Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson
Police investigating the death of a 30-year-old woman in Hamilton City are continuing to appeal to those who may have seen the incident to come forward.
The woman died after a vehicle drove into a traffic light pole she was standing next to on the corner of Ohaupo Road and Kahikatea Drive on Thursday 15 May.
Police have received a steady flow of information from the public, but are keen to speak with those who may have witnessed the incident, or any prior interactions between the offending gold ute and the woman who died.
In particular we would like to speak to a female wearing pink who assisted at the scene.
Please contact us at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.
Please use the reference number 250515/6763.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
The giant sea turtle was one of the few GBR species that participants could identify.
New research shows that Australians care deeply about the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – but 13% can’t tell you where it is located.
A social media survey canvassing Australians’ perceptions of the iconic tourism drawcard also revealed that while most people are aware of the threats facing the world’s largest coral reef, few can name many individual species inhabiting it.
The survey, conducted by University of South Australia (UniSA) researchers and recently published in Marine and Freshwater Research, underscores the need for a targeted public awareness campaign to address knowledge gaps about the fragile ecosystem, according to lead author Jarrah Taylor.
The UniSA environmental science master’s student says that 113 Australians recruited via social media were asked four open-ended questions about the Great Barrier Reef, including where it was located, what species lived in the reef, its importance to Australia, and the major threats facing it.
The survey’s key findings were:
Most participants (86.72%) correctly named the Queensland coastline as the home of the Great Barrier Reef, but a small number (13%) were either unaware of the location or stated the wrong State.
Participants commonly identified broad groups such as fish (37%), reptiles (12%) and corals (12%) occupying the GBR, and specific species like clownfish (3.9%), sea turtles and sharks (10%) were mentioned, but participants revealed limited knowledge of species at a more niche level.
The GBR’s environmental importance was recognised, with 48% of survey respondents citing it as a crucial habitat for various species, 27% naming it as a natural wonder of the world, 44% mentioning it as a major tourism drawcard, and 9% aware of its importance to the Australian economy.
Participants identified several threats, mostly caused by humans, including runoff, pollution and plastics (36%), climate change (33%), warming oceans (24%) and coral bleaching (34%). Of the 18 threats reported by participants, only three were naturogenic (crown-of-thorns starfish, natural disasters and sea urchins).
Taylor says it is not surprising that fish and coral topped the recognition list for marine life in the Great Barrier Reef.
“Images of both coral and fish have long been used in tourism campaigns dating back to the 1970s,” she says.
“We were not expecting participants to provide the scientific name for individual species, but we were interested to see if they could identify flora and fauna at a more niche level – for example reef sharks, manta rays, giant clams and potato cod. This was not the case.”
The most common specific species identified was the clownfish, most likely owing to media portrayals in Finding Nemo, a 2003 animated adventure film inspired by the Great Barrier Reef.
“This shows the power of digital media and popular culture in raising awareness of charismatic species, which can lead to conservation support,” Taylor says.
UniSA senior author Dr Brianna Le Busque says that only three species classified as endangered were identified by participants – the green turtle, staghorn coral, and the hammerhead shark – and fewer than 1% of respondents cited birds, despite the GBR supporting breeding populations of 20 seabird species.
“This finding highlights the need for more education of endangered and critically endangered species living in the Great Barrier Reef, which are under threat from human activities,” Dr Le Busque says.
“We know from a psychology perspective that people are more motivated to help conservation efforts if they feel personally connected to species and know more about them.
“The Great Barrier Reef supports more than 6000 different species and is the jewel in the crown of coral reefs worldwide. It is important to Australia environmentally, economically, culturally and scientifically, and we need to protect it for future generations.”
The researchers recommend expanding the study in future to include a larger, more representative sample of the Australian population. The current study comprised 70% women and 30% men, with participants from SA, Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
Callaghan Innovation that supports the next wave of innovative Kiwi companies.
This Friday, 15 highly skilled business innovation advisers at Callaghan Innovation will be shown the door.
“The Government is sacking these smart and successful business advisors while loudly beating the drum about its economic growth agenda – it’s hypocritical, and makes no sense,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
The team supportsFrontier Ventures– innovative start-ups in the science and technology area that have the potential to be world beaters.
“If the Government want to nurture the next Rocket Lab, then the wrap around services offered by the commercialisation team are exactly the support start-ups need to go to the next level.
“These are industry experts hired from the private sector who’ve been helping young companies navigate the commercial world and prepare them to scale up and succeed.
“This is fully funded, expert advice – a critical service being axed with a proven track record of success with no thought as to the impacts.
“There is no government agency picking up this work – the next wave of smart, innovative Kiwi entrepreneurs is being left high and dry. The service will not be picked up by the private sector as these companies are fledgling businesses with limited resources.
“It’s ironic that the Government just last week announced additional venture capital funding but is pulling the rug from under the very service that helps start-ups get to the stage of being able to seek venture capital.
“Sacking these people is all about saving money, not securing a prosperous future for New Zealand – it’s just another short-sighted decision by the Government without regard to consequences, as we have seen across the public sector.”
Carrington Magic is the latest dog to be killed by the greyhound racing industry. At only two years old, she suffered an open spiral fracture to her left hind leg on May 16 at Hatrick Raceway in Wanganui and was euthanised shortly after.
Her death marks the eighth greyhound killed since the Government announced its plan to ban greyhound racing, and the 13th fatality this racing season. Since the December 2024 announcement, over 300 greyhounds have been injured, including 58 who suffered broken bones.
SAFE says these deaths and injuries are mounting proof that every day of delay is costing dogs their lives.
“We are heartbroken that Carrington Magic, like so many before her, will never get the chance to experience life beyond the track,” says SAFE Campaign Manager Emma Brodie.
“As long as racing continues, dogs like Carrington Magic will continue to die simply for someone else’s profit.”
The Government has committed to ending greyhound racing, and the Ministerial Advisory Committee is due to release an interim report at the end of May. SAFE is urging both the Government and Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) to move quickly to wind-down the industry, before more dogs are harmed or killed.
“Every race is a gamble on a dog’s life, and Carrington Magic’s death is yet another reminder of what’s at stake,” says Brodie.
“We hope to see clear directives from the Ministerial Advisory Committee to begin phasing out races and prioritising rehabilitation and rehoming. The dogs cannot wait.”
SAFE is calling on GRNZ to take immediate responsibility for the lives of the dogs still being forced to race and begin the wind-down now.
SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.
We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.
Since Racing Minister Winston Peters announced a ban on greyhound racing on December 10, 2024, 315 dogs have suffered injuries requiring a standdown period, 58 dogs have suffered broken bones, and 8 dogs have died.
Since the racing season began on August 1, 2024, 658 dogs have suffered injuries requiring a standdown period, 99 dogs have suffered broken bones, and 13 dogs have died.
The Ministerial Advisory Committee formed to oversee the closure of the industry was due to release an interim report on 30 April, however it has been delayed until 30 May 2025. The report will include advice on the legislative, regulatory or operational changes required to shut down the industry, an operational transition plan, and a timeline for closure.
New Zealand must invest in bold action to reduce demand for methamphetamine in the face of a recent surge in consumption, the NZ Drug Foundation says.
Wastewater testing data shows that methamphetamine consumption has doubled in the last year, with acute social and health impacts being reported in areas with the highest rates of use.
Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm says being overly reliant on supply-side interventions like seizures and drug busts won’t shift the dial and that seriously addressing demand is the only way to solve the issue.
“We’ve seen a doubling of methamphetamine use in spite of record-breaking seizures by Police and Customs,” she says.
“If we don’t address demand and addiction, supply-side measures are short-lived, because as one supply source is removed another supplier steps in to meet the demand. We need to be bold and get serious about reducing demand, preventing harm and making addiction treatment much more accessible to people.”
Helm says there are a range of proven and emerging interventions that the Foundation and the sector are urging the government to adopt, including:
A rapid escalation of addiction treatment, including investment in accessible community-based, peer-led groups
Revamping and expanding proven health-based responses like Te Ara Oranga
A campaign that reduces stigma and encourages people to have conversations about their use with loved ones and to access help
Ramping up prevention by tackling unmet health needs by:
offering better support and treatment for people who use methamphetamine and have ADHD (one Australian study showed 45% of people who use illicit stimulants regularly screened positive for ADHD)
investigating medication-assisted treatment options for people with methamphetamine dependence
Increasing harm reduction service availability, for example access to sterile injecting equipment to prevent communicable disease impacts
More kaupapa Māori-driven health responses
Helm says that she’s optimistic about progress, especially as Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has experience in the addictions sector and understands the issues.
“We’ve had many years of inaction on drug issues, but we have had very positive engagement with the Minister, including at a summit with almost 200 people from across the sector who offered up advice on how to tackle the serious challenges we are facing, so we are hopeful for progress,” she says.
Helm also acknowledges that demand reduction measures on their own risk being band aids without addressing the underlying social and economic drivers of methamphetamine use.
“Ultimately, this issue is bigger than any one sector or government portfolio and there are no quick fixes, but that doesn’t need we shouldn’t start doing what we know will work.”
