Fourteenth Meeting of the Law Enforcement Coordination Group Focused on Countering Hizballah’s Terrorist and Illicit Activities
Media Note
July 10, 2025
The United States Department of State, United States Department of Justice, and Europol convened the fourteenth meeting of the Law Enforcement Coordination Group (LECG) on countering Hizballah’s terrorist and illicit activities on July 9-10. Law enforcement, prosecutors, and financial practitioners from approximately 30 governments from across the Middle East, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America participated in this session.
The LECG took stock of Hizballah’s global terrorist and lethal plotting capabilities, in light of the significant blows the organization has taken over the past year. LECG participants assessed that Hizballah remains a dangerous organization, determined to maintain its overseas footprint, with the ability to strike with little to no warning against targets around the world. LECG members also discussed Hizballah’s shaky financial state and agreed that Hizballah may seek to increase its fundraising and procurement activities in the Western Hemisphere, Africa, and other locales. Participants highlighted recent actions that governments have taken to counter Hizballah’s financial mechanisms and criminal schemes, as well as its international terrorist operations.
Officials from the U.S. Department of Treasury and National Counterterrorism Center also participated in this meeting. The LECG was established by the United States and Europol in 2014 as a global forum to improve international coordination with governments from around the world to counter Hizballah’s terrorist and other illicit activities.
For further information, please contact CTPublicAffairs@state.gov.
Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack which killed 26 civilians. This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT. TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024.
These actions taken by the Department of State demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump’s call for justice for the Pahalgam attack.
TRF and other associated aliases have been added to LeT’s designation as a FTO and SDGT pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, respectively. The Department of State has also reviewed and maintained the FTO designation of LeT. Amendments to FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register.
Sanctioning a Houthi Petroleum and Financial Network
Press Statement
July 22, 2025
The United States is today sanctioning two individuals and five entities that have imported refined petroleum products and circumvented sanctions in support of the Houthis. These actors have generated millions in personal gains while bolstering the Iran-backed Houthis’ ability to threaten shipping lanes vital to international commerce.
The United States is committed to disrupting the Houthis’ illicit revenue generation by maintaining pressure on the financial facilitators that fuel the Houthi enterprise. Today’s action builds on a series of measures targeting Houthi revenue generation and weapons procurement, reaffirming our resolve to counter terrorism, promote regional security, and uphold freedom of navigation.
On March 4, 2025, the Department of State announced the re-designation of Ansarallah as a Foreign Terrorist Organizationpursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. Today’s action is being taken pursuant to the counterterrorism authority Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended, and builds on OFAC’s numerous actions targeting Houthi leaders, illicit revenue generation, financial facilitators, and suppliers. For more information, please see Treasury’sPress Release.
United States Disrupts North Korea Revenue Generation, Offering Rewards of Up to $15 Million
Media Note
July 24, 2025
Today, the Departments of State, Justice, and the Treasury are executing coordinated, decisive actions to keep Americans safe from North Korea’s malicious and illicit revenue generation schemes. The Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP) is offering rewards totaling up to $15 million for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions, in any country, of North Korean nationals Sim Hyon-sop and six co-conspirators involved in these schemes.
North Korea’s revenue generation schemes—which include cryptocurrency theft, illicit information technology (IT) work, trafficking in counterfeit goods, oil smuggling, and other transnational criminal activities—often target U.S. companies and U.S. citizens to raise funds for North Korea’s dangerous and unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs, which threaten the U.S. homeland and stand in contravention of UN and U.S. sanctions. In many cases, these ballistic missiles have been unlawfully transferred to Russia, where they have been used to strike Ukrainian territory, including Kyiv.
Today’s actions illustrate the U.S. government’s commitment to mitigating such threats posed by North Korea to protect U.S. companies, the U.S. financial system, and American citizens. The United States will not stand idly by while North Korea profits from criminal activity to fund its destabilizing actions.
Sim Hyon-Sop and six co-conspirators were charged for their role in illicit activities to buy and sell tobacco from North Korea to gain access to U.S. dollars. The Department of State’s reward offers include an increase of up to $7 million for Sim Hyon-Sop, up to $3 million each for Myong Chol-Min and Kim Se-Un, and up to $500,000 each for Kim Yong-Bok, Kim Chol-Min, a/k/a “Jack,” Ri Tong-Min, a/k/a “Elvis,” and Ri Won-Ho.
Sim Hyon-Sop and some of his co-conspirators—including Kim Se-Un—have also been involved in illicit IT worker schemes. North Korea dispatches thousands of IT workers abroad to orchestrate fraudulent IT work, often from Russia and China. Today, the Department of the Treasury is designating Korea Sobaeksu Trading Company, which has previously deployed IT workers to Vietnam, and three North Korean nationals, including Kim Se Un, Myong Chol Min, and Jo Kyong Hun, who have been involved in illicit revenue generation schemes. North Korea’s overseas networks provide it with access to technology, illicit finance networks, and facilitators to support its revenue generation to fund UN and U.S. sanctioned entities including the Munitions Industry Department and Ministry of Atomic Energy and Industry. The Department of State continues to engage foreign countries that support North Korean IT workers in order to prevent the targeting of Americans by North Korean revenue generation schemes.
In addition, Christina Marie Chapman, an American citizen, will be sentenced today in the District of Columbia for her role in a North Korean IT worker scheme that defrauded more than 300 U.S. companies, including Fortune 500 corporations. North Korean IT workers specifically target remote jobs with U.S. companies due to the high salaries, which they remit back to North Korea to fund the unlawful production of WMD and ballistic missiles.
Today’s individual reward offers are authorized by the Secretary under the TOCRP, which supports law enforcement efforts to disrupt transnational crime globally and bring fugitives to justice. If you have information, please send tips to the FBI via phone/text/WhatsApp at +1-480-695-1388. If you are located outside of the United States, you can also visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you are in the United States, you can also contact the local FBI field office.
THE IDENTITIES OF ANYONE PROVIDING TIPS WILL BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. Per 22 U.S.C. section 2708(f), government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards if information is provided in the performance of official duties.
Separately, the State Department’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) national security program has a standing reward offer of up to $5 million for information that leads to the disruption of financial mechanisms of persons engaged in certain activities that support the North Korean government and its sanctions evasion. Rewards can be paid for actionable information regarding IT worker schemes, money laundering, cyber activity, and other illicit activities that support WMD proliferation and missile development. More information on RFJ’s North Korea reward offers is available here.
One of the first women to hold an open seat in Bougainville, Theonila Roka Matbob, is confident she can win again.
Bougainville goes to the polls in the first week of September, and Roka Matbob aims to hold on to her Ioro seat in central Bougainville, where she is up against nine men.
