Source: United States Coast Guard
06/13/2025 02:25 PM EDT
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Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Update by Australia, the UK and the USA (AUKUS) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors on Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion programme
Thank you, Chair.
I have the honour of speaking on behalf of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to provide an update to the Board of Governors on Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion (NNP) program.
Chair,
Bilateral consultations between Australia and the Agency on the safeguards and verification approach for Australia’s program, including an arrangement under Article 14 of Australia’s Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA), are ongoing.
As the Director General stated in his report to this Board last November, these consultations are guided by the relevant provisions of the Agency’s Statute, and Australia’s CSA and Additional Protocol (AP). The topics under discussion include the structure and content of Australia’s Article 14 arrangement; provisions for advance notification, reporting and verification prior to the entry of nuclear material into the arrangement; and the circumstances under which the arrangement will apply.
Technical discussions also continue on ways to facilitate possible verification and monitoring activities, and on the structure of material balance areas, facilities and sites at relevant locations in Australia, within the framework of Australia’s CSA and AP.
Chair,
We reaffirm the fundamental commitment that ensures our approach sets the highest non-proliferation standard. Australia’s program will be subject to a robust package of safeguards and verification measures, enabling the Agency to continue to fulfil its technical objectives for Australia at all stages. Throughout the lifecycle of Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines the Agency will continue to verify that there has been no diversion of nuclear material, no misuse of facilities, and no undeclared nuclear material or activities in Australia.
As the Director General has stated, Australia’s Article 14 arrangement, once finalised, will be referred to this Board for appropriate action – which we fully support. When the Article 14 arrangement comes before the Board of Governors, in the fullness of time, we expect it to be judged on its non-proliferation merits, on the basis of the Director General’s technical assessment.
Chair,
We remain committed to updating the Board on relevant developments concerning our three countries’ cooperation on NNP, as we have done since September 2021.
Australia is continuing to build our capacity to operate and maintain our future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines through support and training from the US and UK. To this end, consistent with the phased approach we announced in March 2023, Australia is receiving regular port visits from American nuclear-powered submarines at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia – which will continue and be supplemented in future by UK visiting submarines. There is a long history of US and UK submarines visiting Australia, and port visits by many nations are carried out regularly around the world. Our cooperation is proceeding in full compliance with AUKUS partners’ respective international obligations, including Australia’s obligations under its CSA and AP, and under the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.
As the Director General confirmed in his report last November, the Agency continues to undertake independent verification activities in relation to Australia’s program; and Australia continues to provide the Agency all information required under its CSA and AP.
Chair,
We support the Director General’s ongoing commitment to report to the Board on NNP programs, as he judges appropriate. He did this last November, and he has also done so at this Board in the Safeguards Implementation Report for 2024. We continue to welcome technically focused discussions at the Board, under agenda items proposed by the Director General and guided by his reporting.
AUKUS partners remain committed to transparency and setting the highest non-proliferation standard for Australia’s NNP program. We welcome opportunities to present information and address genuine questions regarding Australia’s NNP program. Since 2023 we have co-hosted a side event on our non-proliferation approach at each NPT PrepCom meeting – most recently on 1 May in New York. We will continue to provide updates to the Board and in other fora, as appropriate.
Thank you, Chair.
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002222/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Maria Grapini (S&D)
The previous Commission proposed a reindustrialisation programme.
Sadly, European industry is being seriously affected by competition from third countries, which are selling products from all sectors onto the EU market at dumping prices.
One example is the ceramics industry. Ceramics production is in peril in my country, Romania, as well as in other Member States, after companies invested hundreds of millions of euro in modernisation because of the different conditions imposed on European producers as compared to those in Asia (who do not have to pay to meet CO2 certification or water purification requirements, and where workers do not enjoy working conditions based on social standards, etc.).
My question is: Does the Commission have a plan for preventing unfair competition, to save the ceramics industry?
Submitted: 3.6.2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Ninth edition of “Genesis and Spirit” exhibition and demonstration series opens and showcases highlights of Jiangxi ICH
Addressing the opening ceremony today (June 13), the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, said that the “Genesis and Spirit” exhibition and demonstration series has reached its ninth edition and has consistently been a key collaboration project for the preservation of ICH in the country and Hong Kong. Jiangxi Province and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have close ties in terms of geographical proximity and social interactions with deep historical connections and shared a cultural foundation. The Hakka community is characterised by its simplicity and warmth, drawing from nature to nurture world ICH such as Gannan Hakka Pounded Tea Making Technique. Through exploration of nature and dedicated craftsmanship, they also inherited national ICH such as Gannan Hakka Clothes. This exhibition provides a chance for Hong Kong people to understand and experience Jiangxi’s Hakka culture and traditional craftsmanship, and resonate with the shared heritage and common roots of Jiangxi and Hong Kong.
Other officiating guests included the Director of the Asia Tourism Exchange Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Zhang Dong; the Deputy Director General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Li Shuguang; member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Mayor of the Ganzhou Municipal People’s Government, Jiangxi, Mr Zou Zhiyu; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; the Chairperson of the ICH Advisory Committee, Professor Ricardo Mak; member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Ganzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Media and Tourism, Jiangxi, Ms Xia Hanhan; the Deputy Director of the Xiangdong Culture, Media and Tourism Bureau of the Pingxiang Municipality, Mr Chen Shugang; and the Head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO), Ms Judith Ng.
The exhibition is divided into four sections, including “Elegance of Hakka Culture”, introducing traditional techniques integrated into Hakka everyday lives; “Heavenly Creations”, displaying crafts with unique artistic styles; “Fragrant Tea of Jiangxi”, which showcases traditional Chinese tea making techniques inscribed onto UNESCO’s Representative List of the ICH of Humanity; as well as “Scent of Calligraphy and Ink”, with traditional skills of making “The Four Treasures of the Study”.
Visitors can also appreciate three world ICH items in Jiangxi at a glance, namely Wuyuan Green Tea Making Technique, Ning Black Tea Making Technique and Gannan Hakka Pounded Tea Making Technique, as well as 10 representative items of the national ICH, including Shicheng Lantern Festival, Gannan Hakka Clothes, Pingxiang Xiangdong Nuo Masks, Jingdezhen Porcelain Making Technique, Ruichang Bamboo Weaving, Ramie Embroidery, Jialu Paper Umbrella Making Technique, Yanshan Liansi Paper Making Technique, Wengang Chinese Brush Making Technique and Shicheng Inkstone Making Technique.
Over 100 sessions of performances, demonstrations, talks and interactive experiential activities during the exhibition period will be organised. Nearly 70 representative bearers of ICH and performers from Jiangxi, including Representative Bearers of the National ICH, National Class One Performer and renowned art groups will give demonstrations of various craftsmanship on-site. Members of the public can also participate in experiential activities including Longnan Hakka Patterned Band Weaving Technique, Gannan Hakka Paper Cutting, Hakka Bamboo Carving Technique in Zhanggong District.
It is also the first time that the exhibition will extend beyond the exhibition venue to the community and schools through mobile displays and experiential activities, to enable the public and students to experience the profound Hakka culture in depth.
The exhibition is supported by the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, organised by the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, curated by the Ganzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Media and Tourism, the Pingxiang Municipal Bureau of Culture, Media and Tourism and the ICHO.
This exhibition is one of the programmes of Hong Kong ICH Month 2025, Chinese Culture Festival 2025 and the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. For more details, please visit the ICHO’s website at www.icho.hk/en/web/icho/genesis_and_spirit_2025.htmlIssued at HKT 20:20
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Ice cream sample detected with coliform bacteria count exceeding legal limitThe Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 13) that a sample of locally manufactured pistachio-flavoured ice-cream was found to contain coliform bacteria and its count exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the incident. A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a licensed frozen confection factory in Sha Tin for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained 260 coliform bacteria per gram, exceeding the legal limit.” “The CFS has informed the frozen confection factory concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop selling and to dispose all the affected icecream immediately. The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the staff of the frozen confection factory, who have also been requested to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises,” the spokesman said. Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap. 132AC), frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 100 coliform bacteria per gram. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months’ imprisonment upon conviction. The fact that the coliform count exceeded the legal limit indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean that consumption would lead to food poisoning. 13/06/2025, 19:40 Ice cream sample detected with coliform bacteria count exceeding legal limit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202506/13/P2025061301075p.htm#:~:text=The test result showed that,the affected ice-cream immediately. 1/2 The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. An investigation is ongoing. Ends/Friday, June 13, 2025
Issued at HKT 22:34
NNNN
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Chinese Culture Festival 2025 opens today
The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2025, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), opened today (June 13) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC), launching over 280 events to be held from June to September.
