Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)
16 Million Will Become Uninsured Because of Republican Legislation, Including Refusal to Extend Health Care Tax Credits
House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA), and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) released a statement following a new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) showing 16 million people will lose coverage from the Republican reconciliation plan, including their failure to extend premium tax credits that Americans use to buy affordable health insurance.
“The Republican health agenda is all about making it harder to get health care,”the leaders said.“Every step of the way, this abomination of a bill creates barriers and mazes designed to demoralize and discourage Americans as they try to get affordable health care. The results of this cruel system are clear: millions will lose coverage, health care costs will go up for all Americans, and tens of thousands will die.
“Everybody will be affected by the disastrous Republican bill. Despite Republican propaganda, Americans need to know that the bill’s thicket of red tape and increased out-of-pocket costs in Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act will fall especially hard on working families, including those with children, caregivers, Americans with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses. Republicans continue to repeat lies about the devastating harms of this bill, because without those lies the only conclusion that can be reached is that this bill is morally bankrupt.
“Republicans must be held responsible for the consequences of not extending health care tax credits that middle class Americans use to buy health insurance on their own. Their bill extends hundreds of tax policies that expire at the end of the year. The omission of this policy will cause millions of Americans to lose their health insurance and will raise premiums on 24 million Americans. The Republican failure to stop this premium spike is a policy choice, and it needs to be recognized as such. Between this choice and other harmful policies in their legislation, Republicans are effectively dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Americans do not want to go back to the days where health care was reserved for the healthy and the wealthy, where insurance companies had free rein to discriminate against sicker or older Americans.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)
Warns that Republicans’ reconciliation bill, AI loopholes are undermining fight against scams
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, warned today that New Jersey residents remain vulnerable to scams perpetrated through robocalls and robotexts despite progress in passing tough federal protections against robocalls.
At an Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing, Pallone called for stronger laws to combat the evolving tactics scammers now use, including artificial intelligence (AI) and spoofing. He also slammed Republican efforts to defund key consumer protection agencies that enforce robocall and robotext laws.
“New Jerseyans know all too well how relentless and dangerous these robocalls and robotexts have become,” Pallone said. “They target seniors, small businesses, and families across our state – trying to steal personal information and hard-earned money. I’ve led this fight in Congress for years, and it’s clear we need to do more in the face of AI.”
Pallone authored the landmark TRACED Act, signed into law in 2019, which strengthened the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) authority to crack down on illegal robocalls. It also required phone carriers to implement call authentication technology and expanded enforcement tools.
But despite that progress, scammers are adapting fast. Americans received more than 52 billion robocalls in 2024—nearly 200 calls per adult—and robotext scams are rapidly increasing, targeting consumers with fraudulent links and fake messages.
“In New Jersey, seniors are particularly at risk from these scams – phony Medicare calls, texts claiming to be from grandchildren in distress, or fake law enforcement threats. It’s infuriating, and we have to stay ahead of the scammers,” Pallone said.
Pallone is pushing to update the TRACED Act to cover robotexts, impose additional penalties against robocalls and texts that use AI to trick consumers, and ensure consumers can access robocall-blocking technology at no extra cost. But he warned that Republican efforts to slash funding for the FCC and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) threaten to roll back enforcement – right as AI-powered scams surge.
He also criticized House Republicans for supporting a 10-year moratorium on state enforcement of state AI laws, which would block adoption of innovative efforts by New Jersey and other states to combat illegal robocalls and robotexts.
“We can’t allow Big Tech loopholes and budget cuts by Republicans and the Trump Administration to undermine the fight against scams. New Jerseyans deserve real protection and I’m going to keep leading this fight,” Pallone said.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)
Legislation Would Take Politics Out of Medicine and Hold Reckless Leaders Accountable
Today, Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) introduced the Family Vaccine Protection Act to remove politics from the life-saving immunization schedule, hold Trump Administration officials accountable, and protect children and expectant mothers from vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Secretary Kennedy is governing by conspiracy theory and putting the health of our children at risk,” said Pallone. “After just a few months in office, he’s already broken the promise he made during his Senate confirmation hearing to not interfere with the lifesaving childhood vaccine schedule. He’s simultaneously presided over the largest measles outbreak in decades while actively undermining vaccination efforts for COVID-19, measles, polio, and the flu—especially for pregnant women and the tiniest infants, two of the highest risk populations. Enough is enough—it’s time to take politics out of medicine and ensure all families have access to affordable life-saving vaccines. Dr. Schrier and I are introducing this legislation to keep Secretary Kennedy’s conspiracy theories out of the doctor’s office and to protect moms and their kids.”
“Our current Secretary of Health and Human Services continues to undermine science and peddle conspiracy theories. This nation’s physicians and public health system have relied upon the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) for 61 years to evaluate scientific evidence, ask questions, and ultimately make a determination about whether to recommend a vaccine and for whom. This bill ensures that physicians and other scientific experts are the ones who evaluate those studies and make those decisions, as has always been the case. Recent efforts to undermine the ACIP by pressuring physicians like Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos to parrot RFK, Jr. talking points have unfortunately made this bill necessary,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “I will continue to stand up for scientific integrity and fight RFK Jr. ‘s peddling of conspiracy theories.”
The Family Vaccine Protection Act comes on the heels of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. ’s unilateral withdrawal of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women. This reckless decision—circumventing science-based approval—begins a slippery slope toward a sicker America where Kennedy alone decides what’s best for American children.
For months, RFK, Jr. ’s HHS and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have ignored science-based recommendations by the independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). In April, ACIP voted unanimously to expand its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine recommendation and to provide a meningococcal vaccine to healthy teens and college-aged kids—but Kennedy ignored these recommendations. These actions are setting a dangerous precedent and jeopardizing access through critical programs like the Vaccines for Children program.
Secretary Kennedy is actively backtracking on his own promise in November 2024 that he wouldn’t “take away anybody’s vaccines” and contradicting his own Food and Drug Administration’s framework. His brazen undermining of ACIP’s independence and persistent spreading of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories threatens decades of public health progress—and will put the lives of pregnant women and unvaccinated infants at risk.
The Family Vaccine Protection Act protects access to affordable vaccines by:
Codifying current practices of a rigorous, science-based system for recommending vaccines:
This bill sets a timeline for new vaccine consideration by ACIP and requires that both the CDC Director and HHS Secretary adopt such recommendations if supported by a preponderance of scientific evidence.
