscoff, black tea and mango are just some of the flavours that they’ve featured on their ever-changing menu.
Knead has the feel of a traditional bakery, offering all of the classic pastries. There are croissants, seasonal frangipanes, Portuguese tarts and fruit Danishes. But you’ll also find surprises, like brookies (a brownie cookie hybrid) and a cracking crème brulee tart.
This small but mighty bakery at Curtin shops has the feel of a traditional suburban bakery. Their hearty, flavourful savoury pies are a favourite among Woden residents.
This is not your traditional bakery – unless you’ve recently arrived from the Mediterranean. You’ll find traditional, chocolate and almond croissants alongside Turkish sweet pastries and Borek.
French-influenced pastries are the star at this bakery. You’ll find croissants, cinnamon buns, Danishes, escargot and more.
Le Bon Mélange make just about every baked good under the sun – and pastries are no exception. You’ll find a huge variety of both sweet and savoury options.
Locals queue at this suburb gem to stock up on pastries. There’s cardamon buns, greens and cheese escargots, kouign-amanns, croissants, seasonal pastries and more.
Danishes, scrolls, cruffins, croissants – this family-run bakery offers an impressive lineup of pastries. With a Lyneham location opening soon, more Inner North residents will be able to get their Bakehouse fix.
Located on Beltana Road, this bakery offers a range of fresh pastries to fuel your Pialligo adventures. Choose from croissants, pain au chocolat, escargot, cinnamon buns, Danishes, cruffins and more.
It’s hard to walk by the pastry counter at Tinker Tailor without treating yourself to a golden, flaky pastry. Danishes, croissants and scrolls are some of the delights regularly on offer.
Three Mills not only have five locations across the city, but you can purchase their goods at shops and cafés around town. One taste of their delicious pastries and it’s easy to see why. There’s a big selection of fresh pastries and even bake at home packs.
This French-inspired artisan bakery has a large selection of classic and unique freshly baked pastries. Try a Moorish custard Danish or indulge in a crookie (that’s a croissant with cookie dough, for the uninitiated).
From their cultured butter croissant to their flaky morning buns, locals love pastries from Sonoma. You’ll often have to queue to secure a sweet treat, but rest assured that every moment is worth it.
Sometimes, only a classic will do. Dobinsons has been serving Canberra since 1994 and have earned a reputation for delicious sweet and savoury pastries. Crispy spinach and feta triangles, fruit tarts heaving with shiny fruit and the decadent Nutella Danish are some of the crowd favourites.
It’s little surprise that this bakery, run by French bakers, make an excellent croissant. They also infuse their baked goods with seasonal flair, offering specials like peanut butter, fresh apple and coconut pastries or mandarin and chocolate croissants.
Located inside Manuka Court, this little pâtisserie offers a taste of Europe to the inner south. Chef Wim is Dutch, but trained in France, so you’ll find Dutch boterkoek (butter cake with fruit and nuts) alongside croissants and Belgian chocolate custard twists.
Over the years, Silo has earnt a cult following in the Canberra community. As a result, you may need to jostle your way to the front of the cue for a pastry, but it’s all part of the charm. You’ll find the counter stocked with a stunning lineup of sweet and savoury pastries that will keep you coming back for more.
This bakery is worth the trip to Fyshwick for fresh pastries. If you’d rather not make the journey, the Cedar Husk truck makes its way around Canberra delivering to baked goods to people’s homes. Follow them on Facebook to see when they’re coming to your area.
Prefer your morning pastry with a side of spectacular views? The Café at the Arboretum is in the Village Centre. Take a seat and soak up the views or order takeaway and enjoy a picnic among the trees.
Good Neighbour is one of the newest additions to Kingston’s café scene. Alongside their basque cheesecake and New York style chunky cookies, you’ll find a selection of fresh pastries available at the front counter.
This artisanal French pâtisserie made the move from Melbourne to Dickson earlier in the year. Chef Lilette bakes all your French favourites, from eclairs to croissants and tarts.
