Source: Government of Sweden
Inflation has decreased considerably and is expected to continue to do so, while unemployment is expected to rise. Subdued growth, combined with the weak labour market outlook, means that the Swedish economy is expected to remain in recession until 2025. These are the conclusions of the Ministry of Finance in a new economic forecast.
Source: Government of Sweden
Combatting antisemitism is a high priority for the Government. The budget presented on 20 September includes several initiatives to enhance and shore up these continued efforts. This includes funding to the Jewish Museum, the Living History Forum and the Official Council of Swedish Jewish Communities, and state aid for security-heightening measures.
Source: Government of Sweden
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced a new global Commission on Social Connection. The aim of the Commission is to spotlight the public health problem of loneliness and involuntary isolation and make it a priority. Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed has been included among the twelve Commissioners – the only one from Europe.
Source: Government of Sweden
Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard received an inquiry report today entitled ‘New regulations on labour immigration, etc.’ The report contains a number of proposals that aim to make conditions for low-skilled labour immigration more stringent while promoting highly skilled labour immigration.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Caliber (NASDAQ: CWD), a real estate investor, developer, and manager, today announced that it will release its second quarter 2025 financial results after the close of the stock market on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Management invites all interested parties to its webcast/conference call the same day at 5:00 pm ET to discuss the results.
Investors and interested parties can access the live earnings call by dialing (800) 715-9871 (domestic) or (646) 307-1963 (international) and ask to join the Caliber call or use conference ID 7312901.
To listen to the call online, investors can visit the investor relations page of Caliber’s website at https://ir.caliberco.com/. The webcast replay of the conference call will be available on Caliber’s website shortly after the call concludes.
Additional details:
The news release and presentation materials will also be available on the Investor Relations site under “Financial Results”.
About Caliber (CaliberCos Inc.)
With over $2.9 billion in Managed Assets, Caliber’s 16-year track record of managing and developing real estate is built on a singular goal: to make money in all market conditions, specializing in hospitality, multi-family residential, and multi-tenant industrial. Our growth is fueled by performance and a key competitive advantage: we invest in projects, strategies, and geographies that global real estate institutions often overlook. Integral to this advantage is our in-house shared services group, which gives Caliber greater control over our real estate and enhanced visibility into future investment opportunities. There are multiple ways to participate in Caliber’s success: invest in Nasdaq-listed CaliberCos Inc. and/or invest directly in our Private Funds.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the final prospectus related to the Company’s public offering filed with the SEC and other reports filed with the SEC thereafter. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.
CONTACTS:
Caliber Investor Relations:
Ilya Grozovsky
+1 480-214-1915
Ilya@CaliberCo.com
Source: New Development Bank
Johannesburg, South Africa – on July 22, 2025, The New Development Bank (NDB) and the South African National Roads Agency Soc Limited (SANRAL) have today signed a landmark loan agreement worth ZAR7 billion to finance the rehabilitation and expansion of key national road segments. This strategic partnership reflects a shared commitment to modernizing South Africa’s transport infrastructure, reducing logistics costs, and boosting economic growth.
The loan agreement will fund critical upgrades including the widening of highways, rehabilitation of bridges, and improvement of intersections along major freight corridors. These infrastructure enhancements are expected to significantly reduce travel times, improve road safety, and facilitate smoother movement of goods and people across the country.
To optimise financial efficiency, the loan is denominated in South African Rand (ZAR), which helps reduce debt financing charges by mitigating currency risk and aligning repayment obligations with local revenue streams.
South Africa’s transport sector plays a vital role in the national economy, and efficient road networks are essential for supporting trade, tourism, and job creation. By investing in the modernization of its road infrastructure, SANRAL aims to lower transportation costs for the majority of road users in South Africa, enhance connectivity between urban and rural areas, and stimulate inclusive economic development.
This financing aligns with the New Development Bank’s mission to support sustainable infrastructure projects that foster regional integration and economic resilience. As Mr. Monale Ratsoma, Chief Financial Officer, explained, “This loan agreement with SANRAL demonstrates the New Development Bank’s commitment to partnering with South Africa in building resilient and efficient infrastructure that drives economic transformation. We are proud to support projects that will improve the quality of life for millions of South Africans.”
From SANRAL’s perspective, Reginald Demana, Chief Executive Officer, emphasised, “The investment from the New Development Bank is a vital step towards upgrading our national road network. It will enable us to deliver safer, more reliable roads that underpin economic growth and social development.
