Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
BRISBANE, Australia – The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), and embarked elements from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Brisbane for a scheduled port visit July 10 while conducting routine operations in U.S. 7th Fleet.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
DARWIN, Australia – In a first-of-its-kind operation, U.S. Marines with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) used the Tactical Air-Ground Refueling System (TAGRS) to refuel an Australian ARH Tiger helicopter for the first time, showcasing the expanding interoperability between allied forces in the Indo-Pacific.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
DARWIN, Australia – In a first-of-its-kind operation, U.S. Marines with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) used the Tactical Air-Ground Refueling System (TAGRS) to refuel an Australian ARH Tiger helicopter for the first time, showcasing the expanding interoperability between allied forces in the Indo-Pacific.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
DARWIN, Australia – In a first-of-its-kind operation, U.S. Marines with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) used the Tactical Air-Ground Refueling System (TAGRS) to refuel an Australian ARH Tiger helicopter for the first time, showcasing the expanding interoperability between allied forces in the Indo-Pacific.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
In response to public concerns over the operating permits for the Taichung Power Plant’s generating units, Taipower held a press conference today (June 3) to clarify the situation. The Company stressed that the plant is operating in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. Five power generating units have legally applied for permit extensions. However, the Taichung City Government has failed to process the applications for nine months, far exceeding the statutory review period, yet continues to accuse the plant of “operating without a permit,” despite itself being in breach of the law. Regarding the Legislative Yuan’s resolution for a “coal-free Taichung Power Plant by 2028,” Taipower reiterated that achieving coal-free power generation at Taichung is indeed its goal, but maintaining a stable power supply must remain the top priority. The plant’s current power generation already falls short of Taichung’s electricity demand. “We cannot achieve zero coal at the cost of zero power,” Taipower stated.
Taipower explained that five power generating units at the Taichung Power Plant currently have valid permits through the end of 2026, while the remaining five units have applied for permit extensions. Under Article 31 of the Stationary Pollution Source Installation, Operating and Fuel Use Permit Management Regulations Amended Clauses, local governments must complete a formal review within seven days of receiving an application, notify the applicant within another seven days to pay the review fee, and complete a substantive review within 35 days of payment, with a one-time extension of up to 30 days if necessary.
Taipower further clarified that the permits for Units 6, 7, and 10 expired on December 31 last year. In accordance with the law, Taipower applied for extensions on September 4. The Taichung City Government issued a payment notice on September 23, Taipower paid on September 27, and the Environmental Protection Bureau conducted the on-site inspection on October 22. However, the review has since stalled for nine months. For Units 2 and 3, the city government illegally revoked the permits in 2020, a decision the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA ) overturned. The EPA instructed the review process to resume from where it left off, but the city government has yet to complete it, a delay now exceeding five years, which is a clear violation of the regulations.
Taipower also noted that under Article 30, Paragraph 3 of the Air Pollution Control Act, if a permit extension application is pending due to incomplete review by, the unit may legally continue operating under the original permit terms after the permit expires. Taipower is therefore operating lawfully while working hard to ensure stable power supply., and the city government’s “unlicensed operation” accusation is misleading. Taichung City’s electricity consumption has surpassed the output of the Taichung Power Plant since 2019 and was the highest among Taiwan’s six special municipalities in 2024. This leaves a power shortfall of several billion kilowatt-hours that must be met by other counties and cities.
On the Legislative Yuan’s 2028 coal-free resolution, Taipower emphasized that eliminating coal from Taichung’s generation must not come at the expense of supply security. Phasing out about 5 GW of power generation capacity early could not be offset by simply restarting Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant along, as proposed in the referendum. It would require restarting all six power generating units at the Chinshan, Kuosheng, and Maanshan Nuclear Power Plants in New Taipei City and Pingtung County. Any restart of nuclear power plants would still need to resolve critical issues such as nuclear safety and spent fuel disposal. Taipower is pressing ahead with its plan to replace coal at Taichung with new gas-fired units. The New Unit 1 is scheduled to come online by year-end, two coal-fired units will be decommissioned next year, and the plant is on track to reach coal-free operation by 2034.
Taipower reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring stable power supply while gradually reducing coal consumption, making Taichung Power Plant the largest single contributor to local stationary-source pollution reduction in Taichung City. In 2024, the plant’s coal consumption hit a historic low, down more than 6 million metric tons compared with its 2014 peak under the KMT administration. Over the past eight years, air pollutant emissions have fallen by nearly 80%. According to Taiwan Emission Data System (TEDS) statistics, without Taipower’s reductions, Taichung City’s total air pollutant emissions would have risen rather than fallen.
Regarding coal-fired Units 3 and 4 at Hsinta Power Plant, Taipower reiterated that both are active but are scheduled for decommissioning by the end of this year and next year, respectively. As part of its new unit replacement plan, Taipower proactively committed during the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process to limit their use in the run-up to decommissioning. Since 2024, the units have not operated during the first and fourth quarters and have been designated as backup units since this year, to be dispatched only when the percent operating reserve margin falls below 8%. Currently, Taipower is also complying with Kaohsiung City Government’s tighter restrictions, limiting each unit’s use to no more than 720 operating hours per year. Activation is fully supervised by the city government and environmental authorities. In response to a formal notice, neither unit has been activated since May 23.
Spokesperson: Vice President, Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02 )2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Director of Power Generation Department, Yu-Hua Sun
Tel: (02 )2366-6500/0928-158-862
Email: u217063@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Director of Environmental Protection Department, Cheng-Hung Wu
Tel: (02 )2366-7200/0927-291-156
Email: u015279@taipower.com.tw
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
In line with the government’s intensive energy conservation policy launched in 2024, Taipower has been working closely with businesses to help them cut electricity use. To date, Taipower has hosted nearly 50 seminars for major electricity users and promoted advanced energy-saving measures to thousands of companies across Taiwan. Taipower’s energy-saving teams have also gone directly into communities, carrying out on-site visits to over 5,000 companies nationwide. These efforts are expected to yield savings of nearly 150 GWh of electricity. Taipower expressed hope that more businesses will embrace energy conservation and carbon reduction, improve energy efficiency, and contribute to a sustainable environment.
Taipower explained that to support Taiwanese companies in adopting energy-saving practices, it established three Energy Conservation Diagnostic Centers in northern, central, and southern Taiwan in 2019. These centers provide free energy-saving consultation services for large electricity users with contract capacities ranging from 100 to 800 kW. Since early 2024, Taipower’s energy-saving teams have visited over 5,000 companies across the country, helping them identify potential savings and providing tailored recommendations. If all suggested measures are fully implemented, nearly 150 GWh of electricity could be saved, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of over 36,000 households, while cutting around 71,000 metric tons of carbon emissions.
According to Taipower, companies can use its diagnostic services to receive customized energy-saving reports and then work with Energy Service Companies (ESCOs ) to replace old equipment and implement energy management solutions that reduce costs and boost efficiency. For example, after undergoing Taipower’s initial assessment, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital replaced its chilled water units, cooling towers, and indoor lighting, achieving annual savings of 2 GWh, a reduction rate of up to 70%. Likewise, Lung Hsing Refrigerating Works in Kaohsiung followed Taipower’s advice to replace outdated equipment, adopt an energy management system, and lower its contract capacity, resulting in annual electricity savings of 2.2 GWh.
In addition to equipment like chilled water units and cooling towers, transformers are also a key focus for businesses aiming to save electricity. Taipower reminds businesses to check the service life of their self-owned transformers. If a transformer has been in service for over 30 years, upgrading to a new high-efficiency model can improve power use and reduce electricity bills. For example, after receiving energy-saving guidance from Taipower, the Taiwan Electric Research & Testing Center, an accredited Taiwanese testing institution, replaced old transformers with high-efficiency ones, saving an estimated 140,000 kWh of electricity and cutting annual electricity expenses by approximately NT$700,000.
Alongside its work with businesses in energy conservation and carbon reduction, Taipower continues to lead by example internally through its own. Power plants across Taiwan are introducing automated modules to better manage electricity usage and are refining unit operating conditions to reduce heat rates. In its offices, Taipower is also fully aligning with the government’s intensive energy-saving initiative. Six facilities, including its headquarters, the Shulin Campus of the Taiwan Power Research Institute, the Linkou Training Center, and the Beinan, Hsinchu, and Taichung district offices, have been designated as demonstration sites for energy upgrades. For instance, the Beinan District Office has upgraded its central air conditioning system with ESCO support, which is expected to save nearly 1 GWh of electricity annually.
Spokesperson: Vice President Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02 )2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Director of the Business Department Mei-Lien Huang
Tel: (02 )2366-6650/0922-696-383
Email: u030573@taipower.com.tw
Source:
The Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA) is pleased to announce André Labuschagne, Executive Chairman of Aeris Resources, has joined its Board of Directors.
Mr Labuschagne is an experienced mining executive, carving out a 35-year career primarily in the gold and copper industry.
He has held various executive roles in South Africa, PNG, Fiji and Australia for leading gold companies including Emperor Gold Mines, DRD Gold and AngloGold Ashanti.
As the former managing director of Norton Gold Fields Limited, Mr Labuschagne led the ASX-lister’s evolution into a significant Australian gold producer before its sale to a major Chinese gold company in 2012.
AREEA Chief Executive Steve Knott AM said Mr Labuschagne would be a strong addition to the national employer group’s Board of Directors.
“André is a hands-on leader whose strategic thinking, inclusive approach and decisiveness have not only contributed to successful corporate transactions but stood at the heart of building great teams and companies,” Mr Knott said.
“His executive and operational skills – and long record of bringing value to businesses – will be of great benefit to AREEA’s membership.”
About AREEA’s Board
AREEA is the largest and most diverse national employer group for the Australian resources and energy industry.
Its members include employers in hard rock and critical minerals mining, oil and gas, coal, smelting, refining, transport, logistics, engineering and all other supply and servicing sectors.
As of July 2025, the AREEA Board comprises:
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia
Recruitment eases as employers hold steady on staffing outlook
Linda
Source: Panasonic
Headline: Panasonic Washing and Drying Machine “ALPHA Set” wins “Best of the Best” at the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2025
Essen, Germany – The Panasonic Washing and Drying Machine “ALPHA Set” was awarded the “Best of the Best”—the top honor at the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2025. Twelve other Panasonic products also received Red Dot Awards.
The award-winning products are as follows:
Red Dot Award: Best of the Best
Red Dot Award
Panasonic Corporation, Living Appliances and Solutions Company
Panasonic Corporation, Heating & Ventilation A/C Company
Panasonic Corporation, China & Northeast Asia Company
Panasonic Corporation, Technics Brand Business Promotion Office
Panasonic Entertainment & Communication Co., Ltd.