In a video speech addressing the opening ceremony, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said that the Government will fully leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle to promote outstanding traditional Chinese culture globally and ride on Hong Kong’s international network in telling good stories of China to the world. Mr Lee pointed out that an important strategic direction featured in the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, published by the Government last year, is on the promotion of the profound traditional Chinese culture. He is confident that the Chinese Culture Festival will become an annual signature cultural event in Hong Kong, presenting the rich and vibrant Chinese culture to audiences through innovative approaches. He said that the Government will continue to promote the essence of Chinese culture to citizens of Hong Kong and visitors from overseas and the Mainland, with a view to achieving “shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism” and fostering the integration and mutual reinforcement of culture and tourism.
Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Secretary General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Wang Songmiao; the Deputy Director General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the LOCPG in the HKSAR, Mr Li Shuguang; the Chairperson of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee and Legislative Council Member, Dr Starry Lee; the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports, Mr Ma Fung-kwok; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan.
The opening programme of this year’s CCF staged tonight is a contemporary dance performance “Dongpo: Life in Poems”, which is sponsored by the Agricultural Bank of China Limited Hong Kong Branch and performed by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group. Directed by internationally acclaimed choreographer and visual artist Shen Wei, the production is inspired by the poetry and life of Su Dongpo, a literary master in the Song dynasty. It revolves 12 of Su’s poems that epitomise the poet’s life philosophy, while reinterpreting Su’s multifaceted legacy through contemporary dance. The production deeply integrates various fine traditional Chinese culture elements, such as poetry writing, traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, seal engraving, guqin, Chinese opera and martial arts. By merging “cognitive essence” and “aesthetic realm”, this approach is designed to transcend linguistic barriers, allowing audiences to explore Su’s spiritual world through a contemporary lens. The audience gave rounds of warm applause for the splendid performance by main cast performers Su Peng and Liu Jie, outstanding young dancers from the China Oriental Song and Dance Troupe and the Meishan Song and Dance Theatre, as well as for guqin virtuoso and Professor of the Central Conservatory of Music Zhao Xiaoxia.
The programme also featured an open rehearsal under the “Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series” this afternoon at the Grand Theatre of the HKCC. Close to 400 primary and secondary school students and teachers as well as members of the community were invited to attend, free of charge. This session enabled them to appreciate the humanistic emotions conveyed in Su’s poetry and embark on an artistic journey where “poetry embodies dance and dance incorporates poetry” in appreciating the beauty of traditional Chinese culture.
The thematic exhibition on “Dongpo: Life in Poems” is currently being held at the Foyer of the HKCC. Apart from introducing the concept and structure of the production, the exhibition also presents Shen’s research notes and design sketches created during the creative process through photographs. Three paintings by Shen that were displayed on stage during the performance are featured in the exhibition. The exhibition will run until tomorrow (June 14). Admission is free and members of the public are welcome to visit.
The CCF aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s national identity and cultural confidence. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2025 is held from June to September. Through different performing arts programmes in various forms and related extension activities, as well as community and school activities and more, the festival provides members of the public and visitors with more opportunities to enjoy distinctive programmes that showcase fine traditional Chinese culture, thereby facilitating patriotic education and contributing to the inheritance, transformation and development of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2025, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Glendale, CA, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Independent Research Report Shows Why Licence-Backed, Instant-Pay Blockchain Sites Outpace Legacy Casinos
Trust, not gimmicks, now decides where U.S. players place their crypto chips. Radcred’s Crypto-Casino Research Report scrutinized more than 200 digital-currency gambling sites, stress-testing everything from licensing to ledger speed. The audit confirms that total bet volume doubled to $26 billion in Q1 2025, while payout disputes fell by 38 per cent at operators meeting tier-one compliance and provably fair standards.
Only a few platforms earned Radcred’s coveted Gold Trust accreditation; dozens were rejected for opaque bonus rules, slow withdrawals, or missing security protocols.Together, these findings outline the benchmarks that separate the best crypto casinos 2025 from the rest of the market.
How Crypto Casinos Are Revolutionising Online Gambling
The digital gambling scenario is undergoing a seismic shift as blockchain technology fundamentally transforms the way players interact with online casinos. Unlike traditional platforms that rely on centralized systems and legacy banking infrastructure, crypto casinos are redefining transparency, speed, and global accessibility by utilizing distributed ledger technology.
Immutable Gaming Records
Every bet, game outcome, and payout is permanently recorded on-chain, creating an unalterable audit trail that players can independently verify. This eliminates the opacity of traditional casinos that store critical game data in private, centralized databases.
Provably Fair Gaming
Cryptographic algorithms enable players to validate results in real time—crucial for anyone seeking provably fair crypto games.. This revolutionary approach allows independent verification of outcomes, removing the need to trust casino operators blindly.
Instant Settlement Times
Withdrawals typically clear within 5-15 minutes; the fastest test result came from an instant-withdrawal Bitcoin casino at just 4.9 minutes, compared to traditional casinos that may take days for international transfers. This speed advantage is particularly pronounced for weekend transactions when traditional banking systems are often offline.
Elimination of Payment Processors
Direct peer-to-peer transfers remove the need for third-party payment processors and their associated fees and delays. This streamlined approach reduces transaction costs while dramatically improving processing speeds.
24/7 Global Accessibility
Blockchain networks operate continuously, allowing players worldwide to access gambling services regardless of local banking hours or weekend restrictions. This constant availability particularly benefits international players who previously faced significant barriers with traditional payment methods.
Detailed Casino findings are available in Radcred’s full 2025 report.
Game Selection at the Top Crypto Casinos
Leading sites now bundle 5,000+ RNG titles, live-dealer studios, crash games, and on-chain originals providing the variety legacy brands need years to match. BitStarz alone adds 200 new releases monthly, while Jackbit’s slot lobby covers every volatility tier from low-risk warm-ups to fast-paying crypto casino jackpot chasers.
1) Slots
Crypto sites host thousands of slot titles, from three-reel classics to video machines loaded with Megaways, cascading reels, and progressive jackpots. Fan favourites such as Sweet Bonanza and Book of Dead sit alongside exclusive Bitcoin-themed slots, most posting return-to-player rates near 95-97 %. Spin wagers typically start at $0.10, yet pooled jackpots can climb into six figures.
2) Table Games
Core staples include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and multiple poker variants. European roulette carries the lower house edge (2.7 %) versus its double-zero American cousin, while crypto blackjack often supports perfect-strategy RTPs above 99 %. Minimum bets hover around $1, but VIP tables raise limits well past $5,000.
3) Live Dealer Tables
Live studios stream in 4K from providers such as Evolution and Pragmatic Play, pairing professional croupiers with real-time chat. Options span live blackjack, speed roulette, Andar Bahar, and game-show formats like Crazy Time or Monopoly Live. Entry stakes can be as low as $0.20.
4) Provably Fair Originals
Blockchain titles—Crash, Dice, Mines, and Plinko—let players verify every result through on-chain hashes. The transparency appeals to trust-minded users, while lightning-fast rounds give the genre an arcade feel. Typical wagers range from a few cents to several hundred dollars.
5) Specialty Games
Light-hearted picks such as keno, bingo, scratch cards, and virtual sports round out the lobby. Tickets often cost under $1, deliver instant outcomes, and require no complex rules—ideal for a quick session between bigger bets.
6) Sports & eSports Betting
Many crypto platforms include full sportsbooks covering NFL, NBA, soccer, UFC, and eSports titles like CS:GO and League of Legends. Odds are priced in BTC or USDT, and same-wallet payouts hit accounts within minutes after matches settle.
7) Poker Rooms & Tournaments
Dedicated poker lobbies run cash tables, sit-and-go’s, and multi-table events with buy-ins from $1 to $10,000. Players join anonymously and withdraw chips directly to their wallets once play ends.
8) Crash & Multiplier Games
Titles such as Aviator, Bustabit, and JetX let users cash out before a rising line “crashes.” RTPs hover above 99 %, and rounds last under ten seconds, popular with bankroll builders seeking quick swings.
