Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday spoke to reporters about the South China Sea issue in response to questions while attending annual ASEAN Plus foreign ministers’ meetings in Kuala Lumpur.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the South China Sea issue is discussed every year at the meetings, and this year was no exception. “What struck me most this time is the clear temperature difference between regional countries and a few countries from outside the region.”
At the China-ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting, the discussion on the South China Sea was held in a more calm and confident manner, becasse compared with other seas in the world, the South China Sea is clearly stable. There are no problems with freedom of navigation and overflight, Wang said
Some countries outside the region continue to make irresponsible remarks about the South China Sea. Although their tone has notably softened this year, they have not stopped, he said, adding tt seems they fear the South China Sea will not be chaotic. Regional countries are now well aware of these “old tricks.”
Wang said he proposed that a new narrative should be built for the South China Sea. We should not always associate the South China Sea with friction, conflict, or confrontation, but with peace, stability, and cooperation. This should become the mainstream narrative in the future, stated the Chinese foreign minister.
China and ASEAN countries are working toward this direction, he said, adding there is still one country that seems out of sync with the others, but I believe it will come to eventually understand. Acting as a pawn for others will only lead to being sacrificed.
Wang said that China and ASEAN countries have agreed to upgrade the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) by formulating a Code of Conduct (COC) that is effective, substantive, and consistent with international law.
All sides also agreed to strive to conclude the COC as scheduled next year, he said. In the next stage, consultations will become more frequent, and the process will speed up. We have the confidence, capability, and wisdom to maintain stability in the South China Sea, remove external interference, and jointly build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation.
Wang emphasized that during the meetings, he also elaborated on China’s position regarding the so-called South China Sea arbitration case. This arbitration case has serious flaws in terms of fact-finding and application of law. It carried out actions that violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea under the name of the convention itself, and its damage to regional peace and stability as well as the maritime order has become increasingly evident.
Wang stated that we must ask: if compulsory arbitration can be abused, is there still value in diplomatic efforts? Should bilateral consultations be abandoned? Do commitments under the DOC still count? If territorial sovereignty and maritime demarcation issues are submitted for arbitration, should the exclusive declarations under the convention still be respected? Does an agreement between China and the Philippines to resolve disputes through dialogue still hold? And if all islands and reefs in the South China Sea are denied maritime entitlements, should the world’s maritime map be redrawn?
In fact, this so-called arbitration case is a political manipulation and should be thrown into the trash heap of history, Wang said.
War medals stolen from the mailbox of a veteran’s grandson in Wellsford earlier this month have been found and returned to their rightful owner.
On 9 July, Patrick Conlon made a report to Police after a valuable parcel was allegedly stolen from his mailbox.
Mr Conlon was understandably very upset by the theft – the parcel contained World War I medals that had been awarded to his grandfather, Elmer James Conlon.
Police established that the parcel had been delivered on 1 July, but had then gone missing before Mr Conlon could collect it.
Police appealed to the public for any information that could help locate the medals, or for any locals to report if they’d seen any suspicious activity in the area on the date of the theft.
Thankfully, yesterday, Police were contacted by the Wellsford War memorial museum staff advising that the medals had been located in their returns bin.
Senior Sergeant Damian Lawn says it appears someone had dropped them off overnight.
“We’re pleased that whoever took these medals did the right thing and returned them – obviously they are hugely significant to Mr Conlon and we are glad to be able to reunite him with them.
“We have fingerprinted the medals before returning them and we are continuing with our enquiries.”
Anyone who has any further information about the theft or those involved is asked to get in touch through our 105 service, using reference number 250709/8286.
New Caledonia’s pro-and-anti-independence parties have committed to an “historic” deal over the future political status of the French Pacific territory, which is set to become — for the first time — a “state” within the French realm.
The 13-page agreement yesterday, officially entitled “Agreement Project of the Future of New Caledonia”, is the result of a solid 10 days of difficult negotiations between both pro and anti-independence parties.
They have stayed under closed doors at a hotel in the small city of Bougival, in the outskirts of Paris.
French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls (centre) shows signatures on the last page of New Caledonia’s new agreement. Image: RNZ Pacific/FB
The talks were convened by French President Emmanuel Macron after an earlier series of talks held between February and May 2025 failed to yield an agreement.
After opening the talks on July 2, Macron handed over them to his Minister for Overseas, Manuel Valls, to oversee. Valls managed to bring together all parties around the same table earlier this year.
In his opening speech earlier this month, Macron insisted on the need to restore New Caledonia’s economy, which was brought to its knees following destructive and deadly riots that erupted in May 2024.
He said France was ready to study any solution, including an “associated state” for New Caledonia.
During the following days, all political players exchanged views under the seal of strict confidentiality.
While the pro-independence movement, and its Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), remained adamant they would settle for no less than “full sovereignty”, the pro-France parties were mostly arguing that three referendums — held between 2018 and 2021 — had already concluded that most New Caledonians wanted New Caledonia to remain part of France.
Those results, they said, dictated that the democratic result of the three consultations be respected.
Group photo of participants at the end of negotiations. Image: Philippe Gomes
With this confrontational context, which resulted in an increasingly radicalised background in New Caledonia, that eventually led to the 2024 riots, the Bougival summit was dubbed the “last chance summit”.
In the early hours of Saturday, just before 7 am (Paris time, 5 pm NZ time), after a sleepless night, the secrecy surrounding the Bougival talks finally ended with an announcement from Valls.
He wrote in a release that all partners taking part in the talks had signed and “committed to present and defend the agreement’s text on New Caledonia’s future.”
Valls said this was a “major commitment resulting from a long work of negotiations during which New Caledonia’s partners made the choice of courage and responsibility”.
The released document, signed by almost 20 politicians, details what the deal would imply for New Caledonia’s future.
In its preamble, the fresh deal underlines that New Caledonia was “once again betting on trust, dialogue and peace”, through “a new political organisation, a more widely shared sovereignty and an economic and social refoundation” for a “reinvented common destiny.”
New Caledonia’s population will be called to approve the agreement in February 2026.
If approved, the text would be the centrepiece of a “special organic law” voted by the local Congress.
It would later have to be endorsed by the French Parliament and enshrined in an article of the French Constitution.
What does the agreement contain? One of the most notable developments in terms of future status for New Caledonia is the notion of a “State of New Caledonia”, under a regime that would maintain it as part of France, but with a dual citizenship — France/New Caledonia.
Another formulation used for the change of status is the often-used “sui generis”, which in legal Latin, describes a unique evolution, comparable to no other.
This would be formalised through a fundamental law to be endorsed by New Caledonia’s Congress by a required majority of three-fifths.
The number of MPs in the Congress would be 56.
The text also envisages a gradual transfer of key powers currently held by France (such as international relations), but would not include portfolios such as defence, currency or justice.
In diplomacy, New Caledonia would be empowered to conduct its own affairs, but “in respect of France’s international commitments and vital interests”.
On defence matters, even though this would remain under France’s powers, it is envisaged that New Caledonia would be “strongly” associated, consulted and kept informed, regarding strategy, goals and actions led by France in the Pacific region.
On police and public order matters, New Caledonia would be entitled to create its own provincial and traditional security forces, in addition to national French law enforcement agencies.
New Caledonia’s sensitive electoral roll The sensitive issue of New Caledonia’s electoral roll and conditions of eligibility to vote at local elections (including for the three Provincial Assemblies) is also mentioned in the agreement.
It was this very issue that was perceived as the main trigger for the May 2024 riots, the pro-independence movement feared at the time that changing the conditions to vote would gradually place the indigenous Kanak community in a position of minority.
It is now agreed that the electoral roll would be partly opened to those people of New Caledonia who were born after 1998.
The roll was frozen in 2007 and restricted to people born before 1998, which is the date the previous major autonomy agreement of Nouméa was signed.
Under the new proposed conditions to access New Caledonia’s “citizenship”, those entitled would include people who already can vote at local elections, but also their children or any person who has resided in New Caledonia for an uninterrupted ten years or who has been married or lived in a civil de facto partnership with a qualified citizen for at least five years.
Provincial elections once again postponed One of the first deadlines on the electoral calendar, the provincial elections, was to take place no later than 30 November 2025.
It will be moved once again — for the third time — to May-June 2026.
A significant part of the political deal is also dedicated to New Caledonia’s economic “refoundation”, with a high priority for the young generations, who have felt left out of the system and disenfranchised for too long.
One of the main goals was to bring New Caledonia’s public debts to a level of sustainability.
In 2024, following the riots, France granted, in the form of loans, over 1 billion euros (NZ $1.9 billion) for New Caledonia’s key institutions to remain afloat.
But some components of the political chessboard criticised the measure, saying this was placing the French territory in a state of excessive and long-term debt.
Group photo of participants at the end of negotiations with the signed agreement. Image: Philippe_Gomes/RNZ Pacific
Strategic nickel A major topic, on the macro-economic side, concerns New Caledonia’s nickel mining industry, after years of decline that has left it (even before 2024) in a state of near-collapse.
Nickel is regarded as the backbone of New Caledonia’s economy.
A nickel “strategic plan” would aim at re-starting New Caledonia nickel’s processing plants, especially in the Northern province, but at the same time facilitating the export of raw nickel.
There was also a will to ensure that all mining sites (many of which have been blocked and its installations damaged since the May 2024 riots) became accessible again.
Meanwhile, France would push the European Union to include New Caledonia’s nickel in its list of strategic resources.
New Caledonia’s nickel industry’s woes are also caused by its lack of competitiveness on the world market — especially compared to Indonesia’s recent rise in prominence in nickel production — because of the high cost of energy.