Headline: DHS Debunks Fake News Narratives About Law Enforcement During Police Week
ASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security today released the following facts about Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) recent operations and Customs and Border Protection arrests to set the record straight on misleading news narratives and reporting
“Even during National Police Week, the media, members of Congress, and sanctuary politicians have demonized ICE and CBP officers who bravely serve their country,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin
“Attacks and smears against ICE have resulted in officers facing a 413% increase in assaults
We are setting the facts straight and reassuring America that President Trump and Secretary Noem will continue to support ICE and CBP in their efforts to make America safe again
Debunking the Biggest False News Stories this Week Delaney Hall Storming was “oversight” by Congressional members
At least three members of Congress, Representatives Robert Menendez, Jr
, LaMonica McIver and Bonnie Watson Coleman, claimed that breaking into Delaney Hall was “oversight”—but it is actually trespassing and put ICE officers and detainees at risk
Video footage shows McIver assaulting an ICE officer
The allegations made by Newark politicians that Delaney Hall does not have the proper permitting are false
ICE maintains valid permits and inspections for plumbing and electricity and fire codes have been cleared
Delaney Hall currently confines murderers, rapists, suspected terrorists and gang members
There was no need for Congressional members to storm Delaney Hall—they could have just scheduled a tour
ICE will comply with the law and accommodate Members of Congress seeking to tour an ICE detention facility for the purpose of conducting oversight
Safety, security, and good order are always primary considerations in a detention facility, and visitors must be properly identified and attired
Nashville Mayor Smears ICE Enforcement
Mayor Freddie O’Connell and biased news media framed ICE operations in Nashville as “not focused on making us safer
” In reality, of the 196 illegal aliens ICE arrested, 95 had prior criminal convictions and pending criminal charges and 31 were previously removed individuals who reentered the U
S
illegally, which is a felony offense under federal law
The successful operation resulted in the arrests of an MS-13 affiliate, a murderer, sex offenders, and illegal aliens convicted of assault
ICE’s Hawaii Operation focused on “coffee farmers”
Completely leaving out the facts and rap sheets of criminals arrested, the New York Times peddled a misleading narrative about ICE’s operation in Hawaii targeted criminal illegal aliens
The operation resulted in the arrest of illegal aliens charged with kidnapping, assault, firearms offenses, drug offenses and theft
Yamal Said, Lord Buffalo drummer, detained by border officials at airport
Yamal Said is a Mexican national and lawful U
S
permanent resident
Yamal Said had a warrant for his arrest after violating a restraining order at least TWICE
When he was attempting to leave the U
S
, he was apprehended by CBP and has been turned over to local law enforcement
If you come to our country and break our laws, you will be arrested
Boston ICE agents arrest mother in front of her daughters
What the media failed to report is the target of this ICE operation was a violent criminal illegal alien, Ferreira de Oliveira
She was arrested by local police for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery of a pregnant victim
District Councilor for the City of Worcester Haxhiaj pulled a political stunt and incited chaos by trying to obstruct law enforcement
ICE officers and local police regained control of the situation and ICE arrested Ferreira de Oliveira
The previous administration’s open border policies allowed this criminal to illegally enter our country in August of 2022
Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem this criminal is off our streets
Lies for likes: Influencer claims he was targeted for “political beliefs”
Claims that Hasan Piker’s political beliefs triggered a CBP inspection are baseless
CBP officers follow the law, not agendas
Upon entering the country, this individual was referred for further inspection—a routine, lawful process that occurs daily, and can apply to any traveler
Once his inspection was complete, he was promptly released
What you need to know: The state is investing almost $1.7 billion for improvements to California’s highway system, including $86.5 million for improvements to infrastructure damaged during the Los Angeles firestorms earlier this year.
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated nearly $1.7 billion to help improve and strengthen the state highway system. Guided by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Build More, Faster – For All infrastructure agenda, these improvements will make California communities safer and more climate resilient.
In addition to these proactive, long-range efforts, the CTC allocated $86.5 million to repair vital roadways and other transportation infrastructure damaged during recent wildfires and storms in Southern California.
“Today’s monumental investment puts Californians’ tax dollars to work making critical safety and resiliency improvements to highways throughout the state that support the travel of millions of residents each day. We’re also directing millions to help repair vital infrastructure damaged by the Los Angeles fires.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
Projects include:
$195.5 million to rehabilitate roadway and drainage systems, add a bike trail and pedestrian bridge, as well as upgrade safety along Interstate 805 in the cities of San Diego, Chula Vista and National City.
$129 million to replace the existing Cordelia Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility along westbound Interstate 80 near Fairfield.
$30 million to replace a retaining wall and rebuild a slope drapery protection system near Big Rock Road in Malibu and reconstruct hillsides above State Route 1 near Mulholland Drive, all of which were impacted by the Palisades Fire and rainstorms.
“Investments made today support Caltrans’ mission to build and maintain a transportation system that helps Californians now and decades into the future,” said Mike Keever, Acting Director for Caltrans. “This funding translates into safer travel, more accessible mobility options and strengthening our roadways to protect all travelers during extreme weather events.”
Of the total allocation this month, $655 million came via Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, and nearly $567 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA).
IIJA, also known as the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill, is a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure to improve the sustainability and resiliency of our country’s energy, water, broadband and transportation systems. California has received nearly $62 billion in federal infrastructure funding since its passage, including investments to upgrade the state’s roads, bridges, rail, public transit, airports, ports and waterways. The funding alone has already created more than 170,000 jobs in California.
Meanwhile, SB 1 invests approximately $5 billion annually toward transportation projects. It provides funding split between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.
For more information visit, Build.ca.gov.
Press releases, Recent news
Recent news
May 16, 2025
News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom kicked off #WorldTradeMonth with a round of key international interviews with journalists from major broadcast networks in Canada, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. In the interviews, Governor Newsom addressed…
May 15, 2025
News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring May 2025 as “Small Business Month.”The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATIONCalifornia’s more than 4.2 million small businesses – the most of any…
May 15, 2025
News Sacramento, California — Governor Gavin Newsom today condemned U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for calling on the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct a “complete review” of mifepristone — the safe, effective, and…
Following his piece onthe late Pope Francis, Jefferson Chua continues his reflections on the relationship between the Papacy of the Roman Catholic Church and climate change, now in the hands of a new pontiff.
There is a photo of Robert Francis Prevost, back then when he was still archbishop in Chiclayo, Peru, wading through the floodwater that devastated his parish during the historic 2017 El Niño floods. He struck a calm figure who had little to no qualms about being in the middle of a disaster. The photo made me think: what does Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, think of climate change, and–more importantly– the solutions needed to address it?
There are quite a number of clues as to what he would have thought about climate change. He largely aligns with the late Pope Francis’s pivot towards the environment and the Laudato Si agenda, in urging the church to transform words into action in addressing the climate crisis. He has likewise called for a “non-tyrannical relationship” with nature as a key ingredient in climate action, while warning of serious consequences brought about by technological innovation if it is not grounded in a reciprocal relationship with nature.
In the same breath he also mentions the Vatican’s recent adoption of solar power as well as the purchase of electric vehicles as positive steps in addressing climate change. In his younger years he has also pushed for petitions and shared opinions that seem to align with more urgent climate action and international cooperation.
I am drawn to the pope’s choice of name. His nominal predecessor, Leo XIII, stands among the giants of the petrine ministry because he took on arguably the greatest challenge of the church during his time: its relationship with the modern world. His encyclical, Rerum Novarum, not only articulated the church’s positionality in the modernizing and industrializing world, but also spoke about the dangers of unchecked capitalism and its impacts on rights, especially that of workers and laborers. In other words, Leo XIII signalled a critical gaze on unchecked profiteering and how this pursuit of more growth and wealth comes at the expense of the rights of those that were instrumental in achieving that wealth.
I wonder if Leo XIV will be able to transpose this critical gaze onto arguably the greatest challenge of our time, the climate crisis. Our era is characterized by the near-total domination of the corporate few who have reaped in record profits at the expense of everyone. Climate impacts have been increasing in intensity and regularity more than ever, resulting in staggering global losses. In 2024 alone, estimates vary from insurance payouts worth USD 137 billion, to upwards of USD 229 billion with just the ten costliest disasters of last year.
In contrast, just the five largest investor-owned oil and gas companies–Shell, Exxon Mobil, British Petroleum, Chevron, and Total Energies–earned USD 102 billion in 2024. The figure becomes even more mind-boggling if one looks at their profits in the last decade, which amounted to almost USD 800 billion. This greed is underlined by their business practices, with all of them announcing in different manners of speaking that they will not be phasing out oil and gas and will be cutting investments in green and renewable energy, while at the same time spending astronomical amounts of money to run advertising and marketing campaigns that paint a rosy picture of their supposed concern for the environment and climate action.
Taking a broader view lays bare this gross inequality: the world’s wealthiest 10% has caused two-thirds of global warming since 1990, which boils down to not just individual lifestyle choices, but more importantly to the concentration of wealth held by a very few but powerful group of people.