The Red Dot Award, founded in 1955, is a globally recognized design competition spanning over 60 years. In the Product Design Category, approximately forty experts rigorously evaluated all entries against nine criteria, including quality, ergonomics, and product life.
Source: United Nations 4
Following is a transcript of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ press conference to launch the 2025 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Report, in New York today:
Dear members of the media,
Today, we launch the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025. Under-Secretary-General Li will go through the details. But allow me to kick things off.
We are now 10 years into our collective journey toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Report is a snapshot of where we stand today. Since 2015, millions more people have gained access to electricity, clean cooking and the Internet. Social protection now reaches over half the world’s population — a significant increase from just a decade ago. Access to education has continued to increase and more girls are staying in school. Child marriage is declining. Renewable energy capacity is growing, with developing countries leading the way. And women’s representation is rising — across governments, businesses and societies.
These gains show that investments in development and inclusion yield results. But let’s be clear: we are not where we need to be. Only 35 per cent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress. Nearly half are moving too slowly. And 18 per cent are going in reverse. We are in a global development emergency. An emergency measured in the over 800 million people still living in extreme poverty. In intensifying climate impacts. And in relentless debt service, draining the resources that countries need to invest in their people.
We must also recognize the deep linkages between underdevelopment and conflicts. That’s why we must keep working for peace in the Middle East. We need an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of all hostages and unimpeded humanitarian access as a first step to achieve the two-State solution. We need the ceasefire between Iran and Israel to hold. We need a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions. We need an end to the horror and bloodshed in Sudan. From the DRC to Somalia, from the Sahel to Myanmar, we know that sustainable peace requires sustainable development.
In the face of these challenges, the Report we are launching today points the way to progress. Transformational pathways — in food, energy, digital access, education, jobs and climate — are our road map. Progress in one area can multiply progress across all of them. But we must move faster, and we must move together.
That means advancing affordable, quality healthcare for all. Investing in women and girls as a central driver of progress. Focusing on quality education and creating decent jobs and economic opportunities that leave no one behind. Closing the digital divide and ensuring that technologies like artificial intelligence are used responsibly and inclusively. And it means recognizing a fundamental fact. Progress is impossible without unlocking financing at scale.
The recent Sevilla Commitment reflected a commitment to get the engine of development revving again. Through reform of the international financial architecture, real action on debt relief and tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks so countries can better access capital at scale and at a reasonable cost. We have more opportunities to drive these priorities forward — from the High-Level Political Forum to the Second Food Systems Stocktake Summit to the World Social Summit and more. We must maximize these moments for real commitments — and real delivery.
Today’s Report shows that the Sustainable Development Goals are still within reach. But only if we act — with urgency, unity and unwavering resolve.
It’s a pleasure to be with you again and I will give the floor to my dear colleague Li.
Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs:
As the Secretary-General noted, we stand at a very defining moment. This Report of 2025 serves as both our compass and call to action, providing the critical evidence needed to guide discussions at the HLPF and beyond.
The data reveals in the Report a story of remarkable progress alongside turbulent challenges. Over the past decade, we have seen the following tangible victories:
These are not mere statistics; they are the stories of lives transformed — more children in school, more families protected and more communities empowered.
However, the Report also lays bare a harsh reality: a challenging global context is stalling progress. Conflicts are escalating, temperatures are breaking records and debt burdens are rising, while developing countries face an annual $4 trillion SDG financing gap.
The world is not moving fast enough to achieve the SDGs amid overlapping crises. Just to share some sobering facts from the Report:
Despite these monumental challenges, the path forward is clear. In the Report, it shows that progress is possible if we scale up solutions and build on hard-won gains. We must focus our efforts on six key transitions that represent our most promising levers for systemic change. Recent global events such as UNOC3 and FFD4 have demonstrated a renewed spirit and commitment to collective action. Let us seize this moment to recommit, to act decisively and deliver on our promise.
Thank you.
**Questions and Answers
Spokesman: Edie, please.
Question: Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary-General, on behalf of the United Nations Correspondence Association for doing this briefing. As you well know, my name is Edith Lederer from the Associated Press. You said that there had been progress on 35 per cent of the SDG targets, but which, if any, of the 17 SDG Goals are on target to be achieved by 2030? And if I may, what is your reaction to President Trump saying just an hour or two ago that if there is no peace deal in Ukraine in the next 50 days, he will impose biting sanctions on Russia. And I think we also would all like to know what, if any, role the UN is being asked to play if there is a new ceasefire in Gaza?
Thank you.
Secretary-General: There are many different questions. [laughing] First, there are only 35 per cent of the Goals that are on target. But that means that 35 per cent of the Goals are on target, and some are extremely important. Extreme poverty has reduced. Child mortality and women’s mortality have dramatically reduced, and the access of girls to education and, in general, the access to education has substantially increased. So, if there were no Sustainable Development Goals, many of these achievements would never have been reached, because the Sustainable Development Goals have created a framework in which Governments and other entities could be united to deliver on some of the key priorities of development in today’s world. So, the Sustainable Development Goals are a success already because at least one third of them are achieving the results that were determined.
Now, but why is it not the same everywhere? Where are the obstacles? Let’s be clear. There is something fundamentally wrong in the structure of the economic and financial architecture and in the way it operates to the detriment of developing countries. And this has nothing to do with the Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Development Goals are objectives to improve the living conditions of everybody. The problem is that the Sustainable Development Goals do not include the instruments that would be necessary to make them happen. And that is why we have been strongly insisting for the need to deep reforms in the international financial architecture, and I would say, in the rules of the global economy, in order to make sure that it is possible for countries that are drowning in debt, for countries that have no access to concessional funding, for countries that are marginalized in international trade. We need those reforms to create the conditions for those countries to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.
So, I think that the discussion is not whether or not we have reached enough. The discussion is what are the roots in the injustices and inequalities of our global economic and financial system that make it so difficult to implement things that everybody will recognize are the things that are needed for us to live with dignity.
The second question that you have asked is about the sanctions. I would say that what we absolutely need is to have an immediate ceasefire and to have an immediate ceasefire paving the way for a political solution and the political solution based on the Charter, on international law and on the different resolutions of the bodies of the UN. Whatever can contribute to these objectives will, of course, be important if it is done in line with international law.
Question: And on Gaza…
Secretary-General: Gaza is horrific. We all condemned the horrible, terrible, attacks of Hamas, but what we are witnessing in Gaza is a level of death and destruction that has no parallel in recent times. And it is something that undermines, I would say, undermines the most basic conditions of human dignity for the population of Gaza, independently of the enormous suffering that they are having.
We absolutely need a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. And I hope that the parties are able to overcome, both parties are able to overcome the difficulties that they still find for that ceasefire to take place. But the ceasefire is not enough. It is essential that that ceasefire leads to a solution, and that solution can only be possible if both Palestinians and Israelis can have a State where they can exercise their rights. The idea, and that is why we are going to have in July, one conference on the two-State solution, the idea that it would be possible to have 5 million people inside a country, in their own lands, without any rights is something that is totally against humanity and totally against international law.
Spokesman: Sherwin Bryce-Pease.
Question: Secretary-General, Sherwin Bryce-Pease, South African Broadcasting. What is your estimation, sir, of the impact of the decisions by the United States in recent months to withdraw from various development-related initiatives, including climate finance and the recent financing for development conference that you referred to in Sevilla. Its rejection, also, of increased lending by development banks in particular, essentially pushing back at the reforms you are seeking to achieve in terms of the restructuring of the global financial institutions? How are you going to fill the gaps that are going to be left by the United States’ withdrawal from these initiatives?
Thank you.
Secretary-General: The problem is not the presence or not presence in international meetings. The question is that, obviously, we need in an international economic and financial system that is fundamentally wrong and unfair, we need reforms. And to put obstacles to those reforms is indeed something that is extremely negative. And I hope that the countries that lead the global economy, the G7 countries, understand that it is better to lead the reforms of a system today than to wait and one day suffer the reforms of the system that will become inevitable.
Spokesman: Dezhi?
Question: Secretary-General, Xu Dezhi, China Central Television. A similar question with Sherwin. We know that Trump Administration now reversed multiple policies, it’s not only just the international financial institution. It’s also about the clean energy policy. It’s about its tariffs to bring instability of the world economy. How much impact would that be to the SDGs? And given the fact this is only the first year of this Administration, you will have four years, how would, how should other countries to do to achieve the SDGs?
Thank you.
Secretary-General: Well first of all, about clean energy, I think that independently of the will of the Government of any country and in particular, the United States, we are witnessing irreversible movements towards the hegemonic role of renewables. This is moving at a speed that nobody could forecast just a few months ago. And the truth is that even in the United States, you have a number of states that are moving forward very strongly, and you have the private sector that makes their accounts and sees where profits are. And today, the cheapest energy is renewable. And so, you are not intelligent if you invest in more expensive forms of energy or if you invest in things that will be stranded in the near future. So, I am pretty confident that the realities of the global economy will make any attempt to slow down the process ineffective. And I’m optimistic about the capacity of renewable energy to very quickly assume a leading role in the global economy.
About trade, it is clear that any trade war is something in which nobody wins. Everybody loses. And so, I strongly believe that it is absolutely essential to avoid trade wars. And we don’t know yet what is going to happen. Many things are changing every day, but I hope we come to the end of this with a rational global trade system.
Spokesman: Thank you, Pam, and then we’ll have to go.
Question: Thank you very much for a somewhat grim Report, but an optimistic view of it. Pamela Falk from US News and World Report. So, a big picture question. The Pew Charitable Trust, other organizations, look at the UN and favourability around the world. And although it’s still positive, it’s trending downward. What can you do, particularly since global goals like nutrition that overlaps two SDGs, people at the N4D [Nutrition for Development] is looking for private sector funds, clusters of countries. Is that the new multilateralism? And what can you do to bring up the favourability of the UN?
Thank you.
Secretary-General: What we are witnessing in the world today is a progressive trend for a multipolar world. You see the emerging economies growing at a faster rate than developed countries. We can talk about China, but we can talk about India, we can talk about Indonesia, we can talk about so many other countries. So, the global economic relations are changing, and we see a trend more and more for these different entities to network. And in that networking, multipolarity will tend to strengthen multilateralism. So, I’m very optimistic about the future of multilateralism because I’m seeing that every single day, there is a bit more equilibrium in international relations. Every single day, we move a little bit more to multipolarity. And at every single day, we are heading into a direction that, because multipolarity by itself requires multilateralism, we are heading into a direction in which the present trends and the present attacks and the present, I would say, forms of undermining multilateralism, will inevitably fail.