Swift reactions, mostly positive
New Caledonian politicians Sonia Backès (left to right), Nicolas Metzdorf, Gil Brial and Victor Tutugoro. Image: Nicolas Metzdorf/RNZ Pacific
The announcement yesterday was followed by quick reactions from all sides of New Caledonia’s political spectrum and also from mainland France’s political leaders.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou expressed “pride” to see an agreement “on par with history”, emerge.
“Bravo also to the work and patience of Manuel Valls” and “the decisive implication of Emmanuel Macron,” he wrote on X-Twitter.
From the ranks of New Caledonia’s political players, pro-France Nicolas Metzdorf said he perceived as one of the deal’s main benefits the fact that “we will at last be able to project ourselves in the future, in economic, social and societal reconstruction without any deadline.”
Metzdorf admitted that reaching an agreement required concessions and compromise from both sides.
“But the fact that we are no longer faced with referendums and to reinforce the powers of our provinces, this was our mandate”, he told public broadcaster NC La 1ère.
“We’ve had to accept this change from New Caledonia citizenship to New Caledonian nationality, which remains to be defined by New Caledonia’s Congress. We have also created a completely new status as part of the French Republic, a sui generis State”, he noted.
He said the innovative status kept New Caledonia within France, without going as far as an “associated state” mooted earlier.
“At least, what we have arrived at is that New Caledonians remain French”, pro-France Le Rassemblement-LR prominent leader Virginie Ruffenach commented.
“And those who want to contribute to New Caledonia’s development will be able to do so through a minimum stay of residence, the right to vote and to become citizens and later New Caledonia nationals”
“I’m aware that some could be wary of the concessions we made, but let’s face it: New Caledonia nationality does not make New Caledonia an independent State . . . It does not take away anything from us, neither of us belonging to the French Republic nor our French nationality,” Southern Province pro-France President Sonia Backès wrote on social media.
In a joint release, the two main pro-France parties, Les Loyalistes and Rassemblement-LR, said the deal was no less than “historic” and “perennial” for New Caledonia as a whole, to “offer New Caledonia a future of peace, stability and prosperity” while at the same time considering France’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
From the pro-independence side, one of the negotiators, Victor Tutugoro of UNI-UPM (Progressist Union in Melanesia) said what mattered was that “all of us have placed our bets on intelligence, beyond our respective beliefs, our positions, our postures”.
“We put all of these aside for the good of the country.”
“Of course, by definition, a compromise cannot satisfy anyone 100 percent. But it’s a balanced compromise for everyone,” he said.
“And it allows us to look ahead, to build New Caledonia together, a citizenship and this common destiny everyone’s been talking about for many years.”
Before politicians fly back to New Caledonia to present the deal to their respective bases, President Macron received all delegation members last evening to congratulate them on their achievements.
During the Presidential meeting at the Elysée Palace, FLNKS chief negotiator Emmanuel Tjibaou (whose father Jean-Marie Tjibaou also struck a historic agreement and shook hands with pro-France leader Jacques Lafleur, in 1988), stressed the agreement was one step along the path and it allows to envisage new perspectives for the Kanak people.
A sign of the changing times, but in a striking parallel — 37 years after his father’s historic handshake with Lafleur, Emmanuel Tjibaou (whose father was shot dead in 1989 by a radical pro-independence partisan who felt the independence cause had been betrayed — did not shake hands, but instead fist pumped with pro-France’s Metzdorf.
In a brief message on social networks, the French Head of State hailed the conclusive talks, which he labelled “A State of New Caledonia within the (French) Republic,” a win for a “bet on trust.”
“Now is the time for respect, for stability and for the sum of good wills to build a shared future.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Signatures on the last page of New Caledonia’s new agreement. Image: Philippe Dunoyer/RNZ Pacific
The Government is committed to improving the effectiveness of district governance and one of the key issues of focus is improving the environment of public housing estates and creating comfortable homes.
Diligent efforts With this in mind, the Housing Bureau announced the launch of a resident-oriented “Well-being design” guide last year, which serves as a reference for the improvement works of existing estates.
Assistant Director of Housing Michael Hong said each year about 10 estates will be selected to undergo minor improvement works.
“In general, the minor improvement works will include enhancements of the recreation facilities as well as the pedestrian routing.
“We also have five estates to carry out theme-based estate improvement works.”
Improving public spaces and amenities of public housing estates requires diligent efforts to address residents’ daily needs through practical actions. This approach leads to tangible improvements within the community.
Recently, the improvement works in Ping Shek Estate have ensured that residents enjoy a comfortable living environment. Kung Fu Court is one of the success stories.
“In Kung Fu Court, in the past, it was only green in colour. So we added some colours to it. We also added a 100m trail on the court so that elderly residents can walk or run along the trail.
“There is a kindergarten nearby, we can see that the kids can enjoy these very fun areas.
“Every day, they will come out and have some activities. And we can see the smile on their faces.”
Important input Citizens can also play their part in promoting well-being at public housing estates.
In an effort to revitalise Chak On Estate’s public spaces, the Housing Bureau organised the “Let’s Go Well-being Chak On” Design Competition in January.
The competition was divided into two categories that include the “students” group and the “emerging” group, covering four public spaces: Chak On Plaza – Estate Stage; Communal space – Cultural & Recreational Room; Estate landmark – Sunset Plaza; and Intergeneration Fitness Playscape.
A group of master’s degree students majoring in urban design gathered extensive feedback from residents through workshops and interviews.
Their efforts allowed them to excel in the competition and ultimately win.
“Let’s Go Well-being Chak On” Design Competition (Students Category) winning team member Gia He said her team spoke to estate residents to hear their user experience and input on the design when creating their design.
“They told us their stories of this community, their life. We were touched by their love for their life and also their love for this community.
Miss He added that the team’s design was mainly based on the residents’ requests.
“The area is mostly suitable for them to use, like they have a comfortable seating area, an area for them to talk with each other or play with their children or play chess, anything they want to do.”
The winning projects will serve as a reference for the detailed design of the improvements to Chak On Estate.
Miss He and her teammates are currently working as interns at a design consultancy.
Under the guidance of professional consultants and relevant departments, the design plan was optimised in hopes of overcoming technical difficulties.
She added that they will do their utmost to transform the design project from the drawing board to reality.
New York City, NY, July 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In an industry often clouded by complexity and technical barriers, Bay Miner is taking a bold step forward by launching an advanced, user-first cloud mining platform designed to make cryptocurrency mining accessible, transparent, and profitable for everyone—regardless of experience level or technical background.
Operating globally and rooted in transparency and trust, Bay Miner is poised to reshape how users engage with digital currencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Litecoin (LTC). By removing traditional barriers such as hardware requirements, high energy consumption, and technical complexity, Bay Miner is empowering individuals to mine crypto in the simplest and most secure way possible.
“We’re not just building another mining platform—we’re building a future where everyday people can benefit from the digital economy,” said a spokesperson for Bay Miner. “We’ve designed our ecosystem to be intuitive, transparent, and truly rewarding, from day one.”
A Simpler Way to Mine
Bay Miner’s platform offers instant access to mining through the cloud—no equipment, no software installation, and no learning curve. Users can sign up in seconds, claim their free $15 mining credit, and begin earning daily returns with just a few clicks. This frictionless onboarding experience reflects the company’s mission: making mining as easy as opening a browser.
The platform is completely web-based, allowing users to track mining performance, adjust contract settings, and monitor earnings directly from their smartphone, tablet, or computer—anytime, anywhere.
Key Features That Set Bay Miner Apart
1. Real Mining Infrastructure Every mining contract on Bay Miner is backed by actual operations running across secure, energy-optimized data centers strategically located in North America, Europe, and Asia. Users mine real cryptocurrencies with real, verifiable rewards.
2. Flexible Mining Contracts Bay Miner offers a wide range of contract options—short-term for fast returns, and long-term for compounding profits. From modest $100 contracts to premium packages exceeding $5,000, each plan is tailored to meet individual risk appetites and investment strategies.
3. Transparent Daily Payouts Earnings are calculated and distributed daily, with no hidden fees or withdrawal limits. This gives users full visibility and control over their mining income, building long-term trust in the platform.
4. Military-Grade Security and Stability Bay Miner’s infrastructure is fortified with end-to-end encryption, multi-layer authentication, and around-the-clock system monitoring. Users’ data and digital assets are protected by the same protocols used in modern financial institutions. With 99.9% platform uptime, users can mine with confidence around the clock.
5. Generous Onboarding Bonuses and Loyalty Rewards New users are welcomed with a 15$ mining credit upon registration, and daily login bonuses encourage ongoing engagement. Referral incentives and performance-based rewards further amplify user growth and earnings.
Designed for Growth
Bay Miner’s unique ecosystem is built to scale. Whether you’re an individual looking for a passive income stream or an institutional client seeking high-volume mining contracts, Bay Miner provides robust tools and support to maximize returns.
Elite Mining Suite – $5,000+ packages with enhanced daily profits and priority support
Each contract includes real-time monitoring and performance reporting, giving users complete transparency and control.
A Platform Built on Trust and Vision
In a market saturated with empty promises and vague tech jargon, Bay Miner takes a grounded approach. The platform was built with regulatory compliance, long-term sustainability, and user empowerment at its core. Unlike many competitors that focus solely on growth metrics, Bay Miner puts integrity first.
“Our philosophy is simple—if our users succeed, we succeed,” said the company spokesperson. “We’re not just offering a mining platform; we’re creating a community of forward-thinkers who want to build wealth the right way.”
With thousands of users already joining the platform during its beta testing phase, early feedback has highlighted its simplicity, reliability, and impressive earning potential.