The signing ceremony took place in Johannesburg at NDB’s Africa Regional Office and was attended by senior officials from both organisations, highlighting the strong cooperation between the New Development Bank and South African government agencies.
Background Information
New Development Bank
NDB was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging market economies and developing countries, complementing the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development.
For more information on NDB, please visit www.ndb.int
South African National Roads Agency LTD
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) is an independent, statutory company. South Africa’s Ministry of Transport is the sole shareholder and owner of SANRAL. Its mandate focuses on building and maintaining roads to enhance connectivity and development in South Africa.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
WASHINGTON, July 30 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today released the following statement after forcing a vote on the floor of the United States Senate to block the sale of arms to Israel:
By a vote of 27-17, the members of the Senate Democratic caucus voted to stop sending arms shipments to a Netanyahu government which has waged a horrific, immoral, and illegal war against the Palestinian people.
The tide is turning. The American people do not want to spend billions to starve children in Gaza.
The Democrats are moving forward on this issue, and I look forward to Republican support in the near future.
Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 31 July 2025
The popular Great Walk in the Abel Tasman National Park had been temporarily closed from Mārahau to Anchorage due to the damage.
DOC Motueka Operations Manager Chris Golding says staff have been out on the track since the heavy rain on Tuesday 29 July and it’s come through without any significant new damage.
“There are several areas with minor damage, which are all passable with care. Please make safe decisions for your ability level and if you have any doubts, don’t go ahead. We’ll get these tidied up in the coming weeks when we can,” says Chris.
“Some planned maintenance is happening between Bark Bay and Onetahuti for another month or so. There will be machines operating so please follow all instructions from the staff and contractors.”
Chris says access to the Kahurangi National Park from the Tasman District is still severely limited by road closures.
“We’re working out repair options for Graham Valley Rd, which is the gateway Flora Car Park and some of the region’s most popular alpine walks. Over the Takaka Hill, the Cobb Valley is also closed due to several slips,” Chris says.
“There’s no timeframe for when these will reopen, please check the DOC and Tasman District Council websites for the latest.
“The Wangapeka River Rd is open, but a four-wheel-drive is required as there has been some storm damage.”
The Top of the South has had several storms in the last month and anyone going into the outdoors should be prepared to potentially come across track damage. Make safe decisions and report issues to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
The DOC website will be kept up to date as things change. Anyone planning to head out should check for the latest before their trip.
To check for any road closures use Road Closures (Local and Highway).
Source: Government of Sweden
How many people work at the Government Offices? What was the central government budget like last year? How many acts and ordinances were issued last year? The answer to these and other questions can be found in the Swedish Government Offices Yearbook 2022.
Source: Government of Sweden
Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari is attending the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in Nairobi on 27–29 February. Items on Ms Pourmokhtari’s agenda include climate change, plastic pollution, circular economy and threats to biodiversity.
Source: Government of Sweden
On 16 October, Minister for Gender Equality Working Life and Deputy Minister for Employment Paulina Brandberg, Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand and Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed met with representatives of Jewish civil society. The meeting focused on how events in Israel are affecting Jews in Sweden, current challenges and future efforts to combat antisemitism and support Jewish life.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Our CBR is the ACT Government’s key channel to connect with Canberrans and keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in the city. Our CBR includes a monthly print edition, email newsletter and website.
You can easily opt in or out of the newsletter subscription at any time.
Source: Reserve Bank of India
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@ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
– Not Applicable / No Transaction.
** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
@@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
$ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
* Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
Ajit Prasad
Deputy General Manager
(Communications)
Press Release: 2025-2026/811
Source: Government of Sweden
Research and innovation promote progress in the energy sector. Minister for Education Mats Persson today signed an implementation agreement for energy research cooperation with the United States. The agreement was signed in the Reactor Hall at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, where research reactor R1 – Sweden’s first nuclear reactor – contributed to research between 1954 and 1970.
Source: Government of Sweden
On 26 October, the Government submitted its thematic report to the Council of Europe on how Sweden is implementing the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). Civil society organisations can submit shadow reports on their view of Sweden’s implementation of the Convention.
Source: Government of Sweden
The Government’s Budget Bill for 2024 proposes initiatives to combat and prevent honour-based violence and oppression, and racism and discrimination. The Government also intends to take measures to combat wage guarantee abuse. The proposals are based on an agreement between the Government and the Sweden Democrats. On 20 September, the Government presented the Budget Bill for 2024 to the Riksdag.