It is amid this sad and alarming backdrop that we find Leo XIV, who inherits a church in a world that is increasingly more difficult to live in, especially by those at the frontlines of the climate crisis. It is this world that also beckons on Leo XIV to transform the church “from words to action.” Climate action must go beyond platitudes and pursue accountability.
There are hopeful signals within the church. A good example would be the Philippines, which constantly ranks as among the most vulnerable countries to climate impacts. For instance, the Roman Catholic Church in the country has set 2025 as the target year when it will be fully divesting from coal and fossil gas investments. Religious-run academic institutions such as Mapua University has likewise pronounced that it too will be divesting from fossil fuels. Church-based grassroots communities and priests have likewise supported environmental defenders and indigenous groups against unchecked transition mineral mining, and have called for holistic climate accountability policies such as the CLIMA Bill. That there is a wealth of examples in the frontiers of the climate crisis should push Leo XIV to take on the fight for climate justice beyond discursive urging. He inherits a church that is suffering precisely because it is in the frontlines. In this manner, Leo XIV himself, through the office entrusted to him, also inherits this moral responsibility to act.
Perhaps none can encapsulate this moral imperative of his papacy better than an example from his adopted home, Peru. Saul Luciano Lliuya, a farmer from Huaraz, Peru, filed a case against German energy company RWE AG. Initially filed in 2015, Lliuya contested that RWE’s emissions–which is considered one of the biggest emitters in Europe–had a direct impact on the climate that is threatening the claimant’s home. After a successful appeal process in 2017 and initial hearings in March 2025, the court will issue an announcement this May. Lliuya’s case takes on and represents an increasingly-familiar experience by climate-impacted frontline communities of no accountability and increasing impacts. One can imagine Leo XIV, in his white cassock, bearing witness to the increasing frequency of floods that Lliuya and countless others are experiencing and, perhaps, likewise add his influential voice to the growing chorus of those calling for accountability. If he is true to his name, and if his papacy signals an unbroken line from Francis’s concerns in Laudato Si, then there is no other alternative to calling out those who are most responsible for the climate crisis: not just individuals, not just countries, but corporations that have accumulated so much wealth while the least of us suffer the worst consequences of a common home in crisis.
Jefferson Chua is a Greenpeace Campaigner working on climate, based in the Philippines.
You might want to check out Greenpeace Philippines’ petition called Courage for Climate, a drive in support of real policy and legal solutions in the pursuit of climate justice.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — U.S. Air Force Col. Barry Deibert was promoted to the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony at the Wyoming National Guard’s Joint Force Readiness Center on May 17, 2025.
Deibert is known for his integrity, honesty and perseverance—qualities that have shaped his decades of service and earned him the respect of those he leads. As the assistant adjutant general for air and commander of the Wyoming Air National Guard, he oversees more than 1,200 Airmen who support a wide range of national, state and community missions.
Maj. Gen. Greg Porter, adjutant general of Wyoming, presided over the ceremony and commended Deibert for his lifelong dedication to service and community in addition to being a caring leader.
“You look at his entire life, and he is the epitome of a citizen Airman—serving full time while also teaching in our schools,” said Porter. “Every chance Deibert has to make an impact—to make the world and our state a better place—he takes it. It’s a privilege to be here today to celebrate you.”
Surrounded by friends, family, and fellow Airmen and Soldiers, Brig. Gen. Deibert received his new rank in a ceremony filled with pride and tradition. Among the honored guests was his father, August Anton Deibert a 97-year-old U.S. Army veteran who is the recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service in the Korean War.
The importance of family was a theme throughout the ceremony. Porter acknowledged their vital role, noting that continued service would not be possible without their support.
Deibert’s wife, Pat, and daughter, Darcy, had the honor of pinning on his brigadier general rank. The pinning ceremony, a time-honored tradition, marks the first time the new rank is officially placed on the uniform. The star, representing general officer rank, traces its lineage to a 1780 decree by Gen. George Washington during the War for American Independence. It is customary for close family or friends to participate, symbolizing the contributions they’ve made to the officer’s career.
In his first remarks as a general officer, Deibert spoke with humility and reflected on his journey, including an earlier retirement before being asked—several times—to return to service. Eventually, he answered the call.
“Standing here today, wearing this rank—it’s humbling,” said Deibert.
With humor, he added, “That could be a trivia question: How long does it take for an airman basic to make brigadier general? 39 years.” The audience laughed, and he continued, “But it’s a culmination of years of service, sacrifice, and support—and I’m not talking about mine. I’m talking about everyone else in this room. This promotion isn’t about a single person. It’s about all the people I’ve had the privilege to serve with. To the Airmen I’ve worked alongside—you’ve inspired me and continue to. Airmen are the magic.”
Deibert closed by saying he views his new role not as a reward, but as a responsibility.
“This wasn’t in my original plan. But I’m humbled and grateful for the support. Stay strong, be proud, and fly for the brand.”
The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Air Force song, followed by the Army song—in honor of his father, Corporal August Anton Deibert.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jye Marshall, Lecturer, Fashion Design, School of Design and Architecture, Swinburne University of Technology
The family and friends are all gathered, wedding bells are ringing, and the bride walks down the aisle in her beautiful bubblegum pink wedding dress.
Twenty years ago, this would have raised some eyebrows. But not so much now, as a growing number of women opt to buck the traditional bridal gown for more unique and colourful finery.
The origins of the white wedding dress
The white wedding gown tradition wasn’t cemented in the West until the 19th century. Before then, brides across Europe wore all manner of hues on their wedding day, including reds, blues, yellows, and even black (often in cases where the bride was mourning a close family member).
During the Victorian era (1837–1901), fashion trends were heavily influenced by the wealthy, and especially by the royal families. So it was Queen Victoria’s 1840 wedding that truly kicked off the white wedding gown trend.
In a bridal context, the colour white often came to be associated with “purity” – symbolism that can be traced back to ancient Rome, where white was worn by brides and by “vestal virgins” – the priestesses who served in the cult of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth.
In the decades following Queen Victoria’s wedding, we continued to see British royal brides adorned in shades of white, and particularly ivory, cementing what a traditional wedding dress should look like.
Breaking the mould
That said, this tradition might now be on its way out, reflecting broader shifts in societal attitudes towards marriage.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show a steady long-term decline in the percentage of people getting married – as well as an increase in the median marriage age for both men and women.
Australia has also become increasingly multicultural. And with more multicultural marriages comes a unique blend of marriage traditions and colour palettes. For instance, in many Asian cultures, including Chinese and Vietnamese, it is customary to wear red due to its positive associations with luck, joy and happiness.
Religious adherence also has a role to play in the overall aesthetic of modern weddings. A growing number of young Australians are identifying as non-religious, which means they’re less likely to partake in a church wedding with a puffy white tulle dress.
Without religious protocols to follow, young couples are expressing their own youthful values at their weddings – and this often includes a more laid-back approach to dressing.
The legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2017 has also prompted bridal stores to cater to a wider market by offering a greater variety of non-traditional colours and silhouettes.
For decades, celebrities have been innovators delivering shock value on their special day. Back in 1954, Marilyn Monroe wore a dark brown suit to her second wedding with Joe DiMaggio. Some 15 years later, Audrey Hepburn got married in a pink Givenchy minidress.
Today’s stars are following suit. In 2018, singer Mandy Moore donned a pink dress on her wedding day, while model Emily Ratijowsky chose a bright yellow Zara pantsuit.
In Australia, designers have spent decades distancing themselves from the typical European influence to forge their own fashion identity. One such person, Akira Isogawa, helped develop the bridal landscape throughout the 1990s, by pushing the boundaries of the “traditional bride”.
The Japanese-born designer brings his own flavour to bridal dresses by infusing them with Eastern elements such as different coloured silks, hand-embroidered motifs, unique beading and even woven fabric. He has also showcased his designs internationally, helping expand Australia’s fashion identity on a world stage.
Impacts on the industry
Despite the move away from traditional wedding gowns, bridal stores are expected to grow their revenue over the next few years. And the industry as a whole will likely continue to contribute to overconsumption by capitalising on the shift away from tradition.
Many stores have changed their business model to cater for more women picking off-the-rack gowns due to financial pressures. According to one industry report, about 17% of brides in 2024 had a custom wedding dress made, compared to 75% purchasing a dress off-the rack, and 7% purchasing a second-hand dress.
At the same time, a number of new fashion technologies are supporting the next generation of onshore manufacturing by allowing the creation of hyper-personalised dresses. In the future, it may be common for brides to co-design their off-the-rack wedding dress.
This may just be the tip of the iceberg of the non-traditional bridal movement. Australian weddings are starting to take their own shape, becoming less about formality and more about celebrating what couples value the most.
While we won’t see every bride walking down the aisle in colours like fuchsia pink, we can expect to see more brides opt for softer pastels over shades of white.