Read more like this:
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People walk in the wind in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, April 12, 2025. Many parts in northern China are experiencing gale-force winds and temperature drops on Saturday. [Photo/Xinhua] A sweeping cold front has brought fierce winds across northern China since Friday evening, prompting widespread weather warnings, transport suspensions and emergency response measures. The National Meteorological Center (NMC) on Saturday renewed an orange alert for strong gales that are expected to sweep the country’s northern and coastal regions over the weekend, warning that winds of up to force 13 (37.0-41.4 meters per second) on the national wind scale will hit parts of Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Hebei and Beijing from 8 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday. China has a four-tier weather-warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. From 5 p.m. Friday to noon on Saturday, 109 weather stations in Beijing recorded gusts above force 10 (24.5-28.4 meters per second), and 296 stations registered winds at or above force 9 (20.8-24.4 meters per second). Gusts exceeding force 10 were recorded in 13 districts of the national capital, including Haidian, Chaoyang and Fengtai, according to municipal meteorological authorities. At 8 p.m. Saturday, the Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued a regional orange alert for high winds. Forecasts for 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Sunday predict winds ranging between force 9 and force 11 (28.5-32.6 meters per second) in most areas in the districts of Yanqing, Huairou, Changping, Mentougou and Fangshan, and parts of the districts of Haidian, Shijingshan, Fengtai and Tongzhou, with mountainous areas potentially experiencing gusts above force 12 (32.7-36.9 meters per second). The gale alert has been lowered to yellow in other districts of Beijing. To ensure public safety, Beijing has temporarily shut 15 overground railway sections, affecting a total of 106 stations and over 200 kilometers of tracks, including Beijing Subway Capital Airport Express tracks. The Beijing-Tianjin intercity high-speed trains, and bullet trains between Beijing and major cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Harbin, as well as some non-high-speed passenger trains running through mountainous areas, will temporarily suspend service on Sunday, given the scope of the gale winds, the China Railway Beijing Group said on Saturday. In Beijing, two airports have cancelled hundreds of flights scheduled for Saturday, and a humanoid-robot half marathon that was set to take place on Sunday has been postponed to April 19. Numerous parks and museums have been closed, including the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and Beihai Park, and fueling operations at gas stations and oil depots have been suspended. A number of museums, including the National Museum of China, announced on Saturday evening that they would remain closed on Sunday. As of 10 a.m. Saturday, a total of 288 trees were toppled across the city due to the strong winds, damaging 19 vehicles, according to Beijing’s emergency management authorities. There have been no reports of damage to ancient trees. According to the local administration of financial regulation, as of 11 a.m. Saturday, the property insurance institutions in Beijing had handled 101 insurance claims involving gales, with an estimated loss worth over 1.6 million yuan (about 221,954 U.S. dollars). No injuries or fatalities related to the extreme winds have been reported in Beijing. In the neighboring Tianjin Municipality, peak gusts of 43.2 meters per second were recorded in Jizhou District’s Panshan area — the strongest winds since records began in 1951. In the city’s urban center, record-high winds reached 25.3 meters per second, and authorities have warned that the extreme conditions are expected to persist through Monday. Farther northeast, in Liaoning Province’s Dalian, local authorities have issued yellow alerts for strong winds that will affect both land and sea areas. In northern Shanxi Province, the State Grid branch has deployed over 3,000 personnel to inspect and reinforce electrical facilities. Emergency repair teams and mobile generators were positioned across the province in advance to ensure rapid power restoration in the event of outages. In the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, strong winds have disrupted rail, road and air traffic. Beijing-bound high-speed rail services departing from the region’s central and western areas have been temporarily suspended, and airports in cities like Hohhot, Xilinhot and Hulunbuir have canceled dozens of flights due to adverse weather conditions. Experts say that as the strong cold air hits northern China, most parts of Inner Mongolia have seen strong winds. Many places in the east have experienced heavy rain and snow, while blizzards swept across some areas, with the temperature dropping by 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. The regional meteorological authorities forecast on Saturday that rain and snow will continue in eastern Inner Mongolia over the next two days. Meanwhile, in central China’s Henan Province, extreme winds have triggered a Level-III emergency response and prompted the issuance of over 100 meteorological warnings. Multiple tourist attractions, including the Zhengzhou Fantawild Resort, have been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 13, 2025.