Strengthening the independence of the Advisory Committee:
This bill writes the role of ACIP into statute and specifies its structure, its membership selection processes, meeting frequency, and expertise requirements—protecting it from dissolution or undue interference by the HHS Secretary.
Keeping politics out of medicine by ensuring the Secretary cannot unilaterally make or withdraw vaccine recommendations contrary to the advice of scientific experts:
This bill requires the HHS Secretary to adopt the official vaccine decision as set by ACIP—and if the Secretary chooses to depart from an ACIP recommendation, it requires the Secretary to publish the basis for the agency action, including an explanation as to how the action is supported by the best available, peer-reviewed scientific evidence.
Establishing guardrails to ensure vaccines remain accessible to all:
This bill protects the role of ACIP in making immunization recommendations for the Vaccines for Children Program as well as for the purposes of cost-free coverage of vaccines by health insurance plans—ensuring continued widespread access to life-saving vaccines.
The Family Vaccine Protection Act has received the support of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Public Health Association, American College of Physicians, Infectious Disease Society of America, and Vaccinate Your Family.
Read the full bill text HEREand a section-by-section summary HERE.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A calligraphy exhibition by Chao Daishuang, a research fellow at the National Museum of China and director of the Institute of Ancient Chinese Calligraphy, opened June 6 in Beijing, highlighting his decades of research and artistic achievement.
Chao Daishuang speaks at the opening ceremony of his calligraphy exhibition in Beijing, China, June 6, 2025. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]
At the opening ceremony, Chao spoke of the profound reverence inspired by ancient calligraphic works, noting that they embody the intellectual spirit and philosophical depth of China’s traditional scholars.
Koh Hock Kiat, founding dean of the Confucius Institute at Nanyang Technological University, also attended the event. He called calligraphy “the soul of Chinese culture,” saying its integration with classical poetry and wisdom can exert a subtle yet profound influence on children’s upbringing.
After the ceremony, Chao spoke with attendees, stressing that mastery of the Chinese language is essential for understanding the classical texts featured in the artwork.
A section of Chao Daishuang’s calligraphy on display at the exhibition in Beijing, China, June 6, 2025. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]
Chao said appreciating calligraphy requires an understanding of its cultural roots. He urged young cultural workers to develop a solid literary grounding, saying, “Only those deeply versed in classics can create truly meaningful calligraphy.” He emphasized that authentic cultural exchanges must be built on genuine traditional foundations.
On the topic of cultural diplomacy, Chao said its effects are often gradual. “A lecture or an overseas exchange may not yield immediate results,” he said. “But such efforts lay foundations for the future — persistent engagement will naturally bear fruit over time.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced Tuesday evening that the second largest city in the United States has imposed a curfew in the downtown area from local time 8:00 p.m. (0300 GMT Wednesday) to 6:00 a.m. (1300 GMT) Wednesday.
The curfew would cover about 1 square mile, Bass said.
She said that the local authorities imposed the limited curfew in response to looting and vandalism that occurred downtown Monday night, following largely peaceful daytime protests.
The curfew exempts residents of the designated area, homeless individuals, credentialed media and public safety or emergency officials, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Bass announced the curfew as protests against raids by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stretched into the fifth day, with local media reporting demonstrators surged onto the 101 Freeway, blocking traffic in both directions, shortly before the order was issued.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The current U.S. administration will cut its military budget for Ukraine next year, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a hearing in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
“It is a reduction in this (upcoming defense) budget,” Hegseth told lawmakers, “This administration takes a very different view of that conflict.”
“We believe that a negotiated peaceful settlement is in the best interest of both parties and our nation’s interests, especially with all the competing interests around the globe,” he said.
The United States has provided Ukraine more than 66 billion U.S. dollars in aid since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out in February 2022, according to U.S. media reports.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Vinicius Junior scored in the first half as five-time world champion Brazil secured a spot at next year’s FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 home win over Paraguay in its qualifier on Tuesday.
The result marked new manager Carlo Ancelotti’s first victory since taking charge late last month and leaves Brazil third in the South American standings with 25 points, one ahead of fifth-placed Paraguay, with two matches remaining.
“We’re very happy to have qualified for the World Cup, which was our objective,” Vinicius told TV Globo after the match.
“Tonight wasn’t one of our best games but the most important thing in these qualifiers is to get over the line and do what’s needed to reach the World Cup. Now it’s time to celebrate.”
The host took the lead on the stroke of halftime when Vinicius slid home from inside the six-yard box after Matheus Cunha’s cross from the right side of the penalty area.
Brazil dominated for large periods at Sao Paulo’s Corinthians Arena but struggled to break down Paraguay’s disciplined defensive block.
The visitor offered little in attack and its best chance of the first half was a speculative effort by Junior Alonso from 15 yards.
Brazil went close to doubling its lead just before the hour through Bruno Guimaraes, whose deft chip was headed off the line by Juan Caceres.
Dynamo Moscow right-back Caceres then put Brazil’s defense under pressure with a long throw to the goalmouth, where the ball fell to Alonso, whose powerful header flew just over the bar.
But there were few other scoring chances as both teams appeared to prioritize defense over offensive ambition.
The home side had 73% of possession but only four shots on target while Paraguay forced just one save from Brazil goalkeeper Alisson.
Brazil will meet Chile and Bolivia in its final two qualifiers in September while Paraguay, which needs only one more point to qualify, faces Ecuador and Peru.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China’s Wang Zifei and Hu Kai extended their winning streaks in the women’s 10m air rifle and men’s 10m air pistol events respectively, each capturing their third individual gold medal of the season at the ISSF World Cup in Munich.
At 18, world record holder Wang delivered a stunning qualification performance, breaking both the junior and overall qualification world records with a score of 637.9 to advance to the final.
In the final, Wang stayed composed and consistent, delivering a series of high 10s. A decisive 10.9 shot near the end gave her a slim lead, allowing her to narrowly defeat South Korea’s Kwon Eun-ji by 0.1 point with a final score of 252.7. India’s Elavenil Valarivan claimed the bronze medal. Fellow Chinese shooter Han Jiayu secured sixth place.
The win marked Wang’s third straight World Cup gold in the women’s 10m air rifle, keeping her unbeaten record in the event this season after victories in Buenos Aires and Lima. She currently holds all four individual women’s 10m air rifle records over senior and junior categories in this discipline.
In the men’s 10m air pistol, 23-year-old Hu led qualification with 588 points, but faced stiff competition in the final from Kazakhstan’s Valeriy Rakhimzhan and Christian Reitz of Germany. Hu had a slow start in the final but regained momentum with a series of high-scoring shots, including several over 10.5, to move into medal contention.
