Source: Asia Development Bank
ADB President Masato Kanda delivered the opening remarks at the event Transforming Food Systems for the Future of Asia and the Pacific held on the sidelines of the 58th Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors in Milan, Italy.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, May 8 /Xinhua/ – China made a great contribution to the overall victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, Ekaterina Zaklyazminskaya, head of the Center for World Politics and Strategic Analysis at the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICSA RAS), said in an interview with Xinhua.
“China really made a big contribution to the victory because it was the field that allowed Japanese aggression to be contained on the Eastern Front,” she said, adding that during the World Anti-Fascist War, China was a “shield” for many other states, including the Soviet Union.
According to E. Zaklyazminskaya, if it were not for the contribution of the Chinese people, the Japanese army could have advanced further and captured more territories, and even more people would have suffered. “China sacrificed itself, its people,” she emphasized.
The expert noted that through joint efforts, China and the USSR were able to expel Japanese militarists from Chinese territory and stop Japanese aggression. These were very sad, but at the same time very touching pages of bilateral history, she said.
Speaking about the proper attitude to the results of the World Anti-Fascist War, E. Zaklyazminskaya emphasized that attempts to distort the historical truth are unacceptable. “We must support the truth about the events of those years, about the events of the Second World War. In no case should we allow the falsification of the events of that time, because we must remember that the victory was achieved with great difficulty. This is our common victory, and it laid the foundations of the modern world,” the expert believes.
E. Zaklyazminskaya is also confident that the international system with the UN as its core, the formation of which was not easy, must be supported and preserved.
“It is extremely important that both Russia and China support true multipolarity, true multilateralism,” she stressed, adding that both countries strive to ensure that the voice of developing countries is heard, so that countries of the Global South can conduct independent foreign policies. –0–
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HAIKOU, May 8 (Xinhua) — A new direct air route connecting Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province, and London in the United Kingdom was launched on Wednesday.
The round trip routes will be operated by Hainan Airlines using a wide-body Boeing 787 aircraft once a week on Wednesdays.
Flight HU7911 will depart Haikou Meilan International Airport at 13:45 Beijing Time and arrive at London Heathrow Airport at 19:30 local time on the same day. The return flight HU7912 will depart London at 22:00 local time and arrive in Haikou at 16:55 Beijing Time on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Meilan Airport Authority also said it plans to increase the frequency of flights between Haikou and Kuala Lumpur, as well as between Haikou and Hong Kong SAR, to make the international and regional air network denser.
These efforts are aimed at accelerating the development of Meilan Airport into a regional aviation hub for the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, and promoting the establishment of an international tourism and consumption center on the island. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Speakers:
Mr. Wang Lingjun, vice minister of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)
Mr. Lyu Daliang, spokesperson of the GACC and director general of the Department of Statistics and Analysis of the GACC
Chairperson:
Ms. Xing Huina, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO
Date:
April 14, 2025
Xing Huina:
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). Today, we will conduct a routine release of economic data. We have invited Mr. Wang Lingjun, vice minister of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), to introduce China’s import and export performance in the first quarter of this year and answer your questions. Also attending today’s press conference is Mr. Lyu Daliang, spokesperson of the GACC and director general of the Department of Statistics and Analysis of the GACC.
Now, I’ll give the floor to Mr. Wang for his introduction.
Wang Lingjun:
Good morning. I will start by briefing you on the import and export performance in the first quarter of this year, and then my colleague Mr. Lyu and I will answer your questions.
Since the beginning of this year, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has adhered to the general principle of pursuing progress while maintaining stability, fully and faithfully applied the new development philosophy, accelerated efforts to foster a new pattern of development, and solidly promoted high-quality development. Both existing policies and incremental policies have continued to exert their effects. The economy has got off to a steady start, and the development trend is positive and dynamic. China’s foreign trade has withstood pressure, achieving growth in scale and improvement in quality. Customs statistics show that in the first quarter of this year, China’s foreign trade in goods stood at 10.3 trillion yuan, up 1.3% year on year. Exports were 6.13 trillion yuan, up by 6.9%, and imports were 4.17 trillion yuan, down by 6%. Specifically, there were four main features:
First, the growth rate of imports and exports rebounded month by month. In the first quarter, China’s imports and exports reached a record high for the same period, exceeding 10 trillion yuan for eight consecutive quarters. Looking at the monthly trends, imports and exports fell by 2.2% in January, remained basically flat in February, and grew by 6% in March.
