Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2025 Annual Meeting today (June 11):
Professor Greco (President of the ISSCR, Professor Valentina Greco), Mr Alm (Chief Executive Officer of the ISSCR, Mr Keith Alm), Professor Kathryn Cheah (2025 Annual Meeting Program Committee Co-Chair of the ISSCR), Professor Rocky Tuan (Lee Quo Wei and Lee Yick Hoi Lun Professor of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong), Professor Nancy Ip (President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Hundreds of U.S. Marines arrived in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday under orders from President Donald Trump, ratcheting up tensions in America’s second largest city, as California’s governor warned “democracy is under assault.”
Trump’s extraordinary measures of sending National Guard and Marines to quell protests, which broke out in response to his immigration raids, fueled demonstrations for a fifth day in Los Angeles, and sparked protests in several other cities.
As Trump and Newsom traded fulminations, the city’s mayor said the protests were limited to about five downtown streets, but declared a curfew for parts of the downtown area due to violence and looting.
Police arrested another 197 people on Tuesday – more than double the total number of arrests to date.
Democratic leaders have raised concerns over a national crisis in what has become the most intense flashpoint yet in the Trump administration’s efforts to deport migrants living in the country illegally, and then crack down on opponents who take to the streets in protest.
“This brazen abuse of power by a sitting president inflamed a combustible situation, putting our people, our officers and even our National Guard at risk. That’s when the downward spiral began,” Newsom said in an a video address.
“He again chose escalation. He chose more force. He chose theatrics over public safety. … Democracy is under assault.”
Newsom, widely seen as preparing for a presidential run in 2028, has called the deployments an illegal waste of resources. He and the state sued Trump and the Defense Department on Monday, seeking to block the deployment of federal troops. Trump in turn has suggested Newsom should be arrested.
Trump, voted back into office last year largely for his promise to deport undocumented immigrants, used a speech honoring soldiers on Tuesday to defend his decision.
He told troops at the Army base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina: “Generations of Army heroes did not shed their blood on distant shores only to watch our country be destroyed by invasion and third-world lawlessness.”
“What you’re witnessing in California is a full-blown assault on peace, on public order and on national sovereignty, carried out by rioters bearing foreign flags,” Trump said, adding his administration would “liberate Los Angeles.”
Demonstrators have waved the flags of Mexico and other countries in solidarity for the migrants rounded in a series of intensifying raids.
Homeland Security said Monday its Immigration and Customs Enforcement division had arrested 2,000 immigration offenders per day recently, far above the 311 daily average in fiscal year 2024 under former President Joe Biden.
UNREST IN THE STREETS
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Tuesday announced a curfew for one square mile (2.5 square km) of downtown Los Angeles that will run from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. locally (0300 to 1300 GMT) for several days.
With five minutes until the curfew took effect, hundreds of protesters faced police with their hands raised, chanting “”peaceful protest.”
Even so, state and local officials have called Trump’s response an extreme overreaction to mostly peaceful demonstrations.
Bass emphasized at a press conference the distinction between the majority of demonstrators protesting peacefully and a smaller number of agitators she blamed for violence and looting.
A curfew had been considered for several days but Bass said she decided to impose one after 23 business were looted on Monday night.
“When these peaceful rallies end, and the protesters head home, another element moves in: opportunists, who come in under the cover of a peaceful protest to ravage and destroy,” Council member Ysabel Jurado, who represents the area, told reporters.
As the mayor and the council member spoke, police and protesters were engaged in skirmishes outside.
In what has become a daily ritual, police forced demonstrators away from the streets outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, where many detained migrants are held. Multiple groups of protesters snaked through downtown Los Angeles, monitored or followed by police armed with less lethal munitions.
Protests also took place in other cities including New York, Atlanta and Chicago, where demonstrators shouted at and scuffled with officers. Some protesters climbed onto the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza, while others chanted that ICE should be abolished.
Christina Berger, 39, said it was heartbreaking to hear about children who are afraid of being separated from their families due to immigration raids, adding, “I just want to give some hope to my friends and neighbors.”
MARINES AT THE READY
About 700 Marines were in a staging area in the Seal Beach area about 30 miles (50 km) south of Los Angeles, awaiting deployment to specific locations, a U.S. official said.
A U.S. official said there were 2,100 National Guard troops in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday, more than half the 4,000 to be activated. The Marines and National Guard troops lack the authority to makes arrests and will be charged only with protecting federal property and personnel.
Even so, California Attorney General Rob Bonta told Reuters the state was concerned about allowing federal troops to protect personnel, saying there was a risk that could violate an 1878 law that generally forbids the U.S. military, including the National Guard, from taking part in civilian law enforcement.
“Protecting personnel likely means accompanying ICE agents into communities and neighborhoods, and protecting functions could mean protecting the ICE function of enforcing the immigration law,” Bonta said.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Tuesday posted photos on X of National Guard troops accompanying ICE officers on an immigration raid. Trump administration officials have vowed to redouble the immigration raids in response to the street protests.
Ahead of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, over 50,000 organisations from across the nation have registered to host Yoga Sangam, setting a new benchmark for collective participation, said the Ministry of Ayush on Tuesday.
Creating a historic milestone in promoting holistic health and well-being, Yoga Sangam will be hosted on June 21 from 6:30 am to 7:45 am.
This year’s theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’ echoes a universal call for unity and wellness. Premier institutions like IITs, IIMs, and Central Universities, along with many corporates and private players, are actively registering and showcasing their commitment to global wellness.
Rajasthan has emerged as the frontrunner with an impressive 11,000+ organisations registered for Yoga Sangam 2025, the highest among all states. It is followed by Telangana with over 7,000+ registrations, and Madhya Pradesh with close to 5,000 registrations.
The IDY events will be held across the snow-capped mountains of Ladakh to the sunlit beaches of Kerala, from school playgrounds and office lawns to railway stations and historic temple courtyards.
“With over one lakh locations expected to host the IDY event, Yoga Sangam 2025 the Ministry of Ayush invites citizens, institutions, and communities to come together in this global celebration of India’s timeless wisdom. Let us move together, breathe together, and thrive together – for a healthier, more harmonious world,” the Ayush ministry said.
This year’s IDY celebrations build on the successful decentralised model of previous editions, with the Ministry of Ayush enhancing public engagement through the Yoga Sangam portal: Yoga.ayush.gov.in/yoga-sangam.
To participate in Yoga Sangam, groups/organisations can register themselves through Yoga Sangam portal. After conducting the Yoga Sangam event on June 21, they can receive the official Certificate of Appreciation by uploading participation details.
The highly anticipated Axiom-4 mission, which was scheduled to launch on June 11 after a series of earlier delays, has been postponed once again due to a leak detected in the propulsion bay during a pre-launch test, SpaceX said on Wednesday.
“Standing down from tomorrow’s (June 11) Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the ISS to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOX leak identified during post-static fire booster inspections. Once complete—and pending Range availability—we will share a new launch date”, SpaceX said in a post on X.
ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan also took to X, saying, “The Axiom 04 mission, slated for launch on 11th June 2025 to send the first Indian Gaganyatri to the ISS, has been postponed. As part of launch vehicle preparations to validate the performance of the booster stage of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, a seven-second hot test was carried out on the launch pad. During the test, a LOX (liquid oxygen) leak was detected in the propulsion bay.”
“Following discussions between ISRO, Axiom, and SpaceX experts, it has been decided to correct the leak and conduct the necessary validation tests before clearing the mission for launch. Hence, the launch of Axiom 04 has been postponed,” he added.
The mission, operated by the US-based Axiom Space, was set to carry Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla along with three international crew members to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The launch was scheduled to take place from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 5:30 p.m. IST. The Axiom 04 mission has faced multiple delays, having been rescheduled from its original target of May 29 to June 8, then June 10, and most recently to June 11.
The mission is of major significance for India, as Shukla is set to become the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, and only the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight aboard the Soviet space station Salyut 7 in 1984.
Shukla will serve as the pilot of the Axiom 04 mission, with Commander Peggy Whitson from the United States leading the crew. The other crew members include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both serving as mission specialists.
Once aboard the ISS, Shukla is expected to carry out experiments related to food and nutrition. The scientific mission is a collaboration between ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with additional support from NASA.
These experiments aim to advance the understanding of space nutrition and help develop self-sustaining life support systems critical for long-duration space exploration.
The research will focus on the effects of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae—a nutrient-rich, high-potential food source for future space missions.
The experiment will evaluate key growth parameters and examine transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic changes in different algal species in space compared to their behaviour on Earth.
Marnus Labuschagne will open the batting for Australia and Josh Hazlewood has been selected in the bowling line-up for the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s, captain Pat Cummins said on the eve of the game on Tuesday.
Labuschagne has been moved up the order to accommodate the return of Cameron Green, who underwent back surgery in October and was ruled out of the home season, while Hazlewood is fit again after a calf injury to replace of Scott Boland.
“Cam Green has been coming back in great form in the last few weeks and we thought he deserved a spot in the batting lineup. We thought three probably suits him best,” Cummins told a press conference.