The MP, who is also the Minister of Community Government, recently led the campaign that convinced multinational Rio Tinto to clean up the mess caused by the Panguna Mine.
RNZ Pacific asked her if she is enjoying running for a second election campaign.
THEONILA ROKA MATBOB: Very, very much, yes. I guess compared to 2020, it is because it was my first time. I had a lot of butterflies, I would say. But this time has been very different. So I am more relaxed, more focused, and also I am more aware of issues that I can actually concentrate on.
DON WISEMAN: And one of those issues you’ve been concentrating on is the aftermath of the Panguna Mine and the destruction and so on caused both environmentally and socially. And I guess that sort of work is going to continue for you?
TRM: Yes, so the work is continuing. I had three platforms when I was contesting in 2020: leadership, governance, institutional governance and the accountability on the issues, legacy issues of Panguna Mine. I thought that the third one was going to be very challenging, given that it involved international stakeholders.
But I would say that the one that I thought was going to be very challenging was actually the one that got a lot of traction, and it’s already in motion while I’m like back on the trail, defending my seat.
DW: In terms of the work that has been undertaken on an assessment of the environmental damage, the impact that the process had had, and the report that has come out, and the obligations that this now places on Rio Tinto?
TRM: The recommendations that were made by the report was on a lot of like imminent survey areas that is like on infrastructure that were built by the company back then in the operation days that is now tearing down.
And also a lot more than that, there was a call for more intrusive assessment to be done on health and bloodstreams as well for the people, but those other things and also now to into the remediation vehicle, what is it going to look like?
These are clear responsibilities that are at the overarching highest level of engagement through the what we call this process, the CP process. It has put the responsibility on Rio Tinto to now tell us, what does the remediation vehicle look like.
At the moment, Rio Tinto is looking into that to be able to engage expertise in communication with us, to see how the design for the remediation vehicle would look. It is from the report that the build-up is now coming up, and there is more tangible or visible presence on the ground as compared to the time we started.
DW: So that process in terms of the removal of the old buildings that’s actually got underway, has it?
TRM: That process is already underway, the demolition process is underway, and BCL [Bougainville Copper Limited] is the one that’s taking the lead. It has engaged our local expertise, who are actually working abroad, but they have hired them because under the process we have local content policy where we have to do shopping for experts from Bougainville, before we’ll look into experts from overseas.
Apart from that as well, one of the things that I have seen is there is an increased interest from both international and national and local partners as well in understanding the areas where the report, assessment report has pointed out.
There is quite a lot happening, as compared to the past years when, towards the end of our political phase in parliament, usually there is always silence and only campaigns go on. But for now, it has been different.
A lot of people are more engaged, even participating on the policy programmes and projects.
DW: Yes, your government wants to reopen the Panguna Mine and open it fairly soon. You must have misgivings about that?
TRM: I have been getting a lot of questions around that, and I have been telling them my personal stance has never changed.
But I can never come in between the government’s interest. What I have been doing recently as a way of responding and uniting people, both who are believers of reopening and those that do not believe in reopening, like myself.
We have created a platform by registering a business entity that can actually work in between people and the government, so that there is more or less a participatory approach.
The company that we have registered is the one that will be tasked to work more on the politics of economics around Panguna and all the other prospects that we have in other natural resources as well.
I would say that whichever way the government points us, I can now, with conviction, say that I am ready with my office and the workforce that I have right now, I can comfortably say that we can be able to accommodate for both opinions, pro and against.
DW: In your Ioro electorate seat it’s not the biggest lineup of candidates, but the thing about Bougainville politics is they can be fairly volatile. So how confident are you?
TRM: I am confident, despite the long line up that we have about nine people who are against me — nine men, interestingly, were against me. I would say that, given the grasp that I have and also building up from 2020, I can clearly say that I am very confident.
If I am not confident, then it will take the space of giving opportunity for other people and also on campaign strategies as well. I have learnt my way through in diversifying and understanding the different experiences that I have in the constituency as well.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
One of the first women to hold an open seat in Bougainville, Theonila Roka Matbob, is confident she can win again.
Bougainville goes to the polls in the first week of September, and Roka Matbob aims to hold on to her Ioro seat in central Bougainville, where she is up against nine men.
The MP, who is also the Minister of Community Government, recently led the campaign that convinced multinational Rio Tinto to clean up the mess caused by the Panguna Mine.
RNZ Pacific asked her if she is enjoying running for a second election campaign.
THEONILA ROKA MATBOB: Very, very much, yes. I guess compared to 2020, it is because it was my first time. I had a lot of butterflies, I would say. But this time has been very different. So I am more relaxed, more focused, and also I am more aware of issues that I can actually concentrate on.
DON WISEMAN: And one of those issues you’ve been concentrating on is the aftermath of the Panguna Mine and the destruction and so on caused both environmentally and socially. And I guess that sort of work is going to continue for you?
TRM: Yes, so the work is continuing. I had three platforms when I was contesting in 2020: leadership, governance, institutional governance and the accountability on the issues, legacy issues of Panguna Mine. I thought that the third one was going to be very challenging, given that it involved international stakeholders.
But I would say that the one that I thought was going to be very challenging was actually the one that got a lot of traction, and it’s already in motion while I’m like back on the trail, defending my seat.
DW: In terms of the work that has been undertaken on an assessment of the environmental damage, the impact that the process had had, and the report that has come out, and the obligations that this now places on Rio Tinto?
TRM: The recommendations that were made by the report was on a lot of like imminent survey areas that is like on infrastructure that were built by the company back then in the operation days that is now tearing down.
And also a lot more than that, there was a call for more intrusive assessment to be done on health and bloodstreams as well for the people, but those other things and also now to into the remediation vehicle, what is it going to look like?
These are clear responsibilities that are at the overarching highest level of engagement through the what we call this process, the CP process. It has put the responsibility on Rio Tinto to now tell us, what does the remediation vehicle look like.
At the moment, Rio Tinto is looking into that to be able to engage expertise in communication with us, to see how the design for the remediation vehicle would look. It is from the report that the build-up is now coming up, and there is more tangible or visible presence on the ground as compared to the time we started.
DW: So that process in terms of the removal of the old buildings that’s actually got underway, has it?
TRM: That process is already underway, the demolition process is underway, and BCL [Bougainville Copper Limited] is the one that’s taking the lead. It has engaged our local expertise, who are actually working abroad, but they have hired them because under the process we have local content policy where we have to do shopping for experts from Bougainville, before we’ll look into experts from overseas.
Apart from that as well, one of the things that I have seen is there is an increased interest from both international and national and local partners as well in understanding the areas where the report, assessment report has pointed out.
There is quite a lot happening, as compared to the past years when, towards the end of our political phase in parliament, usually there is always silence and only campaigns go on. But for now, it has been different.
