Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China-South Asia Expo key platform for regional cooperation: experts
Various experts have emphasized that the ongoing 9th China-South Asia Expo in southwest China’s Kunming plays a vital role in promoting regional cooperation and strengthening mutual understanding.
Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 24 June 2025
One of the injured ruru which was found on the side of the road in Greymouth in mid-May has just been released after a spell recovering at the South Island Wildlife Hospital.
“Usha” was found by a member of the public who used a towel to gently pick her up when she saw the ruru sitting on the ground unable to fly away.
The bird was initially cared for by Cassie Mealey, a DOC Senior Technical Advisor who rehabilitates native birds in her spare time (under an appropriate Wildlife Act authority).
After a few days of recovery and care Air NZ flew her across to the South Island Wildlife Hospital in Christchurch to see wildlife vet, Pauline Howard.
The little ruru had x-rays that showed a fractured coracoid (a deep chest bone that helps stabilize flight muscles). This was likely the result of a vehicle hitting her. Treatment included pain relief, cage rest and fluids. Pauline said, “Usha was a model patient, and she had an uncomplicated recovery.”
Once the fracture was stabilised and Usha had “rehab flight training”, Air NZ flew her back and Cassie released her into the wild near to where she was found.
Cassie has had five ruru in her care throughout May, most with fractures from suspected vehicle strikes, and some with suspected secondary poisoning from mice that have eaten poison brodificaum bait used by households to control rats and mice.
Chris Hickford, Greymouth DOC Operations Manager, says the work Cassie and the South Island Wildlife Hospital do to care and rehabilitate injured birds is really appreciated.
“DOC can’t look after every bird, so we rely on a network of individuals and organisations nationwide who donate their time to do this work,” Chris says.
Cassie says people are seeing more ruru in their back yards.
“It is likely that the cooler weather and mice boom at this time of year that has driven them into urban areas where there is more food such as moths around streetlights and mice around houses and compost bins,” she says.
After dark, ruru are attracted to streetlights, where they hunt moths attracted to the bright lights. They commonly fly into the sides of buildings or are hit by cars.
“People can help protect ruru by maintaining old trees, as they like to nest in tree cavities instead of on the ground where they are more vulnerable. You can also build nest boxes, and place them in trees,” Cassie says.
“Using traps instead of poison to control mice and rats also helps to protect the ruru population,” she says.
If you see sick or injured ruru or other wildlife, call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
TOWNSVILLE, Australia — U.S. Marines and Sailors with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) arrived in Townsville to train alongside the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 25, a multi-lateral exercise held from May 25 through June 13, 2025 at the Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
SANTA RITA, Guam – Divers from the Republic of Singapore Navy, embarked on the Formidable-class frigate RSS Supreme (73), visited U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam on June 11 to discuss operations, share challenges, and tour the Sentinel-class patrol boat USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139).
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
SANTA RITA, Guam — The U.S. Coast Guard actively participated in the semi-annual bilateral Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) on June 4 to 5, 2025, at Joint Task Force-Micronesia (JTF-M) Headquarters.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353June 23, 2025
Cotton, Warner, Colleagues Introduce Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act
Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator Mark R. Warner (D-Virginia), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today introduced the Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act, legislation that would provide equitable tax treatment for civilians workers in the intelligence community who are subject to permanent change of station orders, similar to those in the military.
Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), and Todd Young (R-Indiana) are cosponsoring the legislation.
“Just as in the military, permanent change of station orders can be a time of upheaval for the men, women, and families of the intelligence community. This bill will reinstate some of the eased burdens on moving costs and help keep our intelligence community workers focused on the mission at hand of keeping our country safe,” said Senator Cotton.
“Like the men and women of our armed forces, our intelligence community professionals go to extraordinary lengths to serve and protect their country,” Senator Warner said. “They often uproot their lives to go serve where they are needed – no matter where that may be. This commonsense legislation will ensure that these brave Americans are not forced to pay out of pocket for the costs of their relocations.”
Text of the Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act may be found here.
The Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act would:
Provide equitable tax treatment for IC civilians who are subject to permanent change of station orders, similar to those in the military.
Preserve for IC employees and appointees certain moving expense deductions and moving expense reimbursements.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
June 23, 2025
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Monday wrote a Substack post outlining eight ideas that should inform how the American public thinks about the Trump administration’s strikes against Iran and President Trump’s refusal to learn the lessons of America’s previous military misadventures in the Middle East.
“America’s addiction to military intervention in the Middle East is a stubborn habit to break for our nation, and it’s heartbreaking,” Murphy wrote. “It’s heartbreaking mostly because we have continuous evidence that believing we can change minds or political realities in this complicated region by brute military force is folly.”
Murphy explained the American people are not the ones pushing for endless conflict: “But, we keep going to war, despite the evidence telling us “hell no,” because of a powerful but wrongheaded group of warmongers and cheerleaders in Washington: hawkish politicians; profit-obsessed weapons sellers; and capable but naively optimistic military planners.
He laid out various potentially dangerous consequences of Trump’s decision to strike Iran: “The worst consequence, of course, is a full-blown war in the region that draws in the United States…If Iran kills American troops, the conflict could spiral and America would be back at war in the Middle East…Another potentially dangerous consequence would be the fall of the regime in Tehran. The Supreme Leader is a murderous tyrant who wants Israel wiped off the map and has killed hundreds of U.S. troops in Iraq. Even if he were pushed out internally, he could be replaced by someone even more hardline and bent on revenge, willing to order terrorist attacks all over the globe. A third scenario, a civil war in which Iran descends into chaos, could be even worse for the United States and the region…”
Murphy argued diplomacy, not military intervention, is the best way to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon: “You cannot bomb knowledge out of existence. Iran knows how to make a nuclear bomb…And bombing their facilities just destroys their equipment; it does not eliminate their knowledge… If Iran makes the decision to build a weapon, and they have a country like Russia helping them, they could easily get a weapon in a dangerously short amount of time…If America hadn’t already successfully negotiated and implemented an agreement with Iran to stop them from obtaining a nuclear weapon, maybe the military option would look more reasonable. Yes, we don’t want Iran to have a nuclear weapon, but from 2014-2107, Iran’s advanced nuclear research program was dismantled, and we had inspectors crawling all over the country ensuring their compliance. Trump’s national security advisors urged him to stay in the deal – it was working! – but he disastrously withdrew.”
Murphy concluded: “This is a moment where Congress needs to step in. This week, we are likely to take a vote that makes it crystal clear President Trump does not have the authorization for these strikes or a broader war with Iran. This is also a moment for the American people to stand up and say we do not want another war in the Middle East. In the last twenty years, we have seen the untold damage done – the lives lost, the billions of dollars wasted, and our reputation squandered – and we won’t allow Trump to take us down that path again.”
Murphy released a statement Saturday night following the strikes.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined every member of the Senate Democratic Caucus in calling on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to change course on Republicans’ plan to take health care and food assistance away from millions of Americans—including seniors, children, people with disabilities, and veterans—to pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest.