Source: Government of Sweden
At COP28 in Dubai, Sweden joined a number of international initiatives to speed up the climate transition in various ways. These include a declaration to triple global capacity of nuclear energy, and initiatives for carbon pricing and climate transition in industry.
Source: Government of Sweden
Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson took part in the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Among her various activities during the meeting, Ms Ankarberg Johansson took part in a panel discussion on rare diseases, sponsored by Sweden and Spain together with the organisation Rare Diseases International.
Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 30, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) visited the Otero County Processing Center to carry out his oversight duties as a Member of Congress and get critical insight into how ICE is treating detainees using taxpayer funds.
During the visit, the Congressman met with ICE representatives and private contractor staff, was given a tour of the facility, and underscored the urgent need for consistent, independent oversight to ensure taxpayer-funded detention centers uphold basic standards of care and human dignity.
Despite his lawful right to congressional oversight and prior submission of privacy forms, the Congressman was not permitted to speak with detained individuals — a restriction which facility staff stated was due to “changing policies.”
“I am all for measures that keep our borders and communities secure, but after my visit to the Otero Processing Center, it is only more clear that ICE is not making our communities safer,” said Vasquez. “Today, we learned that over 80% of the individuals detained in this facility have no criminal charges or convictions — meaning the administration is not just targeting violent individuals, it’s filling detention centers with workers, parents, and our community members. ICE’s complete disregard for the need for transparent legal processes and accountability around the spending of taxpayer money is unacceptable.”
During the Congressman’s visit, he encountered:
Vasquez continues to champion legislation like his Humane Accountability Act, which would increase transparency around ICE detention and strengthen reporting standards for how individuals are treated in federal detention centers.
###
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)
Washington, July 22, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, released the following statement after the House Republican Conference selected Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) to serve as the next Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security:
“Congratulations to my colleague, Andrew Garbarino, on his selection as the next Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security. His appointment reflects a strong commitment to securing our borders, strengthening cybersecurity, and protecting our critical infrastructure. Under President Trump’s leadership, we have made historic strides in national security, and I am confident that Chairman Garbarino will continue that momentum to meet today’s evolving threats. As Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, I look forward to working alongside him in our shared mission to safeguard the American people and defend the Homeland.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Huw Griffiths, Associate Professor of English Literature, University of Sydney
The idea of the titular Crow in Ted Hughes’ poems is wild, untameable and irreducible to words. In an early poem in the sequence, words come at Crow from all angles but he just ignores them. Finally, “Words retreated, suddenly afraid / Into the skull of a dead jester / Taking the whole world with them”.
Crow just yawns: “long ago / He had picked that skull empty”. A figure that is ancient and beyond the reach of gods or human belief systems, Hughes’ Crow resists ever being pinned down or fully understood.
In Max Porter’s 2015 novella, Grief is the Thing with Feathers, a version of Hughes’ Crow enters the life of a bereaved Dad, newly left to look after his two sons after the death of his wife.
Dad is a literary scholar, writing a book about Ted Hughes, and Crow is a metaphor come to life, some version of the endless grief through which he is living.
But Porter’s Crow is not quite the same thing as Hughes’ irredeemable half-myth/half-beast. This crow cares: “I do eat baby rabbits, plunder nests, swallow filth, cheat death […] But I care, deeply. I find humans dull except in grief”. And he is self-aware, too – aware that Hughes’ mythical beast image can also just be a performance, a piece of schtick: “I do this, perform some unbound crow stuff, for him”.
Now, a new adaptation of the novella brings the story to the Belvoir stage.
Toby Schmitz as both Dad and Crow is just brilliant. He exactly captures the messy contradictions of this situation, shifting between the quiet melancholy and stifled rage of the widower and the restless, contradictory energies of Crow.
The latter he performs in recognisable Schmitz fashion: a leery and mischievous outsider, challenging the audience and holding their attention just as much as he teases, taunts and cajoles both Dad and his two sons.
His performance brings out the humour of Porter’s book, the sense of its own absurdity that shadows his story of devastation and tentative renewal.
Also on stage are Philip Lynch and Fraser Morrison as the two boys, doing a great job (as the characters do in Porter’s book) of providing an emotional antidote to the wheeling terror that sometimes spins off Dad’s encounter with Crow.