A lot of people are more engaged, even participating on the policy programmes and projects.
DW: Yes, your government wants to reopen the Panguna Mine and open it fairly soon. You must have misgivings about that?
TRM: I have been getting a lot of questions around that, and I have been telling them my personal stance has never changed.
But I can never come in between the government’s interest. What I have been doing recently as a way of responding and uniting people, both who are believers of reopening and those that do not believe in reopening, like myself.
We have created a platform by registering a business entity that can actually work in between people and the government, so that there is more or less a participatory approach.
The company that we have registered is the one that will be tasked to work more on the politics of economics around Panguna and all the other prospects that we have in other natural resources as well.
I would say that whichever way the government points us, I can now, with conviction, say that I am ready with my office and the workforce that I have right now, I can comfortably say that we can be able to accommodate for both opinions, pro and against.
DW: In your Ioro electorate seat it’s not the biggest lineup of candidates, but the thing about Bougainville politics is they can be fairly volatile. So how confident are you?
TRM: I am confident, despite the long line up that we have about nine people who are against me — nine men, interestingly, were against me. I would say that, given the grasp that I have and also building up from 2020, I can clearly say that I am very confident.
If I am not confident, then it will take the space of giving opportunity for other people and also on campaign strategies as well. I have learnt my way through in diversifying and understanding the different experiences that I have in the constituency as well.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
UK high-altitude research and intelligence balloon soars to new heights
The UK has successfully trialed high-altitude balloons which can conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
UK Defence is developing use of uncrewed, high-altitude balloons to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, boosting national security and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.
Test flight balloons each travel over 2,000 nautical miles at an operating altitude between 60,000 and 80,000 feet, double that of a commercial aircraft.
The trial balloons operated as a constellation for the first time and provided near-continuous ISR coverage of nearly a month, far exceeding the endurance of each balloon.
The UK could benefit from the collection of military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance from the stratosphere following the successful trials of new high-altitude balloons flying between 60,000 and 80,000 feet above the Earth – higher than most military aircraft operate.
The uncrewed balloons offer a low-cost surveillance and communications capability alternative to traditional solutions. They can travel uninterrupted at extreme altitudes for long periods, without maintenance, boosting national security and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.
The future use of such balloons could include support to operations and reliable communication and fast internet connection to disaster zones or remote areas with no coverage, while also providing information for weather forecasting and climate research.
With an ISR payload capacity of up to 3kg and with some modules that include weather sensors weighing as little as a European robin, the test vehicles can operate continuously for over five days.
The cost-effective system can be operated by a single person in challenging weather conditions, demonstrating advanced capabilities and precise navigation and station keeping.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, said:
This innovation is about giving our Armed Forces the edge – better awareness, better communications, and lower maintenance needs – supporting the government’s Plan for Change.
Stratospheric technology like this could transform how we operate in complex environments, keeping our people safer and better informed than ever before.
This successful trial is another example of UK defence pushing boundaries, with real potential to strengthen our future capabilities.
The trials took place in the South Dakota, USA earlier this year as part of Project AETHER, a concept development initiative supported by the Ministry of Defence’s procurement body, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S).
The activity was led by UK company Voltitude in partnership with Landguard Systems (UK) and Aerostar (US).
Head of UK Defence Innovation, Prove and Exploit team, James Gavin, said:
Defence procurement is making strides in the innovation space and DE&S is looking more at the art of the possible, pushing the boundaries and scoping new technologies.
These latest trials have been incredibly fruitful and pave the way for more collaborative working with our allies to develop capabilities that will benefit our Armed Forces.
The UK-developed technology provides continuous Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capability whilst maintaining remarkably low operating costs. It represents a significant advancement in stratospheric surveillance platforms for defence applications.
The Ministry of Defence is exploring future assessment operational use of the stratosphere, not only with this class of balloon, but also with vehicles capable of carrying significantly higher payloads for mission durations of 6-12 months.
Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin today began a visit to Osaka, Japan, where she will outline Hong Kong’s experiences in achieving quality and equity in education, and promote its advantages as an international post-secondary education hub, in a speech at an education seminar.
The seminar falls under the “Theme Weeks” programme, which forms part of the World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai and brings together experts and scholars to share their insights on educational issues.
Before attending the seminar, Ms Choi will meet education representatives from various places to discuss new trends in global education.
She will return to Hong Kong on Tuesday. During her absence, Under Secretary for Education Sze Chun-fai will be Acting Secretary.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, where six people were killed after a massive crowd gathered along the stairway route to the popular shrine.
Extending condolences to the bereaved families, the PM took to X and said:
“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede on the route to Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected.”
Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also took to X and wrote:
“Extremely distressing news has been received about a stampede breaking out at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar. Uttarakhand SDRF, local police, and other rescue teams have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations.”
“The death of six people in the heart-wrenching stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar is deeply saddening. I pray to God that the souls of the departed find a place at His divine feet and that the grieving families are granted the strength to bear this immense sorrow,” he added.
Dhami announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured. He also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.
Every year, Haridwar witnesses a massive influx of pilgrims during the month of Shravan, particularly at the revered Har Ki Pauri and Mansa Devi Temple.
Further details regarding the Haridwar incident are awaited as the assessment continues.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) — More than 3,000 residents in the suburban Miyun district of the Chinese capital have been evacuated due to heavy rains, local authorities said.
At 9:06 p.m. Saturday, the Miyun District weather station raised its torrential rainfall alert to red, the highest level in the country’s four-tier weather warning system.
From 12:00 noon on Saturday to 02:00 on Sunday, Miyun County received an average of 73.5 mm of rainfall, with the highest rainfall reaching 315.3 mm at Huangtuliang hydrological station. Flash floods caused by the downpours damaged roads and disrupted telecommunications and power supply facilities in several villages in Miyun.
The extreme weather conditions closed 12 major highways in Myun, seven of which have since reopened. Communications have been restored to all flood-affected villages. As of 5:00 a.m. Sunday, a total of 3,065 residents from 149 villages had been evacuated. No casualties were reported, although evacuation and rescue operations are still ongoing.
Forecasters said rainfall would continue in Miyun on Sunday, with conditions expected to improve slightly on Monday, but heavy rainfall is expected in mountainous areas of the Beijing suburb.
The Miyun District Flood and Drought Control Headquarters has activated the Level 1 flood emergency response mechanism and will continue to carry out related rescue operations. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) — China’s box office revenue for the 2025 summer movie season since June 1, including pre-sales, has exceeded 5 billion yuan (about 697 million U.S. dollars), as of 11:19 a.m. on July 27, according to data from ticketing platform Maoyan. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) — State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua on Sunday said the failure of the recall vote for opposition lawmakers in Taiwan’s local legislature shows that the political manipulations of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are contrary to the will of local people and do not enjoy their support.
