A concerned member of the public reported the incident, which happened around 12 pm on Friday, January 3.
DOC Hauraki Operations Manager Avi Holzapfel is dismayed by the report of harm to wildlife.
“It’s extremely frustrating and distressing to hear about this kind of wilful mistreatment of wildlife,” says Avi. “We’re very grateful to the person who reported this to us for their continued assistance.
“So far, we have images of the vessel alleged to be involved, and have made enquiries with local marinas and databases to identify its owner.
One of the boats sought to aid the investigation. Image: Supplied
“We are keen to speak with people on board two vessels pictured seen in the area at the time, one of which bears the name ‘Dad & Me’, and any other members of the public who may have witnessed the incident.”
If anyone has more information they can provide about this incident, please contact the DOC HOT line on 0800 362 468 or wildlifecrime@doc.govt.nz, quoting CLE Incident CLE-8275.
Many seabirds are classified as absolutely protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. Hunting or killing absolutely protected wildlife can result in penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $100,000, or both.
Update: Police have now spoken to people on the other vessel, and are confident they are not involved and do not know those on the suspected offending vessel.
AACHEN, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 9 January 2025 – FEV, a leading global innovation driver for the mobility of tomorrow, presents CogniSafe, a state-of-the-art Driver Monitoring System (DMS) that significantly increases road safety. The system uses advanced technologies such as deep learning and computer vision to monitor driver conditions such as distraction, fatigue and inattention in real time and under even the most challenging conditions.
FEV’s CogniSafe uses deep learning to monitor driver conditions, thereby increasing road safety.
“CogniSafe is a holistic, innovative system that uses a variety of sensors and combines them with artificial intelligence (AI) to precisely analyze driver behavior and alertness”, said Dr. Thomas Hülshorst, Group Vice President Intelligent Mobility & Software at FEV. In (semi-) autonomous vehicles in particular, legal safety requirements are increasing, and the driver must be able to intervene in any situation. “With our latest development, we are actively reducing accidents caused by human error. At over 90 percent, these make up the majority of all accidents,” said Hülshorst.
CogniSafe uses a combination of functions which are unique on the market and coordinate with each other. It uses a network of cameras in the visible light and infrared spectrum to analyze driver behavior from different angles. On this basis, the system continuously tracks the driver’s gaze, analyzes eye condition (percentage of eye closure, PERCLOS) and assesses head posture, providing further information on alertness, fatigue and drowsiness.
AI plays a pivotal role in the functions of FEV’s latest development. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) are used to perform precise real-time analyses that dynamically adapt to different drivers and environmental conditions, such as different lighting conditions, and continuously improve.
“The solution is also very interesting for target groups such as fleet operators or insurance companies, who have a strong interest in safe driving practices”, said Hülshorst.
Further information is available at https://shorturl.at/hy3dq
Hashtag: #FEV
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 January 2025 – The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) participated in the “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” promotional event organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 8 January. During the event, HKSTP highlighted innovative green technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions developed by Park companies to an audience of local business leaders, financial institutions, tech companies, SMEs, startups, and academics. The event was graced by the presence of Mr Paul Chan, the HKSAR Financial Secretary, and received an overwhelmingly positive response.
HKSTP participated in the “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” promotional event, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in Jakarta, Indonesia, to showcase innovative solutions developed by Park companies.
During its visit to Indonesia, the joint delegation from HKSTP, accompanied by representatives from 10 Park companies, showcased their diverse range of business solutions. These included real-time environmental monitoring of water, air, source emissions, and marine environments; AI-driven retail solutions; and 5G cameras with integrated data analysis capabilities, demonstrating the diversity of their business sectors. Furthermore, seven Park companies presented their cutting-edge technologies at the HKSTP Pavilion.
Kevin To, Founder of One Energy (HK) Ltd, a company specialising in electric motorcycles, said, “Indonesia has the highest number of motorcycles in the world. Through this event, our company aims to strengthen communication with local partners and government representatives, gain a deeper understanding of the local market, and establish long-term goals for setting up manufacturing facilities and investing in battery swapping networks.”
Stanley Chow, Co-Founder and COO of Leapstack International Limited, a company that utilises AI and big data technologies to assist insurance companies with claims management and frauds detection, said, “Indonesia has recently undergone rapid economic development, which has generated a substantial demand for medical insurance products. As our company is preparing to expand into the Indonesian market, we aim to use this trip to establish connections with numerous potential partners.”