Getting Started is Easy
Anyone can begin mining with Bay Miner in three simple steps:
Register and receive a $15 free mining bonus instantly
Select a contract that matches your goals and start earning daily income
No equipment. No experience. No delays. Just seamless, secure, and scalable mining.
About Bay Miner
Bay Miner is a US-based cloud mining company dedicated to redefining access to cryptocurrency mining through secure, user-friendly, and transparent services. By leveraging state-of-the-art mining technology and a global network of data centers, Bay Miner delivers a truly modern solution to digital wealth generation.
Bay Miner – Mine Smarter. Earn Faster. Own the Future.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.
New York City, NY, July 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In an industry often clouded by complexity and technical barriers, Bay Miner is taking a bold step forward by launching an advanced, user-first cloud mining platform designed to make cryptocurrency mining accessible, transparent, and profitable for everyone—regardless of experience level or technical background.
Operating globally and rooted in transparency and trust, Bay Miner is poised to reshape how users engage with digital currencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Litecoin (LTC). By removing traditional barriers such as hardware requirements, high energy consumption, and technical complexity, Bay Miner is empowering individuals to mine crypto in the simplest and most secure way possible.
“We’re not just building another mining platform—we’re building a future where everyday people can benefit from the digital economy,” said a spokesperson for Bay Miner. “We’ve designed our ecosystem to be intuitive, transparent, and truly rewarding, from day one.”
A Simpler Way to Mine
Bay Miner’s platform offers instant access to mining through the cloud—no equipment, no software installation, and no learning curve. Users can sign up in seconds, claim their free $15 mining credit, and begin earning daily returns with just a few clicks. This frictionless onboarding experience reflects the company’s mission: making mining as easy as opening a browser.
The platform is completely web-based, allowing users to track mining performance, adjust contract settings, and monitor earnings directly from their smartphone, tablet, or computer—anytime, anywhere.
Key Features That Set Bay Miner Apart
1. Real Mining Infrastructure Every mining contract on Bay Miner is backed by actual operations running across secure, energy-optimized data centers strategically located in North America, Europe, and Asia. Users mine real cryptocurrencies with real, verifiable rewards.
2. Flexible Mining Contracts Bay Miner offers a wide range of contract options—short-term for fast returns, and long-term for compounding profits. From modest $100 contracts to premium packages exceeding $5,000, each plan is tailored to meet individual risk appetites and investment strategies.
3. Transparent Daily Payouts Earnings are calculated and distributed daily, with no hidden fees or withdrawal limits. This gives users full visibility and control over their mining income, building long-term trust in the platform.
4. Military-Grade Security and Stability Bay Miner’s infrastructure is fortified with end-to-end encryption, multi-layer authentication, and around-the-clock system monitoring. Users’ data and digital assets are protected by the same protocols used in modern financial institutions. With 99.9% platform uptime, users can mine with confidence around the clock.
5. Generous Onboarding Bonuses and Loyalty Rewards New users are welcomed with a 15$ mining credit upon registration, and daily login bonuses encourage ongoing engagement. Referral incentives and performance-based rewards further amplify user growth and earnings.
Designed for Growth
Bay Miner’s unique ecosystem is built to scale. Whether you’re an individual looking for a passive income stream or an institutional client seeking high-volume mining contracts, Bay Miner provides robust tools and support to maximize returns.
Elite Mining Suite – $5,000+ packages with enhanced daily profits and priority support
Each contract includes real-time monitoring and performance reporting, giving users complete transparency and control.
A Platform Built on Trust and Vision
In a market saturated with empty promises and vague tech jargon, Bay Miner takes a grounded approach. The platform was built with regulatory compliance, long-term sustainability, and user empowerment at its core. Unlike many competitors that focus solely on growth metrics, Bay Miner puts integrity first.
“Our philosophy is simple—if our users succeed, we succeed,” said the company spokesperson. “We’re not just offering a mining platform; we’re creating a community of forward-thinkers who want to build wealth the right way.”
With thousands of users already joining the platform during its beta testing phase, early feedback has highlighted its simplicity, reliability, and impressive earning potential.
Getting Started is Easy
Anyone can begin mining with Bay Miner in three simple steps:
Register and receive a $15 free mining bonus instantly
Select a contract that matches your goals and start earning daily income
No equipment. No experience. No delays. Just seamless, secure, and scalable mining.
About Bay Miner
Bay Miner is a US-based cloud mining company dedicated to redefining access to cryptocurrency mining through secure, user-friendly, and transparent services. By leveraging state-of-the-art mining technology and a global network of data centers, Bay Miner delivers a truly modern solution to digital wealth generation.
Bay Miner – Mine Smarter. Earn Faster. Own the Future.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
July 11, 2025
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—secured several important provisions to support servicemembers and boost American competitiveness and national security in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that SASC approved this week and the full Senate will now consider. Among the provisions that the Senator secured in the Committee-passed legislation, Duckworth successfully led a provision to expand IVF access for uniformed servicemembers and ensure military families have the same level of coverage that Members of Congress and other federal employees already have. As President Donald Trump continues to misuse our military to intimidate American citizens across our nation, Duckworth also successfully secured provisions that would safeguard Americans’ civil rights when servicemembers assist law enforcement on U.S. soil.
“The brave men and women in uniform who serve our nation at home and abroad deserve to know that our country fully supports them as they and their families sacrifice to defend our country and our Constitution,”?said Duckworth.?“While I don’t support every provision included in this bill, I’m proud that it includes several of my provisions to support our servicemembers and their families, boost American manufacturing, improve Americans’ faith in their military as well as rein in the Trump Administration. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue improving this NDAA and ensure Congress passes a strong final bill that lets our troops know we have their backs.”
NDAAs set our nation’s defense policy and laws, authorize funding for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and ensure that our servicemembers have the tools they need to defend our nation. Additionally, this year’s committee-passed legislation authorizes funding to support a 3.8 percent pay raise for military members.
Key Duckworth-led provisions secured in this year’s Committee-passed NDAA would:
Expand access to IVF for military families by requiring TRICARE to cover fertility treatment services, including IVF, to ensure servicemembers and their families have the same level of coverage that Members of Congress already receive. This is the second time Senator Duckworth secured this provision in the committee-passed version of an NDAA bill.
Regarding this provision, Duckworth said: “Even before I was wounded, I had made the difficult decision to delay building a family because I knew getting pregnant would impact my ability to be an Army aviator—and to advance in the career I loved. Because of the miracle of IVF—and my access to reproductive healthcare through the VA—I’m now a mom to two beautiful girls. The reality is that the men and women of the uniformed services face unique challenges when trying to start or build a family, and studies show that servicemembers and Veterans have higher rates of infertility compared to the general population. After successfully securing this provision in last year’s Committee-passed bill, I’m so proud my colleagues helped me build on this progress by including it in this year’s bill as well. It’s past time our nation provides our military families with the same access to IVF that all Members of Congress already have and ensure our heroes can start the families they’ve dreamed of.”
Strengthen public trust of the military and enhance civil rights by requiring that servicemembers identify themselves as part of the military when assisting federal law enforcement in the United States. As the Trump Administration continues to send federal agents and our nation’s military into our communities to intimidate their fellow Americans, this provision ensures that servicemembers identify themselves properly—to avoid public misunderstanding about who is providing logistical support versus conducting arrests or law enforcement duties.
Regarding this provision, Duckworth said: “In my own experience serving in the National Guard, I saw firsthand the difference drawing a bright line between the roles of our military and law enforcement can make in terms of maintaining public trust in our military. I’m proud my colleagues agreed that this is a necessary requirement to provide accountability to the public during tense moments when troops might be interacting with citizens, from protests to natural disasters to humanitarian crises, and I hope the rest of my colleagues in the Senate do too.”
Ensure all servicemembers know their legal obligations during deployments both at home and abroad by mandating legal training to all servicemembers, including a refresher within 90 days of any mobilization or deployment, on their responsibilities under the law of armed conflict, rules of engagement, defense support for civil authorities and standing rules for the use of force within the United States. In light of the Trump Administration’s increasing use of troops to support law enforcement within the United States, this provision will ensure troops know how to responsibly operate within the bounds of domestic laws and protect American civil rights.
Establish a senior leader of DoD Programs for military to civilian transition efforts by directing DoD to appoint a senior official to oversee policy and programs related to the transition of servicemembers to civilian life or to the reserves. This would elevate and strengthen DoD’s attention on services to assist troops as they leave service and enter civilian life, providing a streamlined conduit for coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Explore international co-production of auxiliary vessels by requiring DoD to identify opportunities to enter joint ventures between U.S. military, U.S. companies and foreign partners to co-produce auxiliary vessels and small boats. Senator Duckworth’s effort aims to increase our nation’s sealift capacity and shipbuilding workforce through leveraging the strengths of our allies and partners in constructing smaller vessels as well as building our ability to surge production of these vessels closer to the point of need in the event of conflict.
Enhance Congressional oversight of the military justice system by requiring the President and DoD to notify Congress of any removal of Judge Advocates General, to ensure that military commanders have the legal advice they need to make their difficult decisions. In addition to notice, the President and DoD must provide a justification for the involuntary removal of any of the top Judge Advocates General (JAG) at least five days before the JAG is removed. This follows Secretary Hegseth’s unceremonious firing of JAGs, which are our military’s legal experts on everything from administrative and domestic protections to international law.
Protect servicemembers from dangerous PFAS in their protective garments by requiring the DoD’s to articulate its plan for acquiring chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threat protective garments free from toxic PFAS chemicals as soon as possible.