The Kuomintang party won a landslide victory in the vote on Saturday, retaining all 24 seats.
Commenting on the results of the vote, Chen Binhua said that the DPP, with its desire for “Taiwan independence” and one-party monopoly, has repeatedly provoked political strife without caring about the well-being of the island’s residents.
The DPP has resorted to all means to suppress political dissent, create “green terror” and deepen social divisions, fully revealing its hypocritical nature of “fake democracy and real authoritarianism,” Chen Binhua said. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
NEW YORK, July 27 (Xinhua) — At least 11 people were injured in a stabbing at a Walmart in Traverse City, northern Michigan, on Saturday afternoon.
At about 4:45 p.m. local time /20:45 GMT/, a 42-year-old man entered the supermarket and stabbed people with a folding knife, Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters.
The suspect is in custody and the attack appears to have been random, he said.
As of Saturday evening, three people were undergoing surgery at Munson Medical Center. Five of the victims were in serious condition, six in critical condition, the center said in a statement.
People are advised to avoid the area while the investigation is ongoing. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the work of Mani Maran, a resident of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, for his efforts in preserving and teaching the ancient art of reading Tamil palm leaf manuscripts.
Speaking during his monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the Prime Minister said Maran’s initiative reflects how individuals can contribute to protecting India’s intellectual and cultural heritage.
“Friends, one such inspiring personality is Mani Maran ji, who is from Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. He felt that if today’s generation does not learn to read Tamil manuscripts, this precious heritage will be lost in the future,” PM Modi said.
“To address this, he started evening classes, where students, working youth, researchers – everyone began to learn,” the PM added.
In an effort to keep the tradition alive, Maran began conducting free evening classes for students, working professionals, and researchers, teaching them to read Tamil Suvadiyiyal — the traditional script used in palm leaf manuscripts.
These centuries-old manuscripts contain knowledge across disciplines such as science, medicine, music, and philosophy. According to the Prime Minister, many of Maran’s students have not only become proficient in reading the texts but have also begun research into traditional medicine based on them.
PM Modi underlined the importance of preserving such texts, calling them “chapters of the soul of India” that must be passed on to future generations.
To support such initiatives, the Centre has launched the Gyan Bharatam Mission, announced in this year’s Union Budget. As part of the mission, ancient manuscripts will be digitised and made accessible through a National Digital Repository.
The Prime Minister also called on citizens to participate in such preservation efforts by connecting with the Ministry of Culture or the MyGov platform. “If such efforts are made across the country, our ancient knowledge will become part of the consciousness of the new generation,” he said.
“Farming families have been through some really tough years recently and that’s weighed heavily on our rural communities,” Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says.
“For the last few seasons, we’ve been farming with sky-high interest rates, rising on-farm costs, fluctuating incomes, and a web of red tape that felt near impossible to navigate.
“It’s great to see our July survey showing many farmers are feeling a whole lot more positive, thanks to better returns, lower interest rates, and easing inflation.
“We’ve also seen a Government that’s been willing to work with farmers and scrap some of the most unworkable, impractical rules that were killing the rural economy.”
Langford says lifting farmers’ confidence has been his number one focus since stepping into the role as president and he’s taken that responsibility seriously.
“We took a long hard look at what was concerning farmers the most back in 2023 and came out with 12 key policy changes for the next government to implement.
“We called it a ‘roadmap for restoring farmer confidence’ and we’ve been absolutely relentless in pursuing the changes we knew would make the biggest difference behind the farm gate.
“That list included fixing unworkable freshwater rules, getting RMA reform right, urgently reviewing our methane reduction targets, and rethinking the rules for carbon forestry.
“The Government has really listened to farmers, got stuck in making some much-needed changes, and they’ve essentially ticked 11 of those 12 policy priorities off the list.”
The Farm Confidence survey found farmer perceptions of current economic conditions have risen to their highest level in almost a decade.
A net 33% of respondents believe conditions are currently good, a dramatic turnaround from the record low of -66% just a year ago, and up from 2% in January this year.
Meanwhile, current farm profitability has reached its highest level ever recorded in the survey, with a net 65% of farmers feeling confident about profitability – up 12 points since January.
Langford says it’s important to note that not all farmers are feeling positive, with arable farmers in particular continuing to face significant headwinds and challenges.
“Many arable farmers aren’t even breaking even, and let’s not forget the farmers in Nelson Tasman who are facing a very long recovery after the recent flooding.”
The survey found that while confidence in current conditions is high, the forward-looking indicators have started to soften.
A net 6% of farmers expect economic conditions to improve over the next 12 months – still in positive territory, but well down from 23% in January.
Future profitability expectations are also softer, sitting at a net 18%, down from 31% earlier this year.
The dairy sector led the decline, with expectations dropping 32 points, likely due to concerns about poorer milk prices, while meat and wool remains most upbeat.
“There’s still plenty of uncertainty on the horizon,” Langford says.
“Commodity price volatility, arable sector struggles, and global market jitters are making farmers a bit more cautious about what’s coming.”
Despite global uncertainty, farmers remain focused on strengthening their financial footing, with 43% planning to reduce debt in the next 12 months, almost double from a year ago.
“Farmers are using the breathing room from lower interest rates and improved profitability to pay down debt and build resilience. That’s smart business,” Langford says.
The survey also found hiring challenges have eased slightly, with a net 14% of farmers reporting difficulty recruiting staff in the past six months – the most favourable result since 2012.
“Immigration settings have improved and that’s helping farmers get the skilled and motivated people we need,” Langford says.
The results show rural mental health has been continuously improving too, moving from a net 52% negative in January 2023, to net 26% positive in July 2025.
When asked about their biggest concerns, regulation and compliance costs remain the number one concern, followed by climate change policy and the Emissions Trading Scheme in second, and local government and rates in third.
In terms of what they want from central government, farmers are calling for a focus on fiscal policy, regulation and compliance costs, and the economy and business environment.
“This survey really highlights the progress we’ve made in just 12 months,” Langford says.
“Arable growers are still doing it tough, but there’s a noticeable lift in confidence across the board. That’s something that needs to be celebrated and built upon.
“Federated Farmers are getting some real traction now, but we’ve got to keep the foot down to make sure farmer confidence keeps climbing and the economy keeps growing.”
Chief Executive John Lee today led 21 principal officials in attending the 2025 Policy Address District Forum to gather views and suggestions form members of the community ahead of the current-term Government’s fourth Policy Address.
Held at Ma Tau Chung Government Primary School (Hung Hom Bay), the forum was attended by about 120 people from different backgrounds.
The two-hour forum consisted of two sessions. In the first, the Chief Executive and principal officials listened to the views of members of the public. Matters raised straddled land and housing; transport; innovation and technology; financial services; culture and sports; education; youth issues, poverty alleviation; healthcare; and social welfare.
