AstraZeneca achieves top rankings as Best Place to Work across North Africa and Levant in 2024

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January 29, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

CAIRO, EGYPT – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 January 2025 – Vodafone Egypt has been named the #1 Best Place to Work for Women, a prestigious recognition celebrating the company’s unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and supportive workplace for women. This achievement underscores Vodafone Egypt’s leadership in creating a culture where diversity thrives, and female employees can excel both personally and professionally.

The Best Places to Work for Women ranking is based on a rigorous evaluation of workplace practices, policies, and initiatives designed to empower women. Vodafone Egypt’s top position is a testament to its forward-thinking programs, including mentorship opportunities, leadership development, flexible working arrangements, and initiatives aimed at addressing gender equity across all levels of the organization.

Vodafone Egypt has been at the forefront of advocating for gender equality, launching initiatives such as & not limited to:

Parental Leave Policies: Vodafone Egypt’s industry-leading parental leave program provides equal opportunities for both mothers and fathers, supporting families and enabling career progression.
Leadership Development: Targeted programs to mentor and advance women into leadership positions, ensuring representation at the highest levels.
Supportive Culture: A workplace environment that actively champions diversity and inclusion through employee resource groups, training, and regular engagement.

In a statement, NaglaKinawi, Vodafone Egypt’s Human Resources Director, said: “We are deeply honored to receive this prestigious award, which stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to empowering women and supporting their professional aspirations. This recognition underscores our dedication to advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive environment.

This accomplishment reflects our vision of cultivating a workplace that empowers women to drive change, inspire creativity, and pursue excellence daily. It directly contributes to our success and long-term sustainability. This recognition is the result of various innovative initiatives and programs designed to empower women, which have had a profound and lasting impact, significantly enhancing satisfaction levels among our female employees.”

As a leading company in Egypt, with localized efforts to promote diversity and gender equality within the communities it serves. This recognition is a milestone in the company’s broader mission to champion equality and inclusivity across all areas of its operations.

For more information about the certification and ranking process, please visit www.bestplacestoworkfor.org

Hashtag: #BestPlacesToWork

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Activist News – Predictable lineup of apologists for Israel attack PSNA campaign

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January 28, 2025

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, the Chief Human Rights Commissioner Stephen Rainbow and the New Zealand Jewish Council have lined up to protect Israeli soldiers in New Zealand on “rest and recreation” from the industrial-scale killing of Palestinians in Gaza.

“We are not surprised to see such a predictable lineup of apologists for Israel and its genocide in Gaza from lining up to attack a PSNA campaign with false smears of anti-semitism”, says PSNA National Chair John Minto.

“Why is concern for the sensitivities of soldiers from a genocidal Israeli campaign more important than condemning the genocide itself?”

Over 16 months Mr Peters has done absolutely nothing to put any pressure on Israel to end its genocidal behaviour but is full of bluff and bluster and outright lies to denounce those who demand Israel be held to account.

If Mr Peters was doing his job he would not only stop Israeli soldiers coming here (as per Russian soldiers) but he would also support the recent International Court of Justice ruling and deny visas to any Israeli with an address in an illegal Israeli settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The Human Rights Commission has issued a disingenuous media release – our campaign has nothing to do with Israelis or Jews – it is a campaign to stop Israeli soldiers coming here for rest and recreation after a campaign of wholesale killing of Palestinians in Gaza. To imply the campaign is targeting Jews is disgusting and despicable.

Some of the soldiers will be Druse, some Palestinian Arabs and others will be Jews.

In the meantime PSNA salutes the brave Israelis who have refused to take part in the genocide.

The deeply racist New Zealand Jewish Council regularly makes a meal of false smears of anti-semitism and they are at it again here. It’s deeply problematic that this Jewish Council strategy takes attention away from the real anti-semitism which exists in New Zealand and around the world.

“The priority of the Jewish Council is to protect Israel from criticism and protect it from accountability for its apartheid policies, ethnic cleansing and genocide”.

We are demanding that accountability.

John Minto

National Chair

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

Road blocked, Te Poi

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January 28, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

State Highway 29 at Te Poi is blocked following a serious crash.

It involved one vehicle and was reported about 8:10pm.

One person is believed to be in serious condition.

The Serious Crash Unit is attending and the road is currently blocked at the intersections of State Highway 29 and State Highway 24.

Motorists are asked to take alternate routes.

ENDS

Name release: Fatal crash, SH73, Arthurs Pass

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January 28, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash on State Highway 73, Arthurs Pass on Sunday.

He was 54-year-old Paul Wilcock, of Kumara.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Serious crash, Johnsonville-Porirua motorway

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January 28, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

State Highway 59 at Tawa is closed southbound due to a vehicle incident.

Police were called to the scene about 5:55pm, and on arrival located a person with critical injuries.

They have since been transported to hospital, and the Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

The highway is blocked southbound between Mungavin and Tawa while emergency services attend – motorists are advised to take alternate routes.