“If enacted, these cuts to food assistance and health care will mean widespread hardship for Americans, including seniors, children, people with disabilities, and veterans; irreversibly weaken state and local governments; and pull the rug out from under rural hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, farmers, independent grocers, food banks, and so many others,” wrote the senators.
“Just because the House has acted in this regard does not mean the U.S. Senate must make the same mistakes,” continued the senators. “Congress should be enacting policies that lower costs and make it easier for American families to thrive rather than raising the costs of food, health care, and other vital services.”
U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also signed the letter.
Full text of the letter is available HERE and below.
Dear Senator Thune:
At a time when American families are struggling with the high prices of food, health care, housing, and other essentials, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that will raise costs even more by terminating health insurance for millions of Americans and taking food assistance from millions — all to provide tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and corporations.
If enacted, these cuts to food assistance and health care will mean widespread hardship for Americans, including seniors, children, people with disabilities, and veterans; irreversibly weaken state and local governments; and pull the rug out from under rural hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, farmers, independent grocers, food banks, and so many others. Just because the House has acted in this regard does not mean the U.S. Senate must make the same mistakes. Congress should be enacting policies that lower costs and make it easier for American families to thrive rather than raising the costs of food, health care, and other vital services.
Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) guarantee access to affordable health care for millions of working and middle-class families across the country. More than 80 million people are enrolled in Medicaid, while more than 24 million buy their own health insurance through the ACA Marketplaces. The nation’s uninsured rate has dropped to historic lows because of the health coverage and security afforded by these essential programs. The House-passed Republican reconciliation bill includes over $1 trillion in health care cuts, decimating Medicaid and dismantling the ACA.
The non-partisan, independent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) finds the entirety of Republicans’ health care cuts will terminate health care coverage for 16 million people. These coverage losses are not without consequence. New analyses find more than 51,000 Americans will die as a result of the bill’s Medicaid cuts, which will also lead to the loss of 850,000 jobs. The Republican bill will increase costs for everyone and damage local economies; raise premiums and health care costs across markets; shutter rural hospitals and nursing homes; worsen unemployment from resulting job loss; and slam state budgets with new, unaffordable costs.
The House-passed bill includes the largest health care cuts in history. Its Medicaid policies will ensnare millions in red tape, making it impossible for them to enroll in coverage; increase premiums and cost-sharing for low-income seniors and families; and slash Medicaid payments to hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, and other health care providers; among other draconian, harmful cuts.
The Republican bill’s underhanded cuts to the ACA will dismantle and destabilize the Marketplaces. A thicket of new red tape requirements will make it nearly impossible for working and middle-class Americans to access tax credits that make their premiums affordable and enroll in coverage through the Marketplaces. Republican cuts will more than double ACA premiums for tens of millions of Americans, putting coverage out of reach for small businesses, gig workers, family caregivers, and millions of others who buy their own health insurance through the Marketplaces.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the cornerstone of America’s anti-hunger efforts, helping to put food on the table for 42 million Americans, including nearly 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. The effectiveness of SNAP has been shown time and again. SNAP reduces food insecurity and poverty; lowers health care costs; supports farmers, grocers and local economies; provides a long-term return on investment in our children and their future; and acts as an automatic economic stabilizer during times of weak economic conditions.
The House-passed reconciliation bill proposes nearly $300 billion in cuts to SNAP — the deepest cuts to food assistance in history. If enacted into law, CBO estimates that over 3 million Americans – including seniors, kids 7 or older, and families living in areas with a weak economy – will lose their food assistance entirely because of stricter eligibility requirements and red tape. Another 1.3 million Americans will lose SNAP entirely or have their benefits cut as a result of the provision requiring states to pay for a significant portion of SNAP — forcing states to choose between helping their residents afford groceries and funding education, public safety, investment in workforce and education, and other critical priorities.
Other provisions in the bill will reduce future benefits for tens of millions of additional Americans. In addition, hundreds of thousands of children will lose free and reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program. In total, tens of millions of Americans will see their grocery costs increase, and many will go hungry as a result.
Just because the House has rushed to pass damaging policies that will raise costs and result in millions losing access to health care or food does not mean that it is too late for the Senate to change course. We urge you to set aside the House bill and instead work with us to lower costs and ensure all Americans can access the health care and food they need to survive.
Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister
Note: All times local
8:20 a.m. The Prime Minister will depart for The Hague, the Netherlands.
10:15 a.m. The Prime Minister will arrive in The Hague, the Netherlands.
2:30 p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs.
Note for media:
3:15 p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof.
Note for media:
4:00 p.m. The Prime Minister will have an audience with Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.
Note for media:
5:15 p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with leaders of Nordic countries.
Note for media:
7:25 p.m. The Prime Minister will attend the official welcome by Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.
Note for media:
Host broadcaster
7:45 p.m. The Prime Minister will attend a reception given by Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.
Closed to media
8:25 p.m. The Prime Minister will participate in a family photo with NATO Allies.
Note for media:
8:45 p.m. The Prime Minister will attend a dinner given by Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.
Note for media:
Host broadcaster
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)
WASHINGTON – Today, the House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee met to consider its Fiscal Year 2026 bill. The measure was approved by the Subcommittee, which Congressman Valadao chairs.
“As the Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, it’s been an exciting few weeks working to draft a bill that demonstrates our strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency in how Congress manages its own operations,” said Congressman Valadao. “This legislation reins in unnecessary spending, focuses on core needs, and ensures that every dollar is justified and accountable to the American people. It also fully funds sworn staffing needs for Capitol Police to ensure the Capitol complex, Members of Congress, and all who work and visit here are safe. I thank Chairman Cole for his leadership throughout this process and look forward to working with my colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee to get this bill over the finish line.”
Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole said, “The foundation of our work is service to the American people, and this FY26 bill reflects that commitment through targeted and responsible investments. It supports functions core to democracy and upholds the oversight and accountability duties of Congress. The safety of the Capitol complex for constituents and visitors and operations of national institutions are also prioritized. Chairman Valadao’s bill puts the American people first – in strengthening the institutions that represent them, protecting effective governance, and safeguarding taxpayer dollars.”
Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao began the markup with remarks on the bill. Watch his full remarks here or read as prepared below:
I am pleased to introduce the Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriation bill for the subcommittee’s consideration.
I’d like to begin by thanking our subcommittee Members in attendance for their input and support throughout the hearing season and during the formulation of the bill we present for consideration this evening. I’d like to specifically thank Ranking Member Espaillat for his contributions and valuable insights.
This bill provides $5 billion – a 5.3 per cent decrease from the fiscal year 2025 enacted House level. As the legislative branch, we believe it is our responsibility to lead by example and make responsible funding decreases where appropriate.
I want to take a moment to recognize the tragic events that took place in Minnesota since Congress was last in session. Political violence has no place in our country, and I continue to pray for the victims and those grieving the loss of their loved ones.