In the second session, community participants, divided into four groups, focused on “pursuing development and economic growth” and “improving people’s livelihood and building our future together” as they engaged in extensive exchanges with the Chief Executive and the officials. Mr Lee also held discussions in turn with each of the groups and listened to their views.
He said: “There are issues that members of the public care deeply about, so I attach great importance to district consultations.
“These views will let me have a better grasp on formulating policies and allocation of resources when I prepare the Policy Address.”
Principal Officials attending today’s event included Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki; Financial Secretary Paul Chan; Secretary for Justice Paul Lam; Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing; Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong; Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan; Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang; Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui; Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung; Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan; Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau; Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau; Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn; Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho; Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung; Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong; Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak; Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun; Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan; Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law; and Acting Secretary for Education Sze Chun-fai.
The Government said it will continue to gather input from a wide variety of organisations and individuals over the coming month through consultation sessions and district visits. Members of the public can also give their views via the Policy Address website, social media platforms, hotlines, email, fax and post.
The most enduring ones usually take hold for two reasons: first, because there’s some grain of truth to them, and second, because they speak to foundational historical divisions.
The theories morph and change, distorting the grain of truth at their centre beyond reality. In the process, they reinforce and deepen existing divisions, encouraging hateful blindness.
US President Donald Trump is perhaps the most successful conspiracy trafficker in modern American history.
Trump built his political career by trading on conspiracy. These have included a combination of racist birther conspiracies about former president Barack Obama, nebulous ideas about the “Deep State” that conspired against the interests of regular Americans, and nods to a more recent online universe centered on QAnon that alleged a Satanist ring of “elite” pedophiles involving Hillary Clinton was trafficking children.
These theories all had their own grain of truth and tapped into deep-seated historical fears. For example, Obama does have Kenyan heritage, and his Blackness threatened many white Americans’ sense of their own power.
Revelations about disgraced financier Jeffery Epstein’s trafficking in children and the way in which that implicated the “elite” of New York seemed to confirm at least parts of the final theory. It tapped into the belief – one that does have some basis in reality – that America’s elite play by rules of their own, above justice and accountability.
In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, Trump increasingly engaged with this online universe. He seemed to quietly enjoy suggestions that he might be “Q” – the anonymous leader who, according to the theory, was going to break the paedophile ring wide open in a “day of reckoning”.
Many of Trump’s perennially online supporters based their championing of him around these conspiracy theories. QAnon believers were among those who stormed the Capitol on January 6 2021. A core section of Trump’s base continues to believe his promises that he would at last reveal the truth – about John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the Deep State, and Epstein.
That it has long been public knowledge that Trump and Epstein had a longstanding friendship did not impinge on these beliefs.
Conspiracy theories have swirled around Epstein since at least his first arrest nearly two decades ago, in 2006. After allegations of unlawful sex with a minor, Epstein was charged with soliciting prostitution. This elicited suggestions he was receiving special treatment because of his elite status as a New York financier and philanthropist.
That pattern continued over the next decade as accusations multiplied, culminating in his arrest in 2019 on federal charges of sex trafficking, including to a private island. The allegations touched the global elite, including former president Bill Clinton, the United Kingdom’s Prince Andrew, and Trump. In August 2019, Epstein was found dead in his cell, allegedly by suicide – adding further fuel to the already intense conspiracy fire.
Epstein’s arrest and death occurred during the first Trump administration. Since then, there has been a steady trickle of accusations and revelations that have increased pressure on the administration to declassify and release material relating to the case. Many of Trump’s most loyal supporters, including a set of influential podcasters and influencers, have built their audiences around Epstein and the insistence that the truth be revealed.
Early in the life of the current administration, Attorney-General Pam Bondi – whom Trump is wont to treat as his personal lawyer – said she was reviewing the Epstein “client list”.
In the past few weeks, however, the administration has indicated it will not release the list or other materials relating to the case. At the same time, more information about Trump’s relationship with Epstein has trickled out, including more photos of the two together. It’s hard to deny the sense there is more to come.
Trump’s posting about the issue, despite his apparent wish to divert from it, seems only to compel more interest. Sections of his online conspiracy base, including vocal supporters such as Tucker Carlson, are outraged at what they see as a betrayal. Reports suggest a significant rift developing between Trump and key backer Rupert Murdoch over the issue. Democrats, rightly, sense weakness.
Loyal Republicans seem rattled enough that Speaker of the House Mike Johnson called an early summer recess, sending congresspeople home in an apparent effort to avoid any forced vote on the issue.
The obvious inference – though it is inference only – is that Trump and Republicans are so worried about what is in the Epstein material they would rather cop strong backlash from the base, looking scared and weak, than release the information. If nothing else, that is a guaranteed way to fuel an already raging fire.
Trump’s tanking approval rating and the salience of this issue lead to an obvious question: is this going to be the thing that finally scratches the Teflon president? Will his base turn on him at last?
If history is anything to go by, that seems unlikely. Trump is remarkably resilient, using crises like this to consolidate his power. Trump commands loyalty, and he has it from Bondi, Johnson and others in this weakened and increasingly ideologically driven federal government. And his conspiracy-fuelled base is in so deep that turning on the president now is not just a question of admitting error, but one of core identity.
US mainstream media has long pursued a “gotcha” approach to Trump, driven by a model of journalism that still seeks out smoking guns and dreams of Watergate. Not unlike the conspiracy theories it reports on, this framing hopes for a neat, clear resolution to the story of US politics. But politics doesn’t work like that – especially not for Trump.
From the outside, Trump’s attempts to pivot on the issue and build on his existing conspiracies around Obama and Hillary Clinton might look feeble, but they are tried and true. Trump is now focused on fanning theories around Obama and Clinton, broadening them to include accusations of “treason”. Trump’s Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard went so far as to claim Obama had “manufactured […] a years-long coup against President Trump”. Even reporting on these claims with rightful incredulity adds fuel to the raging fire.
In the personality cult of an authoritarian leader, conspiracy is easily weaponised against enemies, perceived and real. In the febrile environment of US politics, these conspiracy theories tap into and encourage a long vein of white supremacy and racial revanchism that has shaped American politics since even before the nation’s founding.
Trump can morph and change conspiracy theories like no one else, building on fears and deepening existing divisions. He understands the power of pointing to “enemies from within”, and just how well that reinforces the narrative he has already so successfully ingrained in US political culture. We underestimate him, and the power of conspiracy theory, at our peril.
Emma Shortis is Director of International and Security Affairs at The Australia Institute, an independent think tank.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Organizers of the 6th Beijing Youth Film Festival announced the launch of eight major events for 2025 at a press conference in Beijing on July 24. The events aim to provide emerging filmmakers with professional growth opportunities while also contributing to Beijing’s cultural vibrancy and enhancing its profile as a global cinematic hub.