Schmitz adapted the book with director, Simon Phillips, and designer, Nick Schlieper. They have only very subtly altered the text in ways that enable a dynamic live performance, conversations between Dad, Crow and Boys.
Tying the piece together are compelling video direction and live music. The former is genuinely exciting, as it etches the presence of Crow’s mythology across the stage, aided by Craig Wilkinson’s work as illustrator, clearly taking inspiration from Hughes’ original illustrator, Leonard Baskin. Composer and cellist, Freya Schack-Arnott provides a stunning and emotional soundtrack throughout, at times improvising to the action.
Porter’s novel is ten years old this year. It has been ridiculously successful for a slender (114 pages) and apparently unconventional book.
Seeming to imitate some of the conventions of 20th century modernism (non-linear narratives; stream-of-consciousness; an interplay of myth and reality; shifting perspectives from miniscule detail to grand narrative), it should not have been destined to occupy the best-seller list.
And, yet, multiple awards later, it remains in regular rotation on the central displays of high street bookstores around the world. It has been adapted for the stage before, in a successful production in London starring Cillian Murphy in 2019, and in a less well-received 2025 film starrring Benedict Cumberbatch.
It would be easy to dismiss this success as something to do with the aesthetic world within which it situates itself. Careful to use Faber and Faber’s classic font, Albertus (something it shares with the Belvoir production when passages are projected above the stage), the book is an elegant product that advertises its own self-conscious literariness.
But this assessment would miss the brilliance, the sophistication and the tender power of Porter’s writing, as well as the way that the book has already got there before you.
Porter plays with his own contemporary taming of older and wilder literary traditions. If Hughes’ Crow has been domesticated in Porter’s use of him (I can’t imagine Hughes’ Crow leaving us with the line, “Just be kind and look out for your brother”), he knows that this sentimentality is now hard-earned and not to be ignored.
What this production adds to Porter’s beautiful book is an intensity of purpose. This is a gloriously collaborative effort, from theatre makers at the height of their powers, to communicate the beauty that persists through the pain and degradation that life throws at us.
Grief is the Thing with Feathers is at Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney, until August 24.
Huw Griffiths does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Grief is the Thing with Feathers comes to the stage with a glorious intensity of purpose – https://theconversation.com/grief-is-the-thing-with-feathers-comes-to-the-stage-with-a-glorious-intensity-of-purpose-260414
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
FTP for TV stations of her remarks is available here.
Cortez Masto told the story of a constituent named Hannah whose Type 1 diabetes makes her dependent on Medicaid coverage she may now lose
Washington, D.C. – To mark the 60th anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare, U.S. Senator Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) took to the Senate floor to call out President Trump and Congressional Republicans for gutting Medicaid in order to pay for a tax giveaway for billionaires.
Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery:
Mr. President, as my colleagues have mentioned, today marks 60 years since Medicare and Medicaid were signed into law.
Democrats and Republicans alike should be celebrating the lives that have been saved as a result of these critical programs. Members of both parties should be sharing stories about Americans who have benefitted from the health care they’ve received thanks to Medicare and Medicaid.
Unfortunately, today, my Democratic colleagues and I are not celebrating.
We are angry.
We’re angry that President Trump lied when he said he would “cherish Medicaid” and that his allies in Congress wouldn’t touch this essential program.
We’re angry that President Trump and Congressional Republicans slashed nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid so they could hand billionaires a tax cut – and add $4 trillion to our national deficit.
And, we’re angry that their new law is about to kick 17 million Americans off their health insurance.
In my home state of Nevada, that means up to 120,000 people will lose their health care.
100,000 of those Nevadans will lose their access to Medicaid. And another 20,000 Nevadans will lose their affordable health coverage if Republicans continue to refuse to work with Democrats to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.
There are a million reasons why this new law gutting Medicaid is terrible for Nevadans and for our country as a whole. But today, I just want to focus on one: Hannah.
Hannah is a young girl who lives in Nevada, and her parents shared her story with me. Now, I want to share it with you.
Hannah was diagnosed with a congenital kidney disease while still in utero. The first few years of her life were full of hospital rooms, doctors, and machines trying to keep her alive.
At just two and a half years old, Hannah underwent a major surgery that finally gave her the opportunity to live like a normal kid. And she did, for a few years.
But then, at age nine, Hannah fell into a coma. Imagine being her parents, watching completely helpless as your daughter fights something you can’t protect her from.