‘Trump fatigue’ is putting Kiwis off the news, with trust in media still low – new report Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Merja Myllylahti, Senior Lecturer, Co-Director Research Centre for Journalism, Media & Democracy, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images The news media is doing its best to keep everyone up to speed with the pace of Donald Trump’s radical changes to the world order. But in Aotearoa New
Health workers call for NZ government to join global demands for ambulance massacre inquiry Asia Pacific Report Health workers spoke out at a rally condemning Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the latest atrocity against Palestinian aid workers today, calling on the New Zealand government to join global demands for an independent investigation. They were protesting over last month’s massacre of 15 Palestinian rescue workers and the destruction of their
Albanese pitches to aspiring home buyers with $10 billion plan and removal of means test on deposit guarantee Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Anthony Albanese will promise a $10 billion scheme to facilitate the building of up to 100,000 homes that would be earmarked for sale to first home buyers. To be unveiled at Labor’s formal campaign launch in Perth on Sunday, the
Dutton to offer targeted income tax offset of up to $1,200 Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Peter Dutton at his party launch on Sunday will offer a “cost of living tax offset” of up to $1,200 to more than 10 million taxpayers. The one-off offset would go to taxpayers earning up to $144,000 when they lodged
Caitlin Johnstone: Israel’s innocent oopsie-poopsie medical massacre mistake Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone The Israeli military changed its story many times about why its forces killed 15 medical workers and then buried them and their vehicles to hide the evidence. After their initial claim that the medical vehicles were approaching “suspiciously” without their emergency lights
Last month, the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation, or HKSTP, transformed its InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong into a GreenTech Hub, with the aim of supercharging Hong Kong’s drive to be an international hub for green technology and green finance.
Kevin To, the head of a green tech company focused on developing electric motorcycles, batteries and smart battery replacement systems, believes the hub can be a catalyst for advancing green technology in Hong Kong.
“We can combine all these green tech companies together,” he said. “We have more opportunities to communicate, to interact with other green tech companies.
“For example, we are an electric vehicle company – we have a battery, and we need a battery management system. There is a green tech company in this building, they even do the battery management system, so it is very convenient for us to work together with this kind of company.”
Carbon goals
Mr To added: “We did a lot of events and have met a lot of companies within the Greentech Hub. It is a really good ecosystem.”
Explaining that his firm’s operations are primarily focused on the Mainland and Southeast Asian markets for the time being, Mr To highlighted that it also plans to partner with a food delivery platform in Hong Kong, enabling delivery workers to use electric motorcycles.
He believes this initiative will help the city to achieve its carbon neutrality goals.
Flourishing ecosystem
It is expected that the GreenTech Hub ecosystem will accommodate more than 200 green tech companies. HKSTP Associate Director (GreenTech) Howard Lee said it will unite green innovation from various sectors, including new energy, smart city solutions, green building and green fintech.
“The hub will also feature a dedicated Green Space to showcase these innovative and sustainable green solutions,” he added.
Moreover, to support companies in the hub, HKSTP has enlisted 16 GreenTech Hub Partners, including financial and business institutions, as well as universities, to support green tech innovation at the site.
Mr Lee said that focusing resources and expertise at the hub can have synergistic effects.
“It brings together different green tech companies, contributing to the clustering effect,” he stressed. “It also allows our industry partners to come and look for different green tech solutions.”
Attributable to Inspector Ross Grantham, Manawatū Area Commander:
Central District Police officers acted swiftly to deal with incidents involving youth offenders last night and in the early hours of this morning.
At around 8.15pm yesterday Police received a report of an aggravated robbery in the Square, Palmerston North. One person received minor injuries and the group of offenders fled on foot with stolen items.
Police conducting area enquiries located the group on Featherston Street but they evaded police. A police dog team responded quickly and tracked the offenders to Mersey Terrace where they were arrested while attempting to leave the area. Four youths aged between 11 and 15-years-old are due to appear in Palmerston North Youth Court on Tuesday 15 April, charged with Aggravated Robbery.
Then, in a seperate incident at around 1.30am today, a commercial premises in Foxton was burgled after a vehicle was used to gain entry to the premises. The offenders fled in a vehicle that was subsequently observed travelling at speed into Palmerston North.
Police deployed road spikes near Karere Road which were successful at bringing the vehicle to a stop on Pioneer Highway, where two youths aged 14 and 15-years old, and one 24-year-old man were arrested. The 15-year-old is due to appear in Palmerston North Youth Court on Tuesday 15 April, and the 24-year-old is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court on Tuesday 15 April, facing charges in relation to the matter.
I’m proud of the work that Police staff do all day, every day, and I hope these arrests give victims of crime some reassurance that Police will respond quickly to incidents and hold offenders to account.