Actor Huang Xiaoming receives a certificate for his appointment as the image ambassador for the 6th Beijing Youth Film Festival from Li Enjie, president of the Beijing Cultural Development Foundation, during a press event in Beijing, July 24, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Cultural Development Foundation]
The youth film festival, an official affiliate event of the Beijing International Film Festival, is organized by the Beijing Cultural Development Foundation and will establish a full-industry-chain platform spanning creative incubation, academic exchange and screening promotion.
Lyu Hui, vice president of the foundation, said this year’s festival running from July to December arrives as Chinese cinema marks two historic moments — the 120th anniversary of Chinese film and a period of industry restructuring. The festival’s eight major events include a launch ceremony, film submissions, opening gala, thematic events, screenings and promotions, extended activities, filmmaker training camp and awards ceremony.
He said the festival had launched a new talent initiative to identify cinematographers, sound engineers and production designers through guild recommendations, strengthening industry specialization and providing comprehensive support for emerging filmmakers. It will also hold a public welfare training camp using a “small crew + long-term shooting” approach, with veterans mentoring up-and-coming filmmakers in short film production.
Submissions for outstanding films are now open and will be accepted through Nov. 18. The festival will conclude in December with an awards ceremony.
Lyu also expressed hopes of receiving entries related to the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of victory in both historic conflicts.
The festival will officially open in September, followed by academic forums and thematic exchanges. Screenings will primarily be held on university campuses, with additional theater and open-air showings. The event will further collaborate with Beijing-based resources to promote the integration of culture, commerce and tourism.
Also at the press conference, renowned director Cao Baoping was announced as president of the awards jury. Acclaimed actor Huang Xiaoming was named as the festival’s image ambassador, while rising actor Shang Yuxian was appointed promotional ambassador.
At the event, director Cao Baoping stated, “I will work with my fellow jurors to select the most meaningful and valuable works from all shortlisted films and provide all possible support and encouragement.”
Huang Xiaoming shared his reflections on youth and creativity: “True performance means shedding pretenses, breaking boundaries and embracing imperfection. That raw sincerity with bravery — even with its clumsiness and recklessness — forms the foundation of youth creation. The Beijing Youth Film Festival guards this creative courage: the courage to capture overlooked corners and tender emotions, to pave one’s cinematic path step by step, and to believe in the power of Chinese stories.”
The annual Beijing Youth Film Festival was launched in 2014 and restructured in 2018 to merge with the Beijing International Film Festival. However, the festival was put on hold for several years due to the pandemic.
Organizers and ambassadors pose for a group photo at the press conference for the 6th Beijing Youth Film Festival in Beijing, July 24, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Cultural Development Foundation]
Reflecting on the festival’s hiatus, Li Enjie, president of the Beijing Cultural Development Foundation, said: “Over the past few years, we’ve been delighted to see outstanding young directors, screenwriters and actors observe societal progress with fresh eyes, document our changing times, and convey warmth and empathy through film — demonstrating the cultural responsibility and creative vitality of China’s younger generation.”
“Supporting youth cinema has never been about simple charity or assistance. It’s a strategic investment in our cultural future,” he added. “Giving opportunities to young talent means enabling Chinese cinema’s growth, and more importantly, creating space for cultural prosperity.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Torrential rains have resulted in the evacuation of more than 3,000 residents in Beijing’s suburban district of Miyun.
The meteorological observatory in Miyun issued an upgraded red alert for torrential rains at 9:06 p.m. on Saturday, the highest level in China’s four-tier color-coded weather warning system.
Between 12 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, the district recorded average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters, with the heaviest precipitation reaching 315.3 millimeters at Huangtuliang Station.
The Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations.
The extreme weather forced the closure of 12 major roads in Miyun, seven of which have since reopened. Contact has been established with all the affected villages, with a total of 3,065 residents across 149 villages having been safely relocated as of 5 a.m. on Sunday. No fatalities have been reported — while evacuation and rescue operations are still underway.
Across the city, 88 bus routes, primarily serving suburban areas, have implemented emergency adjustments — including service suspensions, shortened routes and detours, the municipal commission of transport said.
Also, train operations on three rail lines and water transportation services in Miyun, Huairou and Yanqing districts have been suspended — with all tourist boats and ferries ordered to remain docked.
Most areas of Beijing are expected to experience precipitation exceeding 30 millimeters per hour between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, noted chief meteorologist Zhang Linna from the municipal meteorological observatory.
Zhang added that several districts, including Yanqing, Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu, may see hourly precipitation surpassing 50 millimeters, with total rainfall in some locations likely to exceed 100 millimeters.
The forecast highlights particularly high risks of secondary disasters in mountainous and foothill areas — including flash floods, mudslides and landslides. Low-lying regions face significant flooding dangers, requiring heightened vigilance and preventive measures.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Sunday reiterated Cambodia’s willingness for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” between the armed forces of Cambodia and Thailand.
In a social media post, Hun Manet said he had a phone discussion on Saturday night with U.S. President Donald Trump over the issue of armed clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
During the conversation, Trump expressed his desire not to see war or fighting that would lead to many deaths and injuries on both sides, including soldiers and civilians, and wished to see an immediate ceasefire and peace between the two countries, said Hun Manet.
“In response, I made it clear to Honorable President Donald Trump that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces,” he said.
Hun Manet said he had assigned Prak Sokhonn, Cambodian deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, to discuss with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the ceasefire proposal.
Clashes in the border areas between Cambodia and Thailand began on Thursday, with both sides accusing each other of violating international law.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed pride over the recent achievements by Indians in space, science, sports, and culture.
Addressing the 124th episode of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi made a special mention of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, whose recent space mission sparked nationwide joy and pride.
“In the past few weeks, a lot has happened that has made every Indian proud — be it in sports, science, or culture. Recently, Shubhanshu Shukla’s return from space was widely discussed across the country. The moment he landed safely back on Earth, people jumped with joy. A wave of happiness spread across every heart. The whole country was filled with pride,” PM Modi said.
Recalling the excitement and curiosity generated by Chandrayaan-3’s successful moon landing in August 2023, he noted how the mission sparked a deep interest in science and space among children. “I still remember when Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the moon… Even young kids now say, ‘We will also go to space, we will also land on the moon and become space scientists.’”
The Prime Minister also highlighted the growing reach of the Inspire-Manak campaign, an initiative aimed at promoting innovation among school children.
“Five children are selected from every school who come up with new ideas. So far, lakhs of children have become part of this initiative, and after Chandrayaan-3, the number has doubled,” he said.
PM Modi spoke about the rapid growth of space-related startups in the country, stating that their numbers have jumped from fewer than 50 five years ago to over 200 today.