9) Lottery & Jackpot Draws
Daily crypto lotteries and hourly jackpot wheels sell tickets for a few satoshis. Prize pools grow block-by-block, draws are blockchain-verifiable, and winnings pay out instantly to the player’s wallet.
List of Top Games Reviewed by Radcred Experts
Legal Landscape of Crypto Casinos (U.S. & Global)
While no federal statute outlaws crypto wagering, state-by-state rules vary. Offshore platforms licensed in Curaçao, Malta, or the Isle of Man can legally accept American traffic, yet players should verify state restrictions before depositing. Europe is moving toward unified licence classes, and Asia-Pacific regulators are drafting sandbox frameworks to balance innovation and consumer protection.
How Players Use Crypto Casinos
• Bankroll building: Players grind low-stake slots to clear bonuses, then switch to provably fair dice for high-volatility bursts.
• Anonymity seekers: Privacy-minded users favour no-KYC crypto casino accounts tied to self-custody wallets.
• High rollers: VIPs capitalise on daily cashback ladders and wager-back rebates that would be impossible under fiat-card fees.
Bonuses and Promotions at Crypto Casinos
Welcome packages have exploded—some platforms tout 500 % matches worth $10,000 plus 500 free spins. Radcred’s audit focuses on rollover fairness: any deal above 40×, with max-win caps mirroring deposit size, is flagged. Ongoing perks—reload boosts, rakeback, and loyalty NFTs now rival sign-up deals for overall value.
Welcome Bonuses
First deposits routinely trigger 100 %–325 % matches, often capped at 5 BTC (or 50,000 USDT) and bundled with 50–250 free spins. Wagering is usually 20×–40× on the bonus—or occasionally on “deposit + bonus,” so reading the terms is non-negotiable.
No-Deposit Bonuses
A handful of trusted crypto casinos drop tiny crypto credits (0.0002–0.001 BTC) or 10–50 free spins just for signing up. Great for testing the lobby, but expect steeper rollover—typically 40×–60×—and modest cash-out caps around 0.005 BTC.
Reload Bonuses
Weekly or VIP reloads add 25 %–100 % to subsequent top-ups, usually worth $50–$300 in coin value. Wagering mirrors welcome offers (20×–40×), though elite tiers may see requirements cut in half.
Cashback Deals
Loss rebates of 5 %–20 % appear daily or weekly. The better platforms credit these funds wager-free; others attach a light 10×–20× roll-through before withdrawals unlock.
Free Spins
Blocks of 10–200 spins (valued at $0.10–$0.50 each) accompany welcome, reload, or new-game promos. Spin winnings usually face 20×–45× wagering and may top out at roughly $100 in withdrawable value.
Loyalty & VIP Programs
Long-term play earns points that escalate through bronze-to-diamond tiers. Perks scale from birthday spins to 40 % rakeback, higher withdrawal ceilings, physical gifts, and 24/7 concierge hosts often with no extra wagering attached, though unused bonus chips expire after 30–90 days.
Full bonus data appears in the 2025 Radcred report
Crypto-Gambling Trends to Watch in 2025
Crypto-gambling is evolving fast, blending blockchain innovation with high-stakes entertainment. From Bitcoin betting platforms to NFT-based rewards, U.S. players are seeing more secure, fast, and anonymous ways to play. Here’s a look at the biggest trends shaping the future of online crypto casinos this year.
AI-Powered Personalization
Advanced artificial intelligence algorithms are revolutionizing player experiences by analyzing behavior patterns, game preferences, and betting habits to deliver tailored recommendations and dynamic bonuses. These systems enhance engagement while providing early warnings for problematic gambling behaviors.
Instant Withdrawals and Lightning Transactions
Crypto casinos are prioritizing sub-10-minute withdrawal speeds, with a few platforms processing Bitcoin withdrawals in under 12 minutes. This trend addresses traditional banking delays and attracts players seeking immediate access to winnings.
NFT Integration and Tokenized Rewards
Non-fungible tokens are being incorporated as in-game rewards, collectibles, and play-to-earn mechanisms. This creates new revenue streams and adds digital ownership elements to traditional gambling experiences.
Decentralized Casinos and Web3 Adoption
Blockchain-powered platforms are eliminating centralized control through smart contracts, offering provably fair games and transparent operations. These decentralized systems provide enhanced player autonomy and reduced operational costs.
Mobile-First Crypto Gaming
With over 59% of gaming activity occurring on mobile devices, operators are prioritizing mobile-optimized crypto gambling experiences. This includes seamless crypto wallet integration and touch-friendly interfaces designed for smartphones.
Why Crypto Casinos Are the Top Choice of Players
The digital gambling revolution has positioned crypto casinos as the preferred destination for modern players worldwide. With a market that has surged to $250 million and witnessed an 83.6% increase in crypto bets in 2024, these platforms are redefining player expectations through superior technology, enhanced privacy, and unprecedented convenience.
Identity Protection
Wallet addresses replace names and card numbers, so breaches or charge-back fraud can’t touch you. End-to-end encryption keeps every spin or hand tied only to a hash—not your personal details.
No KYC Hassles
Most leading sites skip document uploads entirely. You register with an email, set a wallet, and play in under a minute—eliminating the data-sharing risk many mainstream gamblers now avoid.
Instant Deposits & Withdrawals
On-chain transfers settle in 5-15 minutes; benchmark brand CoinCasino routinely clocks Bitcoin cash-outs below 15. Weekends or bank holidays no longer freeze bankrolls.
Minimal Fees
With processors removed, network costs often fall below $1, and some operators cover them. That translates to more spins, bets, or hands from the same budget.
Provably Fair Games
Roughly 77 percent of crypto casinos publish hashed server/client seeds. Anyone can verify randomness after every round, reinforcing trust without third-party auditors.
Super-Charged Bonuses
Welcome deals reach 500 percent plus hundreds of free spins. Reloads, daily rakeback, and loyalty NFTs push total promo value far past what fiat sites offer.
VIP Treatment
Tiered programs award up to 40 percent cashback, higher withdrawal caps, dedicated hosts, and even luxury trips for high rollers—perks unlocked through transparent point systems, not opaque invitations.
How Crypto Casinos Are Evaluated
Evaluating crypto casinos means looking beyond flashy bonuses. U.S. players prioritize secure blockchain payments, fair game mechanics, fast withdrawals, and strong user reputations. With more platforms entering the space, understanding how these casinos are evaluated helps players find trustworthy and rewarding experiences in the growing world of crypto gambling.
Visit Casino Sites Researched by Radcred’s Experts
Why Radcred Is Your Trustworthy Crypto-Casino Radar?
The modern crypto-gambling scenario demands reliable guidance through countless platforms and endless promotional claims. Radcred emerges as your definitive compass, cutting through industry noise to deliver transparent, merit-based casino evaluations that prioritize player protection over profit margins.
Comprehensive Platform Testing
Radcred’s team conducts rigorous 7-day real-money testing sessions across multiple crypto casinos, evaluating everything from deposit speeds to withdrawal reliability during peak and off-peak hours. This hands-on approach ensures authentic insights rather than surface-level promotional content that plagues many review sites.
Transparent Scoring Methodology
Unlike biased platforms that accept upfront payments from casinos, Radcred maintains editorial independence by utilizing merit-based evaluation criteria, including licensing verification, payout speeds, and responsiveness to customer service. Their 4.3-star average rating system reflects genuine user experiences rather than inflated promotional scores.
Security-First Assessment
Every reviewed platform undergoes thorough security audits, examining SSL encryption standards, regulatory compliance, and data protection measures to ensure player safety. Radcred’s commitment to 256-bit encryption standards and fraud prevention education demonstrates their dedication to consumer protection over affiliate commissions.
Real-Time Market Intelligence
The platform continuously monitors crypto casino developments, tracking regulatory changes, bonus structure modifications, and industry trends to provide up-to-date recommendations. This dynamic approach ensures players receive current, actionable information rather than outdated reviews that could lead to poor platform choices.
Community-Verified Feedback
Radcred integrates verified player testimonials and community-driven insights, creating a comprehensive feedback ecosystem that highlights both positive experiences and potential red flags across different crypto gambling platforms.