Enable the nonpartisan, Duckworth-created Afghanistan War Commission to finish its final report by authorizing DoD to provide non-reimbursable support services—like staff, facilities and funding—and authorizing the Commission to enter into contracts to obtain essential goods and servicesauthor, including the ability to publish its final report through a private publisher. These provisions align its authorities with similar commissions, including the 9/11 National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States.
Expand the successful Southeast Asia Cyber Pilot Program to allow U.S. forces to work with the Pacific Island nations to improve their cyber capabilities and reduce vulnerabilities, building resilience against threats in DoD’s priority region.
Expand exchange opportunities for allies and partners by authorizing DoD to offer exchange opportunities at universities with ROTC programs for servicemembers from partner nations, creating a cost-effective way to train future leaders of key partner militaries.
Ensure fairness in Special and Incentive Pay for Reservists by directing DoD to deliver a special and incentive pay assessment framework – which was required in the FY24 NDAA — by June 1, 2026, and also requiring DoD to make a specific determination about the percentage of aviation incentive pay that goes to maintaining skill proficiency. This provision is essential to ensuring Reservists are paid fairly when they are required to maintain skills and certifications that are expensive to maintain.
Direct a GAO Report on Aviation Safety to review DoD policies and procedures for data gathering, risk assessment and risk mitigation of U.S. military flights, especially as in U.S. domestic civilian airspace. This provision follows investigations into the tragic crash at Reagan National Airport and close calls with military flights throughout civilian airspace.
Bolster our nation’s aviation supply chain by encouraging the use of domestically manufactured helicopters in Initial Entry Rotary Wing pilot training by the Army.
Improve servicemember mental health services and confidentiality by emphasizing support for consistent compliance with suicide prevention policy and confidential access to mental health care without retaliation for all servicemembers and across all branches. The Senator helped secure this provision alongside U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
Expand robotic enhancements for armaments manufacturing by authorizing an additional $5 million for the Secretary of the Army to expand prototyping and production capacity by integrating robotics, automation and digital manufacturing into the munitions industrial base.
Use advanced manufacturing to improve the rapid repair of equipment in forward-based locations by authorizing digital manufacturing as part of the prototyping program for contested logistics and removing the sunset for the program. This provision would allow DoD to develop best practices regarding forward-based commercial, advanced digital manufacturing facilities for rapid, distributed parts production closer to the point of use.
Elevate research on total force optimization by expressing support for investments in biomechanical, physiological, and psychological research to mitigate injury risks and improve physical resilience in combat operations.
Improve equipment connectivity for military airfields by encouraging the Air Force to integrate connectivity solutions for flightline support equipment, such as generators, light carts, and support vehicles, that are critical for ensuring our military aircraft can safely take off and land. This will improve equipment readiness to ensure our Airmen are prepared for expeditionary flightline operations in contested environments.
Advance U.S. bio-industrial manufacturing innovation by supporting the innovative work being done at advanced facilities like the University of Illinois’s Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Hub (iFAB) by requiring more information on how DoD is investing in this technology critical for national security.
Illuminate gaps in the military footwear industrial base by requesting DoD provide data and analysis on the necessary war reserves for footwear and textiles, and the accompanying surge needs in the event of crisis or conflict. This report language is a modified version of the Senator’s Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act, which recognizes that our defense industrial base for combat boots needs investment in order for it to support our troops and help ensure they have the sturdiest and most protective boots in a possible war.
Strengthen domestic suppliers of critical uniform components by prohibiting the DoD from sourcing clothing, fabrics or components from countries of concern—such as China, Iran, North Korea and Russia—when using domestic sourcing waivers under the Berry Amendment, to prevent further weakening of the U.S. clothing and textile industrial base.?
Allow the Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) to explore investments in nuclear energy and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing by authorizing inclusion of nuclear energy as a covered technology under Section 149 of Title 10 and directing OSC to explore the value of investments in PCBs. This change would enable DoD to explore new investments with these key industries critical for our national security.
Accelerate commercially-useful Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computers (FTQC) by recognizing the importance of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) program, which aims to build a commercially useful FTQC by 2033, and encouraging the Department to concurrently prepare algorithms to operate those machines, while the hardware is being built. This provision recognizes the importance of the development of the first FTQC, which is being built at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago, Illinois.
Improve cross-state medical license reciprocity for Title 32 National Guard medical providers by requiring DoD to analyze any barriers to ensuring medical license reciprocity for Guardsmen to train under Title 32 status. This follows reports from National Guardsmen medical providers that they struggle to get the permissions necessary to conduct essential training across state lines, especially in specialized hospitals for trauma care – vital kinds of training for combat care.
Protect Rock Island Arsenal by restricting the Secretary of the Army from using any funds authorized for restructuring Army commands until the Army provides more information about their proposed plan to integrate Joint Munitions Command and Army Sustainment Command, ensuring operations at Rock Island Arsenal are not unnecessarily affected.
Improve Arsenal Workload Sustainment by establishing a 5-year pilot program requiring DoD to give preference to public-private partnerships in arsenals, especially those non-public partners that ensure equitable workshare to DoD employees to protect critical skills. This provision is a modified version of the Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act that Duckworth introduced alongside U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) as well as U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) to help ensure Army arsenals and factories remain active and viable while preserving the skilled workforce, equipment and production capacity critical to our nation’s defense industrial base.
Improve the governance of the organic industrial base by directing the Army to analyze the effectiveness of their current governance and resourcing model for the Army’s arsenals, depots as well as ammunition plants and identify opportunities for changes to ensure the enterprise and its workforce can support the military’s munitions and sustainment requirements now and in the future. The Senator helped secure this provision alongside Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK).
Improve predictive manufacturing analytics at Army Arsenals by urging the continued implementation of industrial control networks across our Army’s arsenals to enable the collection, aggregation and analysis of data associated with the manufacture and repair of equipment and supplies.
Ensure Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC)’scontinued success by securing a one-year extension of the Joint Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, which supports the operations of the North Chicago-based Lovell FHCC. This provision, led with Senator Durbin, will help safeguard continued access to vital services for military families and Veterans in the area.
Improve the “Warm Hand-off Process” for Servicemembers by changing the current “opt-in” option on the DD-2648 form for sending servicemembers’ information to state veterans’ agencies to an “opt-out” option, aiming to streamline information flow to state services and improve the “warm hand-off” process for servicemembers when they separate or retire from the military service. The Senator helped secure this provision alongside U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).
Support the construction of a Child Development Center at Rock Island Arsenal by authorizing $50 million in Major Construction funds for a new addition to the Child Development Center at Rock Island Arsenal and to consolidate the existing facilities into a single building and make upgrades to meet DoD guidelines and safety requirements. This project will provide a necessary service to the Arsenal and surrounding community.
Support the design of a new Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Scott Air Force Base by authorizing $6 million in Planning and Design funds for the construction of a new aircraft maintenance hangar to support the training and operational mission of the 126th Aerial Refueling Wing at Scott Air Force Base. The current hangar was constructed in 1956, remains in disrepair and no longer meets Department of Defense standards or mission requirements, making a new hangar critical to the Wing’s mission.
Support the design renovation to General Jones Readiness Center by authorizing $5 million in Planning and Design funds for major alternations to the General Richard L. Jones National Guard Readiness Center in Chicago. This facility was built in 1931 and remains one of the largest readiness centers in the country. Renovating it to meet mission requirements is a top priority for the Illinois National Guard.
Improving the Tactical Vehicle Fleet by authorizing an additional $168 million to speed up replacement of Marine Corps HMMWVs with modernized vehicles to improve readiness for global missions.
In addition to these provisions, Duckworth also successfully worked to protect Universities across the country from having their DoD funding for critical technological research cut unnecessarily.
The All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi will host Shalyacon 2025, a three-day national seminar from July 13 to 15, coinciding with Sushruta Jayanti, celebrated annually on July 15 to honor Acharya Sushruta, widely regarded as the Father of Surgery. Organized by AIIA’s Department of Shalya Tantra under the leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Yogesh Badwe, in collaboration with the National Sushruta Association, the event marks the 25th Annual Conference of the association.
The inaugural ceremony on July 14 will be attended by Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush, as the Chief Guest. Guests of Honour include Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush; Prof. Sanjeev Sharma, Vice Chancellor of the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur; and Prof. (Dr.) Tanuja Nesari, Director of the Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar.
Prof. (Dr.) Manjusha Rajagopala, Director (I/C) of AIIA, emphasized the institute’s commitment to advancing Ayurveda globally. “Shalyacon reflects AIIA’s dedication to integrating Ayurvedic principles with modern surgical advancements, equipping emerging Ayurvedic surgeons with the skills and confidence to practice integrated surgical care,” she said.
The seminar, themed around Innovation, Integration, and Inspiration, will feature live surgical demonstrations on July 13 and 14, including general surgeries, anorectal procedures, and urosurgical cases. The first day will showcase ten general endoscopic laparoscopic surgeries, while the second day will feature sixteen anorectal surgeries, providing participants with real-time learning opportunities.
Shalyacon 2025 is expected to draw over 500 scholars, surgeons, researchers, and academicians from India and abroad. The event will foster idea exchange, highlight clinical advancements, and explore emerging trends in Ayurvedic surgical practices. A special plenary session spanning all three days will cover topics such as General and Laparoscopic Surgery, Wound Management, Para-surgical Techniques, Anorectal Surgery, Asthi-Sandhi Marma Chikitsa, and surgical innovations.
On the final day, over 200 oral and poster presentations will contribute to scholarly discussions. Additionally, a Scientific Session will provide a platform for researchers and clinicians to present their work, followed by a cultural program to conclude the event.
This dynamic confluence of tradition and technology underscores AIIA’s mission to advance Ayurvedic surgery and promote its global relevance.