Indonesia and Hong Kong have long maintained a close economic and trade relationship. In 2023, Hong Kong emerged as Indonesia’s second-largest source of foreign direct investment, after Singapore, with investments amounting to USD 3.769 billion. The Indonesian authorities are proactively promoting the development of finance and AI, which has led to rapid growth in these sectors. Additionally, with plans to relocate the capital to Nusantara by 2028 and transform it into a green and smart city, there is a keen demand for green technologies.
The HKSTP delegation also participated in the trade delegation organised by the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council. During their visit to Indonesia, they held meetings with the Indonesian Minister of Investment and representatives from the Ministry of National Development Planning, as well as key local enterprises in the finance and telecommunications sectors. Park companies engaged in business matchmaking with local institutions spanning professional services, information technology, logistics, and manufacturing. These initiatives not only helped the Park companies tap into substantial development opportunities in the Indonesian market but also showcased Hong Kong’s expertise in commercialising scientific research and its strategic role in assisting overseas tech companies to enter markets such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, mainland China, and beyond.
Appendix: HKSTP Park Companies Participating in Think Business, Think Hong Kong in Jakarta, Indonesia
Company Name
1.
Apicem Technology Services Company Limited*
2.
i2Cool Limited
3.
Insight Robotics Limited
4.
Integrated Solutions Limited
5.
Karta-X Technologies Limited*
6.
Leapstack International Limited*
7.
Lihe Technology (HK) Co., Limited*
8.
Neufast Limited*
9.
One Energy (HK) Limited*
10.
SmartRetail Group Limited*
Remarks: In alphabetical order
*Park companies presented their cutting-edge technologies at the HKSTP Pavilion.
Hashtag: #HKSTP
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Fire and Emergency was alerted to the fire in Whangārei at approximately 12.30pm this afternoon. Crews from both Whangārei and Onerahi responded, but the fire escalated quickly
Incident Controller, Graeme Quensell, says, “We currently have five helicopters on site, four with buckets and one acting as observation and they will be operating until sundown.
“The fire is approximately 20 hectares, and we have a large number of resources on site. Two properties have evacuated, one of these self-evacuated while the other property is threatened and continues to be. Our crews will be doing structure protection for the property overnight.
“If at any point residents in the area are worried about their property, they should self-evacuate and call 111.”
No roads are currently closed but Whangarei Heads Rd will be slow. Motorists should be aware helicopters will be back operating at first light tomorrow and drive carefully, particularly where there’s smoke.
If residents in the area are impacted by smoke, please keep windows and doors closed and stay inside. Call your GP or Healthline for health advice.
It is not known how the fire started at this stage. An investigation will take place to determine the cause.
Fire and Emergency estimates the fire will take around three days to be extinguished.
Incident Controller, Graeme Quensell, appreciates the support of Fire and Emergency’s partner agencies, NZ Police, DHB, and Whangārei District Council in assisting with the safety of our communities during this incident.
Our next update will be around 7.30am Friday 10 January unless anything changes overnight.
Anti-poverty groups say amendments to Social Security Act will remove job seekers’ human rights.
9 January 2025 – Anti-poverty groups say that changes proposed in the Social Security Act Amendment Bill currently before Parliament would result in more jobseekers and their dependents unable to buy food, pay rent and other basic bills – and at a time when unemployment is at a four year high.[1]
Child Poverty Action Group’s Executive Officer, Sarita Divis, says “This Bill will put at risk the fundamental human rights and wellbeing of people, including many of our most vulnerable. We are particularly concerned about the so-called non-financial sanctions in this Bill, which in reality would have financial consequences and are targeted towards people with children.”
Sanctions proposed in the Bill include a ‘Money Management’ system where 50% of a person’s benefit is placed onto an MSD payment card that can only be used to buy certain items at approved stores. Divis says, “Many people on income support are paying more than 50% of their income in rent.[2]This sanction risks people not being able to make their rent payments and becoming homeless.”
“We are also concerned about the proposed ‘Community Work Experience’ scheme”, says Divis. “Official Information Act requests have revealed that people placed into this scheme – and the Money Management scheme – will not be allowed to access emergency housing, or special needs grants. Yet most benefits don’t cover living costs, and many people and their children rely on those supports for keeping food on the table and a roof over their heads.”