SEE HOW RADCRED SCORES YOUR FAVORITE CASINO SITE
Safe Crypto Casino Actionable Tips
Even with professional rankings, personal due diligence remains vital. Use the following four rules as a pre-deposit checklist.
Conclusion
Trust-centric design, verifiable randomness, and license-backed operations are pushing crypto casinos from fringe curiosity to mainstream entertainment. Radcred’s 2025 research report shows that when transparency meets speed, players follow. Relying on independent audits, free safety tools, and clear regulatory guidance, U.S. gamblers can enjoy blockchain wagering without unnecessary risk or confusion.
FAQs
Are crypto casinos legit?
Crypto casinos operate in a legal gray area in the U.S., with legitimacy varying by state. Platforms licensed by authorities such as Curaçao or Malta are generally considered safe. However, U.S. federal laws create uncertainty, so always verify a casino’s license and check your state’s online gambling regulations before playing.
Is it possible to win big at a crypto casino?
Big wins are absolutely possible; some players have won millions of dollars. Games with high RTPs and smart bankroll strategies can improve odds. However, gambling is risky by nature, and winning isn’t guaranteed. Play responsibly and never wager more than you can afford to lose.
How to find the best crypto casino online?
Look for licensed platforms offering secure logins, fast payouts, and thousands of games. Check for fair bonus terms and crypto support. User reviews on sites like Trustpilot and Reddit can offer honest feedback. Reputable names like JACKBIT, BitStarz, and 7Bit are strong, proven options.
How to verify the trustworthiness of cryptocurrency casinos?
Verify proper licensing and conduct third-party audits by reputable bodies, such as iTech Labs or eCOGRA. Trustworthy sites use SSL encryption, offer provably fair games, and have responsive customer support. Always read genuine player reviews and be cautious of platforms with unclear terms, fake reviews, or delayed payouts.
Disclaimer
This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute gambling advice or an invitation to wager. Online gaming may be illegal in some jurisdictions and involves financial risk. Always verify local laws, set personal limits, and seek help via the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Source: Washington State News
SEATTLE — Attorney General Nick Brown today filed an amicus brief with attorneys general from 18 states including Nevada in support of Job Corps, a national program that offers career training and housing to young Americans from low-income backgrounds. Job Corps has nearly 100 residential campuses across the country, and the Trump Administration’s illegally terminated the program threatens to leave thousands of vulnerable young Americans homeless.
The brief explains that “in the sixty years since Congress created Job Corps, millions of young Americans from low-income backgrounds have been served by the program’s unique combination of education, training, housing, healthcare and community.” The unlawful termination will impact tens of thousands of young Americans who are currently enrolled and housed at campuses in all fifty states, including the Cascades Job Corps Center in Sedro-Woolley, Washington and the Tongue Point Job Corps Center in Astoria, Oregon. Thousands of these program participants were unhoused or in foster care when they enrolled and have no alternative housing if they lose their residence through the program.
The brief was filed in National Job Corps Association et al. v. Department of Labor et al. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on Friday, with Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford leading a coalition including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Oregon, and Vermont.
Friday’s amicus filing reaffirms that the injunction is necessary to protect vulnerable state residents and promote state goals in education and workforce development. It further reinforces the point that the Trump Administration cannot violate federal law and the Constitution by terminating congressionally mandated programs it opposes.
A copy of the Amicus Brief is available here.
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Source: US FBI
TULSA, Okla. – Michael David Gregory from Commerce, Oklahoma was sentenced today for the death of a two-month-old child who died from severe head and eye injuries that a child abuse pediatrician diagnosed as abusive head trauma. Additionally, Gregory was also sentenced for assault related to brain injuries he caused to another two-month-old child, the twin sister of the first infant, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill sentenced Gregory, 30, to a total of 240 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Hill further ordered Gregory to pay a $200 special monetary assessment.
According to a charging document, Gregory pleaded guilty to one count of Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country and one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country. According to his plea agreement, Gregory was caring for the twin two-month-old infants at an apartment he shared with his girlfriend in Commerce, Oklahoma. While Gregory’s girlfriend was at work, Gregory forcefully picked up and handled the newborn infants. Gregory admitted that his actions caused traumatic and severe brain and eye injuries in both infants, resulting in the death of one child identified as A.M.R.
Michael David Gregory is not a member of a federally recognized tribe. However, the apartment in which Gregory cared for the twins is located on the Quapaw Nation reservation, and both infants are considered “Indian persons” because they are eligible for membership in the Choctaw Nation.
Michael David Gregory was previously released on bond in this case. Judge Hill ordered him to report to a United States Bureau of Prisons facility on July 22, 2025.
The Commerce Police Department and the Quapaw Nation Marshal Service in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melody Nelson prosecuted the case.
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is expanding access to vital care for American Indian and Alaska Native communities by approving Medicaid State Plan Amendments (SPAs) in several states. Indian Health Service (IHS) and Tribal clinics in Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming are now authorized to provide Medicaid clinic services beyond the physical clinic site, including in homes, schools, and other appropriate community locations.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)
Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) released the following statement on the Israel strikes of Iran Nuclear sites:
“Israel is the eternal homeland of the Jewish people and has the right to defend herself from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard of Iran – the world’s most prolific state sponsor of terrorism, and existential threat to peace and stability for all people in the Middle East.
Simply put, Iran must be stopped from developing nuclear weapons.”
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress.
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Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) — At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Lacson will pay an official visit to China from June 17 to 20, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Friday.
The upcoming trip will be Lacson’s first visit to China since taking office and comes as the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade, Lin Jian said at a regular briefing for reporters.
During the visit, Chinese leaders will hold separate meetings and talks with Prime Minister K. Lacson, during which the two sides will exchange in-depth views on China-New Zealand relations as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest.
Lin Jian noted that bilateral ties have been rapidly developing since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than 50 years ago. The leaders of both countries agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to promote the consistent and in-depth development of bilateral ties, he added.
According to the official representative, in the current complex and changing international situation, China is willing to work with New Zealand to strengthen strategic communication, enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, strengthen traditional friendship, and jointly address challenges.
China hopes to work with New Zealand to build a China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership based on mutual respect, tolerance, cooperation and common development, so as to bring greater benefits to the two peoples,” the Chinese diplomat said. –0–
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) — Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin on Friday called on individual countries to firmly abide by the one-China principle in practice and stop sending any wrong signals to separatist forces advocating “Taiwan independence.”
Jiang Bin made the statement while commenting on events held in Taiwan: a chief-of-staff war game organized by a Taiwanese civil group with the participation of former senior military officials from the United States and Japan, as well as a U.S.-Taiwan defense industry forum in Taipei.
Recalling that the Taiwan issue is an exclusively internal affair of China that does not tolerate outside interference, Jiang Bin pointed out that any actions that encourage and support separatists advocating “Taiwan independence” will only undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region, and will inevitably backfire on their initiators, bringing them bitter consequences.
“Any attempt to achieve ‘Taiwan independence’ by relying on external forces or to use Taiwan to contain China is doomed to failure, the spokesman concluded. -0-
On June 13, commencing at 5:15 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Dileita Mohamed Dileita, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Djibouti.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) announced a significant financial commitment of ₹6,000 crore to strengthen the Agri Stack initiative under the Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM) during the National Conference on Agri Stack: Turning Data into Delivery, held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The funding, aimed at transforming India’s agricultural landscape through technology, will support States in building robust digital infrastructure for farmer-centric governance.
The allocation includes ₹4,000 crore for developing Farmer Registries, including legal heir systems, and ₹2,000 crore for conducting Digital Crop Surveys. The funds will be disbursed on a first-come-first-served basis, incentivizing States to accelerate their adoption of digital tools. Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary (Agriculture), emphasized the importance of linking State Farmer Registries with updated Records of Rights (RoR) to ensure accurate farmer identification and seamless delivery of schemes like PM-KISAN, PMFBY, and KCC.
A key highlight of the conference was the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Maharashtra, Kerala, Bihar, and Odisha, alongside the PSB Alliance with the National Farmers’ Welfare Program Implementation Society (NFWPIS). These agreements aim to provide small and marginal farmers with digital access to credit services through Farmer Registry-linked authentication, reducing paperwork and enhancing financial inclusion.