President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose a 30% tariff on imports from Mexico and the European Union starting on August 1, after weeks of negotiations with the key U.S. allies and top trading partners failed to reach a comprehensive trade deal.
In an escalation of the trade war that has angered U.S. allies and rattled investors, Trump announced the latest tariffs in separate letters to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum posted on Truth Social on Saturday.
Both the EU and Mexico responded by calling the tariffs unfair and disruptive while pledging to continue to negotiate with the U.S. for a broader trade deal before the August deadline.
The European Union and Mexico are among the largest U.S. trading partners.
Trump has sent similar letters to 23 other U.S. trading partners this week, including Canada, Japan and Brazil, setting blanket tariff rates ranging from 20% up to 50%, as well as a 50% tariff on copper.
Trump said the 30% tariff rate was “separate from all sectoral tariffs”, which means 50% levies on steel and aluminum imports and a 25% tariff on auto imports would remain at those levels.
The August 1 deadline gives countries targeted by Trump’s letters time to negotiate a trade deal that could lower the threatened tariff levels.
The spate of letters shows Trump has returned to the aggressive trade posture that he took in early April when he announced a slew of reciprocal tariffs against trading partners that sent markets tumbling before the White House delayed implementation.
But with the stock market hitting record highs in recent weeks and a bullish economy, Trump is showing no signs of slowing down his trade war.
Trump promised to use the 90-day pause in April to strike dozens of new trade deals with trading partners, but has only secured framework agreements with Britain, China and Vietnam.
The EU had hoped to reach a comprehensive trade agreement with the U.S. for the 27-country bloc.
Trump’s letter to the EU included a demand that Europe drop its own tariffs, an apparent condition of any future deal.
“The European Union will allow complete, open Market Access to the United States, with no Tariff being charged to us, in an attempt to reduce the large Trade Deficit,” Trump wrote.
EU President von der Leyen said the 30% tariffs “would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.”
She also said while the EU will continue to work towards a trade agreement, they “will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.”
Mexico’s economy ministry said Saturday that it was informed the U.S. would send a letter during a bilateral meeting Friday with U.S. officials.
“We mentioned at the roundtable that it was unfair treatment and that we did not agree,” the ministry’s statement said.
MEXICO’S TARIFF RATE LOWER THAN CANADA’S
Mexico’s proposed tariff level is lower than Canada’s 35% rate, with both letters citing fentanyl flows even though government data shows the amount of the drug seized at the Mexican border was significantly higher than the Canadian border.
“Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done, is not enough. Mexico still has not stopped the Cartels who are trying to turn all of North America into a Narco-Trafficking Playground,” Trump wrote.
Mexico sends more than 80% of its total exported goods to the U.S. and free trade with its northern neighbor drove Mexico to overtake China as the U.S.’s top trading partner in 2023.
The EU had initially hoped to strike a comprehensive trade agreement but more recently had scaled back its ambitions and shifted toward securing a broader framework deal similar to the one Britain brokered that leaves key details to be negotiated.
The 27-country bloc is under conflicting pressures as powerhouse Germany urged a quick deal to safeguard its industry, while other EU members, such as France, have said EU negotiators should not cave into a one-sided deal on U.S. terms.
Trump’s cascade of tariff orders since returning to the White House has begun generating tens of billions of dollars a month in new revenue for the U.S. government. U.S. customs duties revenue shot past $100 billion in the federal fiscal year through to June, according to U.S. Treasury data on Friday.
The tariffs have also strained security relationships with some of America’s closest partners.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said last week that Japan needed to wean itself from U.S. dependence in key areas. The fight over tariffs has also prompted Canada and some European allies to reexamine their security dependence on the United States, with some looking to purchase non-U.S. weapons systems.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
NEW YORK, July 12 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday morning that a 30 percent tariff will be imposed on goods from the European Union and Mexico starting August 1.
The new duties were announced in letters addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The messages were published on Trump’s Truth Social page.
D. Trump criticized Mexico for “failing to stop drug cartels” from smuggling drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States and accused the country of not cooperating enough with Washington to curb illegal immigration.
As for the European Union, the US President criticised it for its tariff and non-tariff barriers, accusing them of creating “long-term, large and persistent trade deficits”.
“Our relations, unfortunately, are far from reciprocal,” the president wrote in his letter.
Trump used much of the same language in his letter as he did in messages sent earlier this week to other leaders, warning them against retaliation, urging them to move companies to the United States and hinting at the possibility of adjusting tariffs if they cooperate.
Over the past week, the US president has sent more than 20 similar letters to other US trading partners, including Canada, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Brazil, imposing uniform tariff rates on goods from these countries, ranging from 20 to 50 percent. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, July 12 /Xinhua/ — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hee in the city of Wonsan in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on Saturday as part of the second round of strategic dialogue, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.
“The heads of the foreign policy departments thoroughly discussed current issues of developing bilateral relations, including the schedule of upcoming political contacts. Particular attention was paid to the prospects for further cooperation in practical areas,” the statement published on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted.
As stated in the report, a keen exchange of views took place on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia (NEA). Mutual commitment to a political and diplomatic solution to the problems existing there was confirmed. The parties emphasized their determination to jointly counter the hegemonic aspirations of extra-regional players, which are leading to escalating tensions in NEA and the entire Asia-Pacific region.
Following the negotiations, a Plan for Inter-Ministerial Exchanges between Russia and the DPRK for 2026-2027 was signed.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, S. Lavrov arrived at Wonsan airport on Friday night, beginning his visit to the DPRK. His visit will last from July 11 to 13. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Xinhua) — China hopes to work with Sri Lanka to further develop strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and lasting friendship, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Wang Yi, also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, noted that China and Sri Lanka enjoy traditional friendship, and recalled that in January this year, the two heads of state held fruitful talks and reached an important consensus on deepening the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership and jointly building a community with a shared future for China and Sri Lanka, indicating the direction and providing guidance for the development of bilateral ties.
The Chinese Foreign Minister noted that China is a reliable partner of Sri Lanka, and the two sides should deepen high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road and practical cooperation in various fields.
The two sides should jointly and effectively implement the two flagship projects of Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port, accelerate negotiations on the China-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, and create new growth points for cooperation in areas such as green energy, digital economy, modern agriculture and marine economy, Wang said.
The Chinese Foreign Minister noted that maritime cooperation between China and Sri Lanka is mutually beneficial, is not directed against third parties and should not be subject to their influence.
China hopes to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Sri Lanka on platforms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum to jointly maintain stability and development in the region, he said, adding that the so-called “Indo-Pacific Strategy” provokes bloc confrontation and forces parties to take one position or another, which is not in line with the trend of the times and will not be supported by countries in the region.
V. Herath, for his part, assured that Sri Lanka attaches great importance to relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China principle. Sri Lanka is grateful to China for its firm support in protecting its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for its timely assistance during times of difficulty, the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister added.
Sri Lanka-China cooperation has brought great benefits to the people of Sri Lanka and effectively promoted the overall development of the region and regional connectivity, V. Herath continued. The Minister added that Sri Lanka is willing to work with China to implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, strengthen practical cooperation in various fields including economy and trade, investment, infrastructure and maritime affairs, so as to further deepen the Sri Lanka-China strategic cooperative partnership. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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Recent reductions in income tax burdens, benign inflation, lower interest rates and a favourable outlook for agricultural production are expected to support rural incomes and bolster overall consumption in India, according to a new report.
Given that private final consumption expenditure constitutes nearly 60 per cent of India’s GDP, it has a strong bearing on India’s overall growth outlook.
A sustained recovery in consumption is also vital for a meaningful pick-up in private sector capital expenditure.
“We expect private consumption growth of 6.2 per cent in FY26 compared to an average of 6.7 per cent in the last three years. In the long run, it will be critical to monitor factors impacting household income to ensure healthy growth in private consumption,” said the report by CareEdge Ratings.
While overall consumption growth has remained broadly healthy over the past few years, recent indicators suggest emerging pressures in urban demand, even as rural demand continues to hold firm.
Rural consumption is expected to be supported by favourable agricultural output and easing inflation in FY26, the report mentioned.
Recent policy support in the form of RBI rate cuts, reduced tax burdens, and easing inflationary pressures is expected to offer some relief and support to urban consumption in the near term.
Moreover, rural consumption could get a further fillip from the likelihood of a good monsoon this year, the report mentioned.
At a time when the income growth has been weak, the household leverage has seen an uptick. As of FY24, household debt stands at 41 per cent of GDP and 55 per cent of net household disposable income. Even though, Indian households are less leveraged than certain emerging economies such as Thailand (87 per cent of GDP), Malaysia (67 per cent) and China (62 per cent).
The report said that it is essential to closely monitor the unsecured segment of household liabilities, which has increased in the post-pandemic years. This is particularly important in the context of moderating income growth and rising delinquencies in the segment.
The 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was convened on 11 July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Meeting was chaired by The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.
Review and Future Direction of the EAS
The Meeting reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening the EAS as the premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia in line with the EAS foundational documents and based on the established principles, objectives and modalities of the EAS.
Download the full statement here.
The post Chairman’s Statement of the 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Xinhua) — Openness brings progress, while closedness leads to backwardness, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said on Saturday, commenting on the high tariffs imposed by the United States on various countries.
Amid the ongoing intertwining of changes and chaos in the current international situation, every country must make a choice between unilateralism and multilateralism, closedness and openness, unity and division, said Wang Yi, who attended the ASEAN Plus Foreign Ministers’ Meetings in Kuala Lumpur.
China is choosing to be more open, he stressed, explaining that this is not only based on the country’s basic experience of development and growth, but also on the inevitable logic of historical progress.