Hannah did eventually wake up, but with a new diagnosis: diabetes, a condition nearly 270,000 Nevadans manage every day – not just the disease itself, but the crushing weight of the costs associated with it.
Over the next two years, Hannah’s parents spent more than $5,000 out-of-pocket because their insurance refused to cover all the costs. Hannah and her family sacrificed so much just to be able to afford medication that would allow Hannah to lead a normal life.
But just when they thought they would never be able to financially recover, they were able to enroll in Medicaid and receive the support they need to care for Hannah at home.
Now, Hannah is able to live the life she wants to lead, without the fear of medical debt pulling her family back underwater. I want to read to you what Hannah’s parents wrote me next:
“But without Medicaid, her insulin would cost more than our mortgage. Let that sink in. The price of the medication keeping my child alive is higher than the roof over her head – even after insurance. How does that make sense? America should be about neighbors caring for neighbors. But instead, we are pushing people with disabilities to the back of the line, treating their lives as less valuable, their futures as an afterthought. I beg you – I beg you – to save Medicaid. Not just for my Hannah, but for every child like her.”
My Democratic colleagues and I worked hard to save Medicaid. And we tried to reach across the aisle to protect the 17 million Americans just like Hannah who could lose their health insurance because of this bill.
But President Trump insisted Congressional Republicans pass his tax cut for billionaires, and they did what they were told.
So now, Hannah and her family, and millions more like them, may be forced back into medical debt.
And to the proponents of this new law who insist kids like Hannah aren’t the ones they’re targeting to kick off coverage, I’d say they’re either being dishonest, or they simply don’t understand how Medicaid actually works.
These cuts shrink the entire pot of money states rely on to fund Medicaid. Nevada, and every state in the country, will be forced to stretch fewer dollars to cover everyone. That almost always means tightening eligibility or cutting services, so kids like Hannah end up losing coverage – even if they weren’t the “type” of person Republicans singled out for cuts.
This is shameful. It’s un-American. We are better than this as a country.
My Democratic colleagues and I will do everything in our power to restore the health care funding Republicans have gutted.
And we won’t let them forget what they did.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
HONG KONG, July 30 (Xinhua) — The Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Wednesday held a reception to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the founding of the PLA at Stonecutters Island Barracks, attended by around 400 people.
John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Zhou Ji, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Dong Jingwei, director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR, Peng Jingtang, commander of the Chinese PLA Hong Kong Garrison, Lai Ruxin, political commissar of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison, veterans of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, and people from all walks of life in Hong Kong attended the event.
In his speech, Peng said that over the past 98 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the PLA have endured the flames of war and made remarkable historical contributions to the party and the people.
Peng said that this year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and in the World Anti-Fascist War. Led by the CPC, the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column played a vital role in defending Hong Kong and fighting against Japanese invaders, making an important contribution to the global victory over fascism.
Peng also reviewed the hard work of the PLA garrison in Hong Kong, which has faithfully fulfilled its sacred duty of safeguarding Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability, serving as a vital anchor of security and reassurance.
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Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Tourists visit scenic areas in Dali, SW China
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Customs operations at the Hainan Free Trade Port, which will be completely independent island-wide from mid-December, are expected to strengthen the port’s connectivity with Asia-Pacific economies and boost its appeal to global investors, said market watchers and business leaders.
They said that the move, which follows a policy announcement by the government earlier this month, would elevate Hainan’s strategic position in international trade and economic relations, enabling the island to serve as a unique platform for global business cooperation, particularly in sectors seeking closer integration with international markets.
The policy envisages the establishment of a designated area, under the special supervision of Customs authorities, that covers the whole island of Hainan.
Yu Tao, a researcher at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies in Haikou, Hainan province, said the island-wide independent Customs operation will preserve the Hainan FTP’s close economic ties with the Chinese mainland and support the development of a unified national market.
Building a unified national market is essential to unleashing domestic demand, facilitating the efficient flow of goods and factors, improving resource allocation and fully harnessing the market’s industrial and demand advantages, according to information released by the Research Office of the State Council.
In addition, the newly released negative list clearly defines, for the first time, the full scope of goods and items subject to import and export restrictions in the Hainan FTP, said Yu.
“Based on favorable policies, the list offers clearer regulatory guidance for businesses and enhances trade liberalization and facilitation through more relaxed administrative measures,” he added.
Zhou Mi, a researcher at the Beijing-based Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, expressed a similar view.