As appropriators on the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, we have the unique responsibility to provide for the safety and security for Members of Congress and the United States Capitol complex, the heart of Democracy in the world.
The bill under consideration today includes increased funding for the House Sergeant at Arms and the United States Capitol Police, including double the annual amount requested for mutual aid reimbursements. It also continues to carry the increase in the Members’ Representational Allowance that began in 2017 for the purpose of providing Member security when they are away from the Capitol complex.
It is my understanding that the House Sergeant at Arms is developing a number of proposals regarding additional security measures for Member consideration. In the days ahead, we look forward to reviewing and discussing these proposals with our colleagues to determine the most appropriate path forward. As you all are aware, this subcommittee mark is the first step of this bill’s journey, and we look forward to continuing the discussion on security measures, particularly when we go to conference with the Senate where we will be able to address these concerns in a united fashion.
Again, I’d like to thank all Members for their thoughtful contributions to the Legislative Branch Subcommittee’s bill and report. I also want to thank the subcommittee staff on both sides. From the majority, Lori Rowley and April Lyman, and from the minority, Faye Cobb. Thank you for the many hours of work resulting in this product and for your efforts to include as many Member priorities as possible.
###
Source: US State of Oregon
strong>SALEM, Ore.—In an age of digital communication, public broadcasting radio stations remain an indispensable tool for emergency alerts and disaster response. As natural disasters, extreme weather events, and public safety emergencies continue to challenge communities, local and national public radio stations provide reliable, timely and accessible information that can save lives.
“The Public broadcasting radio plays a critical role in disseminating emergency alerts when disasters strike,” Oregon Statewide Interoperability and Watch Center Manager William Chapman, said. “Through partnerships with agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), public radio stations broadcast emergency messages, weather warnings, and evacuation orders to ensure that residents receive crucial updates—especially in areas where other forms of communication, like internet access and cellular service, is unavailable or disrupted.”
Unlike digital platforms that rely on cellular networks or broadband services, radio signals remain stable and reach communities even when power lines are down and mobile networks are overloaded. This resilience makes public radio a trusted source during hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and other crises where traditional communication channels may fail.
The Public Broadcasting Network (PBN) helps emergency responders coordinate effectively by making its statewide spectrum available to federal and state authorities to communicate with first responders and the media during emergencies. While, PBS WARN provides a back-up mechanism to wireless emergency alerts, should carrier connections fail either due to an internet disruption or a cybersecurity incident.
Additionally, the Federal Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is collaborating on a new effort to arm agencies with a digital alerting system that taps into NEXTGEN public TV broadcasting technologies to provide emergency dispatch backup and resiliency if the internet or phone systems are down.
“Next Gen TV will not only improve emergency alerting but also create resilient methods of communications to get emergency call information to first responders when other means of communication are offline,” Chapman said. “This capability is still in the development phase but early protypes have shown that the technology works.”
While many for-profit broadcasters choose to provide emergency alerts voluntarily, public broadcasters are expected to do so as part of their core mission. Since public broadcasting is mission-driven—not profit-driven—and publicly owned, offering alerts is a mandatory service. However, services like emergency alerts often cost more to maintain than they generate in revenue, which is why they’ve traditionally been subsidized by taxpayer dollars. As a result, federal funding is foundational for public media, representing an essential portion of station budgets. It enables stations to provide free educational content, local programming, and critical emergency alerts. Without it, many stations, especially in rural areas, would struggle to operate.
Public radio stations also contribute to disaster preparedness by offering educational programming on emergency response, featuring expert interviews, and keeping listeners informed about potential threats. Furthermore, in the aftermath of a disaster, they help relay recovery related information, share community resources, and offer support to those affected.
“Public radio connects communities with lifesaving information and resources, ensures that emergency responders can coordinate effectively, and provides reassurance during uncertain times,” Erin McMahon, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) director, said.
As climate-related disasters increase and emergency response becomes more complex, public broadcasting radio remains a vital part of public safety infrastructure and a reliable source of information in times of crisis.
For more information about how to prepare for and respond to disasters, visit the Community Preparedness section of the OEM website. For the budget breakdown for public broadcasting, visit the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s website.
Source:
The Cadets line up in front of the Central Highlands Training Centre Gas Prop
Held at YMCA’s Lady Northcote Discovery Camp, our 16 to 17-year-old volunteers (cadets) from across Victoria took part in a jam-packed program of team building, personal development and hands-on training at Central Highlands VEMTC.
Throughout the camp, they forged friendships, built confidence, and deepened their commitment to serving their communities — all while having a whole lot of fun.
Highlights included:
The Cadet Camp weekend isn’t just about preparing for the future. It is a powerful reminder that our young members are not just tomorrow’s leaders — they are here now, taking their place and playing their part in keeping Victorian communities safe.
| Submitted by | Chris Melenhorst |
|---|
By Lillian Hanly, RNZ News political reporter
Prominent lawyers are joining opposition parties as they call for the New Zealand government to denounce the United States attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iranian New Zealander and lawyer Arman Askarany said the New Zealand government was showing “indifference”.
It comes as acting Prime Minister David Seymour told reporters on Monday there was “no benefit” in rushing to a judgment regarding the US attack.
US President Trump says Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire to end the “12-day war,” with the truce taking effect in stages over 24 hours, following Iran’s missile attack on a US base in Qatar.
🔴 Follow our LIVE coverage: https://t.co/f0V5nlsAMR pic.twitter.com/XC4Xld0Q7U
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 24, 2025
“We’re far better to keep our counsel, because it costs nothing to get more information, but going off half-cocked can be very costly for a small nation.”
Iran and Israel continued to exchange strikes over the weekend after Israel’s initial attack nearly two weeks ago.
Israeli authorities say at least 25 people have been killed, and Iran said on Sunday Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people since June 13.
The Human Rights Activists news agency puts the death toll in Iran above 650 people.
US attacked Iran nuclear sites
The US entered the war at the weekend by attacking what it said was key nuclear sites in Iran — including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — on Sunday.
On Monday, the Australian government signalled its support for the strike, and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the strike was a unilateral action by its security ally the United States, and Australia was joining calls from Britain and other countries for Iran to return to the negotiating table
Not long after, Foreign Minister Winston Peters issued a statement on X, giving tacit endorsement to the decision to bomb nuclear facilities.
The statement was also released just ahead of the NATO meeting in Brussels, which Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was attending.
Peters said Iran could not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, and noted the United States’ targeted attacks aimed at “degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities”.
He went on to acknowledge the US statement to the UN Security Council saying the attack was “acting in collective self-defence consistent with the UN Charter”.
Self-defence ‘complete joke’
Askarany told RNZ it was a “complete joke” that New Zealand had acknowledged the US statement saying it was self-defence.
“It would be funny if it wasn’t so horrific.”