Spokesman: Thank you very much. We need to let our guests go.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
The 27th Economic and Technical Cooperation Conference between Taiwan and Eswatini was held on July 2, 2025, achieving positive results in terms of enhancing bilateral ties in various areas.
During the meeting, which was co-chaired by Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo and Eswatini Minister of Economic Planning and Development Thambo Gina, the two sides discussed a range of topics, such as cooperation on business digitalization, science parks, human capital development, tourism and digital transformation.
Since the launch of the Taiwan-Eswatini Economic Cooperation Agreement in 2018, bilateral trade between the two sides has grown steadily. In 2024, two-way trade reached US$8.19 million, marking an increase of 8% compared with 2017. During that period, Eswatini’s exports to Taiwan have risen by more than 29%.
Taiwan continues to actively assist in various initiatives aimed at fostering Eswatini’s further economic growth and development, while Eswatini consistently voices support for Taiwan’s greater participation in the international community. The two sides will continue engaging in bilateral cooperation to create an even more sustainable economic and trade partnership.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Taipower held its 2025 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting today (June 27), briefing shareholders on its mission to ensure stable power supply for Taiwan while helping the government mitigate the impact of global developments on households and industries in recent years. Taipower noted that despite financial challenges, it sought a total of NT$300 billion in government budget subsidies over the past year, but none were approved by the legislature. To maintain the sustainable operation of Taiwan’s electricity supply, secure the nation’s power needs, and support economic development, Taipower will continue to seek government funding while doing its utmost to improve its own financial operations. Compared with the same period last year, losses from January to May this year have already narrowed by nearly NT$32 billion, a decline of over 50%.
The 2025 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting was chaired by Taipower Chairman Wen-Sheng Tseng, with President Yao-Ting Wang delivering the 2024 Business Report. During the meeting, shareholders were also briefed on last year’s corporate bond issuance, financial statements, and the approval of its deficit compensation proposal. Additionally, the biennial board member election was conducted during the meeting.
Taipower explained that the Russia-Ukraine war led to surging fuel prices globally. While other countries substantially raised electricity rates, further fueling inflation, Taipower instead chose to absorb nearly NT$600 billion in electricity costs for households and industries over the past three years to protect livelihoods and cushion inflationary pressures, resulting in significant financial losses. In 2023, Taipower recorded total revenue of NT$871.4 billion and expenditures of NT$912.5 billion, with a pre-tax net loss of NT$41.1 billion. After factoring in tax credits, the net loss remained NT$41.1 billion. As of the end of last year, cumulative losses stood at NT$422.9 billion.
Taipower stressed that a stable financial footing is crucial to protecting the public’s right to reliable power and supporting social and industrial development. In April this year, the Electricity Price Review Committee decided, in light of global trade tariffs and political-economic conditions, to freeze electricity prices, meaning Taipower continues to bear external cost pressures on behalf of households and businesses. To maintain financial soundness, Taipower has, over the past year, repeatedly sought a total of NT$300 billion in government funding to cover the costs it has absorbed to stabilize power prices, essentially subsidizing electricity for the entire nation, but these proposals have not been approved by the legislature. Taipower hopes for greater understanding and support from all sectors of society.
In addition to pursuing government subsidies, Taipower is also working to improve its own finances. For electricity price subsidies for schools and social welfare organizations, Taipower has, in accordance with the Electricity Act and the March 2024 resolution of the Electricity Price Review Committee, maintained preferential electricity rates but will reduce its direct subsidies starting this year. Relevant funding will now revert to the respective competent authorities for budgeting, which is expected to increase Taipower’s annual revenue by nearly NT$4 billion. As for subsidized electricity for offshore islands, Taipower has absorbed losses exceeding NT$100 billion to date. Moving forward, Taipower will handle related matters through the national budgeting process under the Offshore Islands Development Act and will actively seek government budget allocations to cover them.
Furthermore, Taipower has adopted four key strategies to boost revenue and reduce expenses to strengthen its financial foundation: On the power generation and procurement side, it has refined its fuel procurement strategies. On the electricity retailing side, it has expanded green power resale and low-carbon power sales. In transmission and distribution, it has reduced expenditures by adjusting line installation fees and optimizing ancillary services. Furthermore, Taipower is investing in asset revitalization to expand revenue sources, making every effort to reduce losses. From January to May this year, Taipower recorded a loss of NT$28.5 billion, nearly NT$32 billion less than the same period last year, marking a reduction of more than 50%.
Spokesperson: Vice President Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02 )2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Chief Secretary of Board Secretariat Shou-Fu Cheng
Tel: (02 )2366-6210/0900-781-357
Email: u026726@taipower.com.tw
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
The prestigious Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA), recognized as a gold standard for corporate sustainability in Asia, held its award ceremony yesterday (June 27) in Bangkok, Thailand. This year, Taipower was honored with two major awards, the Green Leadership Award and the Investment in People Award, for its efforts in marine ecological conservation and talent cultivation. This marks the eighth consecutive year since 2018 that Taipower has earned international recognition. Taipower noted that while ensuring a stable power supply remains its core mission, it is equally committed to environmental sustainability and talent cultivation, fulfilling its corporate social responsibility and giving back to society through concrete action.
Enterprise Asia has long championed Asian entrepreneurship and, since 2011, has hosted the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards, a highly competitive benchmark for sustainability benchmark in the region. To date, over 900 organizations from 19 countries have been recognized. Now in its 15th year, the 2025 award ceremony in Bangkok presented honors across eight major categories, including Green Leadership, Investment in People, Social Empowerment, and Circular Economy Leadership.
Taipower stated that, to balance stable power supply with environmental sustainability, it published its Environmental White Paper in 2019, outlining six strategic pillars for sustainability and launching the Power Facility Ecological Integration Program. In marine conservation, Taipower has worked closely with local governments, academic experts, and environmental groups to continuously promote a wide range of eco-friendly initiatives, such as fish fry releases, beach cleanups, and ecological monitoring, while also actively promoting marine education and awareness. These sustained efforts have earned Taipower the Green Leadership Award for four consecutive years.
Taipower explained that because power plants require a stable water source for cooling, many are located along coastlines, making marine ecosystem protection a priority. Since 2002, Taipower has organized annual fish fry release programs and partnered with research institutions to build a fish fry genetic database that contributes valuable data to Taiwan’s marine research. Moreover, Taipower has also hosted nationwide beach cleanups for 31 consecutive years, mobilizing nearly 6,000 participants each year to clean the ocean and adopting 13 kilometers of coastline for long-term maintenance. At the intake area of the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, Taipower has installed a coral reef ecological monitoring station and a livestream platform to track seawater temperatures and coral reef in real time, while continuing to invest in coral reef restoration.
In addition to its long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, Taipower has invested in training skilled professionals to uphold its mission of a stable power supply. The Company previously received the Investment in People Award in 2019 for integrating VR technology into high-altitude operations training, in 2022 for its structured athlete system, and in 2024 for its Dalin model training center and its certification system for power plant O&M (Operation & Maintenance ) talent. This year, Taipower once again stood out among more than 70 companies, earning the award for the fourth time thanks to its robust recruitment and training programs.
On the talent recruitment front, Taipower not only attracts power industry professionals through its rigorous examination system but also recuits young talent through various channels such as internships and industry-academic partnerships. For training, Taipower operates four training centers across the country and uses a one-on-one mentorship system to rapidly and thoroughly develop employees’ technical skills. In recent years, it has further integrated digital technology into technical training, using virtual reality (VR ) simulations to replicate various power operation scenarios, greatly enhancing hands-on training outcomes for trainees.
Spokesperson: Vice President Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02 )2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw
Business Contact: Director of the Project Planning Department Chiu-Ying Kuo
Tel: (02 )2366-6440/0978-105-282
Email: u004770@taipower.com.tw
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Today (May 17), Unit 2 of Taipower’s Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant reached the end of its 40-year operating license. The unit began a gradual power reduction in the afternoon and was disconnected from the grid and safely shut down by evening. Taipower explained that Unit 2 of Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, with an installed capacity of 951,000 kW (or 0.951 GW), accounting for about 3% of Taiwan’s total power generation, has now completed its licensed operating life. In response to the gradual decommissioning of nuclear units in recent years, as well as the retirement or downsizing of aging coal-fired units, Taipower has proactively implemented renovation and expansion projects since 2017 at its Datan, Taichung, and Hsinta power plants. These projects focus on building low-carbon, low-emission gas-fired combined-cycle units. Coupled with the accelerated deployment of renewable energy in recent years, and supported by pumped-storage hydropower, battery storage, and demand-side management, Taipower’s diversified power dispatch strategy has kept electricity supply stable while significantly reducing air pollution and carbon emissions. This year, four large gas-fired units with a combined capacity of nearly 5 GW from the Datan, Hsinta, and Taichung power plants will come online, along with approximately 3.5 GW of wind and photovoltaic power. Together, these additions will ensure a reliable and sufficient power supply for the public.
Taipower added that Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 began commercial operation on May 18, 1985, and generated a cumulative total of approximately 274,160 GWh of electricity over its 40-year service period. In line with its license expiry, the unit began load reduction at 1:00 p.m. today, was disconnected from the grid at about 10:00 p.m., and reached safe shutdown status by midnight. Next, the reactor’s spent fuel will be removed and transferred to the spent fuel pool. Taipower will continue with the development of dry storage facilities and advance site selection and construction of final disposal sites for nuclear waste. The Company calls for public understanding and support for these critical backend nuclear waste management processes.
Spokesperson: Vice President, Chih-Meng Tsai
Tel: (02 )2366-6271/0958-749-333
Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Director of Nuclear Power Generation Department, Chih-Pao Lin
Tel: (02 )2366-7040/0921-210-506
Email: u808941@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Director of Power Dispatch Department, Fang-Cheng Chou
Tel: (02 )2366-6600/0952-810-417
Email: u027007@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Director of Nuclear Backend Management Department, Ying-Chen Liao
Tel: (02 )2365-7210 Ext. 2200/0953-685-053
Email: u880803@taipower.com.tw
Source: Samsung
In the global mobile communications industry, standards are much more than just technical specifications — they are key drivers of the global market’s direction and technological leadership. As the world moves beyond 5G and accelerates toward 6G, attention is once again turning to the technological leadership behind global standardization.
Since 2020, Samsung Electronics has played a pioneering role in advancing next-generation communication technologies through active participation in international standardization efforts. This includes the publication of its 6G white papers and securing of key positions in major organizations such as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). At the May 2025 3GPP elections, Samsung secured additional leadership positions, reaffirming its distinct standing at the forefront of the industry.