The conference also saw the launch of the Special Central Assistance (SCA) Guidelines, jointly unveiled by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Land Resources, alongside other dignitaries. Technical sessions addressed challenges such as outdated tribal land records and errors in crop survey data, proposing solutions like remote sensing, AI/ML tools, and automated data validation to improve efficiency.
Shri Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary (Digital), MoA&FW, underscored the need for data quality assurance and compliance with Unified Farmer Service Interface (UFSI) standards. The initiative is poised to empower farmers with tools like Digitally Verifiable Certificates (DVCs) and farmer authorization systems, enabling secure sharing of land and crop information.
The Ministry’s commitment to leveraging technology for transparent governance marks a significant step toward inclusive, data-driven agricultural development, promising better access to services for millions of farmers across India.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The National Conference on Agri Stack: Turning Data into Delivery, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, highlighted groundbreaking AI-driven innovations and state-led achievements in transforming India’s agricultural ecosystem through the Agri Stack initiative.
A standout feature was the unveiling of an AI-powered chatbot, built using Google Gemini and trained on Agri Stack data, capable of answering farmers’ queries in multiple languages. Additional AI tools are being piloted for crop identification, facial authentication of surveyors, and optimizing backend systems, showcasing the Ministry’s push toward cutting-edge technology. The Chief Knowledge Officer and Advisor (CKO&A) introduced the Digitally Verifiable Credential (DVC), or Kisan Pehchan Patra, which allows farmers to generate authenticated credentials for specific land parcels and crops, integrated with DigiLocker and dynamically updated upon land mutation.
The conference also launched a unified grievance redressal portal with OTP-based login, multilingual support, and audio upload features, enabling farmers to resolve land-related disputes efficiently. Farmers can now authorize representatives to access services or lodge grievances, enhancing accessibility.
A dedicated session, “Insights from States on Agri Stack Usage,” featured presentations from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. Maharashtra highlighted its progress in enrolling farmers in the Farmer Registry and sought central support for a Data Provisioning Engine (DPE) and an AI-driven advisory sandbox, Mahavistaar AI. Uttar Pradesh shared its success in integrating Agri Stack with MSP e-procurement for 2024, while addressing challenges in Digital Crop Survey (DCS) implementation. Karnataka showcased multi-layered innovations, including linking its FRUITS platform with banking systems, using Agri Stack for disaster relief, and integrating soil health cards for personalized advisories.
Source: United Nations MIL-OSI 2
nited Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Ramiz Alakbarov of Azerbaijan as his new Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator, Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO). Dr. Alakbarov will also serve as Humanitarian Coordinator. He succeeds Muhannad Hadi of Jordan, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his dedication and service. The Secretary-General also thanks Sarah Poole of the United States, who has been providing steadfast support in an ad interim capacity.
Dr. Alakbarov brings more than 30 years of extensive international experience in executive leadership, strategic planning and policy-making, development programming and management, and humanitarian response. He has been serving as the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia since 2023. Prior to this, he held the position of Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), where he was also the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, from 2021 to 2023. In Afghanistan, he also served as UN Resident Coordinator ad interim in 2020.
Dr. Alakbarov has served in several positions within the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), including as Deputy Executive Director for Management and United Nations Reforms (ad interim) and Director of the Policy and Strategy Division in New York, Country Representative in Haiti, Deputy Regional Director of the Regional Office for Arab States in Cairo and Head of the Office in South Sudan. Prior to these positions, he served in various roles at UNFPA supporting country programmes in Arab States, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. His roles included Programme Officer covering Sudan, Somalia, and Iraq and Humanitarian Response Officer for Operations, in Afghanistan, Palestine and the Great Lakes Region. From 1992 to 1995, he was an Assistant Professor at Azerbaijan Medical University and a practicing physician.
Dr. Alakbarov holds M.D. and Ph.D. degrees in internal medicine from Azerbaijan Medical University and a Master of Arts in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. He is fluent in Azerbaijani, English, French, Russian and Turkish.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
A large-scale anti-drug variety TV programme “Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!” presented by the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) was held at TVB City in Tseung Kwan O this evening, with Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki delivering a speech at the programme.
Mr Chan also officiated at the kick-off ceremony of a series of anti-drug performances along with Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk.
The Chief Secretary said in his speech that Hong Kong was previously plagued by drug problems in the 1960s. Since the establishment of ACAN, the Government and various sectors of the community have been working together to combat drug problems.
He noted that from 1977 – when records started to be kept – to 2024, the total number of reported drug abusers has dropped by as much as 70%. Last year, the number of young people under the age of 21 arrested for serious drug offences was at a record low. ACAN has been instrumental in the success of Hong Kong’s anti-drug efforts.
Mr Chan said: “On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all those who have participated in the anti-drug cause. I would like to appeal to all members of the public to help spread the steadfast message of ‘Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!’ and work together towards a drug-free future to safeguard the health of every member of the public.”
In the programme, various young idols and singers performed songs with positive messages, including an upbeat anti-drug theme song that shares with young people positive energy and encourages them to hold dear to positive values in life.
Members of Customs, the Police Force and the Correctional Services Department also presented their performances in the programme.
Additionally, the programme has arranged for artists to re-enact short plays based on the true stories of rehabilitees who have successfully quit drugs, and the rehabilitees have participated in the plays themselves.
The programme will be broadcast on TVB Jade at 9pm on June 21.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jennifer Fleetwood, Senior Lecturer, City St George’s, University of London
Thousands of British nationals are charged with drug smuggling abroad every year. The UK charity Prisoners Abroad reports a rise in the number of British people imprisoned abroad for drug offences in 2024-25, compared to the previous year, especially women under 34.
Two recent examples making headlines are Bella May Culley, an 18-year-old woman from County Durham, and Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old from south London. Culley was arrested in Georgia with 14 kilos of cannabis. Lee was arrested in Sri Lanka, with 46 kilos of synthetic cannabis (she has denied knowing it was in her bag and has yet to be charged).
If they are convicted, Culley and May face very long sentences. Reports suggest that Culley could receive up to 20 years or life imprisonment in Georgia. In Sri Lanka, May faces a sentence of up to 25 years.
And another three young Britons face the death penalty after being charged with smuggling nearly a kilo of cocaine into Indonesia. All of these cases are ongoing and the suspects have not been found guilty of any crime.
Why would people take the risk of such harsh punishments?
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For my book Drug Mules: Women in the International Cocaine Trade, I spent over a year visiting prisons in Ecuador to speak to people convicted of drug trafficking. I spoke to drug mules as well as people who recruited and managed them to understand how the business works. I spoke to people from the UK, Europe, the US, southeast Asia and Africa.
My research sheds light on how drug mules end up carrying such massive quantities, and why harsh punishments are an ineffective deterrent.
The abiding stereotype of the drug mule is someone who is motivated by poverty, often a woman from a drug-producing country. In fact, like most areas of crime, the majority of people arrested for smuggling drugs worldwide are men.
People’s motivations for trafficking drugs are extremely varied. In my research, I came across people motivated by grinding poverty, debts or a chance to make a change in their lives. The sums they were promised ranged from £5,000 to £10,000.
Some people didn’t expect to get paid at all, however. They became involved through debt (theirs or a family member’s), and carrying drugs was offered as a way to repay the debt. In rare cases, people became involved through threats and coercion.
There are, broadly, two kinds of people arrested at international borders with drugs. The first is carrying drugs that they have bought (and packed) themselves, and probably only a small quantity which they might use or sell for a modest profit. They probably also bought their own tickets to travel.
One trafficker I interviewed recalled that he carried only a few hundred grams of cocaine in a talc bottle. If caught, they can face custody, depending on the type and amount of drugs.
The second kind is carrying drugs that someone else has paid for – they are drug mules. The person paying for the drugs (we could call them the investor) decides what is smuggled, where to and how it will be concealed – not the mule.
Investors are, of course, motivated by profit: five kilos will be more profitable than just the one. And so, mules tend to carry much larger amounts than those carrying their own drugs.
Drug mules typically do not know what they are carrying, or how much. When people working as drug mules receive the drugs, they arrive ready to evade customs. In some cases, more professional groups might pay a specialist to conceal the drugs more effectively.
Traffickers have been known to evade detection by concealing cocaine in clear plastic products.
Many people working as drug mules are misled about where they are travelling to, or may not know they are carrying drugs.