With two shots remaining, Hu responded with a 10.5 and a 10.4 to edge ahead. The Kazakh shooter, who had led most of the contest, closed with a 9.9 and had to settle for silver with 241.9. Reitz took bronze.
The victory marked Hu’s third straight gold of the season in the event, keeping his unbeaten record in 2025. Another Chinese shooter, Olympic champion Xie Yu, finished fifth.
With two gold medals on the first competition day, China leads the medal table in Munich, followed by Kazakhstan and South Korea.
The ISSF World Cup will continue on Wednesday with the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions final and the women’s 25m pistol final.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Thiago Almada struck late as Argentina salvaged a 1-1 home draw against Colombia in their FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz gave the visitors the lead against the run of play when he cut inside from the left wing and skipped past three defenders before coolly firing a shot past Emiliano Martinez.
The host was forced to play the last 25 minutes with 10 men after Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Kevin Castano.
Despite its numerical disadvantage, Argentina continued to dictate terms and pushed forward in search of an equalizer.
Lyon midfielder Almada put his side on level terms nine minutes from time by receiving Exequiel Palacios’ pass and advancing into the box before drilling a low effort into the far corner.
Reigning World Cup champion Argentina, which is already assured of a place at football’s showpiece tournament next year, remains top of South America’s qualifying group with 35 points, 13 ahead of sixth-placed Colombia.
The top six teams earn direct entry to the World Cup while the seventh-ranked side advances to a playoff.
Argentina will meet Venezuela and Ecuador in its last two qualifiers in September while Colombia will confront Bolivia and Venezuela.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded the massive infrastructure transformation that has taken place over the past 11 years, calling it a cornerstone of India’s growth and self-reliance.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “It’s been 11 Years Of Infra Revolution, with outstanding infrastructure being added that has enhanced India’s growth trajectory. From railways to highways, ports to airports, India’s rapidly expanding infra network is boosting ‘Ease of Living’ and enhancing prosperity.”
The prime minister added that the country’s focus on next-generation infrastructure is rooted in sustainability and long-term planning. “It is laying the foundations of a self-reliant India,” he said.
The PM outlined key aspects of this transformation, including the development of modern highways and ropeways, the unlocking of India’s maritime potential, and affordable air travel under the UDAN scheme. He also pointed to major upgrades in the rail sector, such as the rollout of Vande Bharat trains, the launch of the Amrit Bharat Express, and the modernisation of stations under the Amrit Bharat scheme.
The BJP-led NDA government has completed 11 years in office, with infrastructure projects being a key focus of its development agenda. PM Modi, who assumed office on May 26, 2014, has described this period as a “transformative decade of development.”
In celebration of this milestone, the government has been highlighting achievements across sectors — with infrastructure at the forefront as a symbol of India’s march towards becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
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The Australian government is imposing financial and travel sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers: Itamar Ben-Gvir (the national security minister) and Bezalel Smotrich (finance minister).
This is a significant development. While Australia has previously sanctioned seven individual Israeli settlers, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are the most high-profile Israeli nationals to face such sanctions.
Civil society organisations have long called for sanctions against these ministers and others in the Israeli cabinet.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong previously rebuffed such calls by saying that “going it alone gets us nowhere”. These latest sanctions have been imposed by a coalition of five states: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom.
A joint statement by the foreign ministers of these countries says Ben Gvir and Smotrich “have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.”
Explaining the sanctions further, Wong told ABC Smotrich and Ben-Gvir are the “most extreme proponents of the unlawful and violent Israeli settlement enterprise”.
He has also complained no one would allow Israel “to cause two million civilians to die of hunger, even though it might be justified and moral until our hostages are returned.”
Last month, he argued that “until the last hostage is returned, we should not even be sending water” to Gaza.
The joint statement by the foreign ministers explains Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have been sanctioned for “inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank”.
The statement notes these measures “cannot be seen in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza”. However, it also goes on to express “unwavering support for Israel’s security” and vows to “continue to work with the Israeli government”.
Nor does it make clear Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are not bad apples; they are integral members of the far-right Israeli government that is responsible for the destruction of Gaza and the starvation of its people.
Indeed, just this week, a UN independent fact-finding commission report found Israel was committing the “crime against humanity of extermination” in Gaza, among other war crimes.
What are Magnitsky sanctions?
Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have been sanctioned under Australia’s Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011. This act grants the foreign minister broad discretionary powers to impose sanctions.
In 2021, the Australian government amended this act to allow the government to impose sanctions on specific “themes”, such as:
serious violations or serious abuses of human rights
threats to international peace and security
activities undermining good governance or the rule of law, including serious corruption.
These targeted sanctions on human rights abuses are often called “Magnitsky-style sanctions” after the Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in custody after exposing serious corruption in Russia. They enable a government to freeze the assets of and impose travel bans on individuals and specific entities, not just countries.
Since coming into force, Australia has imposed the Magnitsky-style sanctions on numerous Russian military leaders, members of Myanmar’s junta, and the commander in chief of the Iranian Army.
But Australia does not only sanction individuals from these countries. It also imposes country-wide sanctions on Russia, Myanmar and Iran.
These broader sanctions restrict all trade in arms, including weapons, ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, as well as spare parts and accessories.
Australia can – and should – do more
The Australian Centre for International Justice, which had lobbied the government to sanction Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, welcomed the decision. It called it:
an important demonstration of Australia’s commitment to upholding international law and human rights.
But the centre’s acting executive director, Lara Khider, stressed the need for further concrete action. This includes “the imposition of a comprehensive two-way arms embargo on Israel”.
Indeed, sanctions are not just political or diplomatic tools that states can apply at their discretion. International law can require states to apply sanctions, such as through a resolution of the UN Security Council.
Last July, the International Court of Justice declared that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, including its imposition of a regime of racial segregation, is unlawful.
In that advisory opinion, the court also clarified the legal obligations of all states concerning Israel’s occupation of Palestine. Such obligations include the duty on all states to “take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation”.
Nothing less than a two-way trade and arms embargo is adequate now. Just as Australia imposes such sanctions on Russia, Myanmar and Iran, it must do the same for Israel.
Jessica Whyte receives funding from the Australian Research Council. With Sara Dehm, she co-authored a submission to the 2024 inquiry into Australia’s sanctions regime which criticised Australia’s failure to impose sanctions on the state of Israel.