To shine a light on this progress, Samsung Newsroom is launching an interview series with the leaders of the company’s communications business, which will introduce the current state of next-generation communications technology research and global standardization efforts. In part one of the Communications Leadership Interview series, the Newsroom sat down with Jin-Kyu Han, Vice President of the Tech Standards Research Team at Samsung Research, to discuss the current landscape and future outlook of 6G standardization, as well as Samsung’s strategies and vision.
▲ Jin-Kyu Han, Vice President of the Tech Standards Research Team at Samsung Research
International Standards for Seamless Communication Across Borders
Today, using our own smartphones to access roaming services while traveling abroad is something we often take for granted. This is a convenience that has only become truly seamless through the invisible promise of international standards — born from the collaboration of countless companies and experts around the world.
“Common protocols are essential for products and services from different companies to work together seamlessly,” explained Han. “In the mobile communications industry, where a diverse range of players — including smartphone manufacturers, network equipment vendors, telecom operators and semiconductor companies — are involved, standardization is an indispensable element. It plays a key role in uniting the world into a single market.”
Standardization serves as the backbone that drives the global communications industry toward a unified direction. “At technological inflection points like the transition to 6G, the importance of industry-wide discussions and consensus on standards becomes even greater,” Han emphasized.
Global Collaboration Driving 6G Standardization
How does global standardization actually function? Unlike initiatives driven by a single entity, global telecommunications standardization is built on a clear, step-by-step framework of collaboration. Two key players in this process are the International Telecommunication Union (ITU1) and the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP2).
“The ITU sets the direction for each new generation of communication technology, and based on that blueprint, the 3GPP works with global companies to define the technical details and carry out the standardization process,” explained Han.
▲ Overview of ITU and 3GPP
Global 6G standardization has now entered its launch phase. Following preliminary discussions on 6G technology directions that began in 2021, ITU-R officially announced the recommended framework for 6G standardization in November 2023. With the goal of finalizing 6G technical specifications by 2030, 3GPP plans to develop and propose a range of candidate technologies.
“3GPP took its first step toward 6G standardization by hosting a workshop in Korea this March,” explained Han. “6G study items were approved during its plenary meeting in June, and starting in the second half of this year, detailed technical discussions will begin within its Working Groups (WGs).”
▲ Key milestones and objectives of the ITU and 3GPP by year
The standardization of 6G is a shared journey in which the world works together toward a common goal. As standardization efforts gain momentum, companies worldwide are moving quickly to position their technologies within this framework, ensuring interoperability while developing solutions that meet market demands.
Samsung’s 6G Leadership: Driving Consensus Amid Fierce Competition
Countries and companies around the world are participating in discussions on next-generation communications standardization, each taking on specific roles. This process demands forward-looking leadership capable of both steering technological development and harmonizing diverse viewpoints—a role where Samsung Electronics has emerged as a central figure, simultaneously advancing innovation while building industry consensus.
Standardization is a continuous process marked by fierce competition among countless global stakeholders that aim to secure a lead in standards by having their own technologies incorporated. In this complex landscape, Samsung has consistently been elected to leadership positions within groups, earning recognition for its neutrality, credibility and coordination capabilities
“Samsung chaired the ITU-R’s 6G Vision Group, helping to establish the initial global vision for 6G and contributing to the design of its early roadmap,” explained Han. “We’re also leading discussions within 3GPP by serving as chairs and vice-chairs across various technical groups, steering the direction of standardization.”
Currently, Samsung Electronics holds a total of eight chair and vice-chair positions across 3GPP’s key Technical Specification Groups (TSGs). Han added, “In particular, the Radio Access Network (RAN) and System Architecture (SA) WG2 groups, where Samsung serves as chair, are central to shaping the structure and direction of 6G technologies. These groups are at the core of industry-wide technical discussions and the fact that Samsung chairs them is a testament to our influence.”
Samsung is also laying a solid technological foundation for standardization discussions through its pioneering research activities across various core 6G technologies. Since standardization only holds real value when it is backed by concrete technologies and practical feasibility, Samsung’s technological competitiveness contributes to making these discussions more effective.
“3GPP chairs are responsible for guiding discussions according to the timeline, while mediating and resolving various conflicts that arise during the standardization process,” Han explained. “Holding a significant number of chair positions is a clear sign that the mobile communications industry recognizes our technological capabilities and leadership.”
Key Focus Areas for Next-Generation 6G Research
As technical discussions within 3GPP begin in earnest this year, Samsung is concentrating its research on the core technologies necessary for 6G commercialization. At the heart of these discussions are three key phrases: AI integration, enhanced energy efficiency, and strengthened security.
“6G should deliver user-perceivable improvements, not just faster speeds or higher quality,” noted Han. “By applying AI technologies to network operations, we can automate complex processes while simultaneously reducing operational costs and improving service quality.”
“From the increasingly critical perspective of security and privacy, Samsung is also focusing on building safer communication systems while increasing system flexibility to easily and rapidly incorporate new services,” he added.
As we approach the 6G era — where technologies and services will connect seamlessly across national borders — international cooperation and coordination are more important than ever. In this evolving landscape, Samsung Electronics continues to play a leading role in shaping the global conversation on next-generation connectivity.
In part two of this series, Samsung Newsroom will explore the 6G standardization roadmap, key focus technologies and Samsung’s role as chair of the 3GPP TSG RAN, providing a closer look at the forefront of next-generation communications discussions.
1 Short for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations specialized agency dedicated to advancing information and communication technologies (ICT) and networks. Its work includes allocating radio frequencies, establishing technical standards, and supporting developing countries, while playing a vital role in fostering international cooperation in the global ICT sector.
2 Short for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, an international collaborative initiative established to develop standards for mobile communication technologies. It primarily develops globally applicable specifications for mobile communication systems, including radio access networks, services and systems, core networks, and mobile devices.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) led 21 Senate Democrats in pressing the Trump Administration on its recent initiatives to weaponize immigration court hearings as an inhumane trap to arrest immigrants just trying to follow the law by terminating their immigration court cases and deporting them without adequate due process.
In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, the Senators condemned these predatory actions as an affront to due process. The Senators expressed serious concern over recent reporting of the Trump Administration’s inhumane initiatives of detaining noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, often suddenly dismissing their immigration cases and arresting them without prior notice.
“These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns,” wrote the Senators. “They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.”
“These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer,” concluded the Senators.
The Senators admonished the misuse of expedited removal (ER) as part of the Trump Administration’s efforts, noting that it typically has only been applied to noncitizens upon their arrival or within 14 days of their arrival if they are detained near the border. The widespread use of ER for law-abiding noncitizens entrenched in the United States — including those working or attending school — is unprecedented and violates due process protections.
The Senators also underscored the insincerity and misleading nature of ICE’s intentions outside these hearings, arguing that ICE often did not give prior notice or explanation of their intentions for fast-track removals surrounding these hearings. This prevents noncitizens from seeking counsel or taking steps to oppose their removals. They also made a series of information requests.
In addition to Padilla, Durbin, and Kelly, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
Senators Padilla and Schiff, as well as Representatives Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), and Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49), previously sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem expressing their concern over the deliberate targeting of immigrants trying to follow the legal process at courthouses, including at the San Diego Immigration Court located in the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building.
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
Dear Secretary Noem, Attorney General Bondi, and Acting Director Lyons:
We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them. Some reports indicated that plain-clothed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel stationed outside of immigration courtrooms had lists of cases marked for dismissal and even photos of the individuals they intended to arrest. Upon the granting of this request by an immigration judge, ICE officers have reportedly arrested individuals or families outside the courtrooms and placed them in a fast-track removal process known as expedited removal (ER). These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.
ER historically has applied only to a noncitizen who “is arriving in the United States” and certain other noncitizens apprehended close to the border less than 14 days after arrival in the United States. Individuals subject to ER are mandatorily detained and can be summarily deported without a hearing before a judge, administrative appeal or federal court review, unlike regular removal proceedings. The ER process offers very limited administrative review and no meaningful opportunity for a noncitizen to challenge whether they can legally be placed in ER. There is no real opportunity to provide documentation, for example, that would demonstrate they have continuously resided in the United States for more than two years, or that they were, in fact, admitted or paroled into the United States and therefore not subject to ER. ICE is now expanding the application of ER to noncitizens in the interior of the United States who have developed significant ties to the United States, including by lawfully working and attending school. Arresting law-abiding individuals and placing them in ER deprives them of the opportunity to have their fair day in court with the due process protections in immigration court proceedings.
Nevertheless, we understand that ICE attorneys have been instructed to look for immigration court cases that can be dismissed and then orally request, without prior notice, that removal proceedings be dismissed or the Notice to Appear be withdrawn. ICE often did not inform immigration judges or the noncitizens that the purpose of their request was not relief from removal, but instead that ICE intended to arrest and place the individual in fast-track removal without a hearing. It has been a longstanding practice to dismiss cases that are not a priority for enforcement or that ICE chooses not to prosecute, allowing noncitizens to instead pursue immigration applications affirmatively through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Here, however, many noncitizens were not notified that their cases were being dismissed for a different purpose—to place them in ER—and effectively deny them access to a decision from an immigration judge as well as affirmative applications through USCIS. Because noncitizens did not understand the purpose of their dismissal, they did not, through counsel or otherwise, have an opportunity to take steps to oppose the ICE attorneys’ motions to terminate or withdraw.
Immigration judges—who are not part of an independent judiciary but housed under the Executive Office of Immigration Review within the Department of Justice—have also received guidance encouraging immigration judges to grant the ICE attorneys’ motion to dismiss “with no additional documentation or briefing” or opportunity for a noncitizen to respond. In some cases, immigration judges were not made aware of the purpose of the dismissal. As a result, immigration judges could not take into account in their dismissal determination that the noncitizen will immediately be placed in ER. In some cases, the immigration judge did not give noncitizens adequate time to respond to ICE motions to dismiss, or ensure those appearing pro se were informed of the consequences of their cases being dismissed. And in some cases, the immigration judge dismissed the case over the strong objections from the noncitizen who wished for their immigration case to continue with the court.