We understand the frustration and fear that offending causes in our communities and we will continue to respond with focus and professionalism to keep our communities safe.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A federal jury in Asheville returned a guilty verdict late yesterday against Stephanie Miranda Neace, 32, of Blairsville, Georgia, for the 2023 kidnapping and robbery of an elderly victim, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Neace’s co-defendant, Jordan Nathaniel Hedden, 31, of Murphy, N.C., pleaded guilty to kidnapping and will be sentenced on April 14.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina joins U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.
“This was a frightening crime against an elderly victim who was just trying to help out of the kindness of her heart,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “People who commit crimes like this affect how we treat one another, and we are committed to bringing them to justice.”
According to court documents, trial evidence, and witness testimony, on November 30, 2023, the victim, a 71-year-old female, was driving from Georgia to North Carolina, when she saw the defendants walking. The victim offered the defendants a ride because it was cold outside. The defendants accepted the ride, and soon after they entered North Carolina, Hedden instructed the victim to drive to his car. When they arrived at the location, a car was not there. Hedden then ordered the victim to stop the vehicle, and when the victim refused, Hedden forced the victim to stop the car and get in the back seat. Hedden then took over driving.
According to evidence presented at trial, the victim began to cry and Hedden yelled at her and told her to shut up. Trial evidence showed that Hedden appeared to be high and agitated and became paranoid that the victim had a tracking device. At one point, Hedden stopped the vehicle, and he and Neace searched the car and the victim herself for tracking devices. Then, they took the victim’s phone and disabled it. Hedden also demanded money from the victim, but the victim only had $2. Fearing for her safety, the victim told the defendants to take her to an ATM and the defendants agreed. During the drive into Tennessee, Hedden made the victim promise that she would not identify them to the police.
During the drive to the ATM, the victim convinced Hedden to let her withdraw money from a gas station ATM instead of a bank. The victim also told Hedden that she would give the defendants the money if they let her stay behind safely at the gas station. When they arrived at the gas station, the victim took her purse and her car key fob. She told Hedden to turn off the car so the headlights could not be seen from the people inside the gas station, and Hedden complied. As the victim and Hedden were walking toward the gas station, the victim began to run to the door and scream for help. Hedden ran back to the car, attempted to use it to flee but was unable to start the car without the key fob. Hedden and Neace then fled on foot and escaped into the woods but were apprehended days later.
Neace was convicted of kidnapping which carries a maximum prison sentence of up to life imprisonment. On November 13, 2024, Hedden pleaded guilty to kidnapping. Both Hedden and Neace are currently in custody awaiting sentencing.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the FBI for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Don Gast and Alexis Solheim of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville are prosecuting the case.
Robe (Agenzia Fides) – “It all began when in Robe we saw how many people were fleeing the persistent drought in eastern Bale. Interested and concerned, we set out to find out what was happening there. We found an area where the climate scenarios were very different from those in the greener areas around Robe,” said Teresa Zullo, a missionary from the Missionary Community of Villaregia, who, along with other missionaries from the Apostolic Prefecture of Robe, west of Bale, set out for the eastern part of the region.”This area belongs to the Apostolic Prefecture of Robe, whose Apostolic Prefect is Fr. Angelo Antolini, Ofm Cap, and is equivalent to a third of Italy, although there is still no ecclesiastical presence there. We are close to the Somali region of Ethiopia; poverty is particularly serious here, exacerbated by the lack of roads, the isolation of many villages, and the difficulty of obtaining water and basic necessities,” the missionary explained.”In 2022, we began to explore this vast region of Ethiopia, located an average of 6-7 hours by car from the city of Robe, where, as mentioned above, there is virtually no Catholic presence. While there are occasional Orthodox and Protestant communities in the provincial capitals, the majority of the population is Muslim. Upon returning from our first trip, we felt a strong call to ‘be’ with this people and to offer not only material assistance, but a closeness based on listening, respect, and love,” emphasizes Teresa Zullo.”Our adventure began in March 2023, when we visited some villages in Seweyna province, bringing small quantities of essential goods to help combat the famine,” Teresa continues. “Despite the many difficulties and limited aid, we were immediately welcomed with curiosity and sympathy by the village leaders and families. For us, this was a sign that we were on the right path: becoming neighbors and building fraternal relationships. In June 2023, the turning point came: Seweyna’s Women and Children’s Office (the provincial social services office) asked us for help in combating ‘barmatilee’ (in the Oromo language, meaning “cultural countervalues”), including female genital mutilation, which