“The policy’s appeal goes beyond consumer-facing imports and is expected to drive a broader restructuring of manufacturing across the Asia-Pacific region, fostering a trade environment distinct from existing frameworks,” he said.
Zhou said Hainan will become a more attractive destination for investment and industrial development, significantly lowering operating costs for businesses in the Asia-Pacific region.
For instance, the scope of zero-tariff goods will expand from the current 1,900 tariff lines to about 6,600, covering about 74 percent of all tariff lines — an increase of nearly 53 percentage points compared with the level before the policy’s implementation at the end of this year, said the Ministry of Finance.
Zhou noted that the intensified market competition may prompt adjustments or relocations in traditional industries such as manufacturing, biomedicine, duty-free retail and hospitality, potentially changing the existing income structure of local residents.
The actual utilization of foreign capital in Hainan reached 102.5 billion yuan ($14.3 billion) over the past five years, with an average annual growth rate of 14.6 percent. Meanwhile, its offshore duty-free sales have grown rapidly, accounting for over 8 percent of the global duty-free market, data from the Hainan provincial government showed.
With China creating more favorable conditions to drive the opening-up in the Hainan FTP, DFS Group, a part of French multinational LVMH Group, and Shanghai-based Shenya Group will jointly build a mega luxury retail complex in Sanya, Hainan.
Scheduled for completion in 2026, this project is expected to generate more than 1,000 jobs and spur the development of related businesses, including infrastructure, logistics, and hotel and catering services in the Hainan FTP, said Nancy Liu, president of DFS China.
She said the project is expected to attract between 16 million and 18 million visitors yearly by 2030 and create lucrative commercial opportunities for Sanya.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement today after reports that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has cancelled the Direct File program:
“Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Billy Long’s announcement that the Direct File program is cancelled echoes the same message that Donald Trump and his Republican allies have been sending to the American people for years: ‘you’re on your own.’ If you’re among the 72% of Americans who would like a fast, easy, and free method to file your taxes, you’re on your own now that the administration has eliminated Direct File.
“Direct File worked. Over the past two years, hundreds of thousands of Americans across 25 states participated in the Direct File pilot program to file their taxes for free. In 2024, 90% of those taxpayers rated their experience with Direct File as ‘excellent’ or ‘above average.’ During the most recent tax season, that figure increased to 94%. Crucially, on average, Direct File saved participants $160 and hours of time they would have normally spent filing their taxes.
“That’s why I helped lead Democrats’ efforts to establish Direct File through the Inflation Reduction Act: to save Americans time and money. The federal government requires Americans to pay their taxes, thus it ought to provide them a free and easy way to do so. That logic is lost on the Trump Administration. He may be telling Americans they’re on their own, but I will keep fighting for them by standing up for Direct File and other programs that lower their costs and make their lives easier.”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Cantonese Opera Development Fund Advisory Committee
Mr Maurice Lee Wai-man (Chairman)
Dr Lee Siu-yan (Vice-Chairman)
Mr Au Yick-ho *
Mr Chan Kin-bun *
Dr Benjamin Chan Tak-yuen
Ms Emily Chan Wing-yee *
Mr Andrew Fung Hau-chung
Mr Kenny Ho Chi-wa
Mr Lai Yiu-wai
Ms Lam Yan-yin (Lam Kwan-ling)
Ms Angel Leung Sum-yee *
Mr Li Qiuyuan *
Ms Ng Man-ting
Mr Wilfred Ng Sau-kei
Mr Jonathan Ng Yee
Professor Lui Yu-hon (Chairman of the Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee)
Representative of the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism
Representative of the Secretary for Education
Representative of the Director of Leisure and Cultural ServicesIssued at HKT 12:00
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Source: Government of Sweden
The declaration was presented at a conference that the Swedish Presidency hosted together with the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova on research data, and how research infrastructure provides new possibilities and benefits for society. The conference took place in Lund, Sweden, on 19–20 June 2023.
Source: Government of Sweden
On 26–27 June, Europe’s key stakeholders in the life sciences sector will gather to highlight the importance of research and innovation in personalised medicine. The conference, organised within the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, will be live-streamed.
Source: Government of Sweden
In connection with the Government’s Budget Bill for 2024, several reforms concerning the labour market, integration and efforts to combat social exclusion were proposed. The proposals are based on an agreement between the Government and the Sweden Democrats. The Government presented the autumn budget to the Riksdag on 20 September.
