Those who have been reading or listening to my commentaries in recent months will note that I have a pretty bleak view of the immediate future. The New Zealand economy is struggling to grow, the economy of our major export market is not doing much better, we have wars in the Middle East and Europe, and we have the prospect of an even more protectionist United States from January 20. Yet back home the political oxygen is being absorbed by debate on a bill in Parliament that we all know is not going to make it further than Select Committee, and whether public servants should be allowed to work from home. My wish for the year ahead is for a more mature political discourse which focuses on what really matters. So, what really matters? we need to focus on productivity. Our performance is very poor. We have been growing our economy by growing our population or by printing more money. We need to work smarter, invest more in technology, invest more in up-skilling our workforce, and reduce the drag caused by our inferior infrastructure and excessive regulation at central and local government levels. Some good decisions have been taken in the infrastructure space but we have a long way to go. we need to reverse the disturbing performance trend in our education sector. When I was appointed chair of Education NZ in 2011, New Zealand was sitting at No 5 in the OECD PISA rankings. Now we are struggling to stay in the top 20. Our vocational education sector has been through an unsuccessful reform and is now about to be reformed again. And our universities are struggling also. It is no wonder that so many our best school leavers are voting with their feet. Of course, our education system and our productivity performance our linked. To put it simply, how can you grow productivity strongly, if a big chunk of your workforce struggle to read or understand basic mathematics? and also linked to the first two wishes, is a serious debate about how we prepare, as an economy and society for some inevitable disruptions that are coming fast at us down the railway line. We are inevitably going to become more automated at our ports and airports, our trucks, courier vans and taxis will be driverless, and many jobs in manufacturing and service industries will be undertaken by robots. This is not science fiction. I was served by a robot after placing my order on my cellphone at one of my favourite restaurants last year – DinTaiFung (鼎泰豐) Taipei 101 Branch. Wellington lawyer Peter Cullen had several trips in driverless taxis in the US recently. What is going to happen to all those workers who are going to be disrupted by these technologies? And while we are on the topic of disruption, where is the debate in New Zealand about the impact that precision fermentation is going to have on dairy and meat markets globally? It is now cheaper to produce dairy proteins in an urban factory than on the farm. This is not science fiction either. The world’s biggest dairy companies are investing in this technology – Nestlé, Danone and even Fonterra are investors. This is going to be a very real part of the future of dairy and meat. It might solve our greenhouse gas emission problems but what impact will this have on the New Zealand farming model? There is some media coverage, and Radio NZ have covered it in the last year, but most policy thinkers don’t know what I am talking about when. I raise the topic. and linked to the above too, I want us to start grappling with what will fill the gap in our exports should dairy and meat indeed get disrupted. Our services exports have to grow. There is potential low hanging fruit with tourism and international education, but on the former we seem intent on pricing ourselves out of certain markets. And on the second, we have yet to be able to recover to pre-Covid levels even though our major competitors (Australia and Canada) are trying to reduce their international student numbers. We need to focus more on internationalising our professional services companies, the screen sector, our software and other high-tech industries, just to name a few. But I really can’t see any strategy to achieve this. To do this we are going to need to do even better at attracting investment, particularly from very wealthy entrepreneurs. There is also a disruption coming at us in the energy space. Wind, solar, and geothermal, and more investment in batteries will play a bigger role in our future. There may be potential biofuel, methanol, and hydrogen/ammonia opportunities for New Zealand also. Short term, however, we need to keep the lights on. To do this we need natural gas to be available as we transition away from coal. There is actually plenty or resource. We just need to give companies the confidence to keep investing in new wells. Better regulation in this sector is essential. We need a more mature, less partisan, and better informed debate on this also. and most obviously for an old trade policy hand, I hope that President Donald Trump does not implement the tariff plans that he outlined during the campaign and since he was elected. They would be bad for the US, bad for New Zealand and bad for the global economy.John Wayne Stock & Supply to host Hats + Art Exhibit
Lane Hutson: only seven NHL defensemen have more points than him this season.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people. The Israeli airstrikes and evacuation warnings were in a sign that Netanyahu aims to inflict punishment on Hezbollah in the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. Hezbollah, meanwhile, had resumed its rocket fire into Israel, triggering air raid sirens across the country's north. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Hezbollah began attacking Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, a day after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, in support of the Palestinian militant group. That has set off more than a year of fighting escalated into all-out war in September with massive Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon and an Israeli ground invasion of the country’s south. Hezbollah has fired thousands of rockets into Israeli military bases, cities and towns, including some 250 projectiles on Sunday. It’s not clear how the ceasefire will affect the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, where more than 44,000 people have been killed and more than 104,000 wounded in the 13-month war between Israel and Hamas, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. ——— Here's the Latest: JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people. The Israeli military also issued a flurry of evacuation warnings — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah down to the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. For the first time in the conflict, Israeli ground troops reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River, a focal point of the emerging deal. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire to Cabinet ministers later on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. Netanyahu said the vote was expected later Tuesday. It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal does not affect Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which shows no signs of ending. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s state media said Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed at least 10 people in Baalbek province the country’s east. At least three people were killed in the southern city of Tyre when Israel bombed a Palestinian refugee camp, said Mohammed Bikai, a representative of the Fatah group in the area. He said several more people were missing and at least three children were among the wounded. He said the sites struck inside the camp were “completely civilian places” and included a kitchen that was being used to cook food for displaced people. JERUSALEM — Dozens of Israeli protesters took to a major highway in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening to call for the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as the country awaited news of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Protesters chanted “We are all hostages,” and “Deal now!” waving signs with faces of some of the roughly 100 hostages believed to be still held in Gaza, at least a third of whom are thought to be dead. Most of the other hostages Hamas captured in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack were released during a ceasefire last year. The prospect of a ceasefire deal in Lebanon has raised desperation among the relatives of captives still held in Gaza, who once hoped that the release of hostages from Gaza would be included. Instead of a comprehensive deal, the ceasefire on the table is instead narrowly confined to Lebanon. Dozens of Israelis were also demonstrating against the expected cease-fire, gathering outside Israel’s military headquarters in central Tel Aviv. One of the protesters, Yair Ansbacher, says the deal is merely a return to the failed 2006 U.N. resolution that was meant to uproot Hezbollah from the area. “Of course that didn’t happen,” he says. “This agreement is not worth the paper it is written on.” FIUGGI, Italy — Foreign ministers from the world’s industrialized countries said Tuesday they strongly supported an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and insisted that Israel comply with international law in its ongoing military operations in the region. At the end of their two-day summit, the ministers didn’t refer directly to the International Criminal Court and its recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over crimes against humanity . Italy had put the ICC warrants on the official meeting agenda, even though the G7 was split on the issue. The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, isn’t a signatory to the court and has called the warrants “outrageous.” However, the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell said all the other G7 countries were signatories and therefore obliged to respect the warrants. In the end, the final statement adopted by the ministers said Israel, in exercising its right to defend itself, “must fully comply with its obligations under international law in all circumstances, including international humanitarian law.” And it said all G7 members — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – “reiterate our commitment to international humanitarian law and will comply with our respective obligations.” It stressed that “there can be no equivalence between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel.” The ICC warrants say there's reason to believe Netanyahu used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. BEIRUT — An Israeli strike on Tuesday levelled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded in Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. It was not immediately clear if anyone in particular was targeted, though Israel says its airstrikes target Hezbollah officials and assets. The Israeli military spokesman issued a flurry of evacuation warnings for many areas, including areas in Beirut that have not been targeted throughout the war, like the capital’s commercial Hamra district, where many people displaced by the war have been staying. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks in Lebanon during the final hours before a ceasefire is reached, sparked panic and sent residents fleeing in their cars to safer areas. In areas close to Hamra, families including women and children were seen running away toward the Mediterranean Sea’s beaches carrying their belongings. Traffic was completely gridlocked as people tried to get away, honking their car horns as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. The Israeli military also issued warnings for 20 more buildings in Beirut’s suburbs to evacuate before they too were struck — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah in the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. TEL AVIV, Israel — The independent civilian commission of inquiry into the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly responsible for the failures leading up to the attack, alongside former defense ministers, the army chief and the heads of the security services. The civil commission presented its findings today after a four-month probe in which it heard some 120 witnesses. It was set up by relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, in response to the absence of any