He said it was a clear escalation by the US and Israel, and believed New Zealand was undermining the rules-based order it purported to support, given it refused to say Israel and the US had attacked Iran.
Askarany acknolwedged the calls for deescalation and for peace in the region, but said they were “abstract platitudes” if the aggressor was not named.
He called on people who might not know about Iran to learn more about it.
“There’s so much history and culture and beautiful things about Iran that represent my people far more than the words of Trump and Netanyahu.”
Peters told RNZ Morning Report on Monday the government wanted to know all the facts before taking a position on the US strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Politicians at a crossroads
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour held his first post-cabinet media conference on Monday, in which he said nobody was calling on New Zealand to rush to a judgment on the rights and wrongs of the situation.
He echoed the Foreign Minister’s statement, saying “of course” New Zealand noted the US assertion of the legality of their actions.
He also indicated, “like just about every country in the world, that we cannot have a nuclear-armed Iran.”
“That does not mean that we are rushing to form our own judgment on the rights or wrongs or legality of any action.”
He insisted New Zealand was not sitting on the fence, but said “nor are we rushing to judgement.”
“I believe the world is not sitting there waiting for New Zealand to give its position on the legality of the situation.
“What people do want to see is de escalation and dialogue, and most critically for us, the safety of New Zealanders in the region.”
When asked about the Australian government’s position, Seymour said New Zealand did not have the intelligence that other countries may have.
Hikpins says attack ‘disappointing’
Labour leader Chris Hipkins called the attack by the US on Iran “very disappointing”, “not justified” and “almost certainly” against international law.
He wanted New Zealand to take a stronger stance on the issue.
“New Zealand should take a stronger position in condemning the attacks and saying that we do not believe they are justified, and we do not believe that they are consistent with international law.”
Hipkins said the US had not made a case for the action taken, and they should step back and get back around the table with Iran.
The Green Party and Te Pāti Māori both called on the government to condemn the attack by the US.
“The actions of the United States pose a fundamental threat to world peace.
‘Dangerous escalation’
“The rest of the world, including New Zealand, must take a stand and make it clear that this dangerous escalation is unacceptable,” said Green Party coleader Marama Davidson.
“We saw this with the US war on Iraq, and we are seeing it again with this recent attack on Iran. We are at risk of a violent history repeating itself.”
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said the government was remaining silent on Israel.
“When the US bombs Iran, Luxon calls it an ‘opportunity’. But when Cook Islanders assert their sovereignty or Chinese vessels travel through international waters, he leaps to condemnation,” said Waititi.
“Israel continues to maintain an undeclared nuclear arsenal. Yet this government won’t say a word.
“It condemns non-Western powers at every turn but remains silent when its allies act with impunity.”
International law experts weigh in
University of Waikato Professor Alexander Gillespie said it was “an illegal war” and the option of diplomacy should have been exhausted before the first strike.
As Luxon headed to NATO, Gillespie acknowledged it would be difficult for him to take a “hard line” on the issue, “because he’s going to be caught up with the members and the partners of NATO.”
He said the question would be whether NATO members accept there was a right of self-defence and whether the actions of the US and Israel were justified.
Gillespie said former prime minister Helen Clark spoke very clearly in 2003 against the invasion of Iraq, but he could not see New Zealand’s current Prime Minister saying that.
“That’s not because they don’t believe it, but because there would be a risk of a backhand from the United States.
“And we’re spending a lot of time right now trying not to offend this Trump administration.”
‘Might is right’ precedent
University of Otago Professor Robert Patman said the US strike on Iran would likely “make things worse” and set a precedent for “might is right.”
He said he had “no brief” for the repressive Iranian regime, but under international law it had been subject of “two illegal attacks in the last 10 days”, from Israel and now from the US.
Patman said New Zealand had been guarded in its comments about the attacks on Iran, and believed the country should speak out.
“We have championed non nuclear security since the mid 80s. We were a key player, a leader, of the treaty to abolish nuclear weapons, and that now has 94 signatories.”
He said New Zealand does have a voice and an expectation to contribute to an international debate that’s beginning to unfold.
“We seem to be at a fork in the road moment internationally, we can seek to reinstate the idea that international relations should be based on rules, principles and procedures, or we can simply passively accept the erosion of that architecture, which is to the detriment of the majority of countries in the world.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
By Lillian Hanly, RNZ News political reporter
Prominent lawyers are joining opposition parties as they call for the New Zealand government to denounce the United States attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iranian New Zealander and lawyer Arman Askarany said the New Zealand government was showing “indifference”.
It comes as acting Prime Minister David Seymour told reporters on Monday there was “no benefit” in rushing to a judgment regarding the US attack.
US President Trump says Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire to end the “12-day war,” with the truce taking effect in stages over 24 hours, following Iran’s missile attack on a US base in Qatar.
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“We’re far better to keep our counsel, because it costs nothing to get more information, but going off half-cocked can be very costly for a small nation.”
Iran and Israel continued to exchange strikes over the weekend after Israel’s initial attack nearly two weeks ago.
Israeli authorities say at least 25 people have been killed, and Iran said on Sunday Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people since June 13.
The Human Rights Activists news agency puts the death toll in Iran above 650 people.
US attacked Iran nuclear sites
The US entered the war at the weekend by attacking what it said was key nuclear sites in Iran — including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — on Sunday.
On Monday, the Australian government signalled its support for the strike, and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the strike was a unilateral action by its security ally the United States, and Australia was joining calls from Britain and other countries for Iran to return to the negotiating table
Not long after, Foreign Minister Winston Peters issued a statement on X, giving tacit endorsement to the decision to bomb nuclear facilities.
The statement was also released just ahead of the NATO meeting in Brussels, which Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was attending.
Peters said Iran could not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, and noted the United States’ targeted attacks aimed at “degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities”.
He went on to acknowledge the US statement to the UN Security Council saying the attack was “acting in collective self-defence consistent with the UN Charter”.
Self-defence ‘complete joke’
Askarany told RNZ it was a “complete joke” that New Zealand had acknowledged the US statement saying it was self-defence.
“It would be funny if it wasn’t so horrific.”
He said it was a clear escalation by the US and Israel, and believed New Zealand was undermining the rules-based order it purported to support, given it refused to say Israel and the US had attacked Iran.
Askarany acknolwedged the calls for deescalation and for peace in the region, but said they were “abstract platitudes” if the aggressor was not named.
He called on people who might not know about Iran to learn more about it.
“There’s so much history and culture and beautiful things about Iran that represent my people far more than the words of Trump and Netanyahu.”
Peters told RNZ Morning Report on Monday the government wanted to know all the facts before taking a position on the US strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Politicians at a crossroads
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour held his first post-cabinet media conference on Monday, in which he said nobody was calling on New Zealand to rush to a judgment on the rights and wrongs of the situation.
He echoed the Foreign Minister’s statement, saying “of course” New Zealand noted the US assertion of the legality of their actions.