In this context, he announced that August 23 will be celebrated as *National Space Day*, and invited citizens to share their suggestions on how they plan to mark the occasion.
Emphasising the new energy driving Indian science in the 21st century, the PM proudly spoke of Indian students winning medals at the International Chemistry Olympiad.
“Devesh Pankaj, Sandeep Kuchi, Debadatta Priyadarshi, and Ujjawal Kesari — these four made India proud,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi also acknowledged India’s achievements in mathematics, noting students’ performance at the International Mathematical Olympiad, where they brought home three gold, two silver, and one bronze medal.
Looking ahead, PM Modi said India will host the Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad in Mumbai next month, with participants from 60 countries.
The PM noted that this will be the largest such Olympiad held so far, adding, “In a way, India is now moving forward in both Olympic and Olympiad.”
The Gaza Government Media Office has condemned “in the strongest terms” Israel’s storming of the Handala aid ship, calling it an act of “maritime piracy”, reports Al Jazeera.
“This blatant aggression represents a flagrant violation of international law and maritime navigation rules,” the office said in a statement.
“It reaffirms once again that the [illegal Israeli] occupation acts as a thuggish force outside the law, targeting every humanitarian initiative seeking to rescue more than 2.4 million besieged and starving Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”
The office also called on the international community, including the United Nations and rights groups, “to take an urgent and firm stance against this aggression and to work to secure international protection for the convoys”.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement today that the Israeli navy had intercepted the Gaza-bound Handala, and it was now heading towards Israel.
“The Israeli navy has stopped the vessel Navarn from illegally entering the maritime zone of the coast of Gaza,” said the statement, using the aid ship’s original name.
“The vessel is safely making its way to the shores of Israel,” it added. “All passengers are safe.”
Freedom Flotilla slams ‘abductions’ A statement by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition accused Israel military of “abducting” the 21 crew members of the Handala, saying the ship had been “violently intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters about 40 nautical miles from Gaza.
“At 23:43 EEST Palestine time, the Occupation cut the cameras on board Handala and we have lost all communication with our ship.
“The unarmed boat was carrying life-saving supplies when it was boarded by Israeli forces, its passengers abducted, and its cargo seized.
“The interception occurred in international waters outside Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, in violation of international maritime law.”
The Handala carried a shipment of critical humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza, including baby formula, diapers, food, and medicine, the statement said.
“All cargo was non-military, civilian, and intended for direct distribution to a population facing deliberate starvation and medical collapse under Israel’s illegal blockade.”
The Handala carried 21 civilians representing 12 countries, including parliamentarians, lawyers, journalists, labour organisers, environmentalists, and other human rights defenders.
Seized crew members, journalists The seized crew includes:
United States: Christian Smalls — Amazon Labor Union founder; Huwaida Arraf — Human rights attorney (Palestine/US); Jacob Berger — Jewish-American activist; Bob Suberi — Jewish US war veteran; Braedon Peluso — sailor and direct action activist; Dr Frank Romano — International lawyer and actor (France/US).
France: Emma Fourreau — MEP and activist (France/Sweden); Gabrielle Cathala — Parliamentarian and former humanitarian worker; Justine Kempf — nurse, Médecins du Monde; Ange Sahuquet — engineer and human rights activist.
Italy: Antonio Mazzeo — teacher, peace researcher, journalist; Antonio “Tony” La Picirella — climate and social justice organiser.
Spain: Santiago González Vallejo — economist and activist; Sergio Toribio — engineer and environmentalist.
Australia: Robert Martin — human rights activist; Tania “Tan” Safi — Journalist and organiser of Lebanese descent.
United Kingdom/France: Chloé Fiona Ludden — former UN staff and scientist.
Tunisia: Hatem Aouini — Trade unionist and internationalist activist.
The two journalists on board:
Morocco: Mohamed El Bakkali — senior journalist with Al Jazeera (based in Paris).
Iraq/United States: Waad Al Musa — cameraman and field reporter with Al Jazeera.
The attack on Handala is the third violent act by Israeli forces against Freedom Flotilla missions this year alone, said the statement.
“It follows the drone bombing of the civilian aid ship Conscience in European waters in May, which injured four people and disabled the vessel, and the illegal seizure of the Madleen in June, where Israeli forces abducted 12 civilians, including a Member of the European Parliament.
“Shortly before their abduction, the Handala‘s crew affirmed that they would be hunger-striking if detained by Israeli forces and not accepting any food from the Israeli Occupation Forces.”
Israeli officials have ignored the International Court of Justice’s binding orders that require the facilitation of humanitarian access to Gaza.
The continued attacks on peaceful civilian missions represent a grave violation of international law, said the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
“Kia Ora Gaza is a longtime member of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and supports the current Handala civil mission to break Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza and end Israel’s campaign to wipe out the Palestinian population.
“All governments must urgently take strong effective action to stop the genocide and occupation and end all complicity with Israel. There are no Kiwis on the Handala which was intercepted under an enforced communications blackout today.”
Activists on board the Handala aid ship before leaving Italy’s Gallipoli Port on July 20, 2025. Image: Valeria Ferraro/Anadolu
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
PHNOM PENH, July 27 (Xinhua) — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Sunday reiterated his readiness for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” between the armed forces of his country and Thailand.
In a post on social media, Khun Manet said he had a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Saturday evening regarding the armed clashes on the Cambodia-Thailand border.
During the conversation, D. Trump expressed his desire to avoid war or hostilities that would lead to numerous deaths and casualties on both sides, and his hope for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of peace between the two countries, Hun Manet said.
“In response, I made it clear to the Honorable President Donald Trump that Cambodia agrees to the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the armed forces of the two countries,” he said.
Hun Manet said he had instructed Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon to discuss a ceasefire proposal with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Clashes in border areas between Cambodia and Thailand began on Thursday, with both sides accusing each other of violating international law. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
JERUSALEM, July 27 (Xinhua) — The Israeli military said it would limit fighting in three areas of the Gaza Strip from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time (07:00 a.m. to 17:00 GMT) daily from Sunday until further notice, local media reported. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
PYONGYANG, July 27 (Xinhua) — North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un laid a wreath at the China-Korea Friendship Monument on Saturday to mark the 72nd anniversary of the DPRK’s victory in the Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War), the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday.
“The DPRK will never forget the military exploits and merits of the fallen Chinese People’s Volunteers, who went down in the history of the great victory in the Korean War,” the agency quotes Kim Jong-un as saying.
According to KCNA, he was accompanied by North Korean Foreign Minister Choi Son Hee and head of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Kim Son Nam. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
JERUSALEM, July 27 (Xinhua) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided on Saturday evening to suspend hostilities in the Gaza Strip for the entire day on Sunday, Israeli media reported.