sadly affects more than 90% of the female population, and early marriage, which occurs in approximately 60% of cases. We immediately set to work, collecting and compiling materials, illustrations, and testimonies to prepare a training course in the Oromo language, initially aimed at village administration representatives. Thanks to the expertise of some friends and the Ethiopian Muslim Development Agency in Addis Ababa, we were able to further deepen our understanding of the Islamic perspective on these practices and discovered that they are not mentioned in the Quran or in the main Islamic sources, while they are called upon not to harm God’s creation. We then further enriched our content by adapting it for secondary school girls and boys.”The missionaries reported that to date, four such training sessions have taken place in high schools: two in Gololcha Province and two in Laga Hidha Province. In addition, there are seven training sessions for administrative heads of some villages: three in Seweyna Province, two in Laga Hidha Province, and Dawe Sarar Province. “When word got out about our training sessions,” Teresa adds, “the women’s and children’s offices in other provinces began to contact us: first Laga Hidha, which borders the Somalia region, then Gololcha, which is closer to Robe. With each new request, we improve the material and bring it to the public.” Along with the training, they also brought some symbolic gifts: food, hygiene kits for the women, and exercise books for the children, especially at the beginning of the school year.”The report on this initiative continues with a visit to the Dawe Sarar province, which also borders the Somali region. “The situation here is even more complex. Some villages can only be reached by crossing part of the Somali region, which is why neither NGOs nor public institutions can easily access them,” says Teresa. “However, the local social services asked us to reach out to these more remote areas. Guided by the desire to meet the people, we made friends with three villages, where we offered training to the representatives. In one of these villages, Hantutu, we stayed overnight for two days and were welcomed with great warmth by the residents: They even cooked a special meal for us. Among other things, they asked us for help with health insurance for some refugees who had settled on the outskirts of the village. It was a moving experience that gave us a better understanding of the receptiveness of these people, but also of the complexity of life in this area.””Recently, Gololcha Province also asked us to visit 11 villages, including the village of the Warra Dubee, an indigenous people living along the Wabe Shebelle River, which forms the border of our prefecture and where such practices are widespread,” the missionary continues. “Laga Hidha has also contacted us again: they want more training and more material support for the women (exercise books for their children, food, and, above all, support for small income-generating activities). We are currently working primarily in the provinces of Dawe Sarar, Gololcha, and Laga Hidha, and we would like to further deepen our knowledge of this context and our activities. Of course, there are problems: the long distances, the lack of roads, the cost of fuel and vehicle maintenance, language barriers, limited funds and resources. But each time we return from a trip, the desire to build bridges of fraternity and solidarity grows within us.”Teresa concludes by emphasizing the special significance of the initiative. “Our journey in East Bale is not measured solely in numbers or statistics, but above all in relationships: men, women, and children who feel that someone is close to them, bringing them not only the bare necessities but also transmitting values such as respect, justice, and peace. When we see the smiles of the girls and boys who learn the importance of protecting their integrity, when we hear how the village leaders are working to change practices harmful to girls, we realize that this is the true miracle: a change that comes from the heart, even before the organization.””East Bale is a place that touches the heart: we think of every person we have met, every handshake, every look of hope. The Lord leads us ‘to the East’ and teaches us each time how precious even the smallest step in fraternity is,” the missionary concludes. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 12/4/2025)
TZ
Health workers spoke out at a rally condemning Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the latest atrocity against Palestinian aid workers today, calling on the New Zealand government to join global demands for an independent investigation.
They were protesting over last month’s massacre of 15 Palestinian rescue workers and the destruction of their ambulances in Gaza’s Rafah district under heavy fire.
One PRCS paramedic, Assaad al-Nassasra, was reported to be still missing.
Among the speakers in the rally in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s Te Komititanga Square, Amnesty International’s Audrey Van Ryn said: “These killings must be independently and impartially investigated and the perpetrators held to account.
“Medical personnel carrying out their humanitarian duties most be respected and protected in all circumstances.”
Health worker Jason Brooke read out a message from the secretary-general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Jagan Chapagain, in response to the killing of the Palestinian first-responders.
‘Their ambulances were clearly marked’ “I am heartbroken. These dedicated ambulance workers were responding to wounded people. They were humanitarians. They wore emblems that should have protected them; their ambulances were clearly marked,” said Chapagain.