Second, the proportion of private enterprises in imports and exports increased. In the first quarter, the imports and exports of private enterprises in China reached 5.85 trillion yuan, an increase of 5.8%, accounting for 56.8% of the total import and export value, an increase of 2.4 percentage points compared with the same period last year. During the same period, the imports and exports of foreign-invested enterprises reached 2.99 trillion yuan, an increase of 0.4%, accounting for 29% of the total import and export value.
Third, the growth rate of imports and exports with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was higher than the overall level. In the first quarter, China’s imports and exports with BRI partner countries reached 5.26 trillion yuan, increasing by 2.2%, which was 0.9 percentage points higher than the overall growth, accounting for 51.1% of the total import and export value. Among these, imports and exports with ASEAN countries reached 1.71 trillion yuan, up 7.1%.
Fourth, the imports and exports of mechanical and electrical products grew rapidly. In the first quarter, China’s imports and exports of mechanical and electrical products reached 5.29 trillion yuan, an increase of 7.7%. Among these, exports of goods such as household appliances, notebook computers and electronic components grew relatively quickly; and imports of parts and components of automatic data processing equipment, ships and offshore engineering equipment also grew relatively quickly.
Generally speaking, in the face of increasing external difficulties and challenges, local governments, various departments and a large number of foreign-trade operators actively responded, promoting a stable start for China’s imports and exports in the first quarter.
Recently, the United States government has wantonly imposed tariffs, which will inevitably have a negative impact on global trade, including that between China and the U.S. China has resolutely taken necessary countermeasures in a timely manner. This is not only to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests but also to defend international trade rules and international fairness and justice. China will unswervingly promote a high level of opening up and carry out mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation with other countries.
Customs authorities will resolutely implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, firmly uphold their duties, strictly implement all countermeasures against the U.S. in accordance with the law, and safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. We will accelerate the construction of smart customs and international cooperation, innovate customs supervision systems, continuously improve supervision efficiency and service levels, facilitate enterprises’ customs clearance, and promote the stable development of foreign trade with more optimized supervision, higher security, greater convenience and stricter anti-smuggling efforts. Thank you.
Xing Huina:
Thank you, Mr. Wang, for your introduction. We will now move on to the Q&A session. Please raise your hand if you have a question. Please identify your news outlet before asking your question.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A damaged mosque is seen at a residential area after an Indian missile attack in Bahawalpur district, Punjab province, eastern Pakistan on May 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that his country is fully capable of defending its geographical boundaries as well as responding to any kind of Indian aggression.
Sharif made the remarks while addressing the National Assembly, or the lower house of the country’s parliament.
He said that Pakistan shot down five Indian jets without crossing into the Indian airspace.
The National Security Committee (NSC) of Pakistan has “authorized” the country’s army to “undertake corresponding” retaliation for Indian attacks which killed 26 civilians and injured 46 others, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement on Wednesday.
Tensions between the two South Asian neighbors have escalated following a deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, in which at least 25 people were killed, according to Indian media reports.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks during a special solemn meeting in commemoration of all victims of World War II at the UN headquarters in New York on May 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday convened a special solemn meeting in commemoration of all victims of World War II, as the international community marks the 80th anniversary of the war’s end.
China, which won the war in the major Oriental theater of WWII, endured casualties exceeding 35 million, said Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, emphasizing China’s role in the global victory over fascism.
“By holding back the main forces of Japanese militarism, China not only secured its own survival and national salvation, but also provided strong support to the resistant forces in Europe and the Pacific, making an indelible contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War,” said Fu.
Fu said that 80 years later, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, with unilateralism on the rise and bullying running rampant.
Fu called for jointly promoting “a correct understanding of the history of WWII.” “Any scheme or action seeking to downplay, deny, or distort the history of WWII and any rhetoric that glorifies wars of aggression and colonial rule tantamount to a mockery of history and an affront to human conscience, and will surely lose the trust of the global community,” he said.