ENDS

Release: Luxon misleading on the economy

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January 28, 2025

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is misleading the public by falsely claiming the economy has been in recession for three years.

“Let’s set the record straight: National’s economic mismanagement has caused a recession that began after they took office,” Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth, which has been the case for the last two quarters where official data is available.

“Trying to claim the economy was in recession when it wasn’t is frankly embarrassing for a Prime Minister.

“Recession indicators are easily verifiable from official sources, so for Luxon to make such an uninformed comment is truly mind boggling. Either Nicola Willis isn’t briefing him, or he’s not listening to her – either way it’s dysfunctional.

“Instead of taking responsibility and presenting a real plan to grow the economy, they are trying to rewrite history.

“New Zealanders deserve honesty and leadership, not excuses and spin,” Barbara Edmonds said.

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Cambridge Road lane closure to be lifted 4 days ahead of schedule

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January 28, 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

28 January 2025 4:26 pm | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | Tauranga City Council

Sheet piling works for the Tauriko Enabling Works project are ahead of schedule at the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection, which means the lane closure will be lifted overnight on Wednesday 29 January.

Traffic will be able to turn off SH29 into Cambridge Road again from Thursday 30 January. The remaining sheet piling and retailing wall works will start taking place behind the barrier and both lanes will be open for traffic.

Works to improve safety at the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection have started off well, despite this area being challenging and narrow to work in, says Darryl Coalter, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Regional Manager, Infrastructure Delivery Waikato/Bay of Plenty (Acting).

“Everything aligned. Great weather, good ground conditions, no machinery breakdowns and the opportunity for the crew to work extended hours, enabled this tricky stage of the job to be completed 4 days ahead of schedule,” says Mr Coalter.

“Scheduling this work in January while schools are out and traffic volumes are lower helped minimise overall disruption to the travelling public. We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while this work was completed, especially residents, businesses and project neighbours.”

Tauranga City Council Bethlehem Ward Councillor Kevin Schuler says seeing work associated with the lane closure completed ahead of schedule is a fantastic result.

“This is a great start to works at the SH29 and Cambridge Road intersection, and an excellent outcome for businesses and for local residents we know use this route often.”

With the temporary sheet piles almost fully in place on this section of Cambridge Road, work can commence on the permanent retaining wall soon, says Mr Coalter.

“Building a retaining wall in this location is complex due to the surrounding geography, traffic volumes on Cambridge Road and constructing a 210m-long concrete wall, with a steep gully on one side. This is further complicated by multiple underground services that also need to be installed including power, water and fibre.

“The retaining wall is a key step allowing us to widen the road, accommodating increased traffic and a shared path, and is scheduled for completion in late 2025. Once the retaining wall is completed, there will be a lane shift on Cambridge Road allowing intersection and drainage works to begin on the other side of Cambridge Road.

“The upgrade of the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection is a key part of the Tauriko Enabling Works project. It will be a much safer and more efficient intersection, including a new connection to Whiore Avenue for buses and people walking and cycling wanting to access Tauriko Business Estate.”

Reminder: Southbound closures next week for State Highway 1 Ngauranga Gorge

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January 28, 2025

View larger map [PDF, 344 KB]

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Night works begin next week that will see State Highway 1 Ngauranga Gorge closed to southbound traffic between Johnsonville southbound offramp and Ngauranga Interchange.

The highway’s southbound lanes will be closed for two nights of resurfacing – Sunday, 2 February and Monday, 3 February, between 9 pm and 4:30 am.

Closing the road at night when there are fewer vehicles on the road reduces disruption, allows more work to be completed faster, and ensures workers are kept safe on this steep section of road.

A local road detour will be available for light vehicles only. They can take the Johnsonville southbound offramp and detour to the city via Johnsonville, Khandallah, and the Ngaio Gorge. Drivers travelling to the Hutt Valley on State Highway 1 should detour via State Highway 58 and Haywards Hill.

Heavy vehicles cannot take the Johnsonville/Khandallah route because of a height restriction on the Johnsonville underpass. They must use State Highway 58 to Haywards Hill and State Highway 2 Hutt Valley to get to the city.

These detours are longer, so drivers should allow extra travel time.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi and the Wellington Transport Alliance thank the public for their patience and cooperation while this essential state highway maintenance is completed.

Works schedule and detour routes

Sunday, 2 February and Monday, 3 February. 9 pm – 4:30 am
Southbound closure SH1 Ngauranga Gorge between Johnsonville southbound offramp and Ngauranga Interchange.
Travelling to the Hutt from SH1, detour via SH58 off SH1 Transmission Gully.
Light vehicles detour via Johnsonville southbound offramp, Middleton Road, Johnsonville, Khandallah, and Ngaio Gorge. This route is not suitable for heavy vehicles.
Heavy vehicles must detour via SH58 Haywards and SH2 Hutt Valley.

More information:

HK Accident Lawyers Launches Free Consultation Hotline for Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme Applications

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January 28, 2025