Beijing has taken the lead in lifting tariffs on products from least developed countries and Africa as a whole, fully completed negotiations on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, and created a new model of inter-regional cooperation at the ASEAN-China-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) summit, the minister added.
On the contrary, high tariffs on various countries are a clear violation of World Trade Organization rules, disrupt the stable operation of production and supply chains, and hinder the recovery and development of the world economy, Wang said. He called the move irresponsible, unpopular and unsustainable.
China will continue to firmly stand shoulder to shoulder with countries in the region, promote unity, cooperation and collective strength, and will always be an advocate of multilateralism, a defender of free trade and a champion of open development, the minister stressed. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, briefed reporters on Saturday on his talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the ASEAN Plus Foreign Ministers’ Meeting here on Friday.
Both Beijing and Washington recognize that the China-US relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, affects both countries and impacts the entire world, he said.
The common goal of both sides is to translate the important consensus reached by the two heads of state into concrete policies and actions to ensure that the two giant ships – China and the United States – do not deviate from course, lose speed or collide, Wang added.
According to him, the meeting was constructive and an equal dialogue took place in the spirit of mutual respect.
The Chinese delegation comprehensively laid out its principled position on relations with the United States, which, according to Wang Yi, strengthened the United States’ understanding of China and paved the way for future exchanges between the diplomatic teams of the two countries.
The Minister summed up the meeting with the following words: strengthening contacts, preventing misjudgments, managing differences and expanding cooperation.
Wang Yi noted that from the perspective of historical evolution and humanity as a whole, China and the United States have great common interests and broad space for cooperation.
Both sides have the responsibility and opportunity to find the right path to improve relations in the new era, the Foreign Minister said. Finding a common language will be a blessing for the peoples of both countries and will give hope to all countries in the world, he added. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Pyongyang, July 12 (Xinhua) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived at Wonsan Airport on Friday night to begin his visit to the DPRK, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Saturday.
It is noted that during the visit, which is taking place at the invitation of the DPRK Foreign Ministry, S. Lavrov will hold talks with his North Korean counterpart Choi Son Hee.
The visit will last from July 11 to 13, KCNA reported earlier.
Ahead of this trip, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that S. Lavrov and Choi Son Hee will take part in the second round of bilateral strategic dialogue at the level of foreign ministers in Pyongyang, Russian media reported on Friday. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canada-based and Solana-focused FinFra leader Astra Fintech today reinforced its commitment to the Solana ecosystem by announcing a $10M strategic acquisition of Dexlab, a pioneering Solana-native token launching and tooling platform. Backed by Astra’s recently launched $100 million Solana ecosystem fund, this deal marks a bold step in the company’s mission to accelerate PayFi adoption across Asia and beyond.
Why Dexlab? The Investment Thesis From an investment standpoint, Astra Fintech understands that Solana’s technical advantages – its industry-leading scalability and cost efficiency – ultimately derive their value from the quality of Dapps and infrastructures developed on its blockchain. Dexlab stands out as a cornerstone asset for three key reasons:
Proven Track Record
Launched in 2020 as Solana’s first meme coin creation platform, Dexlab enables anyone to create and list a token without writing code. This no-code, permissionless model kickstarted a wave of on-chain experimentation, making Dexlab a cultural and technical foundation of the Solana ecosystem.
95% of Solana’s iconic meme coins — including Bonk, Slerf, Ponke, and numerous Trump and Biden-themed tokens — were originally created on Dexlab. With 189K tokens minted, DexLab generates $532M in trading volume.
Full Token Lifecycle Solutions
Over time, Dexlab evolved into a full-stack token management platform — providing everything from token minting to liquidity pool generation, staking, and decentralized trading. “Dexlab isn’t just a DEX; it’s the Shopify for token economies,” noted Astra Head of Partnership Jamie, “It lowers the barrier to launch and scale tokens — from memes to serious fintech.”
Asia-First Synergy
With Astra’s Asia HQ now operational and DexLab’s recent launch of its APAC subsidiary Calab, the strategic alignment between both entities has created unprecedented momentum for regional blockchain adoption. DexLab will combine its established global infrastructure with Calab’s localized expertise to deliver tailored fintech solutions across Asian markets. This synergistic approach enables Hyper-localized product deployment and PayFi Acceleration across Asia.
Strategic Synergy behind the Acquisitions This acquisition exemplifies Astra’s comprehensive investment thesis – combining financial resources with deep technical expertise to drive ecosystem development. The integration delivers immediate value to Dexlab through:
Access to Astra’s $100M Solana fund, multicoin-backed resources, and cross-border PayFi integrations.
Strategic talent infusion with Astra deploying seasoned North American executives across product, marketing, and operations roles.
Token rebranding to $XLAB to signify a new chapter under Astra’s leadership
Enterprise-level upgrades to support next-gen token management tools for institutions and creators alike.
“This isn’t just an acquisition, it’s more like a catalyst for Solana’s next ecosystem growth wave,” Jamie added, “Dexlab will be our foundation for onboarding the next 100 million users to Web3, starting in Asia.”
The Bigger Picture: Solana as the Foundation The Dexlab deal underscores Astra’s conviction in Solana’s role as the backbone of next-gen fintech. With Korea as its hub, Astra plans to:
Deploy capital from its $100M fund to Solana-based Finfra, PayFi, and AI projects.
Integrate Dexlab’s token rails with Banana Pay, Astra’s blockchain payment solution, to merge decentralized and traditional finance.
Host hackathons and developer grants, building on its Seoulana success to nurture grassroots innovation.
“Crypto’s future hinges on usable infrastructure,” said Jamie. “By investing in Dexlab, we’re betting on Solana and on builders who share our vision for a borderless financial stack.”
About Astra Fintech Astra Fintech is a Canada-based blockchain finance leader revolutionizing FinFra by bridging traditional and decentralized payments. As a strategic Solana ecosystem partner backed by Multicoin LPs, we deliver secure, borderless PayFi solutions while driving innovation through investments in next-gen financial infrastructure.
About DexLab As Solana’s pioneering meme launchpad behind iconic tokens including Bonk, Slerf, and Ponke – along with Trump&Biden-themed assets – DexLab originally facilitated 95% of the network’s early token launches, generating $532M in trading volume. Today, DexLab has matured into a complete institutional-grade token management solution, offering end-to-end lifecycle tools built natively on Solana.
Disclaimer:This content is provided byAstra Fintech. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.
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The 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was convened on 11 July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Meeting was chaired by The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.
Review and Future Direction of the EAS
The Meeting reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening the EAS as the premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia in line with the EAS foundational documents and based on the established principles, objectives and modalities of the EAS.
Download the full statement here.
The post Chairman’s Statement of the 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Over 80 youth trainees complete foundation course of third phase of ROLE Stars Train-the-Leaders Programme Following the first day of the course taught by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress and Member of the Legislative Council, Dr Starry Lee, last week, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, elaborated on the second day of the course about the importance of promoting the rule of law, and the responsibilities and roles of ROLE leaders.
Member of the Working Group on Coordination and Liaison (Working Group) under the Steering Committee on Rule of Law Education (Steering Committee), Mr Chan Chak-ming, and member of the Steering Committee, Ms Sabrina Ho, briefed the trainees on topics such as the legal profession, court proceedings, and alternative dispute resolution services in Hong Kong. Founder and Chairperson of BExcellent Group, Dr June Leung, who has many years of experience in education, was also invited to share her insights on communication skills for effective dissemination of messages about the rule of law.
Dr Cheung remarked that the rule of law is Hong Kong’s “golden reputation” and the foundation for Hong Kong to maintain long-term prosperity and stability under the principle of “one country, two systems”. At the current critical period of breaking new ground and achieving another leap forward, the Hong Kong community must uphold the rule of law, and leverage Hong Kong’s international advantages to promote high-quality development through the rule of law, and hence, the promotion of the rule of law is of great importance.
He said that members of the district youth committees have been promoting youth development and civic education in the community, and they can certainly play an important role in the promotion of the rule of law. University students who are pursuing their career in the education sector will be the backbone of schools’ work in promoting rule of law education, and their active participation will undoubtedly provide new momentum to the passing on and further development of the rule of law in Hong Kong.
Dr Cheung said that communication is a kind of special knowledge. The DoJ designed the course with an emphasis on diversified, interactive and easy-to-understand methods, along with real-life examples and case studies, which enable trainees to easily grasp knowledge of the rule of law. The course also invited experts to teach trainees the skills of dissemination and communication, better equipping them to become ROLE leaders in the future.
After the course, the DoJ held the closing ceremony (including a certificate presentation) for the foundation course of the third-phase programme. Members of the Steering Committee, Ms Ho and Professor Dicky Tsang, and member of the Working Group, Mr Chan, presented certificates to the trainees who completed the two-day foundation course of the third-phase programme.
Looking ahead, the DoJ will continue to organise advanced and extended courses under the third phase of the TTL Programme. Through visits to law enforcement agencies, mock court activities, thematic talks on specific legal topics and practice activities for promoting the rule of law, the courses will further deepen the understanding of the legal system and the implementation of legal procedures of the trainees who have completed the foundation course, as well as bolster their confidence in disseminating messages of the rule of law in the community.
Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak will depart tomorrow for a visit to Beijing and Sichuan.
Miss Mak will call on the State Council’s Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office, Sichuan’s Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office and relevant ministries and institutions to deepen exchanges and co-operation with the Mainland in areas of youth development, district governance, women’s development and religious affairs.