“We must firmly uphold the UN-centered international system, the international order based on international law, and the rules-based multilateral trading system, and unequivocally say no to all forms of power politics and bullying,” he said.
He also called for jointly upholding the authority and status of the United Nations.
“Certain countries treat the UN as something they can use when it suits them and discard when it doesn’t. They willfully withdraw from agreements and organizations, default on contribution payments, and cut funding in an attempt to place their narrow interests over the collective global good,” Fu said, adding that such practices are “deeply unpopular and are ultimately doomed to failure.”
Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said the victory came at the cost of millions of people.
“China lost 35 million people. The United States, approximately half a million. Serbia organized the largest partisan movement in Europe. The struggle for the freedom of the peoples was carried out by heroes from Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The cost for the Soviet Union was 27 million people. Twelve million of them were military losses,” Nebenzia said.
“We will forever remember the great feat that was achieved by the Soviet people, the participants of these historic events. This was a time that was exceedingly difficult, but it was very sacred. A person who experiences significant trials and who vanquishes this will forever draw strength from this victory,” he said.
Antje Leendertse, Germany’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said the war, unleashed by Nazi Germany, caused immeasurable suffering, in Europe and beyond.
“That legacy of pain, destruction, and loss will forever be tied to my country’s name. We carry this burden with humility and a moral responsibility, and we accept it without hesitation,” she said.
“‘Never again’ is not only a commitment for Germany. It is a universal obligation — one that binds us all. An obligation to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. To protect civilian lives and defend the vulnerable. To uphold the dignity of every human being. And to safeguard the principles of the United Nations Charter for all, including future generations,” said Leendertse.
Stavros Lambrinidis, head of the European Union Delegation to the United Nations, said it is the occasion to “honor the sacrifices made and mourn the countless lives lost during and after the war.”
“It is also an opportunity to reiterate our commitment to collaborating with all Member States of the United Nations to ensure a more peaceful, equitable, and prosperous future for generations to come,” Lambrinidis said.
He said that 80 years on from the end of the Second World War, “we are reminded of the solemn responsibility entrusted to us: to remain true to our collective commitment to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and to ensure that the horrors of war are never repeated.”
Philemon Yang, president of the UNGA, said in his remarks: “On this 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we reflect on the immense sacrifices made by the millions who fought and died to secure the freedoms we too often take for granted.”
“As time passes, these commemorations take on a deeper meaning. Most surviving veterans are now centenarians… Preserving their stories is not only a tribute to them, it is a moral responsibility for us all. We must ensure that the lessons they leave behind do not fade but endure,” he said.
Yang called on world leaders “to choose dialogue over conflict. Diplomacy over escalation. Cooperation over division. Peace over the absence of peace.”
“We stand at a defining moment — not only for this institution, but for humanity,” said the UNGA president.
In March, the UNGA passed a resolution to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The resolution calls for a special commemorative meeting to be held in the second week of May 2025, and every five years thereafter, to honor the victims of the war.
It was introduced by Russia, China, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Fu Cong (on the screen), China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks during a special solemn meeting in commemoration of all victims of World War II at the UN headquarters in New York on May 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks during a UN General Assembly’s special solemn meeting in commemoration of all victims of World War II at the UN headquarters in New York on May 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Source: New South Wales Community and Justice
A Bellerive man has been arrested and charged with grooming offences, police alleging he used social media to entice a person aged under 16 to self-produce child abuse material.
The 34-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday after members of the Tasmanian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET) executed a search warrant as part of the team’s investigation into the detection of a child being groomed via social media.The Tasmanian JACET is comprised of members of the High-Risk Child Exploitation Unit (Tasmania Police) and the Australian Federal Police.
During the search, police located and examined numerous mobile devices.
As a result, a 34-year-old man was arrested and charged with using a carriage service to groom persons under 16 years of age, contrary to section 474.27 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The man appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday night and has been bailed, with strict conditions, to reappear in court in late June.
Online child abuse is a serious crime type. Tasmania Police, with the support of its partners, is committed to stopping these crimes and keeping our children safe.