state probe. The commission determined that the Israeli government, its army and security services “failed in their primary mission of protecting the citizens of Israel.” It said Netanyahu was responsible for ignoring “repeated warnings” ahead of Oct. 7, 2023 for what it described as his appeasing approach over the years toward Hamas, and for “undermining all decision-making centers, including the cabinet and the National Security Council, in a way that prevented any serious discussion” on security issues. The commission further determined that the military and defense leaders bear blame for ignoring warnings from within the army, and for reducing the army’s presence along the Gaza border while relying excessively on technological means. On the day of the Hamas attack, the report says, the army’s response was both slow and lacking. The civil commission called for the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack. Netanyahu has opposed launching a state commission of inquiry, arguing that such an investigation should begin only once the war is over. JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military says its ground troops have reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River — a focal point of the emerging ceasefire. In a statement Tuesday, the army said it had reached the Wadi Slouqi area in southern Lebanon and clashed with Hezbollah forces. Under a proposed ceasefire, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israeli border. The military says the clashes with Hezbollah took place on the eastern end of the Litani, just a few kilometers (miles) from the border. It is one of the deepest places Israeli forces have reached in a nearly two-month ground operation. The military says soldiers destroyed rocket launchers and missiles and engaged in “close-quarters combat” with Hezbollah forces. The announcement came hours before Israel’s security Cabinet is expected to approve a ceasefire that would end nearly 14 months of fighting. BEIRUT — Israeli jets Tuesday struck at least six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including one that slammed near the country’s only airport. Large plumes of smoke could be seen around the airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has continued to function despite its location beside the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based. The strikes come hours before Israel’s cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s airstrikes. FIUGGI, Italy — EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. (edited)AP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:52 p.m. EST
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The 2025 Grammy Nominations have officially been unveiled, sparking excitement, debates, and predictions across the music world. With a mix of fresh faces and industry titans, this year’s nominations celebrate groundbreaking achievements, unexpected collaborations, and historic milestones. Artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Beyoncé, and The Beatles are at the center of this year’s buzz, making the upcoming Grammy Awards a must-watch event. Table of Contents Sabrina Carpenter Leads the New Generation Sabrina Carpenter has solidified her place as one of the breakout stars of the year, earning an impressive six nominations. The 25-year-old artist’s album has propelled her into all four major categories, including Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Record of the Year (for her hit single “Espresso”), and Song of the Year (for her heartfelt ballad “Please Please Please”). This marks a transformative year for Carpenter, who has gained recognition for her ability to blend catchy melodies with emotional depth. Her nominations reflect not only her musical versatility but also her growing influence in the industry. Another standout newcomer, Chappell Roan, also garnered six nominations. Her critically acclaimed album has struck a chord with listeners, with her single “Good Luck, Babe!” earning nods for Record and Song of the Year. Roan’s ability to infuse storytelling with a modern pop sensibility has made her a force to be reckoned with among the 2025 Grammy Nominations. Beyoncé’s Historic Achievements While newcomers shine, Beyoncé continues to reign supreme. With a staggering 11 nominations, she leads all artists this year. Her album is up for Album of the Year, while her single “Texas Hold ‘Em” has been recognized in both the Record and Song of the Year categories. This year’s nominations push Beyoncé’s career total to 99, surpassing her husband Jay-Z for the most Grammy nominations in history. She is now on the brink of becoming the most-awarded artist of all time, further cementing her legacy as an icon in music. For the first time, Beyoncé has earned Grammy nominations in the country and Americana categories. Her ability to seamlessly cross genres showcases her innovative artistry and broad appeal. If she wins Album of the Year, she would become the first Black woman to achieve this honor in over two decades, following Lauryn Hill’s victory in 1999 with . Heavy Hitters: Post Malone, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift Among the year’s most-nominated artists are Post Malone, Billie Eilish, and Kendrick Lamar, each receiving seven nods. Taylor Swift follows closely with six nominations, continuing her reign as one of the most celebrated artists of her generation. Despite her 14 Grammy wins, Swift has yet to secure a victory in the Song of the Year category. With seven prior nominations, including last year’s “Anti-Hero,” she remains a top contender with her latest track. Could 2025 finally be her year? The Beatles Make History In a surprise twist, The Beatles are back in the Grammy spotlight. Their track “Now and Then” is nominated for Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance, nearly three decades after their last Grammy nods. This groundbreaking nomination is also the first to involve artificial intelligence in its creation. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr used AI technology to isolate John Lennon’s vocals from a decades-old demo, breathing new life into the legendary band’s sound. The use of AI in “Now and Then” demonstrates how technology is reshaping the music landscape. The technique, known as “stem separation,” highlights how innovation can preserve and amplify the legacy of iconic artists. This development could pave the way for future collaborations between technology and creativity in the industry. The Big Four Categories: A Closer Look This year’s nominees for Album of the Year span genres and generations, reflecting the diversity of today’s music scene. From pop anthems to timeless rock, the Record of the Year category showcases some of the biggest hits of 2025. Notable contenders include: The Song of the Year nominees spotlight lyrical excellence and emotional resonance. Leading the pack are: Best New Artist: The Future of Music This year’s Best New Artist category is packed with talent, from Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan to emerging stars across genres. These artists represent the next generation of musical innovation and creativity. Other Notable Moments from the 2025 Grammy Nominations Charli XCX has more than tripled her previous Grammy nominations with seven nods this year. Her album and hit single “360” have earned recognition in categories like Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Music Video, showcasing her evolution as an artist. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who turned 100 this year, is nominated for Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording. His work stands alongside nominees like Dolly Parton and Barbra Streisand, proving that the Grammys celebrate artistry in all its forms. Dave Chappelle is vying for his sixth Grammy with a strong contender for Best Comedy Album. A win would further solidify his legacy as one of the most celebrated comedians in Grammy history. When and Where to Watch the 2025 Grammy Awards The 2025 Grammy Awards will take place on February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Fans can tune in live on CBS or stream the event on Paramount+. With a lineup of nominees that spans generations and genres, this year’s ceremony promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music. The 2025 Grammy Nominations have set the stage for a night of milestones, surprises, and groundbreaking achievements. From Sabrina Carpenter’s breakthrough success to Beyoncé’s historic run and The Beatles’ innovative comeback, the nominations showcase the evolving landscape of the music industry. As the countdown to February begins, one thing is clear: the 2025 Grammy Awards will be a night to remember.
Two organizations in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside that help people transform their lives through meaningful work say the need for their services is greater than ever this year. Matthew Smedley, executive director and CEO of Mission Possible told Global News that they have seen more than two-and-a-half times the number of people signing up for their programs this year compared to last. “One of the trends that we’re seeing is more and more people from outside the Downtown Eastside coming to this community, seeking support and opportunities,” he said. “We’ve seen 136-per cent increase in folks coming in. And we really are looking for other municipalities to recognize that individuals are struggling with poverty, struggling with a lack of opportunities in their communities. ” Smedley said they want to see other cities around Vancouver step up and help. “I think what we’re seeing is just, we’re seeing growing need throughout the Lower Mainland,” he added. “You know, cost of housing, cost of food, everything is increasing. And those who have the least, who are closest to just making it every month, are the ones who are most impacted.” Smedley said they are seeing more people who live in surrounding communities end up in the same situation they see among the residents of the Downtown Eastside, but the services in those outer communities are unavailable. “So folks are actually coming here seeking ways to get support, ways to find jobs, ways to, you know, access what they need to be able to re-enter work,” he added. Smedley said the increased need is putting a strain on their resources and they need more donations and support to expand and help as many people as they can. “We’re looking for donors who can fund the employment readiness program that we run, (and) be able to provide training,” he said. “It provides coaching, it provides food, it provides access to housing, all kinds of things for folks. And then we also partner with folks who want to be customers who can provide work for our social enterprises to come, provide extra property cleaning services, litter, pick-up, those kinds of things. “And we’re also looking for employers who are willing to hire our graduates. So someone who’s coming in looking for that start is working with us, getting training, and then they’re looking for that next opportunity. We’ve got a whole pool of fantastic candidates for employers to be able to hire.” Smedley said that one of the biggest issues people face is an opportunity to get started. “People who’ve been out of work for a lot of years just have big gaps in their resumes,” he said. “That sets them back in pretty significant ways. And so having a place to get some training, get some support and get some recent work experience and be able to transition into employment outside of our organization is really critical.” Sarah Beley, the executive director of Working Gear, told Global News that in the last two years, they have increased services from 1,200 people to 2,000 people with the majority coming from outside Vancouver. “They’re coming from Surrey. They’re coming from Burnaby. And the ones that are coming from Vancouver don’t reside in the Downtown Eastside,” she said. “So I think that’s a bit of a misconception.” Beley said that because they are located in the Downtown Eastside, people think they only help people in that community but that is not the case. She said these services do not exist in other communities and that’s the problem. “We’re fortunate that we have such a rich resource of like social enterprises in the Downtown Eastside, but they don’t really exist in other municipalities. So people are travelling from Surrey or Abbotsford Chilliwack to get help that they need.”None