Understanding more about the role of drug mules sheds light on the harsh sentences that people accused of drug importation – like Culley and May – are facing. Possible sentences are very long, not only because Sri Lanka and Georgia have extremely tough drug laws, but also because of the large quantities of drugs involved.
When it comes to sentencing people for drug offences, the quantity of the drug (or, in some countries the monetary value) has long been taken as a proxy for harm. As I have argued in my research, this is a disproportionate and unfair punishment.
The key UN treaty on narcotic drugs requires countries to criminalise and punish activities relating to illegal drugs. The convention labels drug addiction as “evil”, paving the way for very harsh punishments for those who sell or transport drugs.
Drug trafficking can even be punished by death in some countries – over 600 people were executed globally in 2024. In many cases, people were executed even though they were in possession of relatively small quantities of an illegal drug – often less than 100g.
Each nation makes its own laws, but broadly speaking, more drugs means more punishment. This seems logical and proportionate, unless the person being charged with drug trafficking hasn’t made those decisions. And, as my research found, drug mules tend to be carrying larger quantities, paid for by investors or even groups of investors.
The job of the drug mule is characterised by exploitation rather than choice. If they don’t choose where they travel to, or what they are carrying, then deterrent sentences will simply fail to deter. They only serve to punish those who are most powerless and most exploited in the international drug trade.
Jennifer Fleetwood has previously receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council.
– ref. Why people become drug mules – and why harsh sentences don’t deter them – https://theconversation.com/why-people-become-drug-mules-and-why-harsh-sentences-dont-deter-them-258514
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Chinese Culture Festival 2025 opened today at the Cultural Centre, launching over 280 events to be held from June to September, with Chief Executive John Lee addressing the opening ceremony via a video speech.
The festival is presented by the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department.
In his video speech, Mr Lee said that the Government will fully leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle to promote outstanding traditional Chinese culture globally and ride on Hong Kong’s international network in telling good stories of China to the world.
He pointed out that an important strategic direction featured in the Blueprint for Arts & Culture & Creative Industries Development, published by the Government last year, is on the promotion of the profound traditional Chinese culture.
Mr Lee expressed confidence that the Chinese Culture Festival will become an annual signature cultural event in Hong Kong, presenting the rich and vibrant Chinese culture to audiences through innovative approaches.
The Chief Executive added that the Government will continue to promote the essence of Chinese culture to citizens of Hong Kong and visitors from overseas and the Mainland, with a view to achieving “shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism” and fostering the integration and mutual reinforcement of culture and tourism.
Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law attended the opening ceremony as an officiating guest.
The opening programme of this year’s festival staged tonight is a contemporary dance performance “Dongpo: Life in Poems”. Through contemporary dance, the production deeply integrates various fine traditional Chinese culture elements, such as poetry writing, traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, seal engraving, guqin, Chinese opera and martial arts.
The programme also featured an open rehearsal under the “Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series” this afternoon at the Grand Theatre of the Cultural Centre. Close to 400 primary and secondary school students and teachers as well as members of the community were invited to attend, free of charge.
The thematic exhibition on “Dongpo: Life in Poems” is currently being held at the Cultural Centre Foyer, introducing the concept and structure of the production. The exhibition will run until tomorrow. Admission is free.
Click here for the festival details.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the historic Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement (RCBA) reached between the Federal Government and the Six Sovereigns—the states of Washington and Oregon, and the Nez Perce Tribe, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation:
“Donald Trump doesn’t know the first thing about the Northwest and our way of life—so of course, he is abruptly and unilaterally upending a historic agreement that finally put us on a path to salmon recovery, while preserving stable dam operations for growers and producers, public utilities, river users, ports and others throughout the Northwest. This decision is grievously wrong and couldn’t be more shortsighted.
“The Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement was the result of years of painstaking work—this was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernize infrastructure across the Columbia River Basin, support reliable clean energy, and save imperiled salmon and steelhead runs. The Trump administration’s senseless decision to tear it up is a betrayal of our Tribes and a tremendous setback for the entire Northwest.
“After nearly 30 years of litigation, this agreement also led to a durable stay in court proceedings, which is now in jeopardy. I am going to continue doing everything I can to support the restoration of healthy and abundant salmon runs—including through the annual Appropriations process. We must save our salmon.”
In August 2022, Senator Murray and Governor Inslee released joint findings and recommendations at the conclusion of an extensive, months-long joint federal-state process that evaluated the feasibility of breaching the Lower Snake River Dams as a way of protecting endangered salmon and steelhead species. Murray and Inslee concluded that breach was not feasible at that time as more needs to be done to replace the benefits of the dams–particularly investments in clean energy—but that it is imperative to prioritize major salmon recovery projects that can be undertaken in the near term. Senator Murray’s statement on the findings of the Murray-Inslee joint federal-state process is HERE.
A final version of the independent report commissioned by Senator Murray and Governor Inslee can be found HERE. The independent report—along with months of public input, and discussion with stakeholders and Tribes—helped guide the Senator and Governor’s August 2022 recommendation.
In December 2023, Senator Murray applauded the agreement reached between the federal government and the Six Sovereigns to allow for an extended stay in court proceedings on litigation involving the management of the Columbia-Snake River System.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Update on the fatal accident which occurred in Ahmedabad, India on 12 June 2025
A team of four investigators from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has arrived in India. They have expertise in aircraft operations, engineering and recorded data. Their role is to provide additional support and expertise to the safety investigation being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
The UK AAIB has ‘Expert’ status in the Indian safety investigation. In accordance with international protocols, release of information on the investigation rests solely with the Indian authorities.
British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO): 020 7008 5000.
Source: Government of Canada regional news
B.C. will lead a delegation of companies to the BIO International Convention in Boston, Mass., to attract more investment to the province’s life-sciences sector and build relationships with other countries to help strengthen the economy against ongoing U.S. tariffs.
Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, will be at the conference June 15-19, 2025.
BIO is the largest and most comprehensive international event for biotechnology, bringing 20,000 industry leaders together from across the globe. The ministry will showcase B.C.’s award-winning Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy to international delegates. The strategy builds on the momentum of the rapidly expanding sector and supports businesses to more easily commercialize their innovations.
“We want attendees at BIO to know that B.C. is open for business and we are ready to welcome new investors and talent to join our growing life-sciences, health-care and technology sectors,” Gibson said. “With our competitive advantages, our talented people, world-class universities, and rich startup and scale-up ecosystem, B.C.’s life-sciences and biomanufacturing sector is growing faster than anywhere else in the country.”
Gibson will highlight B.C.’s life-sciences sector as a global leader in innovative discoveries and world-leading products and services. Meetings are set with potential investors, venture-capital and other business partners to explore opportunities and foster critical relationships.
“British Columbia’s life-sciences sector is an innovation powerhouse with world-class research, top-tier talent and a dynamic startup ecosystem,” said Wendy Hurlburt, president and CEO, Life Sciences BC. “As global investors and strategic partners seek impactful, breakthrough technologies, B.C. is at the forefront, offering exceptional opportunities to shape the future of health. At BIO 2025, Life Sciences BC and our delegation of almost 40 companies is inviting the world to discover why British Columbia is the place where the future of life sciences is being built.”
Life Sciences B.C. will host its opening reception, which is one of the main go-to Canadian events at the conference with more than 200 attendees and approximately half being international audiences. B.C. delegates will promote common goals and their Team B.C. approach at the convention.
“British Columbia is home to exceptional scientific talent and a life-sciences sector with real, growing momentum,” said Kenneth Galbraith, chair and chief executive officer of Zymeworks. “At Zymeworks, we’ve grown from our roots in Vancouver to a global company that is partnering with some of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical organizations to advance novel therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Our experience and expertise reflect the strength of British Columbia’s innovation ecosystem and its ability to support companies as they scale to make a real impact for patients in need.”
Key discussions will include international talent mobility and workforce development, technology commercialization, strengthening collaboration between post-secondary institutions, expanding research and innovation partnerships in priority sectors, such as artificial intelligence and health tech, and highlighting B.C.’s strength as a clean-tech hub.
B.C. continues to make record investments in its world-renowned research centres to support their discoveries and innovations. To date, government has invested more than $737 million and leveraged more than $1.2 billion in federal funding and private investment to expand the life-sciences sector.