Citizens Advice Bureau NZ National Policy Advisor, Louise May, says that also of concern are the measures in the Bill to make people reapply for their benefit more frequently, and the extension of the period in which an obligation failure can be held against a person. The Bill proposes making people reapply for their benefit every 6 months instead of every twelve months, and that an obligation failure will be held against a person for two years instead of one year.
“These changes will increase the risk of people having their benefits cut or cancelled”, says May. “In the CAB we witness the difficulties job seekers often experience in trying to make their applications and navigate the system. We regularly help people who have had their benefits cut or cancelled through error or mishandling of their case or because they happened to miss a phone call or appointment. Increasing the interactions people must have with Work & Income and tying sanctions to those interactions exposes people to greater risk of harm.”
NZ Disability Advisory Trust’s Senior Disability Service Navigator, Nick Stoneman, says that the Bill undermines what the Social Security Act was established to do. “The purpose of our social security system is for protecting people’s basic human rights – ensuring people can feed and house themselves, keep warm in the wintertime, live a dignified life free from deprivation”, says Stoneman. “Threatening people’s access to the support they need for meeting their basic costs, or actively removing that support, are not things that any Government should do.”
“No matter how people come to need the support of our welfare system, whether it’s because of illness or disability, relationship breakdown, bereavement, being made unemployed – everyone should be guaranteed enough income to live with dignity”, says Stoneman.
May says that the Government must move away from using sanctions against people who need income support. “From the work CAB does with thousands of job seekers every year, we know that the best way to help people improve their lives is through genuine care and support – punishment is counterproductive. Rather than the Government taking a punitive approach, we would like it to focus on working better with people, in positive ways that are actually helpful to them.”
The groups are calling for the Bill to be dropped and for the Government to take the following steps[3]to unlock people and whānau from the constraints of poverty:
1. Increase core benefit levels to the standard of liveable incomes
2. Raise the minimum wage to the living wage
3. Increase the Disability Allowance
4. Overhaul relationship rules
5. Remove sanctions
6. Wipe debt owed to the Ministry of Social Development
7. Improve supplementary assistance and urgent grants
The deadline for written submissions on the Bill is 11.59pm on Friday, 10 January 2025.
The anti-poverty groups supporting this press release are:Child Poverty Action Group, Citizens Advice Bureau NZ, NZ Disability Advisory Trust, NZ Council of Christian Social Services, Parents of Vision Impaired NZ, Disabled Persons Assembly NZ Inc, United Community Action Network, Action Station.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 January 2025 – Madame Tussauds Singapore is thrilled to announce the launch of its newest and most exhilarating experience, the Thrill Coaster Singapore.
Photo by Madame Tussauds Singapore
Madame Tussauds Singapore is taking excitement to the next level with the launch of Thrill Coaster Singapore, a state-of-the-art virtual reality experience designed to immerse visitors in heart-pounding, high-speed adventures like never before.
The Thrill Coaster Singapore is a cutting-edge virtual reality immersive entertainment, blending high-speed thrills with stunning virtual reality environments. Designed to captivate both thrill-seekers and tech enthusiasts, riders will feel the rush of high-speed coaster action while virtually soaring above the city’s most famous landmarks around Marina Bay area, offering a unique perspective of the vibrant cityscape.
“We’re thrilled to introduce ThrillCoaster VR Pods as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering innovative and immersive entertainment. This is more than a ride— it’s an immersive experience that showcases the beauty of Singapore from a whole new angle,” said Steven Chung, General Manager of Madame Tussauds Singapore. “This ride will be a truly unique adventure for our guests.”
What Makes Thrill Coaster Singapore Unmissable?
Immersive Virtual Reality: Step into a vividly detailed world where you’re at the center of the action.
Dynamic Motion Simulation: Feel every twist, turn, and drop for an adrenaline-fueled experience.
Family-Friendly Fun: With multiple themed adventures, there’s something for thrill-seekers of all ages.
Exclusive Singapore Setting: Perfectly complementing our mix of interactive attractions.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of the action. Thrill Coaster Singapore is now open at Madame Tussauds Singapore, promising non-stop fun for families, friends, and adventure enthusiasts alike. Tickets for the Thrill Coaster VR Ride are available from starting price of $12 and is available from https://madametussauds.com/singapore/tickets. Do follow Madame Tussauds Singapore social media for updates .