He also indicated, “like just about every country in the world, that we cannot have a nuclear-armed Iran.”
“That does not mean that we are rushing to form our own judgment on the rights or wrongs or legality of any action.”
He insisted New Zealand was not sitting on the fence, but said “nor are we rushing to judgement.”
“I believe the world is not sitting there waiting for New Zealand to give its position on the legality of the situation.
“What people do want to see is de escalation and dialogue, and most critically for us, the safety of New Zealanders in the region.”
When asked about the Australian government’s position, Seymour said New Zealand did not have the intelligence that other countries may have.
Hikpins says attack ‘disappointing’
Labour leader Chris Hipkins called the attack by the US on Iran “very disappointing”, “not justified” and “almost certainly” against international law.
He wanted New Zealand to take a stronger stance on the issue.
“New Zealand should take a stronger position in condemning the attacks and saying that we do not believe they are justified, and we do not believe that they are consistent with international law.”
Hipkins said the US had not made a case for the action taken, and they should step back and get back around the table with Iran.
The Green Party and Te Pāti Māori both called on the government to condemn the attack by the US.
“The actions of the United States pose a fundamental threat to world peace.
‘Dangerous escalation’
“The rest of the world, including New Zealand, must take a stand and make it clear that this dangerous escalation is unacceptable,” said Green Party coleader Marama Davidson.
“We saw this with the US war on Iraq, and we are seeing it again with this recent attack on Iran. We are at risk of a violent history repeating itself.”
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said the government was remaining silent on Israel.
“When the US bombs Iran, Luxon calls it an ‘opportunity’. But when Cook Islanders assert their sovereignty or Chinese vessels travel through international waters, he leaps to condemnation,” said Waititi.
“Israel continues to maintain an undeclared nuclear arsenal. Yet this government won’t say a word.
“It condemns non-Western powers at every turn but remains silent when its allies act with impunity.”
International law experts weigh in
University of Waikato Professor Alexander Gillespie said it was “an illegal war” and the option of diplomacy should have been exhausted before the first strike.
As Luxon headed to NATO, Gillespie acknowledged it would be difficult for him to take a “hard line” on the issue, “because he’s going to be caught up with the members and the partners of NATO.”
He said the question would be whether NATO members accept there was a right of self-defence and whether the actions of the US and Israel were justified.
Gillespie said former prime minister Helen Clark spoke very clearly in 2003 against the invasion of Iraq, but he could not see New Zealand’s current Prime Minister saying that.
“That’s not because they don’t believe it, but because there would be a risk of a backhand from the United States.
“And we’re spending a lot of time right now trying not to offend this Trump administration.”
‘Might is right’ precedent
University of Otago Professor Robert Patman said the US strike on Iran would likely “make things worse” and set a precedent for “might is right.”
He said he had “no brief” for the repressive Iranian regime, but under international law it had been subject of “two illegal attacks in the last 10 days”, from Israel and now from the US.
Patman said New Zealand had been guarded in its comments about the attacks on Iran, and believed the country should speak out.
“We have championed non nuclear security since the mid 80s. We were a key player, a leader, of the treaty to abolish nuclear weapons, and that now has 94 signatories.”
He said New Zealand does have a voice and an expectation to contribute to an international debate that’s beginning to unfold.
“We seem to be at a fork in the road moment internationally, we can seek to reinstate the idea that international relations should be based on rules, principles and procedures, or we can simply passively accept the erosion of that architecture, which is to the detriment of the majority of countries in the world.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following video and statement after speaking with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Nashville and joining them for a ride-along operation targeting a criminal illegal alien convicted of child sexual abuse.
Just this week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released new data revealing that ICE agents now face a 500% increase in assaults. Senator Blackburn recently introduced the Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act to make it illegal to dox federal law enforcement officials as Democrat politicians dox and threaten to dox federal agents, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler, and Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell.
“You really don’t appreciate the amount of work that goes into apprehensions and deportations until you speak with the men and women who are working so hard behind the scenes every single day and see the risks they take firsthand. As ICE officers face a 500% increase in assaults against them, we owe these agents a debt of gratitude for all that they do to keep us safe,” said Senator Blackburn. “Lawless, left-wing politicians are fueling the surge in assaults against law enforcement officers who risk their lives to keep our communities safe. In stark contrast, President Trump and his administration are standing up for law-abiding citizens over criminal illegal aliens by empowering ICE agents to do their jobs.”
Click here to download this video.
RELATED
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Washington – On Monday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Oz, delivered remarks during a press conference about the top bureaucratic obstacle facing doctors and patients: prior authorization in Medicare. He also applauded the Trump Administration for bringing all parties to the table to make healthcare more patient and provider-friendly for doctors, nurses, and patients alike.
Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full remarks
Below is the full transcript as delivered:
“Well, good afternoon, everybody. I want to say a special thanks to Secretary Kennedy and CMS Administrator Dr Oz, and especially President Trump, for inviting me to participate in today’s event to address the number one bureaucratic nightmare facing doctors and patients: prior authorization.
“Now, long before I ran for Congress, I was a practicing OB-GYN for some 25 years, and I vividly remember a patient I once had scheduled for an infertility surgery. She’d taken time off work and arranged help at home, only to be told the morning of a procedure that her insurance company had added another step to the prior authorization process, abruptly canceling her surgery.
“Now, whether you need a hip replacement or a heart catheterization, many patients feel their critical care has been delayed by an opaque and burdensome prior authorization process. It’s something I hear about all the time back home. Moreover, physicians and nurses complain that the process has become increasingly onerous because of constantly changing requirements, often demanding more time to navigate the red tape than to complete the pre-surgery medical workup.
“Today, by having all the players in the room, we hope to see a commonsense solution to streamline and improve our healthcare system. We must prioritize patients’ health over corporate profits and arbitrary cost-cutting measures. For nearly my entire time in Congress, I fought to reform the prior authorization process and Medicare Advantage. Today’s event moves us closer to that goal, ensuring patients receive timely lifesaving and health-restoring care.
“Again, I just look forward to working with Secretary Kennedy, Administrator Oz, and insurers together to overhaul this process. I’m going to continue to champion this fight in Congress and support their efforts. And again, I’m just proud to stand alongside President Trump’s A-team as we work to make healthcare more patient and provider-friendly for doctors, nurses, and patients alike.”
Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)
Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025 Opening Press Conference
The press conference launches the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025, outlining its focus and key participation. Join global leaders as they share their expectations for Summer Davos.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (3rd L, front) meets the press at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, June 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced on Monday that Thailand will tighten its border controls with neighboring Cambodia to combat transnational crime.
Speaking after a high-level meeting at the government house, Paetongtarn said restrictions on cross-border travel for both vehicles and individuals will be enforced, including limiting operating hours at checkpoints.
She stated that crossings in seven provinces along the Thai-Cambodian border will be limited to essential travel, such as for students, medical patients, and vital goods.