Noncitizens whose removal proceedings are abruptly dismissed in this manner lose the ability to request relief in immigration court for which they are otherwise eligible, such as asylum or adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident, or to request that an immigration judge hold their case while they pursue an immigration status with USCIS, such as classification as a Special Immigrant Juvenile. Many of these noncitizens who had their cases dismissed had reportedly already submitted an asylum application or other forms of relief to the immigration court, raising serious concerns that their applications were wrongfully denied any consideration. For example, a Mexican transgender woman with no criminal history who came to the United States in 2023 after being subject to abduction and rape by members of the Knights Templar drug cartel in Mexico, had applied for asylum; upon her appearance for her court hearing in Portland, Oregon, ICE moved to dismiss her case, the court granted the request, and she was subsequently arrested by ICE agents in the lobby. In another case, ICE requested the dismissal of a case of a Cuban man who entered the United States in 2021 and had an asylum application pending; an immigration judge in the Miami Immigration Court told the asylum seeker he could seek asylum affirmatively from USCIS after the dismissal; instead, ICE arrested and detained him.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently stated, “[w]e have long held that no person shall be removed from the United States without opportunity, at some time, to be heard. Due process requires notice that is reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties and that affords[s] a reasonable time …to make an appearance.” Here, it appears that the ICE attorneys are being told to dismiss immigration cases and place noncitizens in expedited removal. At the same time, immigration judges are being told that they may dismiss such cases without any briefing or opportunity to respond. In addition, often noncitizens have not been notified of the purpose of their dismissal, in order to respond or contest the dismissal of their immigration cases, or the placement of their case into expedited removal. Taken together, these actions raise serious due process concerns.
These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.
We request responses to the following questions by July 25, 2025:
1. What specific guidance has DHS or DOJ/EOIR issued regarding the dismissal of standard 240 removal proceedings and the facilitation of enforcement actions in and around immigration courtrooms? Please provide a copy of the relevant guidance, email, memorandum, or other directives associated with this policy.
2. How many individuals have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases from January 20th to May 19th, 2025? How many have been detained and placed in ER following dismissal since May 20, 2025? Provide the total number of individuals arrested and detained by week, and disaggregate by country of origin, gender, and age.
a. What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been referred for a credible fear interview (CFI)? How many have passed that interview with the asylum officer and how many did not? Of the total negative CFIs by an asylum officer, how many were reviewed by an Immigration Judge and reversed?
b. Of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following dismissal of their cases, how many had applications pending with the immigration court in INA 240 proceedings at the time that the ICE attorney moved for dismissal? How many had applications pending with USCIS (e.g. adjustment of status, SIJ classification, T or U visa)? Of those with applications pending in immigration court, how many were asylum applications and how many were for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident?
c. Of those individuals who had asylum applications pending in immigration court when the ICE attorney requested the dismissal of proceedings, how many were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER? Of those, how many passed that interview with the Asylum Officer and were placed back into proceedings to again pursue their asylum claim? Of those with an asylum application pending who were subsequently given a CFI after dismissal and their placement in ER, how many had a negative CFI with an asylum officer which was subsequently reversed by an IJ and were placed back into proceedings?
d. What number of the total individuals detained and placed in ER following the dismissal of their removal proceedings have been placed back into INA 240 proceedings for any reason?
3. Are immigration judges being monitored or tracked on how they respond to ICE motions to dismiss the cases or to withdraw the NTA? If so, how is that information being utilized?
4. There are reports of cases where the immigration judge did not immediately grant ICE’s motion to dismiss and did give the noncitizen additional time to respond, but ICE detained the noncitizen anyway.
a) Since May 20th, in how many cases has an ICE attorney orally requested a dismissal, and the IJ has either denied such a motion or granted additional time for the noncitizen to respond?
b) In how many of those cases did ICE arrest and detain the noncitizen despite the removal proceedings not being dismissed?
c) In how many of those cases did ICE request a Change of Venue to a detained docket?
d) For the subset of cases moved to the detained docket, in how many cases has ICE moved to dismiss again before a different immigration judge in order to place the noncitizen in ER?
5. Of the total detained and placed in ER after the dismissal of their court cases, how many had a criminal conviction?
6. Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were continuously present in the United States for more than two years? Provide an explanation of the legal basis for their placement in ER.
7. Of the total detained and placed in ER after dismissal of their court cases, how many were in removal proceedings after having been initially paroled into the United States at a port of entry? Provide the total number and disaggregate by country of origin, gender and age. Also, provide the total number of individuals who were initially paroled more than two years prior to the issuance of the I-860 ER order.
8. Provide a complete list of all the immigration courts where ICE courthouse arrests and placements into ER have occurred since May 20, 2025. At each of these immigration courts, disaggregated by each individual court, have in abstentia removal orders increased and if so, by what percentage of the total scheduled court hearings? Provide a daily accounting of the number of in absentia removal orders issued in each immigration court since January 1, 2025, disaggregated by court.
Sincerely,
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday that China and India should adhere to the direction of good-neighborliness and friendship, and find a way for mutual respect and trust, peaceful coexistence, common development and win-win cooperation.
Wang made the remarks when holding talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Beijing.
As two major Eastern civilizations and major emerging economies living adjacent to each other, the essence of China-India relations lies in how to live in harmony and achieve mutual success, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached important consensus during their meeting in Kazan, pointing out the direction for the improvement and development of China-India relations, Wang said.
Wang called on both sides to aim high, plan for the long term, adhere to the direction of good-neighborliness and friendship, and realize the “Dragon-Elephant Tango.”
Wang said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India, and the sustained improvement and growth of bilateral relations have not come easily, making them more valuable to cherish.
Noting the relationship between the two countries is not directed against any third party, nor should it be disrupted by any third party, Wang called on both sides to build mutual trust rather than suspicion, pursue cooperation rather than competition, and seek mutual success rather than mutual attrition.
China is willing to work with India to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, consistently enhance political mutual trust, meet each other halfway to expand exchanges and cooperation, act with consideration for the bigger picture to properly manage differences, and strengthen coordination via multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), to promote the sustained, healthy, and steady development of China-India relations, Wang said.
Wang said that President Xi proposed the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and Prime Minister Modi advocated that “the world is one family,” noting that these concepts are interrelated.
Both sides support multilateralism and hope that the international order will develop in a more just and reasonable direction, Wang said.
He added that China is willing to enhance communication and coordination with India, and jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system, the stability of the global industrial and supply chains, and an international environment of openness and cooperation.
China is willing to work with India to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and safeguard the common interests of the Global South to promote regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, Wang said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
For his part, Jaishankar said that the Kazan meeting between the leaders of the two countries has provided important guidance for India-China relations, with bilateral exchanges and cooperation across various fields being normalized.
He also expressed the appreciation for China’s facilitation of the resumption of Indian pilgrimages to China’s Xizang.
Noting that India and China are development partners, not rivals, the Indian foreign minister said India is willing to view its relations with China from a long-term perspective, take the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to focus on common interests, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border regions.
He called on both sides to work on positive factors in the bilateral relationship, so that the differences will not escalate into disputes, and competition will not turn into conflict.
As India and China are important neighbors, populous countries, and major global economies, their relations carry regional and global significance, said Jaishankar.
He added that India adheres to strategic autonomy and pursues an independent foreign policy. India stands ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China at the multilateral level to promote a multipolar world, Jaishankar noted.
He also said that India fully supports China in successfully hosting the SCO summit as its rotating chair.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Inbound passengers line up for documents checking at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport in southwest China’s Chongqing, July 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
China is experiencing a surge in foreign tourist arrivals as the summer vacation season kicks off, with increasing numbers of international travelers drawn to the country’s unique blend of ancient culture and modern vitality.
Thomas Watts, a short video creator from the United States, said he invited friends to Chongqing this summer after seeing numerous online posts highlighting the city’s steep hills and bold flavors.
“It reminds me of San Francisco, but with spicier food and a spectacular neon-lit skyline. I came to experience it and film it myself,” he said.
He is not alone in choosing China as a summer destination. Kittiphume Pannil, a university student from Thailand, arrived in China for the first time last week and plans to spend his summer break on an exchange program at a local university in Chongqing.
“When I saw Chongqing from the plane, it looked like a city of dazzling lights and towering skyscrapers, like something straight out of the future,” Pannil said.
Official data showed that in the first half of 2025, Chongqing’s border checkpoints handled more than 1.14 million inbound and outbound travelers, a 35 percent year-on-year increase. Among them, over 330,000 were foreign nationals, setting a new record for the city.
The country’s capital is also drawing a growing number of international visitors. According to official data, Beijing’s ports of entry handled over 640,000 inbound and outbound travelers from July 1 to 10, including 171,000 foreign tourists, marking a 22.1 percent year-on-year increase.
Among the newcomers is Robert Alex Barbender, a traveler from the Netherlands. “A friend told me Beijing is beautiful, and now with the visa-free policy, I thought why not come and have a look?” he said.
“Honestly, it feels like I’ve stepped into a video game, everything is busy and crowded, but still runs in perfect order,” he added.
Other major cities are also welcoming record numbers of international visitors. According to official data, a total of 2.56 million foreign travelers entered China through Shanghai’s Pudong and Hongqiao international airports in the first half of this year, marking a 44.7 percent year-on-year increase.
Meanwhile, Xi’an, a cultural hub known for its Terracotta Warriors, has welcomed more than 135,000 foreign visitors this year, a 124 percent jump from the same period last year. Notably, over 100,000 of them arrived under visa exemption policies, including unilateral and mutual visa-free entry as well as the visa-free transit policy, marking a staggering 290 percent surge compared to 2024.
To meet the growing demand, immigration authorities at major border checkpoints have introduced a range of measures to reduce waiting times and improve the travel experience.
Tourism destinations across the country are also tailoring experiences for international visitors. In Beijing, the Palace Museum offers foreign-language tours focusing on the architectural significance of the landmark spots. In Xi’an, tourists can immerse themselves in China’s rich history by dressing in traditional Tang Dynasty costumes.
This significant rise in inbound tourism this summer is no coincidence. Summer is traditionally a major vacation season for travelers from Europe, North America and Southeast Asia, leading many to choose China as their preferred destination during these months.
The surge has also been driven by China’s continued easing of entry policies for foreign visitors. As of now, China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy applies to 55 countries, while nationals from 47 countries are eligible for unilateral visa-free entry.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
An aerial drone photo shows vehicles to be exported at Yantai Port in east China’s Shandong Province, Jan. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
China’s foreign trade continued to recover in the first half of 2025, with imports returning to positive growth in June, as the world’s second-largest economy showed resilience despite global economic uncertainties.
The country’s total imports and exports of goods in yuan-denominated terms rose at a pace of 2.9 percent during the January-June period to 21.79 trillion yuan (about 3.05 trillion U.S. dollars), a record high for the period, data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed on Monday.
The growth rate accelerated from a rise of 2.5 percent registered in the first five months of the year.
Describing the first-half foreign trade performance as “hard-won,” GAC deputy head Wang Lingjun told a press conference that China still faces growing global unilateralism and protectionism, which have increased the complexity and uncertainty of the external environment. He stressed that “arduous efforts” are needed to stabilize foreign trade growth in the second half of the year.
A breakdown of the data showed that China’s exports rose 7.2 percent year on year during the first half of the year, while imports fell 2.7 percent, according to the GAC data.