“They should have returned to their families; they did not.”
Fourteen of the Palestinian aid workers killed by Israel last month. The 15th is still missing. Graphic: Al Jazeera/Creative Commons
Their bodies were discovered a week later by fellow workers. A video from one of the slain Palestinian Red Crescent medics contradicting the lies propagated by Israel’s military that the vehicles were “advancing suspiciously toward IDF troops without headlights or emergency signals”
These first responders were not mistakenly misidentified. They were travelling, clearly visible in red crescent marked ambulances with their lights on. They posed no threat.
“Whether it’s first-responders and medics, health workers or reporters, not only are these workers being targeted with impunity by the IOF, but their deaths seem to barely cause a ripple,” said Brooke, who was greeted with cries of shame.
“Where is the condemnation of our politicians? Our media?”
‘Dehumanisation of Palestinian life’ “As the Palestinian poet and author Mohammed El-Kurd suggests, what we are witnessing is the dehumanisation of Palestinian life.
“Israel only has to mention the word ‘Hamas’ and the indoctrinated look-away. As if resistance to genocide itself were a crime — the punishment a life predetermined for death.
“Genocide does not distinguish between civilian, aid worker, health worker, reporter and militant. All are condemned.”
Medical personnel, medical transport, hospitals and other medical facilities, the injured and sick are all specifically protected under international humanitarian law.
The devastating Gaza massacre represents the single most deadly attack on Red Cross or Red Crescent workers anywhere in the world since 2017.
Secretary-general Chapagain said: “The number of Palestine Red Crescent volunteers and staff killed since the start of this conflict is now 30.
“We stand with Palestine Red Crescent and the loved ones of those killed on this darkest of days.”
PSNA advocate Janfrie Wakim . . . “We mourn those thousands of innocent people . . . who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.” Image: Asia Pacific Report
‘Palestine wants freedom to live’ Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) advocate Janfrie Wakim called on the crowd to give each other “high fives” in recognition of their solidarity in turning up for the protest in the 79th week since the war began.
“I like the sign in front of me: ‘Palestine wants the freedom to live while Israel has the freedom to kill!’ she said.
“We mourn those thousands of innocent people — some with families here and in Gaza and the West Bank — who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives, and the thousands unaccounted for in rubble and over 100,000 injured.
“Palestine wants the freedom to live while Israel has the freedom to kill!” . . . a placard at today’s Auckland solidarity rally. Image: Asia Pacific Report
“Mostly women and children.
“The humanitarian workers who have been murdered serving humanity.”
Wakim said the genocide had been enabled by the wealthiest countries in the world and Western media — “including our own with few exceptions”.
“Without its lies, its deflections, its failure to report the agonising reality of Palestinians suffering, Israel would not have been able to commit its atrocities.”
All fatalities women and children Meanwhile, the United Nations reports Palestinian women and children were the only fatalities in at least three dozen Israeli air strikes on Gaza since mid-March, as it warned that Israel’s military offensive threatened Palestinians’ “continued existence as a group”.
Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on Friday that the office had documented 224 Israeli strikes on residential buildings and tents for displaced people in the Gaza Strip between March 18 and April 9.
“In some 36 strikes about which the UN Human Rights Office corroborated information, the fatalities recorded so far were only women and children,” she said.
The findings come as Israel’s attacks on Gaza have killed more than 1500 Palestinians since the Israeli military broke a ceasefire in March, according to figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, reports Al Jazeera.
A German official was the latest to call for an independent probe over Israel’s killing of the 15 medical aid workers.
An investigation into Israel’s killing of paramedics must be carried out independently, said German Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Assistance Luise Amtsberg.
“This alleged violation of international law must not go unpunished,” Amtsberg said in a message on social media platform Bluesky.
Israel’s ‘distortion’ straining ties “The investigation must be carried out quickly and independently, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice as soon as possible. The Israeli government and judiciary have a duty here,” she said.
Israel’s distortion of the event was “once again” straining ties between Germany and Israel, she added.
Myriam Laaroussi, an emergency coordinator with Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, told Al Jazeera from al-Mawasi, an area west of Khan Younis that houses thousands of displaced Gaza families, that the health system had been destroyed.
Due to the Israeli blockade, the supplies needed to treat patients were lacking and had left children in Gaza vulnerable to disease, she said.