The prime minister said Thailand will halt exports of goods, particularly fuel and electricity, that support illegal operations across the border and will consider suspending fuel shipments to Cambodia suspected of being used in unlawful activities.
Internet services and submarine internet cables connected to Cambodia’s government and military entities will also be suspended, she said.
Following Paetongtarn’s announcement, the Thai military unveiled strengthened measures on border crossing with Cambodia, allowing only essential and humanitarian travel.
Thailand’s latest measures came amid mounting border tensions with Cambodia. Cambodia said on Sunday it would stop fuel and gas imports from Thailand, while advising its citizens against non-essential travel to Thailand.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
People attend a memorial ceremony at the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria, on June 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Countries in the Middle East have strongly condemned a suicide bombing Sunday evening at a church in the Syrian capital Damascus, decrying it as an act of terrorism and warning of its potential to inflame regional tensions.
The blast, which struck during prayers, killed at least 25 people and wounded over 60 others. Syria’s interior authorities on Monday said they had arrested several suspects involved in the attack, claiming they were affiliated with the Islamic State group, which has not yet claimed responsibility.
In a statement, the Arab League (AL) denounced “the unprecedented terrorist attack,” voicing concerns that the latest development would endanger the security and stability in Syria.
The AL reaffirmed solidarity with the Syrian interim government and its people, adding that it backs the peaceful transitional path that will maintain the Syrian people’s rights and achieve their ambitions for stability and development.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the attack, reiterating its firm rejection of all forms of violence, terrorism, and extremism.
In an official statement, the ministry emphasized the urgent need to intensify both regional and international efforts to eradicate terrorism and counter criminal acts aimed at undermining security and stability.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced the assault on the Damascus church as a “despicable” act that threatens regional stability. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Erdogan extended his condolences to the victims’ families, the Syrian interim authorities, and the Syrian people.
He stressed that Türkiye would not allow Syria “to be dragged into a new environment of instability by proxy terrorist groups,” reaffirming his country’s solidarity with its neighbor in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
In a statement released by the state-run National News Agency, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam strongly condemned the “heinous terrorist suicide bombing” as a “despicable criminal act” aimed at destabilizing Syria.
He reaffirmed the Lebanese government’s full solidarity with Syria in its efforts to maintain security and stability, expressing Lebanon’s readiness to coordinate on all fronts to strengthen security and combat terrorism.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Romanian President Nicusor Dan (C, Front) poses with members of the new government headed by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan (3rd L, Front) after a swearing-in ceremony at the Cotroceni presidential palace in Bucharest, Romania, on June 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Romania’s new pro-European government, led by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, was sworn in Monday evening before President Nicusor Dan, marking the end of a period of political instability and interim leadership.
The new cabinet is backed by a broad ruling coalition comprising the Social Democratic Party (PSD), National Liberal Party (PNL), Save Romania Union (USR), and the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR). Earlier in the day, the coalition secured a strong parliamentary mandate with 301 votes in favor and only 9 against.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Bolojan outlined the government’s core priorities: restoring public financial order, ensuring effective governance, and safeguarding citizens’ rights.
President Dan welcomed the formation of the new cabinet, emphasizing the urgent need for fiscal reform and expressing optimism about Romania’s economic outlook. He cited the country’s dynamic private sector and reiterated the national goal of joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) by the end of 2026 – a move he said could enhance foreign investment and reduce borrowing costs.
Dan also underscored the importance of state reform and rebuilding public trust, urging both the coalition and minority representatives to act in the national interest.
The newly formed government includes 16 ministers and five deputy prime ministers, one of whom is an independent tasked with overseeing state reform. Cabinet portfolios have been distributed proportionally among the coalition parties.
With 311 seats in Romania’s 464-member Parliament, the ruling coalition holds an outright majority. Earlier on Monday, party leaders signed a political agreement outlining a pro-Western agenda, a rotating premiership, and key policy objectives, including structural reforms and increased administrative transparency.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Protesters holding placards are pictured in The Hague, the Netherlands, June 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
European leaders have voiced deep concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East, following a series of military strikes that have intensified fears of a wider regional war.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, in a statement released Monday, said the Croatian government is “monitoring the situation with great concern,” particularly the direct confrontations between Israel and Iran.
He warned that further escalation could lead to a range of consequences, including rising energy prices, increased migration, and the threat of terrorist attacks.
“Our position is clear: escalation should be avoided,” the statement read. “The Croatian government calls for restraint, calming of tensions, and de-escalation of the conflict.”
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also criticized the recent U.S. military action in the region, calling the strike on Iran a violation of international law.
“There is no doubt that the United States violated international public law,” Vucic said at a press conference following a meeting of the General Staff.
Drawing parallels with the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, he emphasized the need for respect for the UN Charter and international norms. Vucic also lamented the missed opportunity for diplomacy between Iran and Israel.
In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addressed the lower house of parliament ahead of the upcoming European Union Council meeting, urging renewed diplomatic engagement.
“Only coordinated diplomatic action can ensure peace in the region,” she said, after the U.S. strike on three Iranian nuclear sites.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa issued a statement on Sunday calling for “restraint and the urgent resumption of diplomatic efforts,” stressing that diplomacy remains the only viable solution to the conflict.
He reaffirmed Portugal’s alignment with the United Nations and the European Union in advocating for de-escalation and avoidance of further military confrontation.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro echoed this sentiment on social media, calling for “maximum restraint from all parties and a return to negotiations.”
Meanwhile, the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) issued a strongly worded condemnation of the U.S. airstrikes, labeling them a “clear violation” of the UN Charter and international law. The party argued the attack reflects a broader strategy of global domination by the U.S. and its allies.
Israel launched a series of large-scale airstrikes on June 13 targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, killing a number of senior commanders and nuclear scientists. In response, Iran carried out missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States had carried out attacks on three nuclear-related sites in Iran: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
In retaliation, Iran launched a missile attack on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar Monday evening.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Amid rows of exhibition booths displaying smart devices and electronic components, Vietnamese officials and business representatives at the Vietnam International Electronics Expo 2025 are sharing a common sentiment that China remains an essential partner in sustaining stable electronics supply chains.
Held in Vietnam’s Bac Ninh province, the three-day event from June 20 to 22 gathered nearly 200 suppliers from China, South Korea and Vietnam.
Among the visitors to the expo, Phan Thi Thanh Nhan, a logistics specialist handling freight from China to Vietnam, sees the efficient supply chain between the two countries reflected in her work.
Highlighting that the Chinese market is large and offers a wide variety of goods, she said that “Vietnamese customers highly favor it and wish to cooperate with Chinese partners.”
Beyond trade, “the Chinese side is very enthusiastic about resolving procedures quickly and always provides timely support to ensure smooth supply chains,” she noted.
On the factory floor, Vietnamese manufacturers see similar benefits.
Nguyen Thanh Binh, a representative of a Vietnamese cable manufacturing enterprise, emphasized the importance of Chinese machinery in production.