In June alone, the country’s exports climbed 7.2 percent from a year earlier, while imports gained 2.3 percent, reversing from a decline of 2.1 percent posted in May.
Monday’s data also showed continued structural improvements in China’s foreign trade.
High-tech product exports maintained strong growth in the first half of the year, rising 9.2 percent year on year. Notably, Chinese brands accounted for a larger share of the total, reaching 32.4 percent.
In terms of trading partners, trade between China and ASEAN totaled 3.67 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.6 percent. China’s trade with the European Union went up 3.5 percent year on year to 2.82 trillion yuan, while its trade with the United States decreased by 9.3 percent year on year to 2.08 trillion yuan, according to the data.
China’s trade with Belt and Road partner countries rose 4.7 percent to 11.29 trillion yuan, and trade with African countries increased 14.4 percent to 1.18 trillion yuan during the period.
Wang noted that China has the strength, confidence and capability to overcome various risks and challenges, citing its diversified and stable markets, innovative and competitive products, and resilient exporters as key buffers against external risks.
The foreign trade data were released one day ahead of the country’s other key economic indicators for the first half of the year, including GDP, retail sales, industrial production and fixed-asset investment.
China’s economy expanded 5.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of the year, compared with an annual growth of 5 percent in 2024. The country has set its full-year growth target at around 5 percent for this year.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael J. Socolow, Professor of Communication and Journalism, University of Maine
It was a surrender widely foreseen. For months, rumors abounded that Paramount would eventually settle the seemingly frivolous lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump concerning editorial decisions in the production of a CBS interview with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024.
On July 2, 2025, those rumors proved true: The settlement between Paramount and Trump’s legal team resulted in CBS’s parent company agreeing to pay $16 million to the future Donald Trump Library – the $16 million included Trump’s legal fees – in exchange for ending the lawsuit. Despite the opinion of many media law scholars and practicing attorneys who considered the lawsuit meritless, Shari Redstone, the largest shareholder of Paramount, yielded to Trump.
Redstone had been trying to sell Paramount to Skydance Media since July 2024, but the transaction was delayed by issues involving government approval.
Specifically, when the Trump administration assumed power in January 2025, the new Federal Communications Commission had no legal obligation to facilitate, without scrutiny, the transfer of the CBS network’s broadcast licenses for its owned-and-operated TV stations to new ownership.
The FCC, under newly installed Republican Chairman Brendan Carr, was fully aware of the issues in the legal conflict between Trump and CBS at the time Paramount needed FCC approval for the license transfers. Without a settlement, the Paramount-Skydance deal remained in jeopardy.
Until it wasn’t.
At that point, Paramount joined Disney in implicitly apologizing for journalism produced by their TV news divisions.
Earlier in 2025, Disney had settled a different Trump lawsuit with ABC News in exchange for a $15 million donation to the future Trump Library. That lawsuit involved a dispute over the wording of the actions for which Trump was found liable in a civil lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll.
It’s not certain what the ABC and CBS settlements portend, but many are predicting they will produce a “chilling effect” within the network news divisions. Such an outcome would arise from fear of new litigation, and it would install a form of internal self-censorship that would influence network journalists when deciding whether the pursuit of investigative stories involving the Trump administration would be worth the risk.
Trump has apparently succeeded where earlier presidents failed.
From Jimmy Carter trying to get CBS anchor Walter Cronkite to stop ending his evening newscasts with the number of days American hostages were being held in Iran to Richard Nixon’s administration threatening the broadcast licenses of The Washington Post’s TV stations to weaken Watergate reporting, previous presidents sought to apply editorial pressure on broadcast journalists.
But in the cases of Carter and Nixon, it didn’t work. The broadcast networks’ focus on both Watergate and the Iran hostage crisis remained unrelenting.
Nor were Nixon and Carter the first presidents seeking to influence, and possibly control, network news.
President Lyndon Johnson, who owned local TV and radio stations in Austin, Texas, regularly complained to his old friend, CBS President Frank Stanton, about what he perceived as biased TV coverage. Johnson was so furious with the CBS and NBC reporting from Vietnam, he once argued that their newscasts seemed “controlled by the Vietcong.”
Yet none of these earlier presidents won millions from the corporations that aired ethical news reporting in the public interest.
Before Trump, these conflicts mostly occurred backstage and informally, allowing the broadcasters to sidestep the damage to their credibility should any surrender to White House administrations be made public. In a “Reporter’s Notebook” on the CBS Evening News the night of the Trump settlement, anchor John Dickerson summarized the new dilemma succinctly: “Can you hold power to account when you’ve paid it millions? Can an audience trust you when it thinks you’ve traded away that trust?”
“The audience will decide that,” Dickerson continued, concluding: “Our job is to show up to honor what we witness on behalf of the people we witness it for.”
There’s an adage in TV news: “You’re only as good as your last show.”
Soon, Skydance Media will assume control over the Paramount properties, and the new CBS will be on the airwaves.
When the licenses for KCBS in Los Angeles, WCBS in New York and the other CBS-owned-and-operated stations are transferred, we’ll learn the long-term legacy of corporate capitulation. But for now, it remains too early to judge tomorrow’s newscasts.
As a scholar of broadcast journalism and a former broadcast journalist, I recommend evaluating programs like “60 Minutes” and the “CBS Evening News” on the record they will compile over the next three years – and the record they compiled over the past 50. The same goes for “ABC World News Tonight” and other ABC News programs.
A major complicating factor for the Paramount-Skydance deal was the fact that “60 Minutes” has, over the past six months, broken major scoops embarrassing to the Trump administration, which led to additional scrutiny by its corporate ownership. Judged by its reporting in the first half of 2025, “60 Minutes” has upheld its record of critical and independent reporting in the public interest.
If audience members want to see ethical, independent and professional broadcast journalism that holds power to account, then it’s the audience’s responsibility to tune it in. The only way to learn the consequences of these settlements is by watching future programming rather than dismissing it beforehand.
The journalists working at ABC News and CBS News understand the legacy of their organizations, and they are also aware of how their owners have cast suspicion on the news divisions’ professionalism and credibility. As Dickerson asserted, they plan to “show up” regardless of the stain, and I’d bet they’re more motivated to redeem their reputations than we expect.
I don’t think reporters, editors and producers plan to let Donald Trump become their editor-in-chief over the next three years. But we’ll only know by watching.
Michael Socolow’s father, Sanford Socolow, worked for CBS News from 1956 to 1988.
– ref. ABC’s and CBS’s settlements with Trump are a dangerous step toward the commander in chief becoming the editor-in-chief – https://theconversation.com/abcs-and-cbss-settlements-with-trump-are-a-dangerous-step-toward-the-commander-in-chief-becoming-the-editor-in-chief-261006
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tom Logan, Senior Lecturer Above the Bar, Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury
New Zealand 2050: On the morning of February 27, the sea surged through the dunes south of the small town of Te Taone, riding on the back of Cyclone Harita’s swollen rivers and 200mm of overnight rainfall.
By mid-morning, floodwaters had engulfed entire streets. Power was out. Roads were underwater. Emergency services responded swiftly, coordinating evacuations and establishing shelters.
But for many residents, the realisation came days later: the help they expected after the water receded – support to rebuild, relocate or recover – wasn’t coming.
“We lost everything,” says Mere Rākete, a solo mother of three, standing outside her home, now uninhabitable. “I rang the council, the government helpline, even the insurance company. They all said I’m not covered.”
Mere lives in a suburb long identified as “high risk” under national climate risk maps. She didn’t stay there because she ignored the risk. She stayed because she had no viable alternative.
“They say we had a choice. But when houses here were $400,000 and anything safer was $700,000, what choice is that?”
Although this story is fictitious, it describes a plausible future based on how New Zealand’s draft climate adaptation framework could play out. It reflects the likely consequences of policy decisions that focus narrowly on financial exposure.
Last week’s recommendations from the Ministry for the Environment’s Independent Reference Group rightly called for urgent and improved risk information. But they focused narrowly on direct risk to property and infrastructure.
In particular, the group proposed that beyond 2045 the government should not buy out property owners after climate-related disasters (or those at high risk of future events).
Responding to the recommendations last week, climate policy analyst Jonathan Boston wrote that ruling out property buyouts “is philosophically misguided, morally questionable, administratively inept, and politically naïve”.
But it appears the government shares the reference group’s view. Addressing the current flooding disaster in the Tasman district, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said, “In principle, the government won’t be able to keep bailing out people in this way.”
Beyond the specifics of financial compensation, however, lie the cascading and systemic risks that follow a major weather event. In reality, the impacts do not stop at the property boundary.
When a family is displaced, or even fears displacement, the consequences ripple outward: schooling is disrupted, jobs are lost, mental health declines, community networks fragment and local economies suffer.
Research shows how the after-effects of a disaster domino through interconnected systems, affecting health, housing, labour markets and social cohesion.
Back to the future: our fictional town of Te Taone sits in a floodplain identified decades ago. By the 2040s, insurance had become unaffordable. New development slowed but many families, especially those on lower incomes, remained, with few relocation options.
The adaptation framework proposed in 2025, based on a “beneficiary pays” model, created a 20-year transition period that ended in 2045. After that, residents in high-risk areas became ineligible for buyouts or standard recovery funding.
Future government investment was limited to Crown-owned assets or projects with “national benefit”. Restoration of local infrastructure such as roads and power lines would depend on whether councils or ratepayers could pay.
Today, parts of Te Taone remain cut off. Power is still out in some areas. The school has relocated inland. Local shops have closed. Many homes are damaged, waterlogged, or destroyed, and some families are now living in tents.
“It’s not that we weren’t warned,” says a local community worker. “It’s just that we couldn’t afford to do anything but live with the risk and hope for the best.”
Te Taone’s experience is now raising deeper concerns that Aotearoa New Zealand’s climate adaptation framework may be entrenching a form of “climate redlining”. Those with the means can move to escape risk, while others are left behind to bear it.
Māori communities are especially affected. Parts of the floodplain include ancestral land, some communally owned, some leased by whānau who cannot easily relocate. In many cases, this land was only recently returned from the Crown, after years of land court proceedings or Treaty settlements.
The prospect of abandoning it again, without coordinated support, echoes earlier waves of institutional neglect. Mere Rākete is now considering joining a class action, one of several reportedly forming across the country.
Residents are challenging the government or local councils over a failure in their duty of care by allowing homes to be built, sold or inhabited in known risk zones without clear and enforceable warnings or adequate alternatives.
Meanwhile, adaptation experts are calling for a reset: a national compensation framework with clear eligibility rules, long-term investment in affordable housing beyond hazard-prone areas.