Sara Dehm receives funding from the Australian Research Council. With Jessica Whyte, she co-authored a submission to the 2024 inquiry into Australia’s sanctions regime which criticised Australia’s failure to impose sanctions on the state of Israel.
To assist the public to select vehicles of high energy efficiency, the Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, not only publishes monthly information online on the fuel efficiency of newly certified models, but also compiles these data annually into the “Vehicle Fuel Economy Guide”. To further encourage the public adoption of energy-saving and carbon-reducing electric vehicles, the “2024 Vehicle Fuel Economy Guide” also includes energy efficiency information of electric vehicles that have been tested and certified (please refer to the electric-vehicle pages).
The top three vehicles in each fuel-saving vehicle ranking (non-electric) category in the 2024 Vehicle Fuel Economy Guide are shown below:
Among passenger cars, the top three are all hybrid vehicles: Honda FIT A522H1502 1498c.c. A1 5D, LEXUS LBX HYBRID 1490c.c. CVT 5D and TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 2487c.c. CVT 4D, where the Honda FIT A522H1502 1498c.c. A1 5D manufactured by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., ranks first with a fuel economy of 26.9 km/L.
Among commercial vehicles, the top three are TUCSON NX4H-C 1598c.c. A6 5D, TUCSON NX4H-A 1598c.c. A6 5D and CITROEN BERLINGO VAN (XL) 1499c.c. A8 5D (diesel), where the TUCSON NX4H-C 1598c.c. A6 5D manufactured by Sanyang Motor Co., Ltd., ranks atop the list with a fuel economy of 21.1 km/L.
Among motorcycles (tested by “Fuel Economy Test Method for Motorcycles”), the top three are all from the HONDA SUPER CUB series, where the HONDA SUPER CUB 109.5c.c. M4 imported by RON-LI SUPER MOTORS CO., LTD., takes the top spot with a fuel economy of 95.9 km/L.
According to the Energy Administration, to maximize energy-saving and carbon-reducing results for vehicles, it is important to not only carefully choose energy-saving vehicles but also to keep good driving habits and maintain vehicles in good conditions, such as reducing vehicle load, accelerating and decelerating smoothly, maintaining proper tire pressure and avoiding periods long idling. These are all effective ways of improving fuel economy.
The Energy Administration also clarified that the energy efficiency values published in the 2024 Vehicle Fuel Economy Guide were measured under standardized laboratory conditions. In real world driving, fuel economy may be affected by various factors such as weather, road and traffic conditions, usage of air conditioning and individual driving habits. Therefore, the actual number of kilometers traveled per liter of gasoline (or diesel) or kilowatt-hour of electricity may be lower than the values shown in the Guide.
The “2024 Vehicle Fuel Economy Guide” has been published on the Energy Administration’s official website (https://www.moeaea.gov.tw), and welcome to download. For some specific vehicle models, please visit the following website (https://auto.itri.org.tw) and click on the “Vehicle Energy Efficiency Inquiry” or “Energy Efficiency for Electric Vehicles”.
Spokesperson: Deputy Director General, Chih-Wei Wu Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs Phone Number: 02-2775-7750 Mobile: 0922-339-410 Email: cwwu@moeaea.gov.tw
Business Contact: Director, Shu-Fang Kao Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs Phone Number: 02-2775-7773 Mobile: 0918-400-668 Email: sfkao@moeaea.gov.tw
India’s infrastructure has seen rapid progress in the last decade, as capital expenditure surged from Rs 2 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 11.21 lakh crore in 2025-26 – a significant six times increase towards the ‘Viksit Bharat’ goal, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday.
“India’s Infrastructure has seen rapid progress in the last decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Allocation for capital expenditure at its highest-ever at Rs 11.21 lakh crore during FY2026,” FM Sitharaman said in a post on X.
“A leap of more than 860 per cent in budget allocation for road transport to Rs 3+ lakh crore. Four times surge in Metro Rail Network from just 248 KM in 2014 to 1011 KM in 2025,” she added.
Finance Minister further stated that from Atal Tunnel to Chenab Bridge, India’s engineering feats are transforming its landscape.
“These marvels exemplify PM Modi’s vision for a modern, connected and prosperous Bharat,” said FM Sitharaman.
According to her, India’s push for next-gen infrastructure is powered by sustainability and long term vision.
“It is laying the foundations of a self-reliant India,” said the Finance Minister.
The government was poised to surpass its revised capital expenditure (capex) target of Rs 10.18 lakh crore for FY25 by a modest margin.
The capex target was lowered to Rs 10.18 lakh crore (revised estimates) in the Union Budget 2025-26, from Rs 11.1 lakh crore. For current fiscal (FY26), a capex allocation of Rs 11.21 lakh crore has been set by the government.
According to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Indian economy will continue to be the world’s fastest-growing economy backed by the increase in the government’s capital expenditure in the Budget for 2025-26 and rising consumption levels, especially in the rural areas.
The effective capital expenditure works out to 4.3 per cent of the GDP in the Budget for 2025-26 while the fiscal deficit is 4.4 per cent.
India’s defence sector has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past eleven years, with exports reaching a record high of ₹23,622 crore in 2024–25. This marks a 34-fold increase from ₹686 crore in 2013–14, underlining the Modi government’s commitment to making India self-reliant and globally competitive in defence manufacturing.
The growth in defence exports has been the result of focused policy reforms, a clear strategic vision, and consistent efforts to strengthen domestic capabilities. Over the years, the government has taken several initiatives to ease export procedures, encourage private sector participation, and expand the range of products available for the international market.
In the financial year 2024–25 alone, India granted 1,762 export authorisations, reflecting a 16.92 percent rise from the previous year. The number of defence exporters also saw an increase of 17.4 percent, pointing to the growing participation of Indian firms in the global defence supply chain.
Defence exports from the private sector stood at ₹15,233 crore, while Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) contributed ₹8,389 crore. In comparison, the previous year had seen exports worth ₹15,209 crore from private players and ₹5,874 crore from DPSUs. The 42.85 percent increase in DPSU exports is seen as a strong indication of growing international trust in Indian defence products and the deepening integration of Indian manufacturing into global supply chains.
India’s export portfolio has diversified significantly over the last decade. Today, the country supplies bulletproof jackets, Dornier (Do-228) aircraft, Chetak helicopters, fast interceptor boats, radars, and lightweight torpedoes to over 100 countries. The United States, France, and Armenia have emerged as key buyers, reflecting India’s growing reputation as a reliable defence partner.