She plans to attend the inauguration ceremonies of the Hong Kong-Macao Youth Internship Programme at Palace Museum and the Youth Internship Programme at Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as the closing ceremony of the Youth Internship Programme at Wolong Region of Giant Panda National Park.
These three programmes are under the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau’s Thematic Youth Internship Programmes to the Mainland 2025 that are jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the cultural, scientific research and nature conservation institutions on the Mainland.
Through diverse thematic internship opportunities, the programmes aim to help Hong Kong youths gain a deeper understanding of the country’s development and acquire knowledge of relevant disciplines and professional fields.
The youth affairs chief will meet with the interns and learn about their lives and experiences on the Mainland.
Miss Mak will return to Hong Kong on the afternoon of July 18. During her absence, Under Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Clarence Leung will be Acting Secretary.
The global KIF18A targeting therapies market is rapidly gathering momentum as KIF18A has emerged as a key vulnerability in cancers characterized by chromosomal instability. As a mitotic kinesin motor protein essential for chromosome alignment during cell division, KIF18A is overexpressed in malignancies such as ovarian and triple-negative breast cancers, making it a promising target for precision oncology with potentially lower toxicity than traditional chemotherapies.
Although no KIF18A-targeted therapy is commercially available yet, the field is progressing quickly. Clinical pipelines include more than 10 therapies, with several in early clinical development. Among the frontrunners is ATX‑295 from Accent Therapeutics, an oral, best-in-class small-molecule inhibitor that recently entered a Phase I/II dose-escalation study in patients with advanced solid tumors, including ovarian and triple-negative breast cancer. It’s employed with biomarker-enriched enrollment based on genomic instability markers like whole-genome doubling, and has received FDA Fast Track status—accelerating its path forward.
The clinical landscape includes global contributions from leading biotechs such as Volastra Therapeutics, advancing multiple small-molecule inhibitors including Sovilnesib (AMG‑650) in Phase I for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, and VLS‑1488 in Phase I/II across chromosomal instability-high tumors. Accent’s ATX‑295 stands currently at the most advanced Phase I/II stage, with trials in the US and potentially Asia-Pacific, suggesting geographic development convergence.
Technological innovation underpins expansion in this field. Development is dominated by small-molecule inhibitors designed to halt KIF18A’s motor activity at kinetochores, causing mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells. Alternative approaches include disrupting upstream regulatory pathways like phosphorylation, and leveraging AI-driven drug discovery platforms. For example, Insilico Medicine’s Chemistry42 and PandaOmics platforms generated a macrocyclic KIF18A inhibitor (ISM9682), showcasing the power of AI to enhance specificity and efficiency in drug design.
Market trends demonstrate strong growth potential. The first commercial KIF18A-targeting therapy is expected by 2030, propelled by fast track designations and positive preclinical data. The rich pipeline, combined with precision biomarker strategies, supports a robust developmental roadmap, aligning with unmet clinical needs in CIN-high solid tumors and potentially extending to hematologic malignancies where KIF18A overexpression correlates with poor prognosis.
Regional development trends show clinical leadership based in the US and Europe, where companies like Accent and Volastra are active, while China and other Asia-Pacific markets are engaging through global trial participation and local biotech collaborations. Multi-region trial footprints and biomarker-defined patient enrollment strategies are shaping global development dynamics.
Our Global KIF18A Targeting Therapies Market Report offers detailed insights into this evolving therapeutic area. It profiles more than ten clinical-stage candidates by company, indication, country, and development phase, with a deep focus on ATX‑295 as the leading Phase I/II program. The report evaluates technology platforms, including small-molecule motor inhibitors and AI-enabled discovery, and analyzes biomarker-led patient selection models. Regional development trends and regulatory environments are mapped, and strategic partnerships and investments are examined.
For pharmaceutical executives, biotech investors, and drug development leaders, this report provides a strategic foundation. It outlines market drivers, technological innovations, and clinical milestones that are poised to transform KIF18A from a promising target into an approved therapeutic by 2030, potentially offering new treatment options for patients with chromosomally unstable tumors.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast intermittent rainfall across large parts of the country till July 17, with heavy to very heavy showers expected in several regions, including the National Capital Region (NCR).
In Delhi and surrounding areas, continuous rainfall has led to waterlogging and traffic disruptions, affecting daily life in parts of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram. Several roads, underpasses, and residential colonies remain inundated, leading to long traffic jams and vehicle breakdowns.
While no formal weather alert has been issued for Delhi-NCR so far, the IMD has warned of persistent rain and thunderstorms throughout the week. The region is likely to experience fluctuating weather conditions, with spells of sunshine contributing to high humidity and discomfort. Temperatures are expected to range between 23°C and 36°C, with humidity levels staying between 60 and 95 percent.
Nationwide, the IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Central and Northwest India, especially over East Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and both eastern and western parts of Uttar Pradesh through July 17.
Eastern and central Indian states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal are also likely to receive isolated heavy showers during this period. In western India, isolated heavy rainfall is expected on July 13 in parts of Konkan and Goa, Gujarat, Central Maharashtra, and the Saurashtra region.
The weather department also expects light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, to continue in Northeast India over the next seven days.
In the South, states like Coastal Karnataka, Kerala, South Interior Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are likely to experience isolated heavy showers over the coming days.
Due to rough sea conditions, fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal until July 16.
With weather damage affecting critical routes across the top of the South Island, road users are warned to expect ongoing state highway closures and travel disruptions.
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island/Top of the South, says with the school holidays ending this weekend, people can’t expect travel to be simple or easy.
“The fact is some routes have suffered significant damage from flooding, slips, and treefalls and won’t reopen to the public today.”
“Our advice is, don’t queue at state highway closure points and avoid the inland route between Nelson and Murchison. If you’re travelling between the top of the South and Canterbury, use State Highway 1 and the east coast instead,” Mr Owen says.
Nelson/Tasman
SH6 Rocks Road
State Highway 6 Rocks Road is not expected to reopen this weekend, and Mr Owen says it may remain closed into early next week. This will affect traffic, and delays and congestion can be expected while the closure remains in place.
“There are multiple slip zones and a serious risk of debris falling onto the road. Until these risks are mitigated, Rocks Road will remain closed to traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians. Please, for your own safety, stay out of the closure zone.”
“We will have a soft closure at the intersection of Russell Street, so local businesses can continue operating. Rest assured, contractors will do their best to reopen the route, but it is going to take some time,” Mr Owen says.
SH6 Belgrove to Murchison
Mr Owen says this route is expected to remain closed today as well.
“Our priority here is to punch a route through for first responders and restore a connection to cut-off communities like Tapawera. After that, we will work as hard as we can to get it open to the public.”
“There have been slips, tree falls, and flood damage along this section of the highway, and they will take time to clear,” Mr Owen says.
SH60 Tākaka Hill
Mr Owen says contractors are working hard to restore this route and reopen a connection to Tākaka and Golden Bay.
“A lifeline route for first responders and emergency services is the priority, and the highway is not expected to open to the public today.”
“There are a number of slips on the route, and these need to be inspected and assessed before the road can be safely reopened to the public,” Mr Owen says.
Marlborough
There is better news in Marlborough with all of the region’s highways open.
“Contractors managed to reopen State Highway 63 from Renwick to Korere-Tophouse Road to residents and essential travel at around 12:30 pm. The diversion at Andersons Bridge, put in place after flood damage two weeks ago, has held up to the heavy rain well.”
“Elsewhere it’s been a case of surface flooding and minor slips. Drivers can expect to see warnings in place and, with more rain forecast, they must drive to the conditions,” Mr. Owen says.
Next steps
While the worst of the weather has passed, Mr Owen says its effect on State Highways will be ongoing.
“We are in response mode at the moment. Our focus is on reconnecting the network and restoring connections to cut-off communities.”
“However, once this passes, we will shift into recovery mode. This is where we plan and design what needs to be done to fix highways and infrastructure that have been badly damaged. This will take some time to finalise, and we don’t have the details yet. When we do, we will ensure affected communities are updated,” Mr Owen says.
With weather damage affecting critical routes across the top of the South Island, road users are warned to expect ongoing state highway closures and travel disruptions.
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island/Top of the South, says with the school holidays ending this weekend, people can’t expect travel to be simple or easy.
“The fact is some routes have suffered significant damage from flooding, slips, and treefalls and won’t reopen to the public today.”
“Our advice is, don’t queue at state highway closure points and avoid the inland route between Nelson and Murchison. If you’re travelling between the top of the South and Canterbury, use State Highway 1 and the east coast instead,” Mr Owen says.
Nelson/Tasman
SH6 Rocks Road
State Highway 6 Rocks Road is not expected to reopen this weekend, and Mr Owen says it may remain closed into early next week. This will affect traffic, and delays and congestion can be expected while the closure remains in place.
“There are multiple slip zones and a serious risk of debris falling onto the road. Until these risks are mitigated, Rocks Road will remain closed to traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians. Please, for your own safety, stay out of the closure zone.”
“We will have a soft closure at the intersection of Russell Street, so local businesses can continue operating. Rest assured, contractors will do their best to reopen the route, but it is going to take some time,” Mr Owen says.
SH6 Belgrove to Murchison
Mr Owen says this route is expected to remain closed today as well.
“Our priority here is to punch a route through for first responders and restore a connection to cut-off communities like Tapawera. After that, we will work as hard as we can to get it open to the public.”
“There have been slips, tree falls, and flood damage along this section of the highway, and they will take time to clear,” Mr Owen says.
SH60 Tākaka Hill
Mr Owen says contractors are working hard to restore this route and reopen a connection to Tākaka and Golden Bay.
“A lifeline route for first responders and emergency services is the priority, and the highway is not expected to open to the public today.”