Above all, they argue, government policy based on a climate adaptation framework developed 25 years ago has not reduced exposure to risk. Instead, it has redistributed it from those who could leave to those who couldn’t.
In the meantime, the remaining residents of Te Taone wait for the next cyclone and wonder whether, next time, anyone will help.
Our imagined future scenario can be avoided if governments take a broader view of adaptation. Treating climate risk as an individual responsibility may reduce short-term government liability. But it will not reduce long-term social and fiscal liability.
The risk of failing to act systemically is that the country pays in other ways – in fractured communities, rising inequity and preventable harm.
Adaptation to climate change has to be about more than limiting the upfront costs of buyouts or infrastructure repairs. Ignoring the wider impacts will only shift the burden and increase it over time.
Real economic and community resilience means planning with people in mind, investing early and making sure no one is left behind. That work must begin now.
Tom Logan owns shares in Urban Intelligence. He receives funding from the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and the Royal Society of NZ.
Paula Blackett works part time for Urban Intelligence. She receives research funding from the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and undertakes consulting work regarding climate risk and adaptation.
– ref. A warning from the future: the risk if NZ gets climate adaptation policy wrong today – https://theconversation.com/a-warning-from-the-future-the-risk-if-nz-gets-climate-adaptation-policy-wrong-today-260912
Source: Tertiary Education Commission
Last updated 15 July 2025
Last updated 15 July 2025
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The Ministry of Education (MoE) invites sector feedback on proposed variations to 2026 funding determinations.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) invites sector feedback on proposed variations to 2026 funding determinations.
Providers have been sent an invitation to participate through DXP Ngā Kete and have until Monday 11 August to provide feedback.
Why is the Ministry of Education consulting the sector?
Section 423 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (the Act) requires Ministers to consult with any organisation that may be affected by proposed variations to funding determinations within their respective delegations issued under section 419 of the Act.
The Minister for Vocational Education, Minister for Universities and Minister of Education will consider feedback from affected organisations before deciding whether to proceed with the proposed variations. Any variation to funding determinations following consultation will come into effect on 1 January 2026.
Variations to funding determinations
MoE is consulting on variations to the following nine funding determinations:
Adult and Community Education (ACE)
Delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the NZQCF (DQ1-2)
Delivery at Levels 3 to 7 (non-degree) on the NZQCF and all industry training (DQ3-7)
Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) to 10 on the NZQCF (DQ7-10)
English Language Teaching, including Refugee English (ELT)
Gateway
Literacy and Numeracy Provision, including the Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Fund and the Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Fund (L&N)
Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT)
Youth Guarantee (YG)
For more information, please refer to the Ministry of Education website.
Source: New Zealand Government
Continuing to address cost of living pressures over the coming months is key as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reveals a fresh set of targeted Government actions in the Q3 Action Plan.
“While it’s still tough out there for too many Kiwis, our Government’s focus on unlocking economic growth is starting to show some promise with key indicators up across the board. Exports are rising, wages are increasing faster than inflation, and growth overall has been strong to start the year.
“Backing Kiwis to get on top of the cost of living is critical to that pro-growth agenda. It’s not enough for businesses to grow and invest – New Zealanders deserve an economy that works for them, with more competition and lower prices.
“Whether it’s the cost of food, housing, banking, or energy, we’re taking action in the coming months to drive a better bargain for families across the country.
“That includes the Government’s next steps to promote supermarket competition, ensuring more families have a shot at lower food prices and more choice.
“The cost of housing is also a priority, with significant improvements to the RMA enabling more construction in our biggest cities expected to become law.
“This quarter we’ll also set out rules to enable and unleash open banking in New Zealand which will increase competition, transparency, drive down fees, and help Kiwis get a better deal on their mortgage.
“The cost of energy is also a focus. Kiwis are paying more for power because of the previous government’s disastrous oil and gas ban.
“We’re repealing that ban to unleash the energy New Zealand needs to keep the lights on and prevent power prices from skyrocketing in the years to come.
“Kiwis working hard deserve to be able to get ahead. Our Government is working at pace to make that a reality, with higher economic growth to create jobs and increase wages, and a plan to reduce the cost of living.”
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist
New Zealand will not send top government representation to the Cook Islands for its 60th Constitution Day celebrations in three weeks’ time.
Instead, Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro will represent Aotearoa in Rarotonga.
On August 4, Cook Islands will mark 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand.
It comes at a turbulent time in the relationship
New Zealand paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands in June after its government signed several agreements with China in February.
At the time, a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the pause was because the Cook Islands did not consult with Aotearoa over the China deals and failed to ensure shared interests were not put at risk.
Peters and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will not attend the celebrations.
Ten years ago, former Prime Minister Sir John Key attended the celebrations that marked 50 years of Cook Islands being in free association with New Zealand.
Officials from the Cook Islands and New Zealand have been meeting to try and restore the relationship.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist
New Zealand will not send top government representation to the Cook Islands for its 60th Constitution Day celebrations in three weeks’ time.
Instead, Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro will represent Aotearoa in Rarotonga.
On August 4, Cook Islands will mark 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand.
It comes at a turbulent time in the relationship
New Zealand paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands in June after its government signed several agreements with China in February.
At the time, a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the pause was because the Cook Islands did not consult with Aotearoa over the China deals and failed to ensure shared interests were not put at risk.
Peters and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will not attend the celebrations.
Ten years ago, former Prime Minister Sir John Key attended the celebrations that marked 50 years of Cook Islands being in free association with New Zealand.
Officials from the Cook Islands and New Zealand have been meeting to try and restore the relationship.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne
A new Tasmanian DemosAU poll gives the Liberals a 34.9–24.7 statewide vote lead over Labor, implying the Liberals will win the most seats but be short of a majority at this Saturday’s election. I also cover the Coalition’s vote was inefficiently distributed at the federal election, as well as US and UK politics.
The Tasmanian state election will be held this Saturday. Tasmania uses the proportional Hare-Clark system for its lower house elections. The five Tasmanian seats used at federal elections each have seven members, for a total of 35 MPs. A quota for election is one-eighth of the vote, or 12.5%.
A DemosAU poll for Pulse Tasmania, conducted July 6–10 from a sample of 3,421, gave the Liberals 34.9% of the vote (up 0.9 since the June 19–26 DemosAU poll), Labor 24.7% (down 2.6), the Greens 15.6% (up 0.5), the Nationals 2.7%, the Shooters 1.8% and independents 20.3% (up 1.0).
The Nationals are only contesting Bass, Braddon and Lyons, and the poll would not have included them in the other two electorates of Clark and Franklin, so the Nationals’ vote in the electorates they are contesting would be higher than their statewide vote.
With a total sample of over 3,400, the sample size per electorate would be over 680. Using the results in individual electorates, this poll has the Liberals on a total of 13–14 seats out of 35, Labor on 9–10, the Greens on 6–7, independents on 4–6 and both the Nationals and Shooters either winning zero or one seat.
If the election results reflect this poll, the Liberals would easily be the largest party, but they would not win the 18 seats needed for a majority. There would probably be a majority for Labor, the Greens and left-wing independents, but Labor did not attempt to form government in a similar situation after the March 2024 election.
It’s been 11 years since Labor last held government in Tasmania, with the Labor/Greens government at that time widely blamed for Labor’s heavy defeat in the March 2014 election. But with the continuing decline of the major parties, Labor may have to reach an agreement with the Greens if they want to form government again in Tasmania.
Labor and the Liberals have both supported construction of a new AFL stadium. I believe this partly explains the drop in Labor’s vote, as many on the left would oppose this stadium. Labor’s refusal to attempt to form government after the March 2024 election probably also contributed to its low vote.
Voters may also be blaming Labor for this early election, just 16 months after the previous Tasmanian election. This election is just over two months after the federal election.
Analyst Kevin Bonham has a pendulum of House of Representatives seats after the results of the May 3 federal election. There are likely to be federal redistributions from July 2026 in some states, so this won’t be the pendulum used at the next federal election.
Labor won 94 of the 150 seats, the Coalition 43 and all Others 13, from a two-party vote of 55.2–44.8 to Labor. Assuming the Others are unchanged, Labor would need to lose 19 seats to drop below the 76 needed for a majority. On the pendulum, this occurs when the seat of Whitlam falls, but Labor won Whitlam by 56.3–43.7, more than 1% higher than their national vote.
This means that, using a uniform swing on the actual results, Labor would have won a majority even if they had lost the national two-party vote by 51.0–49.0, despite 13 Other seats.
Despite the electoral hammering, the Coalition retained many regional seats by large margins. This contributed to an inefficiently distributed vote. With voters in the cities making up a majority of all Australian voters, the Coalition can’t win by appealing just to voters in the regions.
The Coalition would be the largest party if they won 26 seats from Labor. This happens when the Coalition gains Braddon, which Labor won by 57.2–42.8, so the Coalition would need a 51.9–48.1 national two-party margin. For a Coalition majority, they would need 33 gains, and need a 53.7–46.3 national two-party win.
I wrote for The Poll Bludger on Saturday that United States President Donald Trump’s net approval was nearly unchanged at -6.7 after the passage of the “big beautiful bill” through Congress. I also covered Elon Musk’s new party and New York City mayoral general election polls.
In the United Kingdom, a Labour MP has defected to a potential Jeremy Corbyn-led party. The far-right Reform has led Labour in UK national polls since the early May local elections. In a House of Commons vote on a welfare reform bill, 49 Labour MPs rebelled.
A Queensland state DemosAU poll, conducted July 4–9 from a sample of 1,027, gave the Liberal National Party a 55–45 lead (53.8–46.2 to the LNP at the October 2024 election). The Poll Bludger said this was a one-point gain for the LNP since a February DemosAU poll.
Primary votes were 40% LNP (steady), 28% Labor (down two), 13% Greens (up one), 12% One Nation (up two) and 7% for all Others (down one). On the recent Queensland state budget, 24% thought it would be good for the Queensland economy, 19% bad and 57% were unsure. By 43–26, respondents thought Labor would not have delivered a better budget.
A Queensland state Redbridge poll gave the LNP a 56–44 lead. Primary votes were 43% LNP, 29% Labor, 11% Greens and 17% for all Others (there was no One Nation breakdown).
Queensland was the only state the Coalition won at the federal election, though only by 50.6–49.4. The state LNP is still benefiting from a honeymoon after ousting Labor at last year’s election.
Adrian Beaumont does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Hung parliament still likely outcome of Tasmanian election, with Liberals well ahead of Labor in new poll – https://theconversation.com/hung-parliament-still-likely-outcome-of-tasmanian-election-with-liberals-well-ahead-of-labor-in-new-poll-261073
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne
A new Tasmanian DemosAU poll gives the Liberals a 34.9–24.7 statewide vote lead over Labor, implying the Liberals will win the most seats but be short of a majority at this Saturday’s election. I also cover the Coalition’s vote was inefficiently distributed at the federal election, as well as US and UK politics.