A landmark development came in January 2022, when BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited signed a $375 million deal with the Philippines for the supply of a Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System. The contract was a major step forward in India’s efforts to promote responsible defence exports and showcased the technological maturity of Indian systems.
As the Modi government marks 11 years in office, the defence sector stands out as a clear success story. With a target of ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029, India is steadily moving towards becoming a global hub for defence production.
Malaria is one of the deadliest diseases spread by mosquitoes. Each year, hundreds of millions of people worldwide are infected and half a million people die from the disease.
While mainland Australia was declared malaria-free in 1981, from time to time travellers return to Australia with an infection.
Infections from local mosquitoes are incredibly rare. However, last week two cases of locally acquired malaria were reported in the Torres Strait.
So what does this mean for local communities? And is this a risk for mainland Australia?
What is malaria?
Unlike other mosquito-borne disease, malaria is caused by protozoan parasites, not viruses. These parasites belong to the Plasmodium genus. While five of these parasites are considered a human health concern, Plasmodium falciparumposes the most serious threat.
Symptoms can be mild and include fever, chills and headache. But sometimes people develop severe symptoms, such as fatigue, confusion, seizures and difficulty breathing.
Without appropriate medical care, the disease can be fatal. Those most at risk of life-threatening illness include infants, children under five years, pregnant women and patients with HIV and AIDS.
How does it spread?
Malaria parasites are spread by the bite of a mosquito carrying the malaria parasite.
Not all mosquitoes can carry the parasite. The group of mosquitoes responsible for most malaria transmission is called Anopheles. Aedes and Culex mosquitoes, which are typically associated with the spread of viruses, don’t transmit malaria to people.
The Anopheles group of mosquitoes play an important role in transmitting malaria parasites. Cameron Webb (NSW Health Pathology), CC BY-NC-ND
Alternative strategies include using insecticide-treated bed nets and controlling mosquitoes by spraying insecticide on and around homes. Early diagnosis and treatment of those suspected to have an infection is also crucial.
‘Imported’ versus ‘locally acquired’ infections
There is an important distinction between “imported” and “locally acquired” cases of malaria.
“Imported” cases mean the person has been infected overseas and returned to Australia, where they’ve been diagnosed and treated. These cases appear in official statistics but are not the result of local mosquito bites.
“Locally acquired” cases are where a person is infected without any overseas travel. These cases often result from the parasites first introduced into Australia by infected travellers. The travellers are then bitten by local mosquitoes that go on to bite and spread the pathogens to people who haven’t travelled.
When this happens, it indicates local mosquitoes are carrying the malaria parasites and there is a significant risk further infections have occurred (but are not yet diagnosed) or may be diagnosed in the near future. Mosquito control or other initiatives are required to prevent larger outbreaks.
In the case of the Torres Strait, there is also the risk infected mosquitoes are transported, either by wind or boats, from Papua New Guinea.
So, what’s happening in the Torres Strait?
Queensland Health is currently investigating two recent cases of locally acquired malaria on Saibai Island.
But cases of locally acquired malaria aren’t unusual in the Torres Strait. They’re often suspected to be linked to movement of people into the islands from PNG, a country that reports more than a million suspected cases of malaria each year.
The tropical climate of the Torres Strait and presence of Anopheles mosquitoes means conditions are right for local spread once the parasites are introduced, either through infected mosquitoes or people.
Since the 1980s, there have only been a small number of cases reported on mainland Australia. The majority are in travellers returning to Australia who were infected overseas.
Historically, malaria cases were reported in many parts of the country, especially in the 1940s, including suburbs around Sydney when soldiers infected overseas returned to Australia.
The mosquitoes capable of spreading the parasites then are still present today. While the most important malaria mosquito in Australia, Anopheles faurati, is limited to northern regions of coastal Australia, Anopheles annulipes is widespread across much of the country.
But just because the mosquitoes are there, it doesn’t mean there will be an outbreak of malaria.
The parasite needs to be introduced and it needs to be warm enough for it to complete its life cycle in local mosquitoes. The cooler it is, the less likely that is to happen, even if suitable mosquitoes are present.
The parasites also face additional challenges. Infected people need to be bitten by local Anopheles mosquitoes, not just any mosquitoes. And with modern health-care systems in Australia, untreated sick people are less likely to be exposed to mosquito bites.
Malaria is one of the mosquito-borne pathogens considered at risk of increasing as a result of climate change. But there are many other factors at play that will determine future outbreak risk in mainland Australia, especially outside the tropical north of the country, such as a changing climate and seasonal changes in numbers and types of mosquitoes.
How to stay safe
The most important way local communities and visitors to the Torres Strait can stay safe is to avoid mosquito bites.
Cover up when possible with long-sleeved shirts, long pants and covered shoes and apply an insect repellent.
Insect screens, whether on buildings or in the form of bed nets will also provide protection overnight.
Cameron Webb and the Department of Medical Entomology, NSW Health Pathology and University of Sydney, have been engaged by a wide range of insect repellent and insecticide manufacturers to provide testing of products and provide expert advice on medically important arthropods, including mosquitoes. Cameron has also received funding from local, state and federal agencies to undertake research into various aspects of mosquito and mosquito-borne disease management.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The results of the first season of the Rosmolodezh.Grants grant competition have been summed up. Students of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University became winners with five projects, receiving funding for a total of 2.5 million rubles.
The All-Russian competition of youth projects “Rosmolodezh.Grants” is held by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs and is aimed at supporting initiatives implemented by citizens of the Russian Federation aged 14 to 35. The winners of the first season of the competition in 2025 were five students of SPbPU. The projects cover a wide range of areas: from environmental education and engineering training to scientific volunteering, educational forums and socio-cultural initiatives.
Alexandra Kuznetsova — project “Educational module on designing and constructing a geodome from recycled polymers”
The project will include an educational course on separate waste collection and recycling in the Polytech Tower. The plastic recycling equipment, which the students assembled themselves, can be used to make various products from recycled polymers. Usually, these are souvenirs, but the project team has set an ambitious goal: to assemble a geodome from recycled plastic, which will be an addition to the Tower’s summer space next year. The project introduces plastic recycling processes in a visual and interactive form using compact equipment similar to industrial equipment. This creates a logical chain from packaging submitted for recycling to the finished product.
Anna Melnichuk and the PCPS student club – the project “Autumn school “SPARK””
The initiative of the PCPS (Polytechnic Club of Physical Students) club is an educational project aimed at 1st-2nd year students of physical and technical fields. The SPARK school is dedicated to the topic of building a career path in science. The event will include lectures and master classes from invited speakers – scientists from the Polytechnic University and other scientific institutions. They will talk about their own path in science, share practical advice, and also conduct classes on developing soft skills: writing a resume, a motivation letter, a scientific article, finding a scientific supervisor and other important aspects of a scientific career.