“China is an important partner in our company’s product supply chain,” Binh said, noting that “we mainly import machinery for cable production from China.”
He added that Chinese suppliers have continued to meet the electronics industry’s needs despite logistical challenges in global markets, enabling Vietnamese firms to maintain output and competitiveness.
According to Vietnamese official statistics, China accounted for 26 percent of Vietnam’s total trade turnover in 2024, remaining its largest trading partner and top import market, with bilateral trade spanning agricultural produce, consumer goods and electronic components.
Le Nguyen Thien Nga, head of the Institute of Policy Governance under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, noted that China plays a strategically important role in Vietnam’s electronics supply chains.
“We consider China a very important partner in Vietnam’s process of international economic integration,” she said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A humanoid robot asks questions at the sixth Qingdao Multinationals Summit in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, on June 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
At the venue of the 6th Qingdao Multinationals Summit, Umberto Englmann, director of operations at German e-commerce firm Internet Up GmbH, looked out over the coastline of the eastern Chinese host city and reflected on its vitality.
“It’s dynamic, open and innovative,” he said. “You can feel China is ready to grow with international companies from Europe and other regions.”
His observations reflect a broader view shared by many European executives attending the summit, which was held last week and drew 570 participants from 43 countries and regions. For many, China’s vast market, high-level opening up and reputation for being an innovative manufacturing powerhouse continue to make it a key driver of sustainable growth.
Roland Lukas, chief financial officer of Internet Up GmbH, said that the company’s success was closely tied to China.
“Our Snapbuy platform bridges Asian sellers and Western consumers, and it is easy to bring goods from China to Europe and the U.S., because the supply chains are very well organized in China,” he said. “The opportunities are huge, and China is very important for our growth.”
Internet Up, one of the fastest-growing e-commerce firms in Europe, is seeking new manufacturing and logistics partners in China to further expand its presence, according to Lukas.
A report released during the summit revealed that the operating revenue and profits of major foreign-invested industrial enterprises in China increased by 14.5 percent and 12.5 percent, respectively, in 2024 compared to 2019 levels.
China’s strong innovation capabilities and robust industrial and supply chain systems have helped multinationals maintain their competitive edge globally.
Belgium-based Bekaert Group, a global leader in steel wire transformation and coating technologies, is a long-term participant in China’s market. The company has invested more than 1.5 billion euros in China since 1993 and plans to invest further.
“We are upgrading our product portfolio, especially in low-energy and green technologies,” said Kurt Van Rysselberge, head of Bekaert China, adding that China is becoming an innovative manufacturing powerhouse, which is a very favorable environment for multinational companies.
China is rapidly deploying green energy and Bekaert is part of these value chains, the executive said, adding that this offers tremendous opportunities to create a virtuous cycle to create low-carbon products that will be very competitive on the world markets.
Bekaert is ramping up innovation in areas like hydrogen generation, tire reinforcement, offshore wind components, and sustainable construction, and many of the innovations come from China.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. The two sides have become each other’s major trading partners, with the annual bilateral trade growing from 2.4 billion U.S. dollars to 780 billion U.S. dollars over the past 50 years.
“Over the past 50 years, China-EU cooperation has created immense value on both sides,” said Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. “Access to China’s supply chain has enhanced additional purchasing power for European consumers and integrated China into the global value chain.”
Eskelund added that China’s investment in human capital, including the annual output of engineers, has made it a natural partner for R&D collaboration. For many European companies, China isn’t just a market, but a place to innovate and co-create, he said.
China’s efforts to build a first-class business environment, including expanded visa-free travel, national treatment for foreign investment and shortened negative lists for greater market access, have boosted investor confidence.
Looking ahead, European executives said the momentum of collaboration is only building. “China’s opening up is very beneficial for the world, and also for China itself. We can work together and do great business,” said Lukas.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Germany’s leading industry association has slashed its 2025 economic forecast, warning that escalating global trade tensions driven by U.S. tariff policies could plunge Europe’s largest economy into its third consecutive year of recession.
At the annual “Day of Industry” event, the Federation of German Industries (BDI) projected a 0.3 percent contraction in German GDP this year, down from its earlier estimate of a 0.1 percent decline.
“U.S. tariff policies — including announced and partially implemented duties on a wide range of imports — combined with geopolitical uncertainties, are dampening global growth,” BDI Director General Tanja Goenner said on Monday.
BDI now expects global GDP to grow by 2.7 percent in 2025, half a percentage point lower than its earlier forecast, with the United States among the most affected.
Although Washington has temporarily suspended “reciprocal tariffs” on European Union goods, the levies are set to resume on July 9. BDI estimates that, together with existing U.S. tariffs on EU-made cars and steel, these measures could reduce Germany’s 2025 growth by around 0.3 percentage points.
“The German industrial sector is bracing for another difficult year,” Goenner said, noting that industrial output remains 9 percent below pre-pandemic levels and factory utilization is stuck below 80 percent. Despite some signs of stabilization, she added, “there is no sign of a real recovery.”
Germany’s economy contracted in both 2023 and 2024, its first consecutive recession in two decades, driven largely by a prolonged downturn in manufacturing.
“There is still a long road ahead to emerge from recession,” BDI President Peter Leibinger said. While he welcomed recent government measures such as tax relief, he stressed the need for more substantial reforms.
Leibinger called on Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition to implement bold structural changes, including cutting red tape and permanently lowering energy costs to restore Germany’s long-term industrial competitiveness.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
This photo taken on June 22, 2025 shows the National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin) in Tianjin Municipality, north China. [Photo/Xinhua]
The upcoming 2025 Summer Davos Forum in north China’s Tianjin offers a timely opportunity for participants to explore how entrepreneurship can unlock economic growth potential amid global challenges.
Exceptional economic uncertainty, rising tensions, major technological disruptions and the climate emergency are what chief economists refer to as the “exceptional uncertainty” facing the world today, Gim Huay Neo, managing director of the World Economic Forum (WEF), told Xinhua in Beijing ahead of the event, scheduled from June 24 to 26.
According to the WEF, the world is undergoing a fundamental economic transformation as geopolitics, technology, sustainability, and demographic changes reshape traditional growth engines. Meanwhile, complex and shared challenges in development and climate change require urgent cooperation, innovative thinking, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Gong Ke, research lead for the 2025 Summer Davos topics, said that the entrepreneurial spirit, rooted in innovation, social responsibility and teamwork, plays a vital role as a new driving force and leader in economic development.
“Entrepreneurs in the new era contribute to optimizing global resource utilization and promoting resource sharing, providing an important economic foundation for building a community with a shared future for humankind,” he added.
The Summer Davos Forum, also known as the 16th Annual Meeting of New Champions of the WEF, carries the theme “Entrepreneurship in the New Era” this year. The forum will focus on five key areas — deciphering the world economy, outlook on China, industries disrupted, investing in people and the planet, and new energy and materials.