According to Israeli state television channel Kan TV News, the decision was made after consultations between B. Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and other senior officials in response to international pressure on the situation in Gaza.
Earlier on Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that airlifts of humanitarian aid into Gaza would resume later that night.
Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses confirmed that airdrops of humanitarian aid resumed in various areas of northern Gaza on Saturday evening.
It comes amid warnings from aid agencies of growing hunger in Gaza, where access to basic necessities has been severely restricted since Israel closed all border crossings in March. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Gaza/Jerusalem, July 27 (Xinhua) — Humanitarian aid was dropped again over various areas in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday evening, Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses reported.
Several boxes of flour, sugar and canned goods were dropped by parachute in northern Gaza.
One of the aid packages fell on a tent housing displaced people in northern Gaza, leaving several people with minor injuries, witnesses said.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that airdrops of humanitarian aid to Gaza would resume.
According to the statement, seven pallets of humanitarian aid provided by international organizations will be airlifted. Special humanitarian corridors are planned to ensure the safe passage of UN convoys in Gaza.
In turn, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said it had decided to immediately resume airlifts of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
In a post on social media platform X, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the UAE would continue to provide aid “by land, air and sea” to meet the urgent needs of the hardest-hit people in Gaza.
The resumption of air aid comes amid warnings from aid agencies of worsening hunger in Gaza, where access to essential supplies has been severely restricted since Israel closed all crossings into the strip in March. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
PHNOM PENH, July 27 (Xinhua) — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Sunday reiterated his readiness for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” between the armed forces of his country and Thailand.
In a post on social media, Khun Manet said he had a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Saturday evening regarding the armed clashes on the Cambodia-Thailand border.
During the conversation, D. Trump expressed his desire to avoid war or hostilities that would lead to numerous deaths and casualties on both sides, and his hope for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of peace between the two countries, Hun Manet said.
“In response, I made it clear to the Honorable President Donald Trump that Cambodia agrees to the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the armed forces of the two countries,” he said.
Hun Manet said he had instructed Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon to discuss a ceasefire proposal with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Clashes in border areas between Cambodia and Thailand began on Thursday, with both sides accusing each other of violating international law. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Cambodia and Thailand each said the other had launched artillery attacks across contested border areas early on Sunday, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said the leaders of both countries had agreed to work on a ceasefire.
Four days after the worst fighting in more than a decade broke out between the Southeast Asian neighbours, the death toll stood above 30, mainly civilians. More than 130,000 people have been evacuated from border areas in the two countries.
Cambodia’s Defence Ministry said Thailand had shelled and launched ground assaults on Sunday morning at a number of points, including in Phnom Kmoach, which borders Thailand’s coastal Trat province. The ministry’s spokesperson said heavy artillery was fired at temple complexes.
The Thai army said Cambodia had fired shots into several areas, including near civilian homes, early on Sunday. The governor of Surin told Reuters artillery shells had been fired into the province, damaging a house and killing some livestock.
In the Thai province of Sisaket, Reuters reporters heard shelling early on Sunday and said it was unclear which side of the border it was on.
“If there is a ceasefire, things will be better,” Sisaket resident Thavorn Toosawan told Reuters. “It’s great that America is insisting on the ceasefire because it would bring peace.”
TRUMP SPEAKS TO BOTH LEADERS
Trump said on Saturday that he had spoken with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia and they had agreed to meet immediately to quickly work out a ceasefire to end fighting that began on Thursday. Bangkok and Phnom Penh each say the other side started the hostilities.
“Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace,” Trump wrote on social media. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet endorsed the call for the fighting to stop.
“I made it clear to Honourable President Donald Trump that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces,” Hun Manet posted on Facebook, noting he had also agreed to Malaysia’s earlier ceasefire proposal.
Thailand’s response was more qualified, as it had been with the proposal from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, saying Cambodia needed to do more before talks could begin.
“I thanked President Trump for his concern and expressed that Thailand agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place. However, Thailand would like to see sincere intention from the Cambodian side,” acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Facebook.
The countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand’s fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse.
Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes.
Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and skirmishes over several years brought at least a dozen deaths.
Cambodia said in June it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court’s jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach.
Manchester United made a winning start to the Premier League Summer Series, defeating West Ham United 2-1 at the MetLife Stadium.
Bruno Fernandes scored both goals — a penalty early in the game and a second-half strike — to secure three points in the tournament. Jarrod Bowen pulled one back for the Hammers with a clinical finish and was only denied an equaliser by a sharp save from Altay Bayindir in the dying moments.
United made a blistering start, nearly scoring in the opening minute. Fernandes’s through ball found Rasmus Hojlund, who advanced toward goal and fired a left-footed shot that struck the outside of the post.
Just three minutes later, Alphonse Areola fumbled a high ball that ricocheted off El Hadji Malick Diouf’s back and fell to Ayden Heaven. Though the defender was moving away from goal, he was brought down by the Hammers’ keeper, leading to a clear penalty, according to Manchester United’s official report.
Amorim’s men continued to press forward. Hojlund lashed a decent chance over the bar after his pass was cut out and rebounded back to him. On the half-hour mark, Fernandes fired a dipping shot over the bar from outside the box after receiving a pass from Amad. West Ham’s only notable effort came from James Ward-Prowse, whose acrobatic attempt — following a deep cross from ex-Red Aaron Wan-Bissaka and a header by Tomas Soucek — came to nothing.
United did find the net again in the 38th minute when the impressive Manuel Ugarte broke through and set up Amad. The Ivorian’s calm finish, however, was disallowed for offside in what appeared to be a marginal call.
Amorim’s side kept up the pressure after the break, and within four minutes, Max Kilman was dispossessed by Hojlund. Fernandes latched onto the loose ball and raced clear for a one-on-one with Areola. However, his strike lacked power and precision, allowing the goalkeeper to save. Kobbie Mainoo followed up with a shot that deflected for a corner.
From the set-piece, Matthijs de Ligt’s header — from Fernandes’s looping ball into the box — was well saved by Areola. Just minutes later, with 52 on the clock, Mainoo capitalised on a poor pass from Areola. Fernandes received the ball and floated in a beautiful finish, taking full advantage of the keeper’s poor positioning.
West Ham pulled one back in the 63rd minute through Bowen, who smashed home a powerful shot after Jean-Clair Todibo found Soucek, who in turn teed up the England international.
In the 66th minute, Amorim changed his entire outfield lineup, and West Ham also made several substitutions. The game lost some rhythm, but Luis Guilherme came close in the 84th minute with a fierce drive that flew over Bayindir’s bar.
The Hammers nearly equalised in stoppage time when Bowen fired goalwards again, but Bayindir produced a stunning save to preserve the win and three points for United — ahead of their next match against Bournemouth, who earlier beat Everton 3-0.