The Tasmanian state election will be held this Saturday. Tasmania uses the proportional Hare-Clark system for its lower house elections. The five Tasmanian seats used at federal elections each have seven members, for a total of 35 MPs. A quota for election is one-eighth of the vote, or 12.5%.
A DemosAU poll for Pulse Tasmania, conducted July 6–10 from a sample of 3,421, gave the Liberals 34.9% of the vote (up 0.9 since the June 19–26 DemosAU poll), Labor 24.7% (down 2.6), the Greens 15.6% (up 0.5), the Nationals 2.7%, the Shooters 1.8% and independents 20.3% (up 1.0).
The Nationals are only contesting Bass, Braddon and Lyons, and the poll would not have included them in the other two electorates of Clark and Franklin, so the Nationals’ vote in the electorates they are contesting would be higher than their statewide vote.
With a total sample of over 3,400, the sample size per electorate would be over 680. Using the results in individual electorates, this poll has the Liberals on a total of 13–14 seats out of 35, Labor on 9–10, the Greens on 6–7, independents on 4–6 and both the Nationals and Shooters either winning zero or one seat.
If the election results reflect this poll, the Liberals would easily be the largest party, but they would not win the 18 seats needed for a majority. There would probably be a majority for Labor, the Greens and left-wing independents, but Labor did not attempt to form government in a similar situation after the March 2024 election.
It’s been 11 years since Labor last held government in Tasmania, with the Labor/Greens government at that time widely blamed for Labor’s heavy defeat in the March 2014 election. But with the continuing decline of the major parties, Labor may have to reach an agreement with the Greens if they want to form government again in Tasmania.
Labor and the Liberals have both supported construction of a new AFL stadium. I believe this partly explains the drop in Labor’s vote, as many on the left would oppose this stadium. Labor’s refusal to attempt to form government after the March 2024 election probably also contributed to its low vote.
Voters may also be blaming Labor for this early election, just 16 months after the previous Tasmanian election. This election is just over two months after the federal election.
Analyst Kevin Bonham has a pendulum of House of Representatives seats after the results of the May 3 federal election. There are likely to be federal redistributions from July 2026 in some states, so this won’t be the pendulum used at the next federal election.
Labor won 94 of the 150 seats, the Coalition 43 and all Others 13, from a two-party vote of 55.2–44.8 to Labor. Assuming the Others are unchanged, Labor would need to lose 19 seats to drop below the 76 needed for a majority. On the pendulum, this occurs when the seat of Whitlam falls, but Labor won Whitlam by 56.3–43.7, more than 1% higher than their national vote.
This means that, using a uniform swing on the actual results, Labor would have won a majority even if they had lost the national two-party vote by 51.0–49.0, despite 13 Other seats.
Despite the electoral hammering, the Coalition retained many regional seats by large margins. This contributed to an inefficiently distributed vote. With voters in the cities making up a majority of all Australian voters, the Coalition can’t win by appealing just to voters in the regions.
The Coalition would be the largest party if they won 26 seats from Labor. This happens when the Coalition gains Braddon, which Labor won by 57.2–42.8, so the Coalition would need a 51.9–48.1 national two-party margin. For a Coalition majority, they would need 33 gains, and need a 53.7–46.3 national two-party win.
I wrote for The Poll Bludger on Saturday that United States President Donald Trump’s net approval was nearly unchanged at -6.7 after the passage of the “big beautiful bill” through Congress. I also covered Elon Musk’s new party and New York City mayoral general election polls.
In the United Kingdom, a Labour MP has defected to a potential Jeremy Corbyn-led party. The far-right Reform has led Labour in UK national polls since the early May local elections. In a House of Commons vote on a welfare reform bill, 49 Labour MPs rebelled.
A Queensland state DemosAU poll, conducted July 4–9 from a sample of 1,027, gave the Liberal National Party a 55–45 lead (53.8–46.2 to the LNP at the October 2024 election). The Poll Bludger said this was a one-point gain for the LNP since a February DemosAU poll.
Primary votes were 40% LNP (steady), 28% Labor (down two), 13% Greens (up one), 12% One Nation (up two) and 7% for all Others (down one). On the recent Queensland state budget, 24% thought it would be good for the Queensland economy, 19% bad and 57% were unsure. By 43–26, respondents thought Labor would not have delivered a better budget.
A Queensland state Redbridge poll gave the LNP a 56–44 lead. Primary votes were 43% LNP, 29% Labor, 11% Greens and 17% for all Others (there was no One Nation breakdown).
Queensland was the only state the Coalition won at the federal election, though only by 50.6–49.4. The state LNP is still benefiting from a honeymoon after ousting Labor at last year’s election.
Adrian Beaumont does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Hung parliament still likely outcome of Tasmanian election, with Liberals well ahead of Labor in new poll – https://theconversation.com/hung-parliament-still-likely-outcome-of-tasmanian-election-with-liberals-well-ahead-of-labor-in-new-poll-261073
At GTR Africa 2025, a diverse panel of experts – including representatives from the Reserve Bank of India’s research wing, MSME chambers and leading financial institutions – explored the question of how India can double its export trade to reach the government’s target of $2 trillion by 2030. In 2024, India’s exports of goods and services were estimated at over $800 billion, up 5.6% year on year. Yet services continue to outpace goods, with an eight-percentage-point lead in growth.
For India to achieve a more balanced export profile and reach its national targets, boosting merchandise exports is imperative. Africa stands out as a significant factor in helping India achieve its ambitious goals, particularly as a market for Indian merchandise exports. Financial institutions have a substantial role to play in supporting this trade and unlocking the opportunities within the India-Africa corridor.
A growth market with strategic alignment
Africa is home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Across sectors such as infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, automotive components, agriculture, and consumer goods, Indian products are already gaining traction. Shared cultural and historical ties, a largely English-speaking business environment, and similar developmental goals in education, technology, healthcare, and infrastructure position the two regions as natural trade partners.
With the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Africa is poised to become more integrated with an addressable market of 1.2 billion people, $3.4 trillion in GDP, and reduced intra-continental tariffs. This transforms the way Indian exporters can approach the region, moving from fragmented country-specific strategies to viewing Africa as a unified, high-growth destination, not only for trade but also for embedding into the region as a way to participate in the global value chain.
Financial and structural hurdles to overcome
Although this opportunity is promising, Indian exporters, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), face several challenges in navigating African markets. One of the most significant hurdles is logistical complexity, including infrastructure constraints in certain regions, which can disrupt supply chains and increase the cost and time of moving goods across borders.
Another key concern is partner and counterparty risk. In many cases, assessing the creditworthiness of potential trading partners is difficult, and this uncertainty can deter Indian firms from entering new markets. Exporters must also contend with foreign exchange volatility and concerns about the timely and secure repatriation of funds, which can further complicate trade with certain African countries.
In addition, many exporters – particularly newer or smaller firms – struggle to access the working capital and trade finance required to scale operations or explore new markets. These financing gaps can limit their ability to take advantage of the growing opportunities presented by Africa’s expanding consumer base and regional trade integration.
Overcoming these barriers requires a holistic financial approach that combines a deep understanding of local markets with tailored credit solutions, risk mitigation tools, and long-term partnership models.
Digitisation is a critical enabler of trade finance
As global trade becomes increasingly volatile due to shifting tariffs, regulatory uncertainty, and tightening cycles, efficiency and agility are critical. Digital transformation plays a pivotal role in reducing costs and improving access to finance.
Innovations such as e-bills of lading, blockchain-based guarantees, and the use of machine learning and AI for document verification and compliance checks can reduce delays and human error in cross-border trade processes. While traditional trade finance cycles can take 60 to 90 days, digital solutions allow exporters to respond quickly to market changes and manage cash flow more effectively.
Banks and financiers investing in African-led digitisation efforts are well placed to support Indian exporters entering or expanding in the region. By building digital platforms that align with local regulatory environments and business norms, financial partners can help unlock a new era of trade connectivity between the two regions.
Leveraging AfCFTA for regional and global value chains
One of the most powerful tools available to Indian exporters is the ability to use Africa not just as an end market but also as a base for regional and global value chain participation. With AfCFTA aiming to eliminate trade barriers between African nations, a company that invests or establishes operations in one country could potentially access the entire continent tariff-free.
This opens new opportunities to move up the value chain through manufacturing, technology transfer, and joint ventures that foster local capacity while increasing India’s global trade footprint. It also encourages long-term thinking and investment in the corridor, for shared prosperity, rather than short-term export opportunism.
The need for skills and inclusive innovation
Export growth cannot happen in a vacuum. Both India and Africa need to invest in upskilling and reskilling their workforces, particularly in fields like engineering, logistics, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Encouraging more people to pursue careers in these sectors is essential in building long-term trade resilience.
Technology must be made accessible and inclusive, with tools and training offered in local languages and tailored to diverse educational backgrounds. The goal is not to replace people with machines, but to empower people to work more effectively with technology, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and productivity, particularly in the areas of financing and trade compliance.
The role of diplomacy
India’s growing diplomatic and economic engagement with Africa is already yielding results. During its presidency of the G20 in 2023, India championed the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member, highlighting its ambition to serve as a voice for the Global South.
Today, India is collaborating with African nations on digital infrastructure, payment platforms, energy projects, naval cooperation, and more. From tech stack adoption in countries like Ghana and Angola, to partnerships between Indian public sector firms and African energy providers, the bilateral relationship is rapidly deepening.
To accelerate trade, policy frameworks on both sides must evolve to support openness, competition, and innovation. Incentives for exporters, joint R&D investments, streamlined customs procedures, and predictable regulations will all play a critical role.
Building a corridor for shared prosperity
The India–Africa trade corridor represents one of the most promising frontiers for growing Indian merchandise exports in the coming decade. The geopolitical environment is increasingly supportive, and there is significant scale and numerous synergies that can be leveraged for expansion.
By investing in digital transformation, financial access, skills development, and long-term policy alignment, stakeholders across the trade ecosystem, from governments and banks to MSMEs and large corporates, can build a corridor that delivers shared growth and resilience. Africa is not just a market to be tapped; it has the potential to become a strategic partner for India in shaping the future of global trade.
About the Author:
Shivank Goel is an Indo-Africa Corridor Specialist at RMB. He was a panellist at GTR Africa 2025, contributing to the discussion on policy and finance strategies to accelerate India’s merchandise exports and strengthen the India–Africa trade corridor.