Tatyana Tkachuk — the project “Forum of Case Clubs”
The Case Club Forum is an event aimed at creating a space and favorable conditions for the exchange of ideas and experience between members of student associations promoting the case method in their activities. The project includes a seminar called “Case Club Forum”. The goal of the event is to create a space for the exchange of competencies and experience, allowing for improved communication between associations and the development of joint activities for the further promotion of the case method. Representatives of existing case clubs in St. Petersburg and Moscow will be invited to participate in the forum!
Alexander Merkuriev – the project “Vaccination is impossible to remain silent”
The project “Vaccination is not possible to remain silent” is aimed at educating young people about the safety and effectiveness of vaccination. During open lessons in schools in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, young specialists in biology and medicine will tell students from different classes about our immunity, the composition and production of modern vaccines, and myths about the dangers of vaccination. All these and many other questions will be discussed in class after a popular science lecture on the topic.
Daria Khadjaridi – “Black Bear School” project
“Black Bear School” is a five-day intensive course in sports management. Over the course of five days, experts will talk about lectures on SMM, photography, video, event organization, and working with partners. The intensive course will be useful for anyone who wants to learn something new in the field of sports media – whether you are a beginner or a pro, because the intensive course is divided into categories by level of training.
The grant competition has been held since 2005 and is aimed at supporting projects of young people and student associations. The competition provides financial support in the amount of 5 thousand to 1 million rubles for the implementation of socially significant projects. In the first season of 2025, more than 15 thousand applications from all regions of Russia were received for participation. The selection of projects was carried out according to the criteria of relevance, feasibility, social significance and the presence of a sustainable result.
Support for SPbPU student projects confirms the high level of project activities at the university, as well as the active civic position of students. The university will continue to provide methodological assistance to students and youth associations in participating in such competitions, developing a culture of project thinking and social leadership.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)
WASHINGTON — During today’s House Appropriations subcommittee markup of the 2026 Defense funding bill, House Democrats highlighted how the bill undermines democracy at home and abroad and includes harmful policy riders that divide our nation.
For fiscal year 2026, the bill provides $831.5 billion, which is equal to current funding levels and $1.3 billion above the Administration’s fiscal year 2026 request.
Republicans have included language directing the Department of Defense to determine $7.75 billion in cuts to amounts listed in the bill. This jeopardizes every program other than intelligence activities. If made uniformly, it would reduce everything by approximately 1 percent, which would mean cuts of almost $2 billion for troop pay, over $2 billion for troop readiness, $409 million for health programs, $5 million each for Israel and Jordan, and over $2 billion for the procurement and modernization of weapons systems. At a time when the Trump Administration is already illegally stealing from American communities by refusing to spend funds, it is unfathomable that the Appropriations Committee would allow the administration to unilaterally make nearly $8 billion in cuts to defense investments.
The legislation:
Weakens Ukraine and empowers Russia by eliminating support for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
Undermines democracy at home and abroad by allowing disinformation and extremist views to flourish.
Limits women’s access to abortion by preventing service personnel from traveling to seek reproductive health care
Harms our military readiness with divisive provisions that undermine morale and fail to support our service personnel, by:
Continuing DOGE and the Administration’s cuts to vital civilian positions;
Attacking the LGBTQ+ community with hateful policies; and
Banning funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
From Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Betty McCollum’s (D-MN-04) opening remarksas prepared for delivery:
“The Defense Appropriations Act is an incredibly complex piece of legislation that needs to be written the right way: With the president’s budget, and with thoughtful analysis by the Department of Defense. There are consequences to not following this process. We may end up buying too many of one platform, wasting precious taxpayer dollars. We may end up buying too little of another – leaving a gap in our defense capabilities. When we do not see the budget request, we fail to maximize the buying power for the taxpayer. It is unfortunate that President Trump put us in this situation. Our service members and America’s tax paying public deserve better.”
From Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro’s (D-CT-03) opening remarksas prepared for delivery:
“Rather than working with House Democrats to strengthen our national security and prioritize the issues that matter most to our men and women in uniform, House Republicans are abandoning our allies, undermining democracy at home and abroad, and failing to support our servicemembers. Despite broad support in Congress for helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s brutal invasion, they empower Vladimir Putin by failing to include $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The majority’s bill holds the door open for disinformation created by America’s enemies rather than allowing the Department of Defense to counter the threat, allowing extremism and propaganda to proliferate across the Internet and media landscape. The bill continues House Republicans’ attacks on the right of women to seek an abortion, and the rights of minorities to be protected from discrimination, while destroying the Department’s efforts to build a more inclusive, effective, and modern military. And the bill weakens the Department by continuing the Administration’s reckless and indiscriminate cuts to vital civilian personnel, and yielding to DOGE and Elon Musk.”
A summary of House Republicans’ 2026 Defense bill is here. A fact sheet of the bill is here. The full text of the bill is here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)
(Houston, TX) — On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Congressman Al Green was featured in an article written by Newsweek reporter Peter Aitken titled “Exclusive: Al Green on Trump Impeachment Push—’Don’t Wait’ for ‘Tanks’.” The article highlights Congressman Green’s recently filed articles of impeachment against President Donald John Trump, pointing to the Presidents continued attacks on judicial independence and disregard for the separation of powers. In this piece, Congressman Green addresses the need to confront rising authoritarianism, warning immediate action is necessary to safeguard American democracy.
The article is available on Newsweek’s website by clicking the link here.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Applications for new niches at Wo Hop Shek, Cape Collinson-San Ha and Shek Mun Columbariums to close on June 18 Hong Kong Cemeteries and Crematoria Office Address: 1J Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong Tel: 2570 4318 Fax: 2591 1879Address: Upper Ground Floor, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon Tel: 2365 5321 Fax: 2176 4963Address: Units 3501-3511 and 3520-3525, 35/F, Tower 1, Metroplaza, 223 Hing Fong Road, Kwai Fong, NT Tel: 2330 5635 Fax: 2333 1716 Issued at HKT 15:15
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Jun 11, 2025 0600 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook
Updated: Wed Jun 11 05:57:09 UTC 2025 (Print Version | | )
Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table
Forecast Discussion
SPC AC 110557
Day 2 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1257 AM CDT Wed Jun 11 2025
Valid 121200Z – 131200Z
…THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER PARTS OF THE NORTHERN PLAINS AND TEXAS…
…SUMMARY… Widely scattered strong to severe storms are expected Thursday across parts of the central to northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Isolated strong to severe storms may also occur over parts of Texas.