The event is expected to bring together around 1,800 participants from over 90 countries and regions, according to the organizers.
Explaining the choice of theme, Neo said the entrepreneurial spirit is centered on solutions and inspires hope and optimism. She emphasized the importance of focusing on areas with opportunities and potential for innovation to tackle the many challenges ahead, while maintaining a long-term perspective.
At a time like this, it is important for all of us to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit, to view the challenges we face as opportunities, to create business solutions that address issues affecting people and the planet, and to be open to learning from one another in order to constantly improve and adapt, she said.
Neo added that the record number of participants at the forum since the COVID-19 pandemic reflects the global community’s strong interest in gaining first-hand insights into China’s evolution, artificial intelligence (AI), and the broader innovation ecosystem, as well as exploring potential business opportunities and partnerships.
Li Jiayi, a member of the forum’s preparation team, noted that the economic growth model driven by science and technology has injected new vitality into China’s development, making AI, green energy, and the country’s innovative momentum key topics of discussion among participants.
Hailing China’s progress in green growth, Neo said the country has seized the global environmental crisis as an opportunity to transform industries and stimulate the growth of new green industries.
At a press conference last week on the upcoming Summer Davos Forum, Chen Shuai, an official from the National Development and Reform Commission, reaffirmed China’s commitment to pursuing high-level opening up and to sharing the opportunities created by its development with the rest of the world.
The Annual Meeting of the New Champions was established in 2007 through a collaboration between the WEF and China. What began as an initiative to spotlight emerging economies and future-oriented businesses has grown into a global platform for economic dialogue.
Now in its 16th edition, the 2025 meeting reinforces the forum’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and addressing complex global issues.
“Through action-oriented dialogues, the meeting aims to accelerate progress on shared imperatives and offer participants the opportunity to explore how entrepreneurship and emerging technologies can unlock more dynamic and resilient economies,” reads the introduction on the event’s official site.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Atletico Madrid became the first European team to be eliminated from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup despite Antoine Griezmann’s late goal helping the Spanish club beat Brazil’s Botafogo 1-0 in Group B on Monday.
The narrow victory was not enough to send the Spanish side into the knockout stage, as three teams finished with six points in the group. Atletico was edged out on goal difference, finishing third behind Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo.
Atletico dominated the match with 22 shots but struggled to convert until the 87th minute, when Griezmann slotted home a low cross from Julian Alvarez to break the deadlock.
Botafogo, the reigning South American champions, employed a deep defensive setup and relied on quick counterattacks, producing four shots – three of them on target – all of which were denied by Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
The match’s most controversial moment came in first-half stoppage time when Alvarez was brought down in the box. However, after a VAR review, the referee opted not to award a penalty, prompting heated protests from the Atletico bench.
“Every refereeing decision in this tournament went against us,” Atletico head coach Diego Simeone criticized the referee’s decision in the post-match press conference.
“We had the same number of points as the Champions League winner and Libertadores winner, but we missed out because of the match against Paris Saint-Germain, where every decision always went against us. We’re close. We’re competing well, but we still need a little more,” he added.
In the other Group B match, which kicked off at the same time, Paris Saint-Germain eased past the Seattle Sounders 2-0. The result saw Paris Saint-Germain top the group, ahead of Botafogo on goal difference.
Botafogo coach Renato Paiva said that few people in Brazil would have believed they could qualify from the difficult group before the start of the tournament. “Now we did what no one expected. We have to thank the Botafogo fans, and we have to be proud for Brazilian football,” he said.
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Acting Superintendent Lincoln Sycamore, Eastern District Commander:
Police will be closely monitoring the movements of those travelling from Napier through to Hastings for a funeral tomorrow morning around 9am.
Motorists can expect to see a large number of gang members and associates travelling around the region both this evening and tomorrow.
We’re reminding all those who are travelling on our roads to not act in any way that can put yourself and other road users at risk. Motorists should also expect delays.
Police will be investigating any unlawful behaviour, and where enforcement action can not be taken at the time, expect our staff to follow up.
If you have concerns for your safety, or witness any illegal behaviour from those involved, please call 111 immediately.
To report or send in any footage of the group engaging in illegal activity on our roads, please make a report online at 105.police/govt.nz, call Police via 105 or make an anonymous report via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC), and the Insurance Council of New Zealand Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ) have formed the Natural Hazards Resilience Partnership (the Partnership) to lift the coordination and cooperation in responding to and recovering from major disasters in New Zealand.
The Partnership brings together key government and private sector organisations to improve national resilience by streamlining the sharing of information, aligning resources, and strengthening the overall response and recovery system following natural hazard events.
“The Partnership is a proactive step in ensuring that New Zealand is better prepared to respond to and recover from major natural disasters,” NEMA’s chief executive Dave Gawn said.
“Collaboration is crucial in emergency management, so we can support New Zealanders and their communities when they most need it. By working together, we can improve outcomes for affected communities and reduce recovery timeframes.”
“New Zealand is a country at high risk of natural hazards. Very few areas are without risk, and we know that after personal and whanau safety, the safety and security of your home very quickly becomes a key focus for people impacted by natural disasters. So insurance plays a critical role in helping communities to recover,” NHC Chief Executive Tina Mitchell said.
“Climate change makes it ever more important that we work together to prepare for and respond to natural hazard impacts. This Partnership leverages New Zealand’s unique public-private insurance system, which has been in place for 80 years, and strengthens how we’ll work together across the system to support community recovery.
“All the members of this Partnership share a commitment to learning the lessons from past events and building our ways of working, so that we’re better prepared for future major events, together,” she said.
The Partnership will boost New Zealand’s resilience including the opportunity to collaborate before an event occurs to improve the system’s readiness, ICNZ Chief Executive Kris Faafoi said.
“Insurance funds a sizeable portion of the recovery from most disaster events. Integrating insurers into the response and recovery allows for the best possible coordination of the entire system.
“The insurance sector can relieve a significant burden from the agencies leading response and recovery by looking after insurance customers and providing certainty to get Kiwis back on their feet as quickly as possible.”
Dave Gawn said this is one of several initiatives the Government is pursuing to lift the country’s emergency management system by investing in change.
“The Partnership is a great example of where opportunities for improvement have been identified, and the sector is collaborating to make these changes happen.
“It helps ensure role clarity across the insurance and emergency management sectors, and it supports prosperity by ensuring that there is no daylight between response and effective recovery.
“The Partnership is a key example of how investing in building trusted relationships in quiet times, means we will benefit from the consequent increase in resilience in turbulent times.”
The Partnership will improve coordination across the insurance system and will allow the pursuit of shared goals across the 4Rs of emergency management (Risk Reduction, Readiness, Response, and Recovery).
The emergency management system is an integral part of the broader national resilience system. Other related work includes local government reform, resource management reform (including national direction on natural hazards) and National Adaptation Framework, science sector reforms, and Crown risk financing and incentives for pre-event risk reduction.