“There are a number of slips on the route, and these need to be inspected and assessed before the road can be safely reopened to the public,” Mr Owen says.
Marlborough
There is better news in Marlborough with all of the region’s highways open.
“Contractors managed to reopen State Highway 63 from Renwick to Korere-Tophouse Road to residents and essential travel at around 12:30 pm. The diversion at Andersons Bridge, put in place after flood damage two weeks ago, has held up to the heavy rain well.”
“Elsewhere it’s been a case of surface flooding and minor slips. Drivers can expect to see warnings in place and, with more rain forecast, they must drive to the conditions,” Mr. Owen says.
Next steps
While the worst of the weather has passed, Mr Owen says its effect on State Highways will be ongoing.
“We are in response mode at the moment. Our focus is on reconnecting the network and restoring connections to cut-off communities.”
“However, once this passes, we will shift into recovery mode. This is where we plan and design what needs to be done to fix highways and infrastructure that have been badly damaged. This will take some time to finalise, and we don’t have the details yet. When we do, we will ensure affected communities are updated,” Mr Owen says.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 11, 2025. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended and delivered a speech at the summit on Friday. [Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua]
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Friday expounded China’s position on the South China Sea arbitration case while attending the ASEAN Plus foreign ministers’ meetings.
Wang said the arbitration case unilaterally initiated by the Philippines lacked the necessary precondition of prior consultations and failed to meet the principle of state consent, which is fundamental to arbitration. Therefore, it did not possess the legal basis to proceed from the outset.
The move violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which stipulates that disputes should be resolved peacefully through friendly consultations by parties directly concerned. It also ran counter to commitments made by the Philippines in bilateral agreements with China and breached the principle of estoppel under international law, Wang noted.
He pointed out that although the arbitration case was presented in various forms, the essence of the Philippine claims concerned China’s territorial sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and maritime delimitation issues. Territorial issues are beyond the scope of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and China had explicitly excluded maritime delimitation from compulsory arbitration in a declaration made in 2006, in accordance with UNCLOS concerning the optional exceptions to the applicability of the U.N. Convention.
Among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, only the United States has not joined UNCLOS, while the other four, including China, have all made similar declarations of exclusion, Wang said. The arbitral tribunal exceeded its mandate and abused the UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanism, undermining the rule of law in international maritime affairs and engaging in actions contrary to the very Convention it claimed to uphold.
Wang emphasized that the tribunal’s ruling contained serious factual and legal flaws. In particular, it wrongly classified Taiping Island — the largest feature in the Nansha Islands with an area of over 500,000 square meters — as a rock, thereby concluding that no feature in the Nansha Islands could generate an exclusive economic zone or continental shelf. This decision contradicts both the facts on the ground and the provisions of UNCLOS. If such a standard were applied globally, the existing maritime order would be fundamentally altered, Wang said, questioning whether countries like the United States and Japan would also be willing to abandon their own maritime claims under this logic.
Wang said it is widely recognized that the arbitration case and the subsequent hype were orchestrated and manipulated by forces outside the region, with the aim of disrupting peace in the South China Sea and serving their own interests. More and more countries around the world have come to see the nature of this farce.
China’s position, Wang stressed, is precisely about upholding the principle of international rule of law and the authority of UNCLOS. Thanks to joint efforts by China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea remains stable, with freedom of navigation and overflight effectively protected.
China is accelerating consultations with ASEAN countries on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, striving to establish a new narrative of peace, cooperation and friendship in the region. Any attempt to stir up trouble or sow discord will fail, Wang said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to newly-inducted recruits in various Central government departments and organisations through video conferencing during the 16th edition of the Rozgar Mela.
The employment drive was conducted simultaneously at 47 locations across the country.
According to an official statement, the new recruits, selected from across India, will be joining key departments including the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Posts, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Department of Financial Services, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, among others.
Addressing the new appointees, PM Modi said, “Our campaign to hand out appointment letters to youth in the Central Government is underway. Today, over 51,000 youth have been given appointment letters. Through such employment initiatives, till now, lakhs of youth have secured permanent jobs in the Indian government. These individuals are now contributing significantly to nation-building.”
He highlighted the wide spectrum of departments where the recruits will be deployed, highlighting their contribution to diverse national missions.
“Many of you have started your careers in Indian Railways, and many will be a part of India’s security. People appointed in the postal department will take the government’s initiatives to every village. Many will be a part of the ‘Health for All’ mission, some will enhance the engine of financial inclusion, and others will further strengthen the industrial development of the country. Your department might be different, but the focus is one — service to the nation and ‘Citizen First’,” he said.
The Prime Minister congratulated the appointees and wished them well as they begin their new professional journey.
Stressing India’s “unlimited power — demography and democracy,” PM Modi said, “India has the largest youth population and the largest democracy. This is India’s most cherished wealth and guarantee. Our government is working day and night to make this wealth a source of progress.”
Referring to his recent international engagements, PM Modi said, “Two days ago, I returned from a five-nation tour. In every country, India’s youth power was acknowledged. The agreements made during this tour will all benefit Indian youth.”
Launched on October 22, 2022, the Rozgar Mela is part of the Prime Minister’s mission to prioritise employment generation. It is aimed at expediting recruitment across government departments and organisations and ensuring that vacant posts do not slow down public service delivery.
Official data reveals that more than 10 lakh appointment letters have been issued across the country through Rozgar Melas since its inception.
The initiative has played a key role in streamlining recruitment, improving efficiency in public services, and strengthening critical infrastructure in schools, hospitals, railway stations, police units, and tax offices.
The appointees under the Rozgar Mela will serve in a variety of sectors, reinforcing the government’s workforce and contributing towards national development goals.
By accelerating the selection process, the initiative is ensuring that employment generation remains at the core of India’s governance agenda.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Friday outlined China’s position on the South China Sea (SCS) arbitration case while attending a series of ASEAN Plus foreign ministers’ meetings.
Wang Yi said the arbitration, initiated unilaterally by the Philippines, lacked the necessary requirement of prior consultations and did not respect the principle of state consent, which is fundamental to arbitration. Thus, there was no legal basis for it to be heard from the outset.
The move violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which stipulates that disputes should be resolved peacefully through friendly consultations between the parties directly concerned. Wang noted that it also contradicts the Philippines’ commitments under bilateral agreements with China and violates the principle of estoppel under international law.
The Chinese Foreign Minister noted that although the arbitration had taken various forms, the substance of the Philippines’ claims concerned China’s territorial sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and maritime delimitation issues. Territorial issues are outside the scope of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and China had categorically excluded maritime delimitation from binding arbitration in a statement made in 2006, in line with UNCLOS’s provisions on optional exceptions to the applicability of the UNCLOS.
According to Wang Yi, of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, only the United States has not acceded to the Convention, while the other four countries, including China, have made similar exclusion statements. The arbitral tribunal has exceeded its mandate and abused the UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanism, undermining the rule of law in international maritime affairs and committing acts contrary to the very Convention to which it claimed to adhere.
Wang Yi stressed that the arbitration tribunal’s decision contained serious factual and legal inaccuracies. In particular, it erroneously classified Taiping Island, the largest naturally formed island in the Nansha Islands with an area of more than 500,000 square meters, as a rock, thereby concluding that no feature in the Nansha Islands could form an exclusive economic zone or continental shelf. The decision contradicts both the facts on the ground and the provisions of UNCLOS. If such a standard were applied worldwide, the existing maritime order would be fundamentally changed, Wang Yi said, questioning whether countries such as the United States and Japan would be willing to give up their maritime claims under this logic.
According to the minister, it is widely acknowledged that the arbitration and subsequent hoopla were orchestrated and manipulated by forces outside the region to undermine peace in the SCS and further their own interests. More and more countries around the world are coming to understand the nature of this farce.
China’s position, the Foreign Minister emphasized, is precisely to support the principle of the supremacy of international law and the authority of UNCLOS. Thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea remains stable, and freedom of navigation and flights is effectively protected.
China is accelerating consultations with ASEAN countries on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, seeking to create a new atmosphere of peace, cooperation and friendship in the region. Any attempt to stir up trouble or sow discord will fail, the foreign minister said. –0–
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Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
TIANJIN, July 12 (Xinhua) — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Digital Economic Forum was held in north China’s Tianjin City from Thursday to Friday, with the theme of “New Links of the Digital Economy, Jointly Expanding New Horizons of Cooperation.”
At the event, participants noted the need to actively promote the interconnectedness of digital infrastructure and jointly expand new space for the development of digital economic cooperation.
“The digital economy is the Silk Road of the new era, connecting countries through data, not through valleys and deserts as was traditionally the case,” said former Egyptian Minister of Administrative Development and former chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone Ahmed Darwish.
He said China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) and Internet of Things technology solutions are boosting Egypt’s computing infrastructure construction, which will greatly benefit the local digital economy.
Chen Zhongyue, Chairman of China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd, said that building an efficient, intelligent, green and secure regional network infrastructure will help countries make full use of their resources and better integrate into the global industrial chain, supply chain and value chain to achieve common development.
“Chinese enterprises are actively involved in the construction of the 5G network and the construction of a “smart city” in Uzbekistan,” said Daniyar Kurbanov, head of the department for the study of historical and cultural heritage and humanitarian research at the International Institute of Central Asian Studies of Uzbekistan.
He stressed that cooperation between China and other SCO countries is becoming an important benchmark for Central Asian countries in achieving digital transformation.
Let us recall that the forum, jointly organized by the State Data Administration of the People’s Republic of China and the Tianjin People’s Government, was attended by more than 1,500 guests representing governments, enterprises, universities and think tanks of the SCO member states. -0-
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