“For Marnus moving one spot up, it’s not too different to batting at three. He’s done well here in England in the past.”
Leaving out Boland, who had been one of the heroes of Australia’s 3-1 test series win over India this year, had been a difficult decision.
“There are some guys where you genuinely say, you’ve done nothing wrong, don’t change a thing and that’s Scotty. He is just really unfortunate to miss out.
“The message to Scotty is there’s a lot of test cricket coming up in the next couple of years and just because your mid-30s doesn’t mean that’s the end of your career.
“By having a squad of fast bowlers, hopefully we can extend all our care for an extra couple of years.”
An element of selection criteria was to reward those who had contributed to defending champions Australia winning 13 of 19 tests in the two-year WTC cycle and reaching yet another final.
“I think our selectors have probably shown you that they’re happy and they’d rather give someone an extra little run than pull the pin too early. I think it’s partly rewarding those guys that got us here.”
Cummings said defending the title was high on the Australian priority list, even after all their success in the limited-overs formats.
“It’s a trophy we’ve spoken a lot about over the last couple of years. “Test cricket is my favourite format. You’ve got to basically win in all different conditions to make it into this final. If we can retain that mace, that’s a pretty awesome thing for this team.”
Australia team: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan is spearheading the ongoing Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA), a national campaign launched on May 29 from Puri, Odisha. The 15-day initiative, which concludes on June 12, aims to connect scientific research with agricultural practice on the ground, targeting over 1.5 crore farmers across more than 700 districts. The effort is supported by 16,000 agricultural scientists and 2,170 interdisciplinary teams.
At the launch event in Bhubaneswar, the Minister said the campaign would focus on modern technologies, soil health, natural farming, and crop diversification to ensure food security and adequate reserves. He announced the deployment of expert teams to assist farmers with seed varieties, fertiliser use, crop selection, and sustainable practices.
During a visit to Jammu and Kashmir on May 30, Chouhan referred to farmers living in border areas as the second line of defence, acknowledging their continued efforts in agriculture despite adverse conditions. “VKSA is bringing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Lab to Land’ into action,” he said, adding that the campaign is contributing to the broader goal of developing Indian agriculture.
On May 31, in Panipat, Haryana, Chouhan reiterated the importance of direct farmer interaction. “I try to live the life of a farmer. I am a farmer’s son. I drive a tractor and also do the sowing myself,” he said, describing agriculture as central to the Indian economy. He added that even a small increase in productivity per hectare could lead to substantial gains at the national level.
In Dabthuwa village of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Chouhan interacted with farmers directly and later addressed a media gathering in Jangethi village. He said that the goal of VKSA is to increase production, reduce input costs, ensure fair pricing for produce, and prevent post-harvest losses.
In Bihar’s Motihari, the Minister announced ₹6 crore worth of upcoming agricultural projects at the local Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and emphasized the role of scientists in promoting advanced techniques to improve productivity.
In Pune, Maharashtra, Chouhan met farmers at the Narayangaon KVK and visited local farm markets and cold storage facilities. Speaking about inputs, he said, “The government is moving towards enacting a strict law for taking action against any company or person making fake fertilizers or pesticides and supplying those to farmers.” He also underlined the role of scientists in providing on-ground guidance tailored to regional agricultural needs.
During a Kisan Chaupal held in Patiala, Punjab, the Minister supported farmer-led policy feedback and encouraged the adoption of sustainable practices such as direct-seeded rice. “Policies will now be shaped by inputs from farmers—not by bureaucrats,” he said. He also addressed concerns about excessive pesticide use, noting its impact on costs and crop quality.
In Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Chouhan spoke about the export potential of the region’s agricultural produce. He called for a renewed focus on natural farming, water conservation, and technological innovation. “The sacred land of Uttarakhand brings renewed energy to the mind, intellect, and spirit,” he said, citing the importance of direct farmer engagement in evaluating the effectiveness of government schemes.
At the ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute, Chouhan held a review meeting and urged scientists to focus on export-quality seed development and value addition. “Technology-driven, farmer-centric solutions are essential for increasing incomes in citriculture,” he said.
In Bhopal on June 7, Chouhan described the campaign’s intent as scientific, not political. “The government is working with the spirit of ‘One Nation, One Agriculture, One Team’,” he said. He credited record production of major crops to collaborative efforts between scientists and farmers.
On June 8, during his visit to the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research in Bengaluru, Chouhan addressed 500 farmers and advocated for demand-driven research informed by farmer feedback. He emphasized the need for sustainable practices and a robust advisory system.
In Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district on June 9, the Minister held multiple interactions with farmers, many of whom shared positive outcomes from diversification and integrated farming. Speaking at a gathering in Ibrahimpatnam, he said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continuous efforts are being made for agricultural advancement.” He also noted that tomato, potato, and onion farmers will benefit from the Market Intervention Scheme.
According to official data, the campaign has reached approximately 87.8 lakh farmers across 85,480 villages through 46,181 field visits made by 2,170 dedicated teams between May 29 and June 8.
During his visit to the ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) in Hyderabad, Chouhan laid the foundation for a Global Centre of Excellence on Millets.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Your Highness the Amir – may God protect him,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Distinguished Guests,
May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to Doha, the capital of the State of Qatar. Doha has grown into a prominent center for international dialogue and active diplomacy, and a global platform where leaders, policymakers, and thinkers come together to exchange ideas and promote cooperation.
This year’s Qatar Economic Forum takes place amidst major political and economic transformations, underscoring the urgent need for dialogue platforms that bring together decision-makers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders to chart future investment opportunities and formulate a collective stance on the challenges we face, most notably international stability and sustainable growth.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza remains, despite the tireless efforts of the State of Qatar—working in close coordination with our partners in the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America—to bring this tragic war to an end, yet unfortunately we continue to witness repeated setbacks to achieving a ceasefire.
When the Israeli-American soldier, Idan Alexander, was released, we hoped it would mark a turning point—an opportunity to halt the violence and begin the path toward peace. Instead, that moment was met with an intensified campaign of bombardment, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians.
This aggressive and irresponsible behavior continues to undermine every opportunity for peace. Nevertheless, we remain firmly committed to pursuing our diplomatic efforts, alongside our partners, until this war is brought to an end—until all hostages and detainees are released, and the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Gaza is alleviated, and the region is no longer held hostage by constant and imminent threats.
Regarding Syria, the recent decision to lift U.S. sanctions on this brotherly nation marks a significant step in the right direction. We hope to see similar measures to follow. This sends a clear and vital message to the region and the world: that our collective priority must be to offer people emerging from conflict a genuine opportunity to rebuild their lives and shape a better future.
Distinguished Guests,
Political stability and economic prosperity are deeply interconnected—neither can be achieved in isolation from the other.
From this standpoint, the State of Qatar pursues an active and principled diplomatic approach, grounded in impartial mediation and constructive engagement to help resolve conflicts peacefully, recognizing that lasting peace is the foundation for any sustainable development.
We regard every diplomatic effort we undertake as an investment in a more secure and prosperous future. When a young student in Gaza completes their education, or a Syrian family returns home after years of displacement, we see the tangible and meaningful impact that stability has—not only on individual lives, but on entire economies and societies.
Distinguished Guests,
In the State of Qatar, we aspire to build a diversified and prosperous economy —one driven by knowledge, innovation, and aligned with the pace of the global technological revolution, characterized by flexibility and adaptability. We aspire for Qatar to be a beacon of technological advancement and a global center for investment and business, built on trust, and for Qatar to always remain a reliable partner, whether in energy or investment, as well as in diplomacy.
In line with this vision, we are actively working to translate our aspirations into reality by diversifying our foreign investments to enhance our strategic balance and contribute to the development of a long-term, sustainable economy. The Qatar Investment Authority continues to play a central role in this effort, pursuing long-term strategic partnerships across the globe. Over the past year, it has made significant investments spanning the United States, Africa, and China.
These initiatives reflect our strong confidence in the resilience and potential of global markets—especially emerging markets—and their role in shaping the future.
Domestically, Qatar’s economy maintained positive momentum, achieving real GDP growth of 2.4% in 2024, with total output reaching QAR 713 billion.
This growth has been driven largely by significant progress in Qatar’s non-oil sectors, which expanded by 3.4% annually—an encouraging sign of steady advancement toward the objectives outlined in our Third National Development Strategy.
By the end of 2024, new foreign direct investment (FDI) had reached QAR 9.9 billion, reflecting the growing confidence of international investors in the strength and resilience of the Qatari economy.
To sustain this momentum, the State of Qatar continues to enhance its legislative and administrative frameworks, aiming to create a more efficient, transparent, and investor-friendly business environment.
In this spirit, we are pleased to announce today the launch of the first package of incentives for all investors, focusing on strategic sectors such as advanced manufacturing, modern technology, and logistics. This initiative marks a significant step forward in fostering growth across key sectors that will serve as the foundation of our national economy’s future.
In addition to industrial growth, this year marked the launch of the Simaisma tourism project—one of the largest entertainment developments in the region. This project serves as a major catalyst for the real estate and tourism sectors, and a powerful driver of integrated economic development.