As Canada’s gateway to the Pacific, British Columbia is ideally located for easy and cost-effective international commerce, with a business day that conveniently overlaps with afternoon working hours in Europe, the morning in Asia and is synchronized for the full day with California and Washington state.
Learn More:
To learn more about the advantages of doing business in British Columbia, visit: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca
For information about B.C.’s Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/technology-innovation/life-sciences-biomanufacturing
For more information about the BIO International Convention, visit: https://www.bio.org/events/bio-international-convention
A backgrounder follows.
President Wavel Ramkalawan visited the Paradise Arena at Roche Caiman earlier this week to assess preparations for the upcoming International Boxing Tournament being organised by Tides Seychelles.
Set to be hosted on home soil later this month, the highly anticipated event will welcome boxers from across the Indian Ocean and beyond, further establishing Seychelles as a growing hub for regional sporting competitions.
During his visit, the President had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Colvin Beaudouin representative of Tides Seychelles, as well as Mr. Ameer Afif from Hunt, Deltel & Co Ltd—the main sponsor of the event. The President also interacted with several local boxers and their coaches Mr Jerry Legras and Roland Raforme, commending their discipline, perseverance and dedication to the sport.
President Ramkalawan expressed his appreciation for the initiative undertaken by Tides Seychelles and praised the collaborative effort between private sponsors, local organisers, and the boxing community in promoting youth engagement and sporting excellence in Seychelles.
“The boxing ring is not just a platform for physical strength, but a symbol of discipline, respect and unity. I am proud to see our youth so determined and focused. Seychelles is proud of you,” said the President.
He further encouraged the young athletes to continue striving for greatness, reminding them that representing Seychelles on an international stage is both a privilege and a powerful opportunity.
The International Boxing Tournament promises to be a thrilling event on the nation’s sporting calendar and will serve as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
June 13, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that they have cosponsored the Fit to Serve Act, a bill to support our military readiness and national security by prohibiting discrimination against transgender service members. The lawmakers’ bill comes as the Trump Administration is taking actions that undermine our national security and dehumanize the thousands of transgender service members who have made meaningful contributions to our armed forces.
“Service members sign up to protect our country with patriotism and bravery,” said Merkley. “Banning highly-skilled transgender service members endangers the safety and security of our nation and takes us backward in our march towards equality.”
“Drumming out Americans from military service because of rank prejudice undermines our national defense and is a cruel slap in the face to transgender people,” Wyden said. “This bill acts on the core principle that equal treatment of Americans based solely on their ability to do the job must guide the armed forces and any other walk of life.”
In January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order banning transgender individuals from joining and continuing to serve in the military. The Department of Defense (DoD) forced service members in active-duty to self-identify for voluntary separation by June 6, 2025; service members in the Reserves have until July 7, 2025.
While the ban continues to be litigated in federal court, the Supreme Court has allowed the DoD to begin to implement the ban, threatening the careers of thousands of service members who serve as test pilots, Navy divers, intelligence analysts, weapons specialists, combat aviators, and other critical national security roles. The ban also risks wasting billions of taxpayer dollars invested in training these troops, many of whom have spent decades in the military, have been deployed multiple times, and have commanded large numbers of troops.
Former Pentagon officials have testified that allowing transgender service members to openly serve “fosters openness and trust among team members, thereby enhancing unit cohesion” and that “transgender service members who meet the standards required for their positions serve effectively and contribute positively to unit readiness.”?
To ensure the United States can continue to benefit from the service of transgender individuals who have raised their hand to defend and protect their country and meet the same rigorous standards as their peers, the Fit to Serve Act would prohibit the DoD from:
In addition to the Fit to Serve Act, Senators Merkley and Wyden have joined their Senate Democratic colleagues in a letter demanding that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reverse course and not implement the Trump Administration’s un-American transgender military service ban. Merkley also led, and Wyden joined, the No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act, which would ensure that Trump’s hateful anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders, including the ban on transgender service members, have no force or effect, and that no federal funds are used to implement, administer, enforce, or carry out those executive orders.?
The Fit to Serve Act was led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). In addition to Merkley and Wyden, it is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).
The full text of the Fit to Serve Act can be found by clicking here.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The large-scale anti-drug variety TV programme “Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!” presented by the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) was held at TVB City in Tseung Kwan O this evening (June 13). The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, delivered a speech at the programme and officiated at the kick-off ceremony of a series of spectacular anti-drug performances along with the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Chairman of ACAN, Dr Donald Li; the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, and other guests.
Mr Chan said in his speech that Hong Kong was previously plagued by drug problems in the 1960s. Since the establishment of ACAN, the Government and various sectors of the community have been working together to combat drug problems. From 1977, when records started to be kept, to 2024, the total number of reported drug abusers has dropped by as much as 70 per cent. Last year, the number of young people under the age of 21 arrested for serious drug offences was at a record low. ACAN has been instrumental in the success of Hong Kong’s anti-drug efforts.
He said, “This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Action Committee Against Narcotics. I am glad to be able to take part in the programme today and review with everyone the development of the anti-drug efforts in Hong Kong on this important occasion…On behalf of the HKSAR Government, I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all those who have participated in the anti-drug cause…I would like to appeal to all members of the public to help spread the steadfast message of ‘Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!’ and work together towards a drug-free future to safeguard the health of every member of the public.”
At the opening ceremony, Mr Chan led the officiating guests in activating a device, after which seven props symbolising different drugs were dropped into a machine symbolising the destruction of pernicious drugs. Mr Chan led the officiating guests to read out the anti-drug slogan “Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!” to launch a series of spectacular anti-drug performances.
Delivering a speech through a recorded short video for the programme, Dr Li said that the progress of Hong Kong’s anti-drug efforts owed a lot to the active participation of members of the public in Hong Kong and the concerted efforts of several generations in the fight against drugs over the past 60 years. He thanked everyone who had participated in anti-drug work before for their contributions. “I invite you, in front of the TV, to continue to participate actively in the anti-drug efforts. I believe that with your participation, a drug-free Hong Kong is just around the corner,” he added.
In the programme, various young idols and singers performed songs with positive messages, including an upbeat anti-drug theme song that shares with young people positive energy and encourages them to hold dear to positive values in life.
Members of Hong Kong Customs’ “Customs YES” played the harp and danced in a musical segment. Through the impact of classical music and modern dance, a message was conveyed that positive hobbies not only broaden one’s horizons and let one’s talents shine, but also strengthen one’s determination against drugs.
Members of the Hong Kong Police Force’s “Leadership Institute on Narcotics” performed rope skipping and hip hop dance with energetic vibes, letting the audience know that one of the best ways to resist the temptation of drugs is to build a strong body and a determined mind through sports. Wushu athlete Juanita Mok and table tennis athlete Wong Chun-ting also cheered for youngsters in this segment with their respective fortes – Wushu (Taolu) that combines strength and flexibility, and table tennis, which is known for its speed.
Members of the Correctional Services Department’s “Rehabilitation Pioneer Leaders” performed in the form of busking with ukulele, electric piano and guitars, in the hope of striking a chord with young people and expressing through the songs that a healthy state of mind is essential for staying away from drugs.
In addition, the programme has arranged for artists to re-enact short plays based on the true stories of rehabilitees who have successfully quit drugs. The rehabilitees have participated in the plays themselves.
Co-organised by the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau and ACAN, and produced by Television Broadcasts Limited, the programme aims to review Hong Kong’s anti-drug history over the past 60 years and rally community support for combating drug problems. Audience members from different sectors, including students, youth groups and representatives from the education and social welfare sectors, attended the programme. This programme is one of the events held in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of ACAN.
The programme will be broadcast on TVB Jade at 9pm on June 21. Members of the public are welcome to watch and disseminate anti-drug messages for building a drug-free Hong Kong together.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Google sued Chile-based LATAM Airlines in U.S. federal court on Thursday, seeking a declaration that Brazilian courts cannot force the tech giant to take down a YouTube video in the U.S. that accused a LATAM employee of sexually abusing a child.
Alphabet’s Google, which owns YouTube, said in the lawsuit that LATAM was attempting to “make an end-run” around protections for free speech under the U.S. Constitution by suing in Brazil to force the video’s removal worldwide.
“LATAM has not received any official communication about the court case,” the company told Reuters.
Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said in a statement that the company has “long supported the legal principle that courts in a country have jurisdiction over content available in that country, but not over what content should be available in other countries.”