…Synopsis… The stronger flow aloft will remain over northern portions of the CONUS on Thursday, with a low-amplitude wave moving across the northern Plains. South of there, a weak upper low will move from TX toward the lower to middle MS Valley late.
At the surface, a boundary will stretch roughly from SD eastward to the Mid Atlantic, with a large area of mid to upper 60s F across much of the plains and Midwest. A weak is forecast over southwest NE, with an inverted trough extending northeastward toward southern MN.
…Northern Plains… Early day rain/thunderstorms will shift north across eastern SD and southern MN during the day in a zone of warm advection, with air mass recovery to the southwest across NE and western KS/eastern CO. Strong heating and southeast surface winds will yield storms moving off the Front Range, with locally strong gusts or marginal hail. Robust convection will form within the surface trough over NE, extending into southeast SD/western IA/southwest MN as well, with more of a variety of storms expected. Both damaging winds and hail are expected. Shear will be marginal but an MCS cannot be ruled out overnight.
…Much of southern/central/eastern TX… Substantial moisture and instability will again develop with 70s F dewpoints and cool temperatures aloft. Clusters of storms are likely to be ongoing roughly along or east of I-35 much of the day, and areas of strong wind gusts may occur. West of there, stronger heating will occur over southwest TX. Shear will be weak but multicellular convection capable of marginal hail or localized downbursts may occur.
..Jewell.. 06/11/2025
CLICK TO GET WUUS02 PTSDY2 PRODUCT
NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 2 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1730Z
Top/Latest Day 1 Outlook/Today’s Outlooks/Forecast Products/Home
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
SPC AC 110559
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1259 AM CDT Wed Jun 11 2025
Valid 111200Z – 121200Z
…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF SOUHT-CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS…
…SUMMARY… Thunderstorms associated with severe gusts and hail will be possible today across parts of the southern Plains and Sabine River Valley. Marginally severe storms will also be possible in parts of the Upper Midwest and northwestern states.
…Southern Plains/Sabine River Valley… At mid-levels, a shortwave trough will move eastward across the southern Plains today. Ahead of the trough, flow will be southwesterly across much of the eastern half of Texas. At the surface, a moist airmass will remain in place from the eastern Texas Hill Country eastward into the Sabine River Valley, where surface dewpoints will be in the lower to mid 70s F. Early in the period, a line of storms is expected to move eastward across this moist airmass. The line will likely lay out an outflow boundary across parts of the Texas Coastal Plain. To the south of this boundary, moderate instability is expected to develop by afternoon. Thunderstorm development will be most likely along and near the boundary during the mid to late afternoon, with multiple clusters of storms moving eastward across central and southeast Texas. RAP forecast soundings across the Texas Coastal Plain at 21Z have a MLCAPE peaking near 3000 J/kg, with 0-6 km shear around 30 knots. The environment should support a severe threat, associated with supercells and/or short bowing line segments. Wind damage will be the primary threat, although hail will also be possible.
…Northern Rockies/Northern High Plains… A shortwave trough will move across the northern Rockies today. At the surface, a moist airmass will be in place from the northern Rockies eastward into the northern High Plains. Destabilization will occur during the day across this airmass as surface temperatures warm. Models forecasts suggest that MLCAPE could reach 1000 J/kg in some areas. By early to mid afternoon, convection is expected to develop in the higher terrain, with storms moving eastward into the lower elevations. Forecast soundings across the region suggest that low to mid-level lapse rates will become very steep, and that moderate deep-layer shear will be present. For this reason, a threat for hail and isolated severe gusts will be possible, especially near and after peak heating.
…Upper Midwest… West-northwesterly mid-level flow will be in place today from the northern Plains eastward into the Upper Midwest. At the surface, a cold front will move slowly southward across the mid Missouri and upper Mississippi Valleys. This front will be a focus for convective development today. To the south of the front, surface dewpoints in the 60s F will likely contribute to moderate instability by afternoon. Although deep-layer shear will be relatively weak, low-level lapse rates are forecast to become very steep, locally exceeding 9 C/km in some areas. Thunderstorms that develop on the warm side of the boundary where lapse rates are maximized could develop a threat for isolated damaging wind gusts and hail.
..Broyles/Squitieri.. 06/11/2025
CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT
NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1300Z
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Current Mesoscale DiscussionsUpdated: Wed Jun 11 07:11:02 UTC 2025 No Mesoscale Discussions are currently in effect.
Notice: The responsibility for Heavy Rain Mesoscale Discussions has been transferred to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on April 9, 2013. Click here for the Service Change Notice. Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Current Convective Watches (View What is a Watch? clip)Updated: Wed Jun 11 07:11:05 UTC 2025 No watches are currently valid
Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.
The Standing Committee on Appropriations has urged Eskom to collaborate closely with the National Treasury and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to ensure that there is full municipal cooperation in the implementation of the Distribution Agency Agreement (DAA) programme.
The power utility briefed the committee today regarding the Eskom Debt Relief Bill. The committee expressed deep concern over Eskom’s increasing debt levels and that the power utility continues its trajectory towards unsustainable indebtedness.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Mmusi Maimane said: “When we examine the various pieces of legislation under consideration by this committee, it is undeniable that Eskom remains a pivotal component. The state of Eskom’s liquidity, along with serious concerns raised by municipalities around debt servicing are critical factors, especially in light of the appropriations made to Eskom.”
Mr Maimane said he feared that Eskom will be heavily indebted despite being in receipt of the Eskom Debt Relief Bill. The committee further said the lack of urgency in addressing underperforming and financially distressed municipalities, many of which are unable to service their debts to Eskom, is a major contributor to Eskom’s debt burden.
The committee also highlighted that Eskom was not doing enough to curb the ‘ghost tokens’ in the pre-paid electricity segment and the failure to address it has contributed to significant revenue losses.
Furthermore, the committee recommended that the power utility needs to ensure that it deals decisively with acts of sabotage carried out by its own employees. The committee cautioned that that the power utility needs to begin exploring ways to harness its own energy sources and not rely on independent power producers as this process can easily be influenced by political forces.
The committee called on Eskom to urgently implement decisive reforms to address inefficiencies, improve governance, enhance revenue collection, and safeguard its infrastructure.