In the field of innovation and digital transformation, Qatar has further solidified its position as an emerging technology hub. In February 2025, we hosted the second edition of Web Summit, which brought together over 25,000 participants from 124 countries.
The summit successfully fostered meaningful connections between emerging tech ecosystems in Asia and Africa and leading global corporations and sovereign wealth funds—further enhancing Qatar’s role as a digital gateway between regions.
Reinforcing this momentum, Qatar recently secured the hosting rights for the Mobile World Congress (MWC) for the next five years, with the inaugural edition set for November. This achievement firmly establishes Qatar as a key player in the global digital economy.
To build on this progress, Qatar will soon launch a new, globally ambitious project, to be unveiled later this year.
Together, these milestones highlight Qatar’s determination to strengthen its position as a global economic and investment hub, and to chart a future grounded in diversity, innovation, and sustainability.
Distinguished Guests,
The State of Qatar is committed to playing a leading role in shaping a more balanced global economy—one that fosters genuine partnership and places human beings at the center of development. We envision Qatar as a platform where ideas converge, interests align, and progress is nurtured in an environment grounded in peace, stability, and investment.
In this spirit, we call for a holistic approach—one that integrates security with development, diplomacy with economic growth, and ensures that human dignity remains at the heart of any plans for prosperity.
Thank you for your kind presence. I wish you a productive forum and meaningful discussions. I look forward to engaging in a constructive dialogue during the sessions ahead, and to the emergence of new economic partnerships that will help drive sustainable development—both in our region and around the world.
May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
Police are now in a position to release the name of the man who was found deceased after a house fire in Trentham, Upper Hutt on Tuesday [10 June] morning.
He was 69 year old, John Louis.
Police extends our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.
The cause of the fire is not believed to be suspicious.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ13: Disposal of yard waste Question:
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) set up Y·PARK, a yard waste recycling centre, in 2021, with the purpose of converting recycled yard waste into useful materials to reduce disposal at landfills and associated carbon emissions. Y·PARK has a target handling capacity of about 11 000 tonnes in the first year, which would gradually increase to an annual average of around 22 000 tonnes. However, information from the Government shows that Y·PARK’s throughput last year was 6 876 tonnes. Besides, earlier on some trucks were reportedly driven from Y·PARK carrying yard waste to landfills in the New Territories West for disposal, and the EPD subsequently explained that the yard waste in question was not acceptable as it contained a large amount of impurities. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of Y·PARK’s criteria for the recovery of yard waste, whether it has studied the reasons for the gradual decline in the amount of yard waste handled by Y·PARK in recent years, including whether this is affected by Y·PARK’s recovery criteria or the fact that yard waste producers recycle their own waste;
(2) as it is learnt that Y·PARK’s major sources of yard waste are (i) construction works and (ii) clearance work arising from regular vegetation maintenance, whether there is a statistical breakdown of the amount of yard waste respectively from (i) and (ii) handled by Y·PARK from 2021 to date; of the amount of yard waste that was sent to but not accepted at Y·PARK over the past three years, and whether it has looked into how such yard waste was subsequently disposed of (such as conversion into biochar and being sent to landfills);
(3) given that according to a paper submitted by the Government to the Subcommittee to Study Policy Issues Relating to Municipal Solid Waste Charging, Recovery and Recycling of this Council in January 2023, a pilot biochar plant in EcoPark, which will further convert recyclable products of Y·PARK into biochar, has an estimated capability of converting about 6 000 tonnes of local woody waste into some 1 200 tonnes of biochar annually, of the amounts of waste handled and biochar produced since the plant came into operation, and whether such amounts could meet the targets; if not, when they are expected to meet the targets; and
(4) given that according to the report on Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong, the amounts of yard waste recovered and disposed in Hong Kong in 2023 were 10 400 tonnes and some 83 000 tonnes respectively, while the amount of yard waste handled by Y·PARK in the same year was 8 609 tonnes, whether it has assessed if there is room for improvement in Y·PARK’s handling capacity; whether the Government has further strategies in place to enhance the recovery rate of yard waste?
Reply:
President,
After the onslaught of Super Typhoon Mangkhut, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) set up a temporary yard waste recycling centre, Y·PARK, in 2021 to collect and process yard waste generated from regular vegetation maintenance and public construction works on one hand, and to assist in treating large quantities of yard waste generated after emergency incidents such as super typhoons on the other. The service fees paid by the EPD to the contractor are not based on the amount of yard waste received, but on the quantity of recyclable products produced by the contractor, which reflects Y·PARK’s performance more accurately.
The reply to the question raised by the Hon Andrew Lam is as follows:
(1)To ensure the smooth operation of Y·PARK and the quality of the recyclable products, Y·PARK has established appropriate standards for yard waste recycling, including not accepting infected or infested wood, yard waste which is difficult to process such as tree stumps, pure twigs, leaves, grass clippings, or yard waste containing large amount of impurities. If yard waste is mixed with large amount of impurities, the chipping operations may be severely affected. For instance, Y·PARK’s wood chipper experienced mechanical failures due to metal rods hidden in the wood. Time and manpower were required to remove the rods, replace parts and repair the equipment. Such incidents could even halt the production line. Meanwhile, the quality of the recyclable products produced may be affected by impurities. For instance, plastics mixed into the recyclable products would limit their use in gardening. In this regard, the contractor of Y·PARK maintains communication with yard waste producers to explain how to properly separate waste at source to reduce instances where Y·PARK has to reject yard waste. (2) Since its commencement of operation in 2021 up to April this year, Y·PARK has received a total of approximately 31 540 tonnes of yard waste, of which more than 50 per cent from construction works and about 40 per cent from routine vegetation maintenance. The EPD does not have the quantity of rejected yard waste and information on its final disposal means.
(3) The first Pilot Biochar Production Plant (PBPP) in Hong Kong established by the EPD was originally scheduled to commence production in November 2023, with an estimated handling capacity of processing about 6 000 tonnes of local wood materials and producing about 1 200 tonnes of biochar annually. The PBPP commenced its testing in May 2023, during which many technical issues were overcome and various operational conditions (including processing temperatures, duration, and different types of wood-based raw materials) were adjusted and tested, in order to identify the optimal operating conditions and ensure high-quality biochar can be produced with less energy consumption. The PBPP finally commenced production in October 2024. From the start of the PBPP’s testing stage to the end of April 2025, the PBPP has processed over 1 200 tonnes of local wood materials from yard waste, converting them into more than 270 tonnes of biochar. The purposes of setting up the PBPP are to explore the technical feasibility of converting local wood materials from yard waste into biochar, as well as to study the quality of the biochar produced and its practical applications in the local market. As such, the actual processing quantity of the PBPP is adjusted based on testing needs and is also affected by the supply of wood materials and local market demand for biochar applications. With the PBPP entering production stage for only about six months, the EPD will consolidate operational experiences with a view to gradually increasing its processing quantity upon establishing technical requirements and market applications.
(4) In order to further enhance the yard waste processing quantity of Y·PARK, the EPD are adopting a multi-pronged approach to increase the yard waste recycling rate. Measures include: (i) the EPD will continue to liaise with relevant government departments and other yard waste producers, encouraging them to adhere to the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle, and treat and reuse yard waste on-site as far as possible, while yard waste that cannot be treated or reused on-site could be delivered to Y·PARK or other suitable recycling facilities for treatment; (ii) to encourage the Y·PARK contractor to recycle collected yard waste as far as possible to increase its recycling rate. The current contract stipulates that the service fees paid by the EPD to the contractor are based on the quantity of recyclable products produced, providing a financial incentive to the contractor; and (iii) in the long run, the Government reserves land in the New Territories North New Town to establish a larger-scale yard waste recycling facility to enhance yard waste handling capacity. Issued at HKT 12:08
U.S. President Donald Trump warned people on Tuesday against protesting at the weekend military parade in Washington marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
“For those people that want to protest, they’re going to be met with very big force,” Trump told reporters in the White House’s Oval Office.
Law enforcement agencies are preparing for hundreds of thousands of people to attend Saturday’s parade, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool said on Monday.
McCool said thousands of agents, officers and specialists will be deployed from law enforcement agencies from across the country. The FBI and the Metropolitan Police Department have said there are no credible threats to the event.
At least nine permits have been issued for protests on that day, a U.S. Secret Service spokesperson said on Tuesday.
In unscheduled Oval Office remarks, Trump discussed his decision to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles after protests erupted in response to federal immigration raids at workplaces there.
Trump defended his decision to take that rare step and said troops were necessary to contain the unrest, despite objections from local and state officials that they were needed.
Saturday’s event, which will coincide with Trump’s 79th birthday, includes an Army birthday festival on the National Mall and will culminate with a parade through the capital and an enlistment and re-enlistment ceremony presided over by the president.
Nationwide protests on that day were being organized by a group called No Kings.
“They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights and slashed our services,” the group says on its website. “The corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.”
U.S. and Chinese officials said on Tuesday they had agreed on a framework to put their trade truce back on track and remove China’s export restrictions on rare earths while offering little sign of a durable resolution to longstanding trade differences.
At the end of two days of intense negotiations in London, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters the framework deal puts “meat on the bones” of an agreement reached last month in Geneva to ease bilateral retaliatory tariffs that had reached crushing triple-digit levels.
But the Geneva deal had faltered over China’s continued curbs on critical minerals exports, prompting the Trump administration to respond with export controls of its own preventing shipments of semiconductor design software, aircraft and other goods to China.
Lutnick said the agreement reached in London would remove some of the recent U.S. export restrictions, but did not provide details after the talks concluded around midnight London time (2300 GMT).
“We have reached a framework to implement the Geneva consensus and the call between the two presidents,” Lutnick said. “The idea is we’re going to go back and speak to President Trump and make sure he approves it. They’re going to go back and speak to President Xi and make sure he approves it, and if that is approved, we will then implement the framework.”
In a separate briefing, China’s Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang also said a trade framework had been reached in principle that would be taken back to U.S. and Chinese leaders.
The dispute may keep the Geneva agreement from unravelling over duelling export controls, but does little to resolve deep differences over Trump’s unilateral tariffs and longstanding U.S. complaints about China’s state-led, export-driven economic model.
The two sides left Geneva with fundamentally different views of the terms of that agreement and needed to be more specific on required actions, said Josh Lipsky, senior director of the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center in Washington.
“They are back to square one but that’s much better than square zero,” Lipsky added.
The two sides have until August 10 to negotiate a more comprehensive agreement to ease trade tensions, or tariff rates will snap back from about 30% to 145% on the U.S. side and from 10% to 125% on the Chinese side.
Investors, who have been badly burned by trade turmoil before, offered a cautious response and MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.57%.
“The devil will be in the details, but the lack of reaction suggests this outcome was fully expected,” said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone in Melbourne.
“The details matter, especially around the degree of rare earths bound for the U.S., and the subsequent freedom for U.S.-produced chips to head east, but for now as long as the headlines of talks between the two parties remain constructive, risk assets should remain supported.”
RESOLVING RESTRICTIONS
Lutnick said China’s restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals and magnets to the U.S. will be resolved as a “fundamental” part of the framework agreement.
“Also, there were a number of measures the United States of America put on when those rare earths were not coming,” Lutnick said. “You should expect those to come off … in a balanced way.”
U.S. President Donald Trump’s shifting tariff policies have roiled global markets, sparked congestion and confusion in major ports, and cost companies tens of billions of dollars in lost sales and higher costs. The World Bank on Tuesday slashed its global growth forecast for 2025 by four-tenths of a percentage point to 2.3%, saying higher tariffs and heightened uncertainty posed a “significant headwind” for nearly all economies.
A resolution to the trade war may require policy adjustments from all countries to treat financial imbalances or otherwise greatly risk mutual economic damage, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said on a rare visit to Beijing on Wednesday.
PHONE CALL HELPED
The second round of U.S.-China talks was given a major boost by a rare phone call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week, which Lutnick said provided directives that were merged with Geneva truce agreement.
Customs data published on Monday showed that China’s exports to the U.S. plunged 34.5% in May, the sharpest drop since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic.
While the impact on U.S. inflation and its jobs market has so far been muted, tariffs have hammered U.S. business and household confidence and the dollar remains under pressure.
Lutnick was joined by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the London talks. Bessent departed hours before their conclusion to return to Washington to testify before Congress on Wednesday.
China holds a near-monopoly on rare earth magnets, a crucial component in electric vehicle motors, and its decision in April to suspend exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets upended global supply chains.
In May, the U.S. responded by halting shipments of semiconductor design software and chemicals and aviation equipment, revoking export licences that had been previously issued.
China, Mexico, the European Union, Japan, Canada and many airlines and aerospace companies worldwide urged the Trump administration not to impose new national security tariffs on imported commercial planes and parts, according to documents released Tuesday.
Just after the framework deal was announced, a U.S. appeals court allowed Trump’s most sweeping tariffs to stay in effect while it reviews a lower court decision blocking them on grounds that they exceeded Trump’s legal authority by imposing them.
The decision keeps alive a key pressure point on China, Trump’s currently suspended 34% “reciprocal” duties that had prompted swift tariff escalation.
Tesla tentatively plans to begin offering rides on its self-driving robotaxis to the public on June 22, CEO Elon Musk said on Tuesday, as investors and fans of the electric vehicle maker eagerly await rollout of the long-promised service.
Musk has staked Tesla’s future on self-driving vehicles, pivoting away from plans to build a cheaper EV platform, and much of the company’s valuation hangs on that vision.
But commercializing autonomous vehicles (AV) has been challenging with safety concerns, tight regulations and soaring investments, and many have been skeptical of Musk’s plans.
“We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift,” Musk said in a post on X in response to a question from a user about public robotaxi rides that the EV maker plans to first offer in Austin, Texas.
Musk also said starting June 28, Tesla vehicles will drive themselves to a customer’s house from the end of the factory line.
A successful robotaxi launch is crucial for Tesla as sales of its EVs have softened due to rising competition and a backlash against Musk’s embrace of far-right political views in Europe, and his recent work for U.S. President Donald Trump before their public falling out.
Musk has promised a paid robotaxi service in Austin starting with about 10-20 of its Model Y SUVs that will operate in a limited area and under remote human supervision.
The company then plans to expand operations to other U.S. states later in the year, including California which has stringent AV regulations.
“Austin >> LA for robotaxi launch lol,” Musk said on X, in an apparent reference to the southern Californian city of Los Angeles.
Tesla has been testing its self-driving vehicles on public streets in Austin, Musk said last month. Earlier on Tuesday, Musk re-posted a video on X that showed a Model Y making a turn at an Austin intersection with no human driver and the word “Robotaxi” written on it, and followed closely by another Model Y.
The vehicles were using a new version of Tesla’s advanced driver assistance software, called Full Self-Driving (FSD), Musk said in a separate X post.
Little else is known about Tesla’s robotaxi service, including where it will operate, the extent of remote supervision and how the public can use the service.
Brazil secured their spot at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Paraguay, taking the second of South America’s six automatic qualifying berths after champions Argentina booked their ticket in March.
A goal from Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Jr. on the stroke of halftime in Sao Paulo made it a winning home debut for Brazil’s new coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Brazil extended their record as the only team to play in every edition of the World Cup, with the five-times winners set to make their 23rd appearance in next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ecuador can also secure a World Cup spot if they are able to avoid defeat in Peru.
Earlier on Tuesday, Uruguay took a step closer to securing a spot with a 2-0 home victory over Venezuela at the Estadio Centenario, a victory which also snapped a four-match winless run in South American qualifiers.
Uruguay dominated much of the first half but struggled to break down a well-organised Venezuelan defence until Rodrigo Aguirre put the hosts ahead in the 42nd minute, heading in at the far post from a Maxi Araujo corner.
Giorgian De Arrascaeta doubled Uruguay’s lead just two minutes into the second half, firing a superb shot into the top-left corner to seal a win that secures Marcelo Bielsa’s side of at least an inter-confederation playoff berth.
Argentina needed an 81st-minute equaliser from Thiago Almada to cancel out Luis Diaz’s goal and secure a draw with Colombia, avoiding a second straight defeat to Nestor Lorenzo’s side.
Chile’s hopes of reaching the finals ended with a 2-0 loss in Bolivia. Chile coach Ricardo Gareca resigned after the match.
Police are continuing their search for missing man Kyle in the far north of South Australia.
Kyle was last seen about midday on Sunday 1 June at Arkaroola.
Kyle, 39, is about 180 cm tall, with a slim build and chin-length dreadlocks.
He is believed to be driving a white 2023 Toyota Hiace rental van with South Australian registration S129CWL.
The van was last seen in the area just after 6am on Monday 2 June.
Since he was reported missing, police and emergency services have been searching the area where he was last seen, including the area between Arkaroola and Yunta, where Kyle is believed to have driven the van between 30 May and 1 June 2025.
PolAir and extra patrols have been searching the area but have been unable to locate him.
Police have concerns for Kyle’s welfare and anyone who sees him or his van is asked to call police immediately on 131 444.
The inaugural Adelaide University Vice Chancellor, Professor Nicola Phillips
Following a comprehensive global search, Australia’s new major university announces Professor Nicola Phillips as its new Vice Chancellor and President (Vice Chancellor) with effect from 12 January 2026.
The Adelaide University Transition Council has unanimously resolved to appoint Prof. Nicola Phillips as the new Vice Chancellor of Adelaide University following exceptional global interest and a high-quality candidate field.
Chancellor of the Adelaide University Transition Council (Transition Council), Ms Pauline Carr, said that finding the right person to lead the institution through its formative years was imperative.
“We are delighted to announce Prof. Phillips as the new Vice Chancellor of Adelaide University as we boldly take our next steps as Australia’s new comprehensive university for the future,” Carr said.
Prof. Phillips joins Adelaide University from the University of Melbourne, where she is currently the Provost and has served as both Acting and Interim Vice Chancellor. With some 30 years of experience in the higher education sector across Australia and the United Kingdom, Prof. Phillips has cultivated a deep understanding of the sector and brings a local and global perspective to the position.
“Throughout her career, Prof. Phillips has been a formidable force, guiding significant step-changes across contemporary academic delivery, student access and equity, Aboriginal knowledges, online education, and cultural inclusivity – with strong alignment to Adelaide University’s strategic direction as a differentiated member of Australia’s Group of Eight,” Carr said.
“The Transition Council would also like to recognise the monumental and continued contributions of the founding co-Vice Chancellors, Professors Peter Høj AC and David Lloyd, who are establishing the solid foundations on which the institution will see sustained success. They will also be instrumental in transitioning the leadership from now until when Prof. Phillips begins the role as well as winding down the foundation universities.”
Prof. Phillips will actively shape Adelaide University as it begins operations.
“I am thrilled to be joining Adelaide University at a time of unmatched potential and possibilities – and to call South Australia home,” Prof. Phillips said.
“I look forward to leading Adelaide University and establishing the institution as a trailblazer for change, where education and research of the highest quality reach into all corners of our society to transform the lives of individuals and communities.”
The global search was led by the Adelaide University Transition Council, in partnership with executive search firm, Korn Ferry, and informed by the Recruitment Recommendations Panel comprising internal and expert external members.
Insights on selection criteria deemed most important were also provided by staff, students, alumni and key partners. Inspirational and visionary leadership, being a visible role model with high ethical standards, and building a cohesive and constructive culture as well as having strong academic credentials were identified amongst some of the most valued attributes.
Prof. Phillips will commence in the role from 12 January 2026 to align with Adelaide University’s opening of its inaugural academic year.
About Professor Nicola Phillips Professor Nicola Phillips is an esteemed leader and academic with some 30 years of experience in the higher education sector across Australia and the United Kingdom. She is a Professor of Political Economy with interests in global economic development, labour standards and inequality.
Educated at King’s College London and the London School of Economics and Political Science, Prof. Phillips held positions at the Universities of Warwick, Manchester and Sheffield before becoming Vice President & Vice Principal (Education) at King’s College London, and then Provost at the University of Melbourne in September 2021. She has held visiting fellowships and professorships across the world, including the Australian National University, the University of British Columbia, and the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México.
Among many notable honours, Prof. Phillips holds a Fellowship of the UK Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) and a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), and was awarded The J. Ann Tickner Prize from the International Studies Association (ISA) for combining bravery in pursuing pioneering research that pushes the boundaries of the discipline with a deep commitment to teaching and mentorship.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued an Orange Alert for several regions, warning of moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 60 kmph over the next two to three hours.
The alert covers large parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Assam, with the IMD urging residents to remain cautious and follow official weather advisories.
In Madhya Pradesh, districts including Dhar, Barwani, Khargone, Dindori, Mandla, and Balaghat are likely to experience intense weather conditions. Chhattisgarh is also expected to be significantly impacted, with warnings issued for Mungeli, Kabirdham, Bemetara, Raipur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Balod, Kanker, and Narayanpur.
Parts of eastern Maharashtra, particularly Gondia, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Wardha, and Nanded, are under similar warnings. In Karnataka, the alert applies to Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, and Ramnagar districts, where adverse weather is anticipated.
The forecast also suggests intensified rainfall and storm activity in several districts of Tamil Nadu, including Thiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakkurichi, Cuddalore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, and Theni. In Kerala, residents of Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram have been advised to remain alert. Assam’s Dibrugarh, Charaideo, and Sibsagar districts are also expected to witness thunderstorm activity.
Authorities have urged people in the affected areas to stay indoors, avoid sheltering under trees or near unstable structures, and refrain from unnecessary travel. Commuters are advised to check road and traffic conditions before heading out, as sudden heavy rainfall may lead to waterlogging or hazardous driving situations.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
UNITED NATIONS, June 10 (Xinhua) — China’s envoy said Tuesday that China opposes the politicization of human rights issues in Myanmar.
Sun Lei, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the remarks at an informal meeting of the General Assembly on Myanmar.
The meeting was organized in accordance with General Assembly resolution 79/182. China, he said, had distanced itself from the consensus on the resolution. “We oppose the politicization and instrumentalization of the human rights issue and reject the practice of exerting public pressure on such issues.”
As a friendly neighbor, China supports Myanmar in choosing a development path suited to its national conditions and in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national stability while steadily advancing its domestic political agenda, he said.
The international community should focus its efforts on overcoming differences and resolving problems, rather than raising tensions and further complicating the situation, Sun Lei said.
According to him, the Myanmar people are currently in dire need of an end to the fighting and humanitarian aid. China has actively participated in promoting peace talks and achieved positive results. “We will continue to play a constructive role in helping Myanmar achieve stability and reconciliation. And we hope that the international community will work in the same direction.”
The issue of the return of refugees to Myanmar’s Rakhine State from Bangladesh should ultimately be resolved through dialogue and consultation between the two countries. China has long made active diplomatic efforts in this regard and has provided numerous batches of humanitarian aid to both sides. The international community should support Myanmar and Bangladesh in strengthening communication and determination to accumulate favorable conditions and create a favorable environment for the repatriation process, Sun Lei said. -0-
The first vehicles have now started travelling over Te Ahu a Turanga, the new 11.5 kilometre highway connecting Ashhurst to Woodville.
The highway has officially become State Highway 3, replacing the old Manawatū Gorge Road, which closed in 2017 following slips.
From the west, the road crosses the Manawatū River over the 300 metre long Parahaki Bridge, and then over the Eco-Viaduct, which takes motorists across an ecologically sensitive wetland complete with swamp maire and raupō.
The road then climbs through the Ruahine Range, with cuts to the hills of 55 metres and embankments 28 metres high – many of which are ‘benched’ – sloping backwards to minimise the risk of erosion.
The road weaves between the wind turbines, flanked by the shared user path on one side and thousands of new native plants along the highway. All up, more than 1.8 million plants have been added to the landscape – along the road and also away from it.
“A special occasion”
Project Manager Grant Kauri says seeing the first vehicles travel the road this morning was a special moment.
“The closure of the Manawatū Gorge road had such a significant impact on people in Manawatū and Tararua. We know the surrounding communities have struggled with the closure so being able to build them a significantly more resilient, safer and efficient road has been a huge privilege.
“The road’s importance to the wider central and lower North Island, including the East Coast, can’t be overstated. Te Ahu a Turanga will encourage more travel, while supporting economic growth in the regional economies,” says Mr Kauri.
Community support and connection
Communities either side of the gorge are equally invested and excited about the new highway.
Joy Kopa, from the Positively Woodville community group, says residents and businesses in the town have been holding their breath for the opening.
“It is strange to think we now have a young generation who have never travelled through “the gorge” and have no memory of the road that served Woodville for so long. This new highway will be the new gateway to Tararua and Woodville is proud to be the town that welcomes travellers to our district.”
Central Economic Development Agency is based in Palmerston North and its CEO Jerry Shearman says the new road will unlock numerous long-term benefits for the region and the country.
“With Manawatū being home to one of the three key nodes of distribution and logistics in New Zealand, we’re beyond excited to have this significant piece of infrastructure completed. The new highway will bring transformative benefits to the Manawatū region and beyond, particularly in strengthening New Zealand’s national distribution and logistics network.
“Opening up this highway supports the growth trajectory of Te Utanganui – the Central New Zealand Distribution Hub and will ultimately make the movement of goods between ports, processing plants, and distribution centres more efficient, attracting new businesses to the area by improving access to central North Island markets and beyond.
“In short, Te Ahu a Turanga is a catalyst for economic development, logistical efficiency, and regional resilience and is a crucial development in Stage One of the Manawatū Regional Freight Ring Road project. For Manawatū, it reinforces its role at the heart of New Zealand’s transport and freight network.”
“More than a road”
Mr Kauri said the project is so much more than a road. The alliance working on the project has placed focus on genuine iwi partnership, health and wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
“We worked as partners with five iwi who were represented at all levels of the project, including governance, management and operations. Their crucial role on the project can be seen in many areas but especially in the wetlands and stream diversions and in the array of stunning mahi toi artwork on the lookouts, structures and roundabouts.
“The project planted 46 hectares of native forest and created 28 kilometres of stream rehabilitation. It has protected 48 hectares of existing forest and provided pest control of 300 hectares of already protected forest reserve,” says Mr Kauri.
More than 2500 people were inducted to work on the project, while an even wider group of suppliers provided materials and equipment.
“A key principle of the project is to create enduring community outcomes, which means there is a focus on helping people living in the communities around the project. Some of these aims included, a focus on local and iwi employment, procurement, cultural wellbeing, education and training, and support for schools, charities and community organisations.”
“Over the past few years, we’ve had so much support from communities on both sides of the gorge, they’ve been with us since day one and we’re truly grateful to everyone for being so patient with us.
“We are honoured to share such a beautiful piece of road and landscape with those communities.”
Useful facts
The speed limit will be 100km/h.
The gradients at each end of the road are 10% (Ashhurst) in the west and 8.5% in the east (Woodville).
There are roundabouts at each end. These are the only turning points on the highway.
The highway has two lanes divided by a flexible median barrier.
There are four lookouts on the highway and three rest areas.
There are mahi toi cultural artworks at two lookouts, on bridges and at the roundabouts at each end.
The Western Gateway Park at the Ashhurst end of the highway is open to the public but is expected to be fully completed later in 2025. The current carpark surface is chip seal but will be replaced with asphalt in coming months.
Construction staff will be working in areas away from the highway until later in 2025. This work includes completing the planting, creating recreational tracks at the western end of the highway and removing site offices and compounds.
Picton residents and drivers can expect to see improvements on State Highway 1 and at key intersections from next year.
Drop-in sessions are planned so the community can find out more about the improvements for the state highway and three intersections.
The changes will improve the town’s roading network and the way vehicles access the ferry terminals.
Regional Manager System Design Richard Osborne says ever since the Interislander ferry terminal was relocated to Lagoon Road in 2023, all vehicles accessing the ferry terminals have been using Kent Street.
“Traffic volumes have increased on Kent Street, whereas flows on State Highway 1 Nelson Square/Wairau Road have decreased.” “Kent Street has been acting as the de facto state highway. This is one of the key aspects the Picton -Road Network Improvements Project wants to address,” Mr Osborne says.
However, the project is more than just altering the route and designation of State Highway 1.
Mr Osborne says other improvements are also planned for Picton’s roads.
“As well as altering the designation of Kent Street as State Highway 1 and making Auckland Street and Wairau Road local roads, we will also make changes to three key intersections to make it easier for traffic to navigate Picton’s streets.”
Mr Osborne says the community can learn more about these changes by coming along to one of our drop-in sessions next week, before designs are finalised and construction begins.
“Construction is currently scheduled for mid-next year after the busy summer period. We are timing it, so we do not disrupt the town and its businesses during its busiest time of the year.”
“However, we are sharing these plans now so the public can see what’s proposed and we will continue to update the public as the project progresses.”
Mr Osborne says the designation and revocation will be subject to a Notice of Requirement under the Resource Management Act.
Mr Osborne says these are significant changes to Picton’s road and transport network, and we want to make sure everyone knows what is going on. We know people will have questions and we will try our very best to answer them.”
Find out more:
Attend one of our drop-in information sessions at the Picton Library and Service Centre Waitohi Whare Mātauranga, 2 Dublin Street, Picton
Tuesday, 17 June, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Wednesday, 18 June, 12:30pm – 2pm and 6pm – 7:30pm
Trawool Fire Brigade and Seymour VICSES hosted a large-scale multi-agency training exercise last month in collaboration with Victoria Police, St John Ambulance Victoria, Ambulance Victoria, V/Line and Defence Australia.
A train versus truck collision was simulated in Seymour on Friday 30 May with over 200 people participating in the event including first responders, injured passengers, and event observers.
From a hazmat incident to an amputation, the experience provided all involved with an opportunity to refine their first response skills working alongside other agencies.
Trawool Fire Brigade Captain and Exercise Director Sean Kerris was pleased with the outcomes of the exercise and thanked Seymour Railway Heritage Centre (SRHC) for hosting the successful event.
“The exercise itself was designed to utilise a real-life scenario in a high-risk local area to guide the end product,” Sean said.
“We used lessons from recent Trawalla, Kerang and Lara train incidents and the Wallan derailment to formulate the exercise, alongside coroner reports, inquiry documents and firsthand recounts to further elevate it.
“The realistic response allowed crew members to challenge themselves through real-time concerns and foster innovation when working with multiple agencies.”
CFA Deputy Group Officer Mitchell Shire Laiton Telfer said brigade members predominantly supported fire suppression and the hazmat incident on the night.
“It was great to work with the other agencies to get to know them better, as we do see them out on ground at the local incidents we respond to,” Laiton said.
Australia, together with the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, has imposed sanctions on two ministers in the Israeli government for “inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank”.
Australia and the other countries were immediately condemned by the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called for them to be lifted.
The move comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares to leave on Friday for the G7 in Canada, where he is expected to meet UN President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the conference.
Australia’s signing up for the sanctions is just another complication for the anticipated meeting. The Australian government is under pressure from the US administration to significantly boost its defence spending. Meanwhile, Australia is seeking a deal to get some exemption from the Trump tariffs.
The sanctions are on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
They include bans on travel to Australia, a freeze on any assets they might have here, and a prohibition on anyone in Australia directly or indirectly making assets available to them.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the two ministers “have been the most extremist and hard line of an extremist settler enterprise which is both unlawful and violent”.
The Israeli ministers are accused of major violations of human rights, including escalating physical violence and abuse by Israeli settlers. A few days ago they marched through Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter with a group that chanted “death to Arabs”.
In a social media post, Rubio said the sanctions “do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war”.
“We reject any notion of equivalence: Hamas is a terrorist organization that committed unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace. We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is.”
Urging the reversal of the sanctions, Rubio said the US “stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel”.
Asked whether he was concerned the sanctions would damage Australia’s relations with the US, Albanese told reporters he was not: “Australia makes its own decisions based upon the assessments that we make”. He pointed out the action was in concert with the Five Eyes countries of Canada, the UK and new Zealand.
Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash said sanctioning democratically elected officials of a key ally was “very serious”.
“Labor should be clear who initiated this process, on what basis they have done so and who made the decision”, Cash said. The government should also say what, if any, engagement it had had with the US on the matter, she said.
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
After United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested multiple people on alleged immigration violations, protests broke out in Los Angeles.
Authorities have been using “less lethal” weapons against crowds of civilians, but these weapons can still cause serious harm.
Footage of an Australian news reporter being shot by a rubber bullet fired by police – who appeared to deliberately target her – has been beamed around the world. And headlines this morning told of an ABC camera operator hit in the chest with a “less lethal” round.
This has provoked debate about police and military use of force.
As the term suggests, less lethal (also called non lethal or less-than-lethal) weapons are items that are less likely to result in death when compared with alternatives such as firearms.
Less lethal weapons include weapons such as:
pepper spray
tear gas
tasers
batons
water cannons
acoustic weapons
bean-bag rounds
rubber bullets.
They are designed and used to incapacitate people and disperse or control crowds.
They are meant to have temporary and reversible effects that minimise the likelihood of fatalities or permanent injury as well as undesired damage to property, facilities, material and the environment.
In Australia in 2023, for example, 95-year-old aged care resident Clare Nowland was tasered, fell backwards, hit her head and died from her head injury.
In 2012, responding to a mistaken report about an armed robbery, police physically restrained, tasered and pepper sprayed 21-year-old Roberto Curti multiple times. He died but his exact cause of death (and whether the use of less lethal weapons played a causal role) was not clear.
Do these weapons work to quell unrest?
The impetus for police and military use of less lethal force came about, in part, from backlash following the use of lethal force in situations where it was seen as a gross overreaction.
One example was the 1960 Sharpeville massacre in South Africa, when police officers in a black township opened fire on an anti-apartheid protest, killing 69 civilians.
In theory, less lethal force is meant to provide a graduated level of response to events such as riots or protests, where the use of lethal force would be disproportionate and counter-productive.
It is sometimes described as the “next step” to use after de-escalation techniques (like negotiation or verbal commands) have failed.
Less lethal weapons can be used when some degree of force is considered necessary to restore order, neutralise a threat, or avoid full-blown conflict.
How well this works in practice is a different story.
There can be unintended consequences and use of less lethal force can be seen as an act of aggression by a government against its people, heightening existing tensions.
The availability of less lethal weapons may also change perceptions of risk and encourage the use of force in situations where it would otherwise be avoided. This in turn can provoke further escalation, conflict and distrust of authorities.
Samara McPhedran does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne
We now have the (almost!) final results from the 2025 federal election – with only Bradfield still to be completely resolved.
Labor won 94 of the 150 House of Representatives seats (up 17 from 77 of 151 in 2022), the Coalition 43 (down 15) and all Others 13 (down three). It also won 62.7% of seats, its highest seat share since 1943, when it won 49 of 75 seats (65.3% of seats).
Since the beginning of the two-party system in 1910, the 28.7% of seats for the Coalition is the lowest ever seat share for the Liberal and National parties combined, or their predecessors. The Coalition had won 23 of the 75 seats in 1943, its previous worst result (30.7% of seats).
The Poll Bludger said on Wednesday the Liberals could lodge a court challenge to their 26-vote loss in Bradfield to Teal Nicolette Boele within 40 days of the official declaration of the poll (return of the writs).
Owing to the possibility of a challenge in Bradfield, the Australian Electoral Commission does not want to disturb the ballot papers, which would be required for a Labor vs Liberal two-party count in Bradfield. A two-party count may not be completed until after the courts rule on any Liberal challenge.
This article has two-party votes and swings nationally, in metropolitan and non-metropolitan seats and in every state and territory. I will report the current AEC figures, but the Bradfield issue means they will overstate Labor slightly nationally, in metropolitan seats and in New South Wales.
Labor won the national two-party vote against the Coalition by 55.28–44.72, a 3.1% swing to Labor since the 2022 election. This is also Labor’s biggest two-party share since 1943, when they won by an estimated 58.2–41.8. Since the 2019 election, which the Coalition won by 51.5–48.5, Labor has had a swing to it of 6.8%.
The last time either major party won a higher seat share than Labor at this election was in 1996, when the Coalition won 94 of the 148 seats (63.5% of seats) on a national two-party vote of 53.6–46.4. The last time a major party exceeded Labor’s two-party share at this election was in 1975, when the Coalition won by 55.7–44.3.
Swing to Labor was bigger in cities
The AEC has breakdowns for metropolitan and non-metropolitan seats. Metropolitan seats include seats in the six state capitals, Canberra and Darwin. In these seats, Labor won the two-party vote by 60.7–39.3, a 4.1% swing to Labor. In non-metropolitan seats, the Coalition won the two-party by 52.3–47.7, a 1.8% swing to Labor.
In 2019, Labor won the two-party vote in metropolitan seats by 52.1–47.9, so the two-election swing to Labor in those seats was 8.6%. The Coalition won the two-party vote in non-metropolitan seats by 56.8–43.2, so the two-election swing to Labor was 4.5%.
In April 2022, I wrote that Labor could do better in future elections because Australia’s big cities have a large share of the overall population. At this election, voters in metropolitan seats made up 58.3% of all voters. The Coalition will need to do much better in the cities to win future elections.
In all the mainland states, the swing to Labor in the cities exceeded the swing in the regions. In global elections in the last ten years, support for left-wing parties has held up better in cities than elsewhere.
Tasmania was the big exception to this rule. In non-metropolitan Tasmanian seats, Labor won the two-party vote by 59.0–41.0, an 11.8% swing to Labor. In metropolitan seats, Labor won by 70.1–29.9, a 4.7% swing to Labor.
State and territory results
The table below shows the number of seats in a state or territory and nationally, the number won by Labor, the Labor percent of the seats, the number of Labor gains, the Labor two-party vote share, the two-party swing to Labor since 2022, the number of Other seats, the change in Other seats and the number of Coalition seats.
I have ignored redistributions, with Labor gains calculated as the number of seats Labor won in 2025 minus the number it won in 2022. Labor gained Aston at an April 2023 byelection, then held it at this election. As it was not won by Labor in 2022, it counts as a Labor gain.
In Queensland, Labor gained seven seats, five from the Liberal National Party (including Peter Dutton’s Dickson) and two from the Greens. But these gains came from a low base, as Labor won just five of 30 Queensland seats in 2022. Queensland remains the only state where the Coalition won the two-party vote (by 50.6–49.4) and won a majority of the seats.
In NSW, Teal independent-held North Sydney was abolished in the redistribution, but Teal Boele gained Bradfield from the Liberals, and the Nationals lost Calare to former Nationals MP turned independent Andrew Gee. Labor also gained two seats from the Liberals.
In Victoria, Labor-held Higgins was abolished, but Labor gained three seats from the Liberals and one from the Greens (Adam Bandt’s Melbourne). The Coalition gained its one seat when Liberal Tim Wilson narrowly defeated Teal Zoe Daniel in Goldstein.
In Western Australia, Bullwinkel was created as a notional Labor seat, and Labor held it. Labor also gained Moore from the Liberals. In South Australia and Tasmania, Labor gained three seats from the Liberals. Tasmania’s 9.0% swing to Labor was the biggest of any state or territory.
Before the election, it was expected Victoria would be a drag on Labor owing to the unpopularity of the state Labor government. Labor took 71% of Victoria’s seats and had a 1.5% two-party swing to it.
However, relative to the national swing, Victoria was poor for Labor, and it was only ahead of WA and the Northern Territory in swing terms at this election. In 2022, there was a huge 10.6% swing to Labor in WA, so Victoria’s two-election swing to Labor was much lower than anywhere else except the NT.
The ACT’s two-party swing of 5.5% to Labor followed a 5.3% swing in 2022. With two senators, a quota for election is one-third or 33.3%. If the ACT’s two senators keep going to the left, it will be difficult for the Coalition to avoid a hostile Senate even if they win elections for the House.
Other election results and a Morgan poll
In the previous parliament, the 16 Others included four Greens, but the 13 Others at this election include only one Green. This will make the Others more right-wing than in the last parliament.
Turnout at this election was 90.7% of enrolled voters, up 0.9% since 2022. But the informal rate rose 0.4% to 5.6%. The informal rate was 13% or higher in five western Sydney seats.
A large share of non-English speakers, confusion with NSW’s optional preferential voting system at state elections and long candidate lists all contributed to the high informal vote rate at this election.
A national Morgan poll, conducted May 5 to June 1 from a sample of 5,128, gave Labor a 58.5–41.5 lead, from primary votes of 37% Labor, 31% Coalition, 11.5% Greens, 6% One Nation and 14.5% for all Others. Labor led in all states including Queensland, the only state the Coalition won at the election.
Adrian Beaumont does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Earlier this year, I attended a housing conference in Sydney. The event’s opening address centred on the way Australia seems to be becoming like 18th-century England – a country where inheritance largely determines one’s opportunities in life.
There has been a lot of media coverage of economic inequities in Australian society. Our tax system has been partly blamed for this problem. The case for long-term, visionary tax reform has never been stronger. And one area of tax reform could be a wealth tax.
First, let’s be clear about one thing. Unlike the superannuation tax reforms currently being debated for those with more than A$3 million in superannuation, the wealth tax we’re talking about would apply to a very different cohort: billionaires.
A recent article in the Financial Times re-examined a proposal to impose such a tax on the world’s highest-net-worth individuals. It also pointed out these efforts would need to be globally coordinated.
Such taxes could collect significant sums of money for governments. It’s previously been estimated a billionaire tax could raise US$250 billion (more than A$380 billion) globally if just 2% of the net worth of the world’s billionaires was taxed each year.
The case for a wealth tax
Inequality is on the rise and the argument for a wealth tax can’t be ignored – not least here at home. According to the Australia Institute, the wealth of Australia’s richest 200 people has soared as a percentage of our national gross domestic product (GDP) – from 8.4% in 2004 to 23.7% in 2024.
If that sounds dramatic, the picture is far worse in the United States. So, what would a wealth tax look like in Australia (noting that in reality a globally coordinated effort would be needed)?
The starting point for this is understanding of why high-net-worth individuals seemingly pay very low taxes.
High net worth, low tax rate
Income taxes only take into account any amounts that are received in the hands of the taxpayer – whether that is a company, a person or a trust.
Most high-net-worth individuals do not receive much income directly but “store” their wealth in companies and other corporate structures.
In Australia, the maximum applicable tax rate for companies is 30%. Note that the highest tax rate in Australia for individuals is 45% plus the 2% medicare levy, effectively 47%.
Assets such as real estate may also be held by companies or trusts, and the increase in value of these assets is not taxed until they are sold (through capital gains tax).
Even then, those gains may not be paid out directly to the high-net-worth individual who owns these entities.
Unrealised gains
So, how do we tax wealth that is sitting in various businesses (company structures) or other entities, but isn’t taxed at present because the “income” or “gains” from these are not taxable in the hands of the wealthy individuals who own them?
This goes into the murky area of taxation of unrealised gains. Here, we need to tread very carefully. But we also need to recognise that we already do this, albeit rather subtly, and most of us are not billionaires.
In your rates notice from your local council, for example, the increase in value of your residence or investment property is used to calculate your rates.
The real difficulty, to carry on with this example, is that your residence or investment property is typically held in your name and so the tax can be directly levied on you.
A luxury residence in Miami Beach, Florida, owned by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. The US is home to the most billionaires of any country in the world. Felix Mizioznikov/Shutterstock
Making tax unavoidable
As we’ve already explained, the bulk of the assets or net worth of wealthy individuals is not directly attributable to them. Does this mean we should give up altogether?
Not quite. UNSW professor Chris Evans has pointed out that while we may not be able to effectively tax all the net worth of the wealthy, there are some things we can tax and they can’t avoid it.
An obvious example is real estate. You can pack your bags and bank accounts and move to a low-tax country, but you can’t move your mansion overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Real estate, both residential and commercial, provides one clear way in which we could implement a partial wealth tax. This method (which also has fewer valuation issues than value stored in a company in the form of retained profits) also counters the argument that the wealthy will simply move to other jurisdictions that won’t tax them.
There is plenty of academic research looking at various wealth tax initiatives in other countries. We should learn from these, including the experience in Switzerland and Sweden.
In Sweden, for instance, research found the behavioural effects of wealth taxation were less pronounced than those of income taxation, but the system had so many loopholes that evasion was an option for some people.
Change faces headwinds
In a very uncertain world that features ongoing wars and an unpredictable US president, any change that seeks to address issues of inequity is going to be met with resistance by those who hold power.
Some billionaires in the US, however, have expressed their support for being taxed more in a letter signed by heirs to the Disney and Rockefeller fortunes. That offers some hope, and suggests the discussion about wealth taxes should not be relegated to the “too hard” basket.
Some steps towards taxing the uber-rich would be better than the status quo.
Venkat Narayanan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
As more and more people spend time chatting with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots such as ChatGPT, the topic of mental health has naturally emerged. Some people have positive experiences that make AI seem like a low-cost therapist.
But AIs aren’t therapists. They’re smart and engaging, but they don’t think like humans. ChatGPT and other generative AI models are like your phone’s auto-complete text feature on steroids. They have learned to converse by reading text scraped from the internet.
When someone asks a question (called a prompt) such as “how can I stay calm during a stressful work meeting?” the AI forms a response by randomly choosing words that are as close as possible to the data it saw during training. This happens so fast, with responses that are so relevant, it can feel like talking to a person.
But these models aren’t people. And they definitely are not trained mental health professionals who work under professional guidelines, adhere to a code of ethics, or hold professional registration.
Where does it learn to talk about this stuff?
When you prompt an AI system such as ChatGPT, it draws information from three main sources to respond:
background knowledge it memorised during training
external information sources
information you previously provided.
1. Background knowledge
To develop an AI language model, the developers teach the model by having it read vast quantities of data in a process called “training”.
Where does this information come from? Broadly speaking, anything that can be publicly scraped from the internet. This can include everything from academic papers, eBooks, reports, free news articles, through to blogs, YouTube transcripts, or comments from discussion forums such as Reddit.
Are these sources reliable places to find mental health advice? Sometimes.
Are they always in your best interest and filtered through a scientific evidence based approach? Not always. The information is also captured at a single point in time when the AI is built, so may be out-of-date.
A lot of detail also needs to be discarded to squish it into the AI’s “memory”. This is part of why AI models are prone to hallucination and getting details wrong.
2. External information sources
The AI developers might connect the chatbot itself with external tools, or knowledge sources, such as Google for searches or a curated database.
When you ask Microsoft’s Bing Copilot a question and you see numbered references in the answer, this indicates the AI has relied on an external search to get updated information in addition to what is stored in its memory.
Meanwhile, some dedicated mental health chatbots are able to access therapy guides and materials to help direct conversations along helpful lines.
3. Information previously provided
AI platforms also have access to information you have previously supplied in conversations, or when signing up to the platform.
When you register for the companion AI platform Replika, for example, it learns your name, pronouns, age, preferred companion appearance and gender, IP address and location, the kind of device you are using, and more (as well as your credit card details).
On many chatbot platforms, anything you’ve ever said to an AI companion might be stored away for future reference. All of these details can be dredged up and referenced when an AI responds.
And we know these AI systems are like friends who affirm what you say (a problem known as sycophancy) and steer conversation back to interests you have already discussed. This is unlike a professional therapist who can draw from training and experience to help challenge or redirect your thinking where needed.
What about specific apps for mental health?
Most people would be familiar with the big models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, or Microsofts’ Copilot. These are general purpose models. They are not limited to specific topics or trained to answer any specific questions.
But developers can make specialised AIs that are trained to discuss specific topics, like mental health, such as Woebot and Wysa.
However, these studies have all examined short-term use. We do not yet know what impacts excessive or long-term chatbot use has on mental health. Many studies also exclude participants who are suicidal or who have a severe psychotic disorder. And many studies are funded by the developers of the same chatbots, so the research may be biased.
This evidence all suggests AI chatbots may be an option to fill gaps where there is a shortage in mental health professionals, assist with referrals, or at least provide interim support between appointments or to support people on waitlists.
Bottom line
At this stage, it’s hard to say whether AI chatbots are reliable and safe enough to use as a stand-alone therapy option.
More research is needed to identify if certain types of users are more at risk of the harms that AI chatbots might bring.
It’s also unclear if we need to be worried about emotional dependence, unhealthy attachment, worsening loneliness, or intensive use.
AI chatbots may be a useful place to start when you’re having a bad day and just need a chat. But when the bad days continue to happen, it’s time to talk to a professional as well.
Aaron J. Snoswell previously received research project funding from OpenAI in 2024-2025 to develop new evaluation frameworks for measuring moral competence in AI agents.
Laura Neil receives funding through the Australian government Research Training Program Scholarship.
Centaine Snoswell does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu warmly welcomed Secretary-General Chen Pin-Shan of Taiwan’s Miaoli County Government, who led the expedition team on “Renewable Energy and Industrial Development” to Sydney. We had lively discussions on Australia’s energy transition, green energy and solar power development, and on organizing large cultural and tourism events. Miaoli County will host the Taiwan Lantern Festival again in 2027. This trip included a visit to Vivid Sydney for inspiration. The county government aims to offer a unique experience for domestic and international visitors.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A visitor experiences an immersive interactive project during the 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province, May 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
China will further advance comprehensive reforms in the vibrant southern city of Shenzhen, and push for greater innovation and opening-up in the city, according to a set of guidelines unveiled Tuesday.
The guidelines, issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, highlighted a new batch of reform measures for Shenzhen to break institutional barriers in education, science, and talent development. They emphasize strengthening the integration of innovation, industrial, capital, and talent chains, while exploring new pathways, scenarios, and platforms for Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) cooperation. They aim to pioneer modernization in the construction of a globally oriented, innovation-driven city.
By advancing reforms and opening-up at a higher starting point, to a higher level, and for higher goals, Shenzhen will generate more replicable and scalable best practices. It will further amplify its role as a key engine in the GBA and as a radiating hub in the national development strategy. These efforts will contribute to building China into a modern socialist country in all respects, the guidelines said.
Among the reform measures, overseas investors are encouraged to establish vocational training institutions in Shenzhen in compliance with regulations and introduce advanced training programs, faculty, and teaching methodologies.
Employers in Shenzhen shall be granted greater autonomy in recruiting overseas talent and their management, according to the guidelines.
To support financing for the real economy, insurance funds are supported to invest in private equity funds and venture capital funds that are established in Shenzhen with a primary focus on specific sectors. GBA enterprises listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange are permitted to also list on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in accordance with applicable policies.
Shenzhen will carry out reforms to enhance data security governance and regulatory capabilities, and explore efficient, convenient and secure cross-border data flow mechanisms in compliance with laws, regulations, and relevant requirements, the guidelines said.
The progress made in the comprehensive reform pilot programs will be closely monitored, the achievements be consolidated, and the proven experiences and effective practices be solidified and promoted on a larger scale, according to the guidelines.
Attribute to Detective Sergeant Lucy Aldridge of Christchurch Police:
Today marks a week since Elisabeth “Lis” Nicholls was last seen, and we are making a further appeal to the people of Christchurch for help.
Lis is 79 and has dementia and the last confirmed sighting of her was at the Chateau on the Park in Riccarton, at 7.54pm on Wednesday 4 June.
Searchers and Police have gone door to door, reviewed CCTV footage and made extensive enquiries, but we have not been able to find Lis.
We do not know where she travelled to after the Chateau and have not been able to locate any items that would lead us closer to her.
Police have grave concerns for Lis’s welfare and need the help of the Christchurch community to bring her home.
At the time she disappeared, Lis was wearing a black and grey checked long-sleeved shirt, a maroon long-sleeved top underneath, navy blue jeans and black leather shoes.
She also has distinctive grey shoulder-length hair.
Police are asking members of the public to please search your backyards, sheds and sleepouts, and look under anything where a person could seek shelter.
For anyone with CCTV, Police would like you to review any footage you have from 6.40pm on Wednesday 4 June to 8am on Thursday 5 June. While Lis went missing in the Riccarton area, she is physically strong, and may have walked some distance.
Finally, this past week has been extremely difficult on Lis’s family.
While they have requested privacy, Gary Nicholls, Lis’s husband of nearly 60 years, has provided this statement on behalf of their family:
“Lis is an adored wife, mother, grandmother, friend and colleague, who has always put other people first.
“Her life has been about helping people, through nursing, Plunket and social work. She has been there for people when they needed help, and her influence has touched all our lives for the better.
“We are deeply concerned and have been living with painful uncertainty for a week, but we have been grateful for the love and support that has been shown for Lis.
“On behalf of Lis, our family and friends, I would like to sincerely thank the people of Christchurch for their help and concern, and for the information they have been providing.
“We are also grateful to Police, the Search and Rescue teams, Canterbury University students and the Victoria Neighbourhood Association, who have been dedicating so much time and resource to help us find Lis.
“You have been working in the cold, the rain, and the darkness to bring Lis home to us, and we are incredibly grateful.”
Anyone who sees Lis should ring 111 immediately and use the reference number 250604/5465. Non-urgent information can be provided online at 105.police.govt.nz, using “Update Report”, quoting the same reference number.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Government invites tenders for short-term tenancy in Tsz Wan Shan for fee-paying public car park with installation of automated parking system Prospective tenderers must pay attention to all the requirements set out in the tender notice and the tenancy agreement of the tender document.
Tenders must be deposited in the Public Works Tender Box situated in Room 503, 5/F, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong, before noon on July 25 (Friday). Late tenders will not be accepted. Issued at HKT 11:00