Right-wing social media companies Trump Media and Rumble filed a similar lawsuit in Florida in February against a Brazilian judge who had ordered them to remove the U.S.-based accounts of a leading supporter of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. A federal judge decided in the case that the companies were not required to comply with the order in the United States.
According to Google’s lawsuit filed in San Jose, California, U.S. citizen and Florida resident Raymond Moreira posted two YouTube videos in 2018 of his 6-year-old son outlining allegations of sexual abuse that the child said he experienced from a LATAM employee while traveling as an unaccompanied minor.
Moreira sued LATAM in Florida in 2020 over the alleged abuse, which led to a confidential settlement.
LATAM sued Google in Brazil in 2018 seeking an order to remove the video from YouTube. A Brazilian appeals court is set to consider next week whether it has the authority to order Google to take down the video worldwide.
Google asked the court in California on Thursday to declare that LATAM cannot force the tech giant to remove the video in the United States.
Canada’s Supreme Court upheld an order for Google to remove some search results worldwide in a separate case in 2018. A California judge halted that order’s U.S. enforcement in 2017.
(Reuters)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Two property owners fined over $110,000 in total for carrying out unauthorised building works
The BD discovered certain UBWs at the two detached houses during a large-scale operation in September 2023 to inspect houses along the coastal area of Redhill Peninsula. Investigation by the BD found that the owners of the two houses had knowingly carried out the concerned building works without the prior approval and consent from the BD, contravening section 14(1) of the BO. Hence, the BD instigated prosecution action against the two owners under section 40(1AA) of the BO in August last year. The two owners were convicted and fined $30,000 and $82,980 respectively yesterday.
A spokesman for the BD said today (June 13), “The Redhill Peninsula incident reveals that coastal detached houses with UBWs or illegal occupation of government land can pose safety hazards and risks to nearby slopes. If such contraventions are discovered, the BD will take vigorous enforcement actions and instigate prosecution actions. Property owners should consult building professionals before carrying out building works to ensure compliance with the BO.”
The spokesperson said that these are the first two convictions for contravening section 14(1) of the BO in relation to the Redhill Peninsula incident. The BD has already instigated prosecutions against 30 detached houses on Redhill Peninsula, including the above two houses. Court hearings for these cases are being rolled out.
Pursuant to section 40(1AA) of the BO, any person who knowingly contravenes section 14(1) (i.e. commencement or carrying out any building works without having first obtained approval and consent from the BD), commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine of $400,000 and to imprisonment for two years, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.
The Government has earlier on put forward proposals to amend the BO, including increasing the penalties to enhance deterrence against failure to comply with statutory notices or orders by the specified time and offences against serious UBWs. The Government is drafting the legislative amendments, with a view to submitting the amendment bill to the Legislative Council in the first half of 2026.
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Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
Patients living with rare blood disorders to benefit from increased access to treatment and availability of services, thanks to £9 million investment.
Patients with sickle cell disease are set to benefit from quicker and more accessible treatment thanks to major upgrades to life-saving technology.
Backed by a £9 million investment from NHS England, the government is set to transform apheresis services – a specialised set of treatments which remove harmful components from a patient’s blood – by funding more specialist treatment centres, as well as expanding access to cutting-edge technology.
Funding will ensure that Spectra Optia machines, which perform automated cell exchanges, are more widely available to patients with sickle cell disease. This process involves removing a patient’s sickled red blood cells, and replacing them with healthy donor cells.
As well as helping patients benefit from more convenient care, this technology has the potential to save the NHS up to £12.9 million annually thanks to a reduction in time spent in hospital for patients and the reduced need for other treatments.
Improvements will also be made to expand the availability of this treatment nationwide, which will include increased availability of out-of-hours services. This investment will also see an expansion of the specialist workforce to manage this advanced technology.
This latest commitment comes as the government sets out how it is harnessing new innovations during London Tech Week, which shines a spotlight on the latest tech out there to improve our everyday lives.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:
People living with rare conditions like sickle cell disease face immense everyday challenges, and can sometimes struggle to get the specialised care they need.
To make our health service fit for the future, we have to harness the power of new technologies, and these machines provide a shining example of how ours is starting to make huge advancements in digital healthcare.
Through our Plan for Change, this government will be the one that removes the barriers to getting the latest and best tech to our NHS frontline, so patients can access the best care available, closer to home.
In England, there are around 17,000 people living with sickle cell disease – an inherited blood disorder, with 250 new cases a year. It is generally more common in people of Black African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and South Asian heritage.
Spectra Optia machines operate in hospitals across the country, with more than 20 NHS trusts currently supported to offer treatment using this technology for sickle cell. The technology works by automatically replacing affected red blood with healthy donor cells and has proved to be a lifeline for patients.
The treatment lasts longer in the patient than simple transfusions and has been shown to be highly effective in reducing complications such as iron overload.
Robert Ojeer, 35, from west London has lived with sickle cell disease his entire life. Receiving care at Hammersmith Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Robert receives automated red cell exchanges every 4 weeks. He said:
I’ve been on the regular exchange programme since 2015. Before then I would only have had exchanges in emergency situations, when I had more complex sickle cell crises. But now I go more often, when the amount of sickle cells in my blood increases.
Having access to automated exchange improves my quality of life. I have 2 children, and it means that I can play a bigger part in their lives. It means I can work and that I can just have a sense of normality – I can do things that everyday people would take for granted.
I hope that every sickle cell sufferer in England can access these services. I’ve been really lucky, living only a 20-minute walk from the hospital with these machines, however, I realise this isn’t the case for everyone, so this is really great news for the sickle cell community as a whole.
The red cell exchange service at Imperial College Healthcare runs a 24/7 service for adults and children and was the first in the country to provide automated red cell exchange for children.
Spectra Optia delivers substantial value for money and improved patient experience, as fewer follow-up appointments are needed. By replacing simple top-up and manual exchange transfusions with the latest technology, it is estimated that the NHS will save almost £19,000 per patient, per year.
Professor Bola Owolabi, NHS England Director of Healthcare Inequalities, said:
This is great news for people living with sickle cell disease – a condition that disproportionately affects Black African and Black Caribbean communities.
Sickle cell patients have needed new treatment options for decades and this additional funding will provide greater access to this life-changing technology which has the potential to significantly improve patients’ quality of life.
Alongside this important step, the recent approval of a new gene-editing therapy for patients with severe sickle cell disease showcases the NHS’s clear commitment to improving outcomes for the 17,000 people living with the condition in England.
Richard Stubbs, Chair of the Health Innovation Network and CEO of Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber, said:
Sickle cell disease disproportionately impacts people from West African and Afro-Caribbean communities, many of whom live in the most socio-economically deprived areas.
These patients are at higher risk of hospital re-admissions and of dying in a hospital, making timely and accessible care vital.
This new funding announced today will enable the technology to be used on a longer-term basis, supporting frontline staff and ensuring sickle cell patients receive more regular care closer to where they live, as well as continuing our focus on tackling healthcare inequalities.
Alongside this, advances are being made through clinical trials to offer an expanded range of treatments for people with this condition.
In January, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended a groundbreaking gene-editing treatment for sickle cell disease, which has been hailed as a ‘functional cure’ for sickle cell disease.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) — More than 120 farmers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have taken part in trainings organized by Weinan Vocational and Technical Institute (Weinan, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province) since December 2023.
The first training course this year for farmers from five Central Asian countries started in Weinan on Wednesday, the Shaanxi Daily reported, with 30 students from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
According to the plan, over the course of 10 days of training, participants will become familiar with the development of modern agriculture in China, advanced agricultural methods and technologies for processing agricultural products.
In addition, the training participants will visit Linwei District, Baishui and Dali Counties, as well as Weinan High-Tech Zone and Yangling High-Tech Agricultural Demonstration Zone, where they will study the experience and technologies of agricultural development in China.
The project to train Central Asian farmers is being implemented as part of the implementation of the results of the China-Central Asia summit, which was held in May 2023 in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province.
China has advanced technologies for growing drought-resistant crops, which is of great importance for the development of agriculture in Central Asian countries.
Weinan Vocational College will further optimize its training system and services, improve the quality of education in all areas, and strive to create favorable conditions for students to study and live, so as to contribute to promoting agricultural exchanges between China and Central Asia, said Jin Huafeng, director of the college. -0-