The committee will tomorrow, 11 June receive a briefing from the City of Johannesburg and the City of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipalities on the 2025 Division of Revenue Bill.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, together with the PH-Angola Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIAF), and in coordination with the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), Asian Institute of Management (AIM), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Angola’s Ministry of Tourism, and AIPEX, successfully held the First Philippines-Angola Business Forum on Sustainable Tourism on 30 May 2025 via virtual platform.
The Forum was held at the Philippine Honorary Consulate General’s Office in Dipanda, Angola, under the leadership of Honorary Consul General Etienne Brechet, with Honorary Consul Megan Brechet-Amamou as Forum host.
With the theme “Sustainable Tourism: A Pathway to Economic and Cultural Development,” the Forum brought together government officials, private sector representatives, and tourism stakeholders from both countries to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation, tourism development, and sustainable investment, with particular focus on promoting Namibe Province as an emerging tourism destination.
The Philippine side shared its experiences in tourism policy development, post pandemic recovery efforts, sustainable tourism strategies, and private sector engagement. Presentations covered the Philippines’ legal and institutional frameworks, ecotourism strategies, tourism infrastructure investments, and approaches to ensuring that tourism development preserves cultural heritage and ecological integrity.
Angola’s delegation, led by Angola’s Ministry of Tourism and CCIAF, presented the tourism potential of Namibe province, identifying opportunities in eco- and adventure tourism, resort development, and cultural tourism, and expressed keen interest in building business partnerships with Philippine stakeholders.
The Angolan side also conveyed their utmost appreciation for the comprehensive presentations provided by the Philippine speakers and expressed a strong desire to learn from the Philippines’ expertise in sustainable tourism development.
The Forum concluded with mutual interest in pursuing reciprocal business missions, tourism training exchanges, and joint promotional efforts to advance sustainable tourism cooperation between the Philippines and Angola.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines.
In a visit to the neglected crisis raging in the north of Mozambique, Egeland described it as at a “critical tipping point,” sounding the alarm over skyrocketing violence, the devastation from multiple cyclones, and the near collapse of aid lifelines due to global funding cuts.
“In a region suffering from daily atrocities and monthly disasters, I have seen the human toll caused by the global retreat of solidarity and funding. Climate shocks, increasing violence, and spiralling hunger are having a terrible impact on the population. They now stand at the edge of an abyss, with immense suffering ahead unless the world ends its neglect,” said Egeland.
Armed attacks in Cabo Delgado surged by 155 per cent in March alone, with 52 atrocities resulting in 153 abductions and 39 killings. The violence has displaced over 1.4 million people to date, while more than 600,000 others who have returned home now face renewed insecurity and little to no assistance.
Simultaneously, three consecutive cyclones—Chido, Dikeledi, and Jude—have battered Mozambique in just three months, affecting more than 1.4 million people, and destroying homes, schools, health centres and farmland across several provinces.
The compounded crises have pushed nearly five million Mozambicans into critical levels of hunger, with over 900,000 facing emergency conditions—just one step below famine.
“Hunger took hold in Mozambique the moment conflict did,” Egeland said. “Where bullets fly, crops wither, supply chains collapse, and families are left hungry.”
In conflict-hit Cabo Delgado, farming and markets have collapsed; in Nampula and Zambezia, cyclone-damaged crops have left families struggling to survive.
Fuel shortages, infrastructure damage, and insecurity are now paralysing aid operations across the country. Humanitarian agencies, including NRC, have been forced to reduce life-saving activities due to lack of funds and growing access challenges, including administrative and bureaucratic restrictions, attacks and ambushes on aid convoys.
“In 2024, we reached over 125,000 people, but the scale of this crisis far outstrips our current capacity,” Egeland said. “We have been forced to drastically reduce our first line response—such as survival kits and shelters to people left homeless by the latest cyclone—because of the US funding cuts.”
The World Food Programme has already halved its assistance, reaching only 520,000 people of the one million targeted in 2024. This year, the number of people receiving food aid is expected to plummet even further to just 250,000, despite the growing number of people in need.
“Mothers I met told me they don’t know who they would turn to if we had to stop helping them,” Egeland said. “They’ve already had to cut down on their food, and their children are sleeping hungry. I want to be clear that, whatever happens, we are here to stay and deliver, and we must find a way to keep delivering in a world of chaos.
“I call on governments and the private sector to urgently mobilise funding, guarantee safe access for aid workers, and commit to long-term support for the rights and dignity of displaced Mozambicans. Several governments and multinational corporations are in Mozambique for its natural resources, with little returns to the impoverished population.”
NRC stresses the need for immediate and sustained international action to avert a full-scale famine, restore food security, and support the country’s fragile recovery. This includes urgent investment in agricultural recovery and fisheries support for coastal areas, nutrition for children, and protection for people forced to flee violence.
“Turning our backs now is not an option—for the sake of millions facing starvation, and for our shared humanity,” Egeland said.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady also Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni have this afternoon participated in the ongoing mass registration and renewal exercise of the National Identity cards at State Lodge, Nakasero.
The project is being implemented by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the renewal exercise was efficiently conducted by a team from the authority, led by the Executive Director, Ms. Rosemary Kisembo.
The registration of citizens is regarded as a crucial component of national security, ensuring that every individual is accounted for within the nation’s identity framework. Enhanced biometric technology associated with these ID cards provides a reliable and unalterable means of establishing identity.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening national identity systems and fostering socio-economic transformation.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) — Wudalianchi City Publicity Department of the CPC Wudalianchi Municipal Committee in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province said that events in the field of popular science and cultural exchanges between Chinese and Russian youth were held in Wudalianchi from June 4 to 5, 2025.
On the evening of June 4, the opening ceremony was held at the Wudalianchi Cultural and Sports Center, where young people from the two countries in national costumes presented dance and song numbers. The melodic sounds, combined with the rhythmic performances of the kuaiban (recitative accompanied by an instrument made of bamboo planks), conveyed youthful enthusiasm and passion to the applause of the audience.
During the events, the participants visited the city’s science and technology museum, where they immersed themselves in the world of space and conducted experiments with interactive exhibits. Then, at Xinrui Primary School, the Russian guests viewed an exhibition of creative projects, watched a show of robots and aircraft models, and tried their hand at Chinese calligraphy and playing traditional Chinese instruments. Then the participants learned about the principles of volcano formation, as well as the unique geological structure and evolution of the region.
During the two-day exchange, the youth of the two countries not only enriched their scientific knowledge, but also laid a solid foundation for friendship. -0-