Ideally, the bridal industry would slow down in adopting new trends and instead focus on “localism” practices, wherein consumers are looped into the process of how their clothes are made. This would emphasise sustainability through local production and consumption, while also contributing to local fashion cultures.
Jye Marshall is a member of The Australian Fashion Council and Ethical Clothing Australia Accreditation.
Australia has become world-famous for its wine, but the industry faces an uncertain future. Too many grapes grown amid falling consumer demand, an oversupply of budget wine, and an undersupply of premium wine are just some of the problems besetting the industry.
There are still many small and medium-sized wineries across Australia. But the industry is dominated by a few large players, as well as “vertical integration” with ownership linkages between wineries and retailers.
Just this month, a merger between global drinks giant Pernod Ricard’s Australian, New Zealand and Spanish wine brands and Accolade Wines (one of Australia’s largest winemakers) was completed, creating a new giant – Vinarchy – to be based in Adelaide with A$1.5 billion in annual revenue.
This move will involve an estimated cull of up to 50 wine brands, which speaks to a broader story of growing concentration. Numerous Australian wine companies have come up for sale in recent years, and the industry is undergoing rationalisation.
The current pressures will require an overall reduction in wine production, and a focus on premium over ordinary wines. Grape-growers and some smaller wineries are likely to be most affected.
Still the top drop
According to Wine Australia, the Australian wine industry currently has about 6,000 grape growers and 2,156 wineries. It employs 163,790 people (full- and part-time) and contributes $45 billion to the Australian economy each year.
This large size shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Wine is the most popular alcoholic drink in Australia. But troubles have been brewing for the industry for years.
Domestic wine consumption has been in steady decline, down 9% since 2016–17.
However, the picture is nuanced. Wine isn’t a staple product; it is a discretionary purchase. Prices in Australia can range from less than $5 to well over $1,000 per bottle, and palates vary significantly among consumers.
Price is generally regarded as an indicator of quality. Wine selling in Australia in the “ordinary” price range of less than $15 per bottle is declining, but wine selling in the “premium” ($15 per bottle and above) price range is increasing.
In the face of decreased global wine consumption, Australia’s shrinking domestic market has also been faced with a steady decline in wine exports. This is problematic for producers looking to exports to offset declines in domestic sales.
A warm country
These woes are impacting the wine industry in different ways at different points along the supply chain. Let’s start with grape-growing.
The current challenge is for growers of “ordinary-quality” grapes in the shrinking marketplace. The Riverina and Riverland areas are the main grape-producing areas of Australia and achieve a low price per tonne.
There is still high demand for “premium-quality” grapes but these are generally grown in select regions of Australia, typically with a cooler climate.
Unsurprisingly, grapes from warm inland regions of Australia account for 72% of wine grape production, at an average price of $345 per tonne, whereas grapes from cool temperate regions achieve an average price of $1,531 per tonne.
The future impacts of climate change need to be assessed, and are already playing into growers’ decisions. Cooler regions are becoming more highly sought after for grape-growing.
Coupled with increased demand for premium grapes, this will make warm inland regions increasingly problematic. Unlike seasonally planted crops such as vegetables and grain, new grape vines require three years after planting before bearing decent levels of fruit. Farmers must determine the most appropriate long-term use of their land.
Concerns about climate change are driving interest in cool regions – such as Tasmania’s Tamar Valley. Marcin Madry/Shutterstock
The challenge of standing out
Many of Australia’s 2,156 wineries are small-scale (typically privately owned). Other wineries are much larger, with extensive resources. Most consumers are largely unaware of most of these wineries – how many wine brands can you list?
Such diversity already presents a challenge for various wineries trying to market themselves. Adding to this, a large number of Australian wine brands are owned by just a few large industry players, some with links to retailers via vertical integration.
Standing out in a crowded market is a big challenge for small producers. Sirbouman/Shutterstock
How can wineries survive?
With the trend towards less consumption overall, and towards premium-quality wines instead of ordinary-quality wines, some wineries may need to shift their focus.
On the challenges facing the industry, acclaimed Victorian winemaker Rick Kinzbrunner told me:
We need a better balance of supply and demand and especially more emphasis on top quality wines at reasonable prices.
Why this matters to you
If you’re a wine drinker, current wine industry issues may seem irrelevant. But the ongoing oversupply of ordinary-quality wine for the near future offers plenty of price discounts.
For consumers of premium wines, given current high demand, be wary: does what you’re getting quality-wise match the price? Some wines marketed at high prices don’t have the quality to match.
Consumers may wish to increase direct contact with wineries (via cellar doors, websites and mailing lists) and independent retailers to expand their options.
Winners and losers will emerge as inevitable industry change occurs.
Paul Chad 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 Chiara Holgate, Senior Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Weather of the 21st Century, Australian National University
Swathes of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia are in the grip of drought as they experience some of the lowest rainfall totals on record.
Farmers are spending eye-watering amounts of money buying feed, or selling stock to stay afloat.
Some towns are already on water restrictions. Those not connected to the mains water system are in a perilous situation. In the Adelaide Hills, water is being trucked in to fill empty rainwater tanks and dams.
The story playing out across southern Australia could be a glimpse of what’s to come. Our recent research suggests southern Australia may experience longer and more intense droughts in the future, as the climate changes.
Parts of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia are experiencing serious rainfall deficiencies. Australian Bureau of Meteorology
How bad is this drought?
Parts of southern Australia have been experiencing drier than normal conditions for well over a year.
In Adelaide, the desalination plant has ramped up to maintain water supply. Similarly, Victoria’s desal plant has fired up for the first time since 2022 as dam levels fall.
These kinds of weather systems have been notably absent from southern Australia in recent months. Instead, slow-moving high-pressure systems, which typically bring warm and dry conditions, have been the standout feature across southern Australia.
For Australia, the driest inhabited continent, heavy rains are what keep drought at bay. Last spring and summer, drought conditions were building in parts of Queensland and northern New South Wales. But then Tropical Cyclone Alfred brought heavy rains, dumping up to four times as much rain as these areas usually get in February and March.
Similarly, heavy rains at the end of last year helped parts of northern and central WA avoid drought conditions.
Unfortunately, western Victoria and southern SA have had no such luck.
Drought is more likely to break if weather systems and climate drivers are favorable, such as the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) in its negative phase, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) in its wet phase, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation in its La Niña phase, the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) in its negative phase and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) active. Background climate change can affect all of these drivers. Holgate et al 2025 Communications Earth & Environment, CC BY-NC-ND
How long will the drought last?
If farmers, water authorities and policymakers knew how much longer this drought would last, they could make clear plans. Keep or sell livestock? Impose water restrictions or wait?
Unfortunately, drought timing is very hard to predict. As our research shows, the climate processes that bring weather systems laden with heavy rain are complex.
But we do know heavy and persistent rain is needed to break the drought. And the current forecast shows there’s a decent chance of that as we head towards spring. Though forecasts can change, and those with skin in the game will have their eyes glued to next month’s update to the Bureau of Meteorology’s rainfall outlook.
It also helps that we’re heading into what’s usually the rainier time of year. This means the odds of receiving decent rain are higher at this time of year than if we were heading into summer.
Climate and water long-range forecast, issued 15 May 2025 (Bureau of Meteorology)
Dry and drier
Over the past few decades, southern Australia has become drier. Drying has been most pronounced during the cooler months, between April and October. Some parts of southern Australia have also become more drought-prone, with the number of months spent in drought increasing over this time.
Maps of the current dry conditions across southern Australia closely follow the regions projected to experience longer and more frequent drought conditions in future.
It’s too early to draw a clear line between climate change and this particular drought. But the weight of evidence shows southern droughts are likely to strike more often in the future. The Tinderbox Drought from 2017–19, for instance, was the first Australian drought to show a possible worsening from climate change.
The good news? We now know more about how Australian droughts work. This means we can now be more confident in the direction of Australia’s water future than in past decades.
We must urgently use this new knowledge to develop innovative solutions that will allow Australia to thrive in a climate of increasingly variable water availability. Solutions will involve setting sustainable limits on water use, introducing water recycling and improving efficiency, among other measures.
Though solutions may look different in different parts of Australia, one thing rings true everywhere: we all need to make every drop count.
Chiara Holgate receives funding from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century.
Ailie Gallant receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Medicinal cannabis refers to legally prescribed cannabis products. These are either the plant itself, or naturally occurring ingredients extracted from the plant. These ingredients, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), are called cannabinoids. Some cannabinoids are also made in labs to act like the ones in the plant.
Medicinal cannabis comes in different forms, such as oils, capsules, dried flower (used in a vaporiser), sprays and edible forms such as gummies.
Since regulatory changes in 2016 made medicinal cannabis more accessible, Australia’s regulator has issued more than 700,000 approvals. (But approvals for medicinal cannabis don’t reflect the actual number of patients treated. One patient may have multiple approvals, and not all approved products are necessarily prescribed or supplied.)
Around half of the approvals have been for chronic pain that isn’t caused by cancer.
In Australia, chronic pain affects around one in five Australians aged 45 and over, with an enormous impact on people’s lives.
So what does the current evidence tell us about the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis for chronic pain?
What the evidence shows
A 2021 review of 32 randomised controlled trials involving nearly 5,200 people with chronic pain, examined the effects of medicinal cannabis or cannabinoids. The study found a small improvements in pain and physical functioning compared with a placebo.
A previous review found that to achieve a 30% reduction in pain for one person, 24 people would need to be treated with medicinal cannabis.
The 2021 review also found small improvements in sleep, and no consistent benefits for other quality of life measures, consistent with previous reviews.
This doesn’t mean medicinal cannabis doesn’t help anyone. But it suggests that, on average, the benefits are limited to a smaller number of people.
Many pain specialists have questioned if the evidence for medicinal cannabis is sufficient to support its use for pain.
The Faculty of Pain Medicine, the professional body dedicated to the training and education of specialist pain physicians, recommends medical cannabis should be limited to clinical trials.
Guidance from Australia’s regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), on medicinal cannabis for chronic non-cancer pain reflects these uncertainties.
The TGA states there is limited evidence medicinal cannabis provides clinically significant pain relief for many pain conditions. Therefore, the potential benefits versus harms should be considered patient-by-patient.
The TGA says medicinal cannabis should only be trialled when other standard therapies have been tried and did not provide enough pain relief.
In terms of which type of medical cannabis product to use, due to concerns about the safety of inhaled cannabis, the TGA considers pharmaceutical-grade products (such as nabiximols or extracts containing THC and/or CBD) to be safer.
This evidence may feel at odds with the experiences of people who report relief from medicinal cannabis.
In clinical practice, it’s common for individuals to respond differently based on their health conditions, beliefs and many other factors. What works well for one person may not work for another.
Research helps us understand what outcomes are typical or expected for most people, but there is variation. Some people may find medicinal cannabis improves their pain, sleep or general well-being – especially if other treatments haven’t helped.
What are the side effects and risks?
Like any medicine, medicinal cannabis has potential side effects. These are usually mild to moderate, including drowsiness or sedation, dizziness, impaired concentration, a dry mouth, nausea and cognitive slowing.
These side effects are often greater with higher-potency THC products. These are becoming more common on the Australian market. High-potency THC products represent more than half of approvals in 2025.
After using cannabis for a long time, some people need to take higher doses to get the same effect. Nuva Frames/Shutterstock
Medical cannabis can also interact with other medications, especially those that cause drowsiness (such as opioids), medicines for mental illness, anti-epileptics, blood thinners and immunosuppressants.
Even cannabidiol (CBD), which isn’t considered intoxicating like THC, has been linked to serious drug interactions.
These risks are greater when cannabis is prescribed by a doctor who doesn’t regularly manage the patient’s chronic pain or isn’t in contact with their other health-care providers. Since medicinal cannabis is often prescribed through separate telehealth clinics, this fragmented care may increase the risk of harmful interactions.
Another concern is developing cannabis use disorder (commonly understood as “addiction”). A 2024 study found one in four people using medical cannabis develop a cannabis use disorder. Withdrawal symptoms – such as irritability, sleep problems, or cravings – can occur with frequent and heavy use.
For some people, tolerance can also develop with long-term use, meaning you need to take higher doses to get the same effect. This can increase the risk of developing a cannabis use disorder.
How does it compare to other treatments?
Like many medicines for chronic pain, the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis is modest, and is not recommended as a sole treatment.
There’s good evidence that, for conditions like back pain, interventions such as exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy and pain self-management education can help and may have fewer risks than many medicines.
But there are challenges with how accessible and affordable these treatments are for many Australians, especially outside major cities.
So where does this leave patients?
The growing use of medicinal cannabis for chronic pain reflects both a high burden of pain in the community and gaps in access to effective care. While some patients report benefits, the current evidence suggests these are likely to be small for most people, and must be weighed against the risks.
If you are considering medicinal cannabis, it’s important to talk to your usual health-care provider, ideally one familiar with your full medical history, to help you decide the best approaches to help manage your pain.
Suzanne Nielsen receives funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, alongside government and philanthropic organisations to conduct independent research.. She is the president-elect for the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs. She serves as a consultant for the World Health Organization. She has contributed to independent reviews of the evidence on medical cannabis for government organisations include Worksafe and the TGA.
Myfanwy Graham receives funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, alongside government and university institutes. Myfanwy has served as a consultant for the UNODC, WHO and NASEM. She is an appointed member of the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s Medicinal Cannabis Expert Working Group. This article does not represent the views of the TGA or the Expert Working Group.
As Israel continues to pound Gaza with airstrikes, killing scores of people a day, the two-month ceasefire that brought a halt to the violence earlier this year feels like a distant memory.
Israel’s overall military and political objective in Gaza hasn’t changed after 19 months of war: it is still seeking the absolute defeat of Hamas and return of the remaining Israeli hostages.
But it is unclear how Hamas will ever be militarily defeated unless there is a complete and unconditional surrender and the laying down of all arms. This appears unlikely, despite the success of Israel’s so-called “decapitation strategy” targeting the Hamas leadership.
And Hamas continues to hold an estimated that 57 Israeli hostages in Gaza, of which up to 24 are believed to still be alive. The group is insisting on guarantees that Israel will end the war before releasing any more hostages.
An ongoing blockade for 18 years
With negotiations at a stalemate, Israel has not only maintained its blockade of Gaza, but strengthened it.
Israel first imposed a land, sea and air blockade of Gaza in 2007 after Hamas came to power. These restrictions have severely limited the movement of people and vehicles across the border, as well as the amount of food, medicine and other goods that have been permitted to go into and out of Gaza.
These controls increased significantly after Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. They’ve been maintained at heightened levels ever since.
The January ceasefire temporarily increased the flow of food, medical aid and other support into Gaza. However, this came to an end in early March when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut off aid again to pressure Hamas to extend the ceasefire and release more hostages. Hostilities resumed soon after.
The United Nations’ humanitarian efforts in Gaza have now come to a “near-standstill”. On May 13, Tom Fletcher, the UN emergency relief coordinator, addressed the UN Security Council, stating:
For more than 10 weeks, nothing has entered Gaza – no food, medicine, water or tents. […] Every single one of the 2.1 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip face the risk of famine. One in five faces starvation.
Israel denies there are food shortages in Gaza. It says it won’t permit any trucks to enter the strip until a new system is in place to prevent Hamas from siphoning supplies.
International law is clear
Both the 1949 Geneva Conventions and customary international law make clear:
The use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare is prohibited.
Under international humanitarian law, Fletcher noted, Israel has the responsibility to ensure aid reaches people in territory it occupies. However, Israel’s method of distributing aid, he said, “makes aid conditional on political and military aims” and “makes starvation a bargaining chip”.
What have the courts found?
International courts have not ignored Israel’s obligations on this front.
In relation Netanyahu and Gallant, the ICC’s pre-trial chamber found:
there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies.
As Israel is not a party to the Rome Statute, there is no obligation on the government to act on the arrest warrants. Both men remain free to travel as long as they do not enter the territory of a Rome Statute party. (Even then, their arrest is not guaranteed.)
The ICC warrants will remain in effect unless withdrawn by the court. The arrest in March of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte highlighted that while ICC investigations may take time, those accused of crimes can eventually be brought before the court to face justice.
This is especially so if there is a change in political leadership in a country that allows an arrest to go ahead.
The case began with high-profile hearings last year when the court issued provisional measures, or orders, requiring Israel to refrain from engaging in any genocidal acts.
The most recent of those orders, issued last May, called on Israel to immediately halt its offensive in Rafah (in southern Gaza) and maintain the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt to allow “unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance”.
These orders remain in effect. Yet, Rafah today is a “no-go zone” that Gazans have been ordered to evacuate. And Israel’s ongoing blockade of the strip and restrictions on aid and food entering the territory are clearly in defiance of the court.
Late last month, the ICJ began hearings to form an opinion on Israel’s duties to allow aid to enter Gaza. Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, criticised the ICJ’s hearings as “another attempt to politicise and abuse the legal process in order to persecute Israel”.
The court’s advisory opinion on this issue is not expected for several months. A final decision on South Africa’s broader case may take years.
So, what can be done?
Reflecting on the situation in Gaza, Fletcher observed at the UN:
This degradation of international law is corrosive and infectious. It is undermining decades of progress on rules to protect civilians from inhumanity and the violent and lawless among us who act with impunity. Humanity, the law and reason must prevail.
Yet, while the Security Council continues to have the situation in Gaza under review, it has proven incapable of acting decisively because of US support for Israel.
The Biden Administration was prepared to use its veto power to block binding Security Council resolutions forcing Israel to respond to the humanitarian crisis. The Trump Administration would no doubt do the same.
However, as Duterte’s arrest shows, international law sometimes does result in action. The finding by another UN body last week that Russia was responsible for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014 is another case in point.
As the Dutch foreign minister pointed out in that case, the finding sends a message that “states cannot violate international law with impunity”.