If you have seen inappropriate behaviour online that you suspect is child abuse, report it:
• If the child is in immediate danger, call 000.
• Call 131 444
• Report online to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) https://www.accce.gov.au/report
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) joined Bob Brooks with Newsmax last night to discuss his new legislation to codify one of President Donald Trump’s key campaign promises – the Overtime Wages Tax Relief Act – as well as ongoing tariffs and trade negotiations with foreign powers.
You may click HERE to watch Senator Marshall’s full Newsmax interview.
On the introduction of the Overtime Wages Tax Relief Act:
“You know, this One Big Beautiful Bill will be President Trump’s legacy. And he wants to make sure that this bill prioritizes those hard-working Americans, those hourly wage employees you’re talking about. And that’s exactly what we do with this. We’re going to let that first $10,000 of overtime wages that you make – we’re going to make sure the government doesn’t take home any of, that’s $20,000 for a couple. That means you could keep up to $4,000 more of your hard-earned money. And you’re just absolutely right – if you weren’t a Republican before you saw that first overtime check and all the government took out of it, you were after.”
On experiencing overtime wage taxes at a young age:
“My first job off the farm, I wasn’t quite 16 yet. The minimum wage was… $2.30 an hour, believe it or not. And to your point, I was working at a sale barn, sorting heifers and steers, shoveling manure, those types of things. My brother and I often would work 18, 20, 24 hours at a time. And after eight hours, it was overtime, so you sat there thinking, my goodness, this is going to be a huge check. I’m saving up money to buy a car someday. And you open up that check and there you say, oh my gosh, I thought I worked all these extra hours, time and a half, and you saw the government take so much of it and across America, again, hardworking Americans, that’s exactly what they’re experiencing today.
“So, President Trump, promises made, promises kept. He’s going to let you keep more of your hard-earned money and fulfill one more of his campaign promises.”
On future trade deals with foreign nations:
“Even just moments ago, President Trump announced, the White House announced that they’re going to sit down with the Chinese and work on a trade deal with them. I think they’re very close on a deal with Mexico and Canada, probably Japan as well.
“But remember what President Trump’s goals are. His goals are to bring more manufacturing jobs, more jobs back to America, and to negotiate free and reciprocal trade agreements, trade agreements that will last and take care of our children and our children’s children, not just fix the moment.
“I am reminded of President Eisenhower, who did so many things that it took decades to come to fruition, for people to recognize his success. So yes, we’re enduring a little bit of pain right now, but already across the state of Kansas, small manufacturing companies are having spikes in sales. Because why? Because people want to invest in American-made products and not have to deal with the potential tariffs of something coming from abroad. So, it’s already working. Things are, things are just, just starting to shine here right now, better days are ahead of us. For America, I’m not tired of winning yet.”
Source: Reserve Bank of India
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle
Have you had a blood test to check your cholesterol level? These check the different blood fat components:
Your clinician then compares your test results to normal ranges – and may use ratios to compare different types of cholesterol.
High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This is a broad term that includes disease of blood vessels throughout the body, arteries in the heart (known as coronary heart disease), heart failure, heart valve conditions, arrhythmia and stroke.
So what does cholesterol do? And what does it mean to have a healthy cholesterol ratio?
Cholesterol is a waxy type of fat made in the liver and gut, with a small amount of pre-formed cholesterol coming from food.
Cholesterol is found in all cell membranes, contributing to their structure and function. Your body uses cholesterol to make vitamin D, bile acid, and hormones, including oestrogen, testosterone, cortisol and aldosterone.
When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it gets deposited into artery walls, making them hard and narrow. This process is called atherosclerosis.
Cholesterol is packaged with triglycerides (the most common type of fat in the body) and specific “apo” proteins into “lipo-proteins” as a package called “very-low-density” lipoproteins (VLDLs).
These are transported via the blood to body tissue in a form called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
Excess cholesterol can be transported back to the liver by high-density lipoprotein, the HDL, for removal from circulation.
Another less talked about blood fat is Lipoprotein-a, or Lp(a). This is determined by your genetics and not influenced by lifestyle factors. About one in five (20%) of Australians are carriers.