The desalination unit was not functioning any more due to Israel’s decision to cut electricity, which had decreased the capacity to retain good hygiene and was leading to outbreaks of polio and scabies.
“We see that it’s a ‘slow death’ for many Palestinians, with shortages of food and water leading to a loss of weight and medical issues,” she said.
The ceasefire had been an opportunity to scale up the capacity of the different health facilities, but it had been too short to have enough effect, and now health facilities were being attacked again.
A “Free free Palestine” placard at today’s Auckland solidarity rally. Image: Asia Pacific Report
The Israeli military changed its story many times about why its forces killed 15 medical workers and then buried them and their vehicles to hide the evidence. After their initial claim that the medical vehicles were approaching “suspiciously” without their emergency lights on was disproven by video evidence, they then called the whole thing a big mistake.
Sure, who among us has not accidentally massacred 15 medical workers and buried them and their vehicles in a shallow grave from time to time? We’re only human, mistakes happen.
Asked by the press about Israel’s latest war crime scandal, White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes blamed the whole thing on Hamas, saying, “Hamas uses ambulances and more broadly human shields for terrorism.
A cellphone video has revealed that the IDF’s claim about ambulance lights being off was false after they shot and killed 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza.
“President Trump understands the impossible situation this tactic creates for Israel and holds Hamas entirely responsible.”
Netanyahu could live stream himself eating a Palestinian baby and telling the camera “I am eating this baby because I love genocide,” and the next day Trump’s podium people would be responding to questions from the press by shrieking “HAMAS!” with their fingers in their ears.
To be helpful I have written some headlines the Western press can use to frame Israel executing 15 medical workers in the most positive light possible:
“Fifteen medical workers pause rescue duties following bullet-related incident”
“Rescue workers, vehicles found in shallow grave after perishing for mysterious and unknowable reasons”
“Israeli forces appear to be suspected of possibly accidentally firing on ambulance staff by mistake, perchance”
“Medical workers killed by IDF, says Hamas-affiliated United Nations”
“IDF assists medical workers in locating scene of latest massacre in Gaza”
“Jews in New York City feeling unsafe, unsupported in wake of latest Israel controversy”
“IDF to launch investigation into alleged IDF oopsie-poopsie in Gaza”
“The universe is an ineffable mystery; objectivity is a myth and our finite primate brains were not evolved to comprehend any ultimate truths about absolute reality in its naked form”
“Gunshots heard in the Middle East. A flashing siren. Innocence no more.”
“IDF hunted and slaughtered 15 healthcare workers and buried them and their vehicles to try to cover it up, please don’t fire me, that’s what happened, I’m just trying to do my job”
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Not taking a position on Gaza is taking a position on Gaza. One you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life.
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The mass media are giving so much more attention to this past weekend’s anti-Trump protests than they ever gave the anti-genocide protests because that is their job. It’s their job to amplify opposition between the two mainstream parties while marginalising those who oppose the crimes of both.
Movements which keep people plugged in to the two-party sock puppet show will always be amplified and encouraged, while movements which highlight the abusiveness of the US empire regardless of who happens to be in office will always be ignored at best and smeared at worst.
That’s why we’ve seen so much attention go into Trumpism and anti-Trumpism while genuine anti-war movements struggle to get off the ground, and while pro-Palestine demonstrators are slandered as anti-semitic terrorist supporters.
As long as people can be herded into supporting either of the two mainstream parties against the other, they are fully plugged in to the artificially manufactured worldview which protects the interests of oligarchy and empire. When people draw attention to the tyranny and abuse of the US empire itself without getting drawn in to the two-handed puppet show of party politics, they unplug their minds from this worldview the propagandists have worked so hard to plug them in to.
As long as enough people are either screaming “Trump!” or “Not Trump!”, the empire’s crimes can continue unimpeded. Only when people stop clapping along with the puppet show and start fighting against the empire itself will there be real change in a positive direction.
This means opposing the abuses that are advanced by both parties like war, genocide, militarism, imperialism, capitalism, Zionism, and authoritarianism. Until then their political energy will keep being steered in directions which pose no threat to the powerful, like we’re seeing with these anti-Trump protests.
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I’ve been seeing a lot of antiwar Trump supporters finally starting to admit that they were duped, and beginning to turn against him. I won’t join the voices slamming them for supporting Trump in the first place; I’ll only say welcome aboard, and congrats on being better people than everyone else who voted for Trump.