Donald Rothwell receives funding from Australian Research Council
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milica Stilinovic, PhD Candidate, School of Media and Communications; Managing Editor, Policy & Internet journal, University of Sydney
Artificial intelligence (AI) might not have been created to enable new forms of sexual violence such as deepfake pornography. But that has been an unfortunate byproduct of the rapidly advancing technology.
This is just one example of AI’s many unintended uses.
AI’s intended uses are not without their own problems, including serious copyright concerns. But beyond this, there is much experimentation happening with the rapidly advancing technology. Models and code are shared, repurposed and remixed in public online spaces.
These collaborative, loosely networked communities — what we call “underspheres” in our recently published paper in New Media & Society — are where users experiment with AI rather than simply consume it. These spaces are where generative AI is pushed into unpredictable and experimental directions. And they show why a new approach to regulating AI and mitigating its risks is urgently needed. Climate policy offers some useful lessons.
A limited approach
As AI advances, so do concerns about risk. Policymakers have responded quickly. For example, the European Union AI Act which came into force in 2024 classifies systems by risk: banning “unacceptable” ones, regulating “high-risk” uses, and requiring transparency for lower-risk tools.
Other governments — including those of the United Kingdom, United States and China — are taking similar directions. However, their regulatory approaches differ in scope, stage of development, and enforcement.
But these efforts share a limitation: they’re built around intended use, not the messy, creative and often unintended ways AI is actually being used — especially in fringe spaces.
So, what risks can emerge from creative deviance in AI? And can risk-based frameworks handle technologies that are fluid, remixable and fast-moving?
Sub communities within the larger Reddit platform often experiment with unintential uses of AI. Tada Images/Shutterstock
Experimentation outside of regulation
There are several online spaces where members of the undersphere gather. They include GitHub (a web-based platform for collaborative software development), Hugging Face (a platform that offers ready-to-use machine learning models, datasets, and tools for developers to easily build and launch AI apps) and subreddits (individual communities or forums within the larger Reddit platform).
These environments encourage creative experimentation with generative AI outside regulated frameworks. This experimentation can include instructing models to avoid intended behaviours – or do the opposite. It can also include creating mashups or more powerful variations of generative AI by remixing software code that is made publicly available for anyone to view, use, modify and distribute.
The potential harms of this experimentation are highlighted by the proliferation of deepfake pornography. So too are the limits of the current approach to regulation rapidly advancing technology such as AI.
Deepfake technology wasn’t originally developed to create non-consensual pornographic videos and images. But this is ultimately what happened within subreddit communities, beginning in 2017. Deepfake pornography then quickly spread from this undersphere into the mainstream; a recent analysis of more than 95,000 deepfake videos online found 98% of them were deep fake pornography videos.
It was not until 2019 – years after deepfake pornography first emerged – that attempts to regulate it began to emerge globally. But these attempts were too rigid to capture the new ways deepfake technology was being used by then to cause harm. What’s more, the regulatory efforts were sporadic and inconsistent between states. This impeded efforts to protect people – and democracies – from the impacts of deepfakes globally.
This is why we need regulation that can march in step with emerging technologies and act quickly when unintended use prevails.
Embracing uncertainty, complexity and change
A way to look at AI governance is through the prism of climate change. Climate change is also the result of many interconnected systems interacting in ways we can’t fully control — and its impacts can only be understood with a degree of uncertainty.
Over the past three decades, climate governance frameworks have evolved to confront this challenge: to manage complex, emerging, and often unpredictable risks. And although this framework has yet to demonstrate its ability to meaningfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it has succeeded in sustaining global attention over the years on emerging climate risks and their complex impacts.
At the same time it has provided a forum where responsibilities and potential solutions can be publicly debated.
A similar governance framework should also be adopted to manage the spread of AI. This framework should consider the interconnected risks caused by generative AI tools linking with social media platforms. It should also consider cascading risks, as content and code are reused and adapted. And it should consider systemic risks, such as declining public trust or polarised debate.
Importantly, this framework must also involve diverse voices. Like climate change, generative AI won’t affect just one part of society — it will ripple through many. And the challenge is how to adapt with it.
Applied to AI, climate change governance approaches could help promote preemptive action in the wake of unforeseen use (such as in the case of deepfake porn) before the issue becomes widespread.
Over the past three decades, climate governance frameworks have evolved to manage complex, emerging, and often unpredictable risks. Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock
Avoiding the pitfalls of climate governance
While climate governance offers a useful model for adaptive, flexible regulation, it also brings important warnings that must be avoided.
But, when it comes to AI governance, this all-too-familiar climate stalemate brings with it important lessons for the realm of AI governance.
First, we need to find ways to align public oversight with self-regulation and transparency on the part of AI developers and suppliers.
Second, we need to think about generative AI risks at a global scale. International cooperation and coordination are essential.
Finally, we need to accept that AI development and experimentation will persist, and craft regulations that respond to this in order to keep our societies safe.
Francesco Bailo has received funding from Meta and from Australia’s Department of Defence.
Jonathon Hutchinson and Milica Stilinovic do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ONFA FINTECH USA, a subsidiary ofMETTITECH GROUP HOLDINGS, has signed a strategic agreement backed byMetti Capital Fundingto expand its blockchain-based digital banking platform. This strategic move aims to strengthen ONFA’s technological capabilities and accelerate its growth in the global decentralized finance (DeFi) market.
ONFA FINTECH USA: Next-Generation Banking Meets Blockchain and AI
ONFA FINTECH USA operates at the intersection of blockchain innovation and artificial intelligence, offering a next-generation digital banking ecosystem that prioritizes security, efficiency and decentralization. Designed with multi-layered encryption and two-factor authentication, ONFA ensures that users’ digital assets are protected at the highest level against loss or unauthorized access.
At the core of ONFA’s ecosystem is the ONFA Wallet – a secure, AI-powered, multi-currency wallet that facilitates seamless crypto transactions and intelligent asset management. Building on this foundation, ONFA has launched a full-featured ecosystem that connects blockchain assets to real-world utility:
– Stable Staking: Allows users to stake stablecoins such as USDT and VNDT with annual returns of up to 121%. Featuring daily rewards, flexible terms and AI-enhanced strategies, Staking empowers users to maximize idle assets with minimal effort.
– ONFA Savings: A flexible and secure savings solution designed for the digital age. Offering attractive interest rates and seamless mobile integration, ONFA Savings allows users to manage their finances anytime, anywhere. With ONFA Savings, users can enjoy passive income with returns of up to 35% APY, making it an ideal option for long-term financial growth.
– ONFA Share: A profit-sharing model in which users receive a share of profits generated across the entire ONFA ecosystem (from transaction fees, product revenues, etc.). This initiative fosters community involvement and financial alignment.
– NFT Mining: A revolutionary method that allows users to earn OFT tokens daily without the need for expensive equipment or high electricity costs. Unlike traditional mining, ONFA NFT Mining only requires users to hold an officially issued NFT in their wallet. With a maximum holding period of 720 days, users receive daily OFT rewards, offering a stable and long-term income stream.
– ONFA Stake: A strategic staking program designed to help users grow their digital assets securely and sustainably. With fixed USDT returns, a 100% principal refund guarantee and preferential exchange rates, ONFA Stake offers a simple and transparent way to participate in the evolving digital finance ecosystem.
– ONFA Lottery: A blockchain-powered lottery system that ensures fairness and transparency. With just 10 OFT per ticket and more than 5,500 successful rounds, users can participate for a chance to win valuable digital rewards.
– Sagaha Foundation: A pioneering blockchain-based charitable initiative, seamlessly integrated with ONFA Wallet. By accepting donations in USDT, OHOand other supported cryptocurrencies,Sagaha ensures full transparency and builds greater trust among global donors. With ONFA, the foundation supports critical humanitarian missions across Asia. Through the power of blockchain, Sagaha goes beyond traditional finance to create tangible, life-changing impact where it’s needed most.
Strategic Funding to Power Global Growth
In June 2024, ONFA FINTECH USA secured strategic backing from Metti Capital Funding, underscoring strong investor confidence in ONFA’s bold vision for the future of decentralized finance (DeFi), AI-powered finance and blockchain-based banking. According to Mr. Nathan Ho (CEO), the capital will be allocated toward:
– Enhancing the scalability and cybersecurity of the ONFA Wallet.
– Expanding AI-powered financial tools for smart asset management and automated trading.
– Scaling global operations to make ONFA’s banking ecosystem more accessible in underserved and emerging markets.
“This funding marks a pivotal moment in our journey to make decentralized finance universally accessible – from city centers to remote communities, from crypto veterans to first-time users,”said Mr. Nathan Ho, CEO. “Our goal is to build a future where secure, intelligent and borderless financial tools are available to all.”
With this milestone,ONFAreaffirms its commitment to democratizing access to digital finance
and reshaping the future of banking through decentralized, intelligent and inclusive technologies.
Contact: 7777 Center Avenue, Suite 210 Huntington Beach, California 92647, USA
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Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Tbilisi, May 18 (Xinhua) — China is an important strategic market for Georgian wine, where a marketing campaign is being actively carried out to increase awareness and expand exports of Georgian wines, the Georgian National Wine Agency said on Sunday.
According to the organization, 1.12 million liters of Georgian wine were exported from Georgia to China in January-April of this year, which is 78 percent more than in the same period last year. “Thus, China has firmly taken its place among the top five largest countries exporting Georgian wine,” the agency noted.
With the financial and organizational support of the National Wine Agency, in 2025 Georgian wines will be actively represented in such strategic markets as China, the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Poland, the Republic of Korea and Japan.
In 2024, Georgia exported 95 million liters of wine and spirits to 72 countries worldwide for a total of about $565 million. –0–
This year’s budget will be one of the tightest in a decade, with the New Zealand government halving its operating allowance – the new money it has available to spend – from NZ$2.4 billion to $1.3 billion.
The cut reflects weaker than expected growth owing to global economic turmoil. It also highlights just how difficult it is to predict what is going to happen when it comes to the economy.
Economies are dynamic systems where relationships between variables shift. Even the current state of the economy is uncertain due to data revisions and lags in reporting.
Despite this uncertainty, governments have to assume paths for revenue and expenditure to make meaningful plans.
As forecasts changed, so did those plans. By the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU 2024), released in December 2024, the goal of an operating surplus had been pushed back to 2029.
The table below shows the change in the 2027 forecasts for key economic indicators between the two fiscal updates.
Nominal gross domestic product (GDP) measures the value of goods and services produced within a country during a specific period. It is a key determinant of tax revenue. Real GDP measures the volume of output of the New Zealand economy.
Ultimately, the 2027 nominal GDP forecast at the half-year update was weaker than expected. This weakness was driven by lower than expected output, not by changes in prices.
The 2027 forecast tax revenue fell even more sharply than the nominal GDP forecast. This was in part due to the government’s personal income tax cuts which have been costed at $3.7 billion a year.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has warned that the 2025 budget will be very tight, reflecting uncertainty in the global economy. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Research has shown that United States-based uncertainty spills over into the New Zealand economy by making firms more pessimistic about the future. This pessimism leads to firms delaying investment, ultimately reducing potential output in the future.
Potential output is important as it represents the economy’s capacity to grow without generating inflation. Potential GDP is affected by productivity, which has also been weaker than expected and one of the reasons Treasury lowered its forecasts after the pre-election fiscal update.
The lesson from all of this
New Zealand is running a structural budget deficit. That means the government is spending more than it earns, even accounting for the fact that governments automatically spend more and tax less in economic downturns.
These deficits add to government debt, which can limit future spending and taxation choices. High debt can also hamper the government’s ability to assist in counteracting the next downturn if the Reserve Bank’s official cash rate is already near zero.
It can also limit the ability of the government to respond to external shocks such as disasters or extreme weather events. These concerns are possibly behind the government’s goal of returning to surplus by 2029.
But there are counter-arguments. With pressing needs in many areas, some argue the government should be spending more now to boost productivity and growth. These contrasting views reflect a legitimate debate about values and priorities.
Still, one point is clear: weaker than expected economic growth since the pre-election update has made the trade-offs between present and future fiscal choices more acute.
The takeaway is that economic growth is essential for expanding the resources available to both households and governments. This is so they can spend money on things they deem important both now and in the future.
A growing economy is not just about producing more for prestige – it’s about creating the economic and fiscal resources to improve lives both now and in the future.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Four of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading environmental organisations have today issued a joint open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, urging him to reject the Regulatory Standards Bill in full.
The Regulatory Standards Bill is being discussed in Cabinet on Monday, 19 May 2025.
The open letter, signed by the executive directors of Forest & Bird, Greenpeace Aotearoa, the Environmental Defence Society (EDS), and WWF-New Zealand, describes the Regulatory Standards Bill as “an unprecedented threat” to environmental protection, climate action, and the country’s democratic and constitutional foundations.
The organisations warn the Bill would create a dangerous new precedent where governments are expected to compensate companies if new environmental protections interfere with their property, effectively turning the polluters pay principle on its head.
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, spoke with the prime ministers of Australia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Croatia, as well as the presidents of Israel, Ireland, Paraguay, and Nigeria, on the margins of the inaugural Mass of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
The Prime Minister underscored his new government’s mandate to diversify trade, build a stronger economy, and deepen commercial ties with partners. To that end, he welcomed partnership on shared priorities.
During his conversation with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Carney reiterated the need for Hamas to release all hostages and stressed the imperative of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. He called for urgent, life-saving humanitarian aid to reach civilians and affirmed Canada’s support for a two-state solution. The Prime Minister and the President agreed that Hamas must lay down its weapons and have no future role in the governance of Gaza.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) — China has decided to impose anti-dumping duties on imports of polyformaldehyde copolymer produced in the United States, the European Union, Japan and Taiwan, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement Sunday.
As noted in the report, anti-dumping duties in the amount of 3.8% to 74.9% will come into effect on May 19 of this year and will be valid for 5 years.
The decision was made based on the results of an anti-dumping investigation, which proved the existence of dumping and the real damage it caused to the relevant sector of mainland China, as well as the existence of a causal relationship between them, the report states.
Polyformaldehyde copolymer is mainly used in industries such as auto parts, electronic devices, industrial equipment, sports equipment and medical instruments and apparatus, to partially replace copper, zinc, tin, lead and other metal materials. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
TIANJIN, May 18 (Xinhua) — The all-new Toyota bZ5 smart electric powertrain rolled off the assembly line at FAW Toyota Motor Co., Ltd.’s plant in the north Chinese port city of Tianjin on Friday, marking the model’s official debut in the Chinese market.
The car also marks a major milestone as it became the 12 millionth unit produced by the company, a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and leading Chinese automaker First Automotive Works (FAW) Group Co.
The bZ5 features a panoramic sunroof and a 15.6-inch full-HD touchscreen. It comes with the new Toyota Pilot intelligent driving assistance system, which supports more than 30 functions, including navigation assistance for city and highway driving, and automatic parking.
China is a leader in intelligent and electric vehicles. If Toyota products can win the favor of Chinese consumers, they will certainly be well received in global markets, said Koji Sato, president and CEO of Toyota.
As of April 2025, Toyota’s Tianjin plant had produced 258,000 vehicles, with a total output value of 54 billion yuan (about $7.5 billion). From January to April this year, the plant produced 35,900 units, up 34 percent year-on-year.
The debut of the new model highlights the growing importance of the Chinese market as a hub for global production, sales and innovation for the Japanese automaker.
In late April, the Japanese company signed an agreement with the Shanghai municipal government to establish a wholly owned electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Shanghai.
Under the strategic cooperation agreement, Toyota will invest a total of 14.6 billion yuan in the new energy vehicle project in Jinshan District, which will focus on the research and development, production and sales of Lexus EV vehicles and EV batteries. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
GUANGZHOU, May 18 (Xinhua) — Chinese internet giant Tencent has announced plans to boost investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and further expand its overseas operations, the company said in an announcement Friday at the Tencent Global Digital Ecosystem Summit in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province.
Tencent’s R&D investment rose 21 percent year-on-year to 18.9 billion yuan (about $2.63 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 as the company works to upgrade its end-to-end AI ecosystem, which includes core large models, computing power, development tools and applications, said Tong Taosang, Tencent’s senior executive vice president.
In terms of developing the computing power sector, Tencent has set up data centers in Guangzhou, Qingyuan, Shaoguan and other places in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which can provide basic computing power support for manufacturing upgrades.
Tencent Vice President Li Qiang said that Tencent Cloud, as a globally developing cloud computing provider, has achieved double-digit growth in its international business over the past three years, serving over 10,000 overseas customers in more than 80 countries and regions.
Tencent plans to further increase its overseas investment this year, allocating US$150 million to build its first data center in Saudi Arabia and US$500 million to build a third such center in Indonesia.
According to the company’s financial report released in March this year, Tencent’s revenue for the full year 2024 rose 8 percent year-on-year to 660.3 billion yuan. Meanwhile, its net profit and operating profit grew 19 percent and 24 percent, respectively. AI technology played a critical role in driving Tencent’s innovation and high-quality growth throughout last year. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) — A freight train carrying 110 containers of auto parts departed from the Xingangbei railway station of the port city of Tianjin (north China) on Thursday. The train will cross the state border at the Khorgos checkpoint in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (northwest China) and arrive in Uzbekistan, the Tianjin Daily newspaper reported.
According to statistics, in the first four months of 2025, the number of freight train departures on China-Europe/China-Central Asia international freight routes from Tianjin Port was 241. The trains carried 26,000 standard containers of cargo, up 1.9 percent year-on-year.
Since the beginning of this year, under the supervision of the customs service, Tianjin Port has handled a total of 14 trains to Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries in the mode of multimodal rail-sea transportation, which transported 1,546 TEU of cargo. In April alone, 10 such trains were dispatched, transporting 1,108 TEU of goods.
According to Wang Huan, general manager of a local company engaged in transportation by China-Europe /China-Central Asia/ freight trains, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries have always been an important direction for the company to expand its business. This year, the number of freight trains heading to Central Asian countries will be increased, and the aspect of mixed freight transportation by sea and rail will be further developed. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
NEW DELHI, May 18 (Xinhua) — At least 17 people were killed and many others injured in a massive fire at a building in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad on Sunday, officials said.
The fire broke out in the morning in a residential building in Gulzar House, located near the famous Charminar area.
“The fire broke out around 6am and by 6.16am the firefighters were on the spot. They tried to rescue people trapped inside but the fire engulfed the entire building,” local government minister Ponnam Prabhakar told the media.
Officials said most of the victims died in their sleep and firefighting efforts were underway.
A preliminary investigation by police revealed that a short circuit could have caused the fire.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the deaths in the fire and announced monetary compensation to the victims. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ULAN BATOR, May 18 (Xinhua) — Mongolia has imported 49,607 passenger cars from abroad since the beginning of 2025, up 6.7 percent year-on-year, local media reported Sunday, citing data from the country’s General Administration of Customs.
During the specified period, imports of trucks decreased by 5.2 percent, amounting to 9,790 units, the official report says.
Today, passenger cars are mainly imported from the Republic of Korea, Japan and the United States, and trucks from China.
According to the Mongolian Traffic Police Department, more than 800,000 vehicles are currently participating in traffic in Ulaanbaatar. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) — “Your documentary ‘My Moscow Encounters’ faithfully portrayed modern Russia and our war heritage. I was so touched! Both my grandfathers were war veterans, and both my grandmothers survived the siege of Leningrad,” a message from Anna Belkina, head of the PR department of RT TV channel (Russia Today), transported correspondents from sunny and clear Beijing back in time to recent spring days on Moscow’s Red Square.
On May 15 and 16, RT aired the Xinhua News Agency documentary “My Moscow Meetings” in prime time on two consecutive evenings, which received a wide response from Russian viewers.
“This is a film showing China’s view of the Great Patriotic War and World War II. The sacrifices that people made to achieve Victory were enormous,” Ekaterina Yakovleva, head of the RT.Doc television channel, wrote in a message to correspondents. “We must preserve this memory and prevent distortion of the historical truth.”
Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, Xinhua correspondents in Moscow talked with old and new friends about the memory of World War II, the meaning of peace and hopes for the future. The conversations give a clear sense of the overlapping memories of the peoples of China and Russia and their common aspiration for common development.
MEMORY OF THE PAST IS A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO ANCESTORS
“Each link in these chains symbolizes ten lives. That is, 26 million Soviet people who died in World War II,” RT chief producer Dmitry Leontyev looks up at the chains hanging from the ceiling and explains their meaning in the “Faces of Victory” hall of the Victory Museum in Moscow.
The museum was opened in 1995 — on the 50th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War. D. Leontyev says that in every family someone fought. And today, every Russian can bring a photograph to the museum or write a text about their relatives to preserve their memory forever. Among the more than a million photographs collected is a picture of the father of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“For Russians, May 9 is the most important secular holiday of the year. After all, if we had not won that war, Russia simply would not exist,” says D. Leontyev. “Preserving the history of that war is a tribute to the sacrifices that my ancestors made and thanks to which I can now sit here and talk to you.”
“Of all the other countries, only China can understand this. Because for them, too, it was a war for survival… Our two countries suffered the most, lost the most people in World War II. And not only soldiers died, but also women, children, and old people. They suffered from terrible hunger, from the atrocities that the Japanese and German armies committed in China and in Russia, then the Soviet Union. And if you remember the Chinese soldiers who fought in the ranks of the Soviet army, and the Soviet soldiers who fought and risked their lives for China, then I think it would be impossible to imagine a stronger bond between the countries,” he adds.
“THE DISASTER OF 80 YEARS AGO MUST NOT BE REPEATED”
In March 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave an important speech at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) of the Russian Foreign Ministry, noting that in the present world, the interconnectedness and interdependence of all countries has reached an unprecedentedly high level. “All of us, people, live in one global village, in one time and space at the intersection of history and reality. More and more, we are becoming a community of a common destiny, in which I am in you, and you are in me,” he said.
“It was a historic moment,” said Alexander Bobrov, associate professor of diplomacy at MGIMO. He led journalists to the MGIMO conference hall building where Chinese President Xi Jinping gave his speech 12 years ago.
A. Bobrov said that he was a second-year university student that year, and his own mentality was strongly oriented toward the West.
“After the speech of Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, I studied many books about China and Eurasia and radically changed my perception of the world,” he noted.
A. Bobrov believes that the concept of building a community with a common destiny for humanity, proposed by Xi Jinping, “influenced the worldview of many national leaders.” “I think that Chairman Xi Jinping’s speech changed the perception of the world in which we live,” A. Bobrov adds.
On the building of the university conference hall there is a huge red banner with the inscription in white letters. “Happy Great Victory Day. 1945-2025,” he translates the inscription.
Speaking about the military parade in honor of Victory Day, which took place on May 9, A. Bobrov notes: “The point is not to boast about what kind of army we have or to demonstrate military valor, the point is that what happened 80 years ago should not happen again. It is about preserving the common past for the sake of a bright future for our peoples.”
According to him, some Western countries, trying to present this event as Russia-oriented, “are making a big mistake, because this is not about Russia, but about our common Victory.”
“THE SUPPORT OF PEACE, STABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE WHOLE WORLD”
“This order belonged to my father-in-law. In 1941, he voluntarily went to the front and was seriously wounded in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg),” says Yuri Tavrovsky, a professor at the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. In his home, a Xinhua correspondent saw not only the order of the Soviet veteran, but also books by Yuri Tavrovsky himself about China.
As one of Russia’s leading sinologists, Yuri Tavrovsky is deeply familiar with Chinese culture, concepts and initiatives.
Yury Tavrovsky believes that Russia and China’s joint celebration of the victory in World War II demonstrates “their own vision of history based on facts.” In his opinion, Russian-Chinese relations embody the principle of Chinese philosophy “he er bu tong” /unity while preserving diversity/.
“A new period is now emerging, thanks to a different type of relationship between Russia and China,” he says, adding that Russia and China will become “the pillar of peace, stability and development throughout the world.”
Any attempt “to divide us, to create discord between Russia and China are doomed to failure,” he says. “Russia and China not only marched together on /Red/ Square, they will help each other in difficult times.”
Speaking about his expectations for the future, Yuri Tavrovsky notes that the most important thing is to eradicate wars. “Peace, trade and exchange between civilizations are the main tasks of the 21st century,” he says. –0–
Stano, who won gold in men’s 20-km race walk at the Tokyo Olympics and finished fourth at the Paris Games, shaved 57 seconds off the previous record set by Canada’s Evan Dunfee less than two months ago.
The 33-year-old also won gold in 35-km race walk at the 2022 World Athletics Championships and helped Italy win gold at the 2023 European Race Walking Team Championships.
Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, will lead the Indian delegation to the 17th edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025), scheduled to be held in Langkawi, Malaysia, from May 20 to 24.
A dedicated Indian Pavilion has been set up at the exhibition and will be formally inaugurated by the Minister. The pavilion will showcase the growing strength and capabilities of India’s defence sector, reflecting the country’s focus on self-reliance and innovation in defence production.
Several Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs)—including Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited, BEML, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and Gliders India Limited—will participate, alongside private Indian defence firms. These entities will exhibit cutting-edge technologies and indigenous advancements in aerospace and maritime systems.
India’s participation will also feature key defence assets, including a Dornier aircraft and an Indian Naval Ship, demonstrating the operational readiness and technological prowess of the Indian Armed Forces.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, Minister Sanjay Seth is expected to hold bilateral discussions with the Malaysian Minister of Defence, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin. The meeting aims to further enhance defence cooperation and reinforce the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Malaysia.
India and Malaysia share a strong and multifaceted relationship, with defence and security forming a key pillar of bilateral engagement. The two nations have continued to expand their collaboration under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was formalised during the Malaysian Prime Minister’s visit to India in 2024.
First held in 1991 and conducted biennially, LIMA is one of the largest maritime and aerospace exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific region. It serves as a vital platform for strategic dialogue, defence diplomacy, and technological innovation, making India’s participation at LIMA 2025 both timely and impactful.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China will levy anti-dumping duties on imports of polyformaldehyde copolymer originating in the United States, the European Union, China’s Taiwan region, and Japan from May 19 for a period of five years, the commerce ministry said in a statement Sunday.
An investigation has shown that imports of polyformaldehyde copolymer from the above regions have involved dumping, which caused substantial damage to the polyformaldehyde copolymer industry in the Chinese mainland, according to the ministry.
Anti-dumping duty rates will range from 3.8 percent to 74.9 percent, it said.
Polyformaldehyde copolymer is primarily used in sectors including auto parts, electronic appliances, industrial machinery, sports equipment and medical equipment to partially replace copper, zinc, tin, lead and other metal materials.