Later this week crews will resume work on a significant programme of summer maintenance on State Highway 29.
Work to rebuild and resurface the road across 9 sites began in October 2024, with 2 sites near Hanga Lane and Gargan Road now complete.
Starting this Sunday 12 January*, work will resume near Old Kaimai Road, with 2 night shifts required to complete asphalt resurfacing work at this site. Work will be completed between 7pm and 6am on Sunday 12 and Monday 13 January.
While this work is underway, temporary traffic management, including lane closures and stop/go will be in place, as well as a reduced speed limit of 50km/h during the day to ensure the safety of the community and our team.
Drainage and asphalt resurfacing work will get underway near McLaren Falls Road on Monday 20 January until Thursday 27 February.
The drainage work will be carried out first, with work occurring during the day, Monday to Friday.
Temporary traffic management will be in place including the closure of the entire passing lane starting at Poripori Road and finishing just after McLaren Falls Road (Monday to Friday only, opening at the weekends), plus a reduced speed limit of 50km/h through the site, and 30km/h at the intersection with McLaren Falls Road.
Once drainage works are complete, asphalt works are expected to get underway in late January/early February and will involve lane closures, a reduced speed limit of 50km/h and periods of stop/go at night.
Road users should be prepared for delays and allow extra time for their journeys.
Resurfacing work will get underway near Kaukumoutiti Stream bridge, north of Soldiers Road, on Sunday 19 January, from 7pm to 6am, until Friday 24 January. Temporary traffic management, including stop/go will be in place, as well as a reduced speed limit of 50km/h during the day.
These works form part of the government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund.
Once complete, drivers will have smoother and safer journeys along this section of the SH29 corridor.
In addition, the SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works project continues, with lots of activity along the state highway between Belk and Cambridge roads, including the temporary lane closure of a short section of Cambridge Road.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 January 2025 – Award-winning brokerage VT Markets, a global leader in financial services, has released its 2025 Q1 Economic Outlook. In the report, the broker spotlights the remarkable trajectory of gold in 2024 and its potential market performance in the coming year. The report further delves into key drivers of gold’s price movement; an explainer on why the precious metal is regarded as a safe-haven asset amidst heightened global uncertainty last year.
2024: A Record-Breaking Year for Gold
Gold first emerged as a focal point for investors in 2024, reaching unprecedented heights of $2,790 per ounce during the U.S. presidential election period. Unsurprisingly, this all-time high was propelled by market volatility and escalating geopolitical tensions. While gold prices retraced by over $200 following the election, prices stabilised above $2,600 per ounce, closing the year with a noteworthy 27% annual gain. VT Markets highlighted this as a testament to gold’s resilience and its pivotal role in hedging against uncertainty.
Key Catalysts for Gold’s Stellar Performance
The VT Markets’ research desk attributes gold’s extraordinary performance to three primary factors:
Central Bank De-Dollarisation
Gold demand surged as BRICS nations, including China and Russia, advanced de-dollarisation initiatives. Gold reserves within these economies climbed from 4,360 metric tons in 2018 to nearly 5,550 metric tons by 2024. Emerging markets, such as Turkey, Poland, and India, also contributed significantly to central bank gold purchases—a trend forecasted to continue into 2025 with expected demand exceeding 500 tons.
The irreversible trend of de-globalisation has heightened geopolitical risks, which in turn has further cementing gold’s allure. For one, the re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. President and his unilateral policy approaches are likely to perpetuate uncertainty this year. While short-term peace initiatives, such as potential Russo-Ukrainian negotiations, may temporarily temper gold prices, VT Markets foresees sustained demand due to the prolonged nature of geopolitical conflicts.
The Federal Reserve’s Monetary Policy Shift The Federal Reserve’s pivot to rate cuts in September 2024 also sparked renewed interest in gold. Historical trends indicate that gold prices typically peak within two quarters of a rate cut cycle. VT Markets predicts that gold will retain upward momentum through early 2025, though its annual growth may taper as markets absorb the impact of monetary easing.
Looking Ahead: Stabilisation Amid Uncertainty
While 2024 was undeniably a banner year for gold, VT Markets anticipates a period of consolidation in 2025. The research team projects a high yet steady price trajectory, with reduced volatility compared to the previous year’s highs. Despite this, gold remains a critical asset in diversified investment strategies, particularly in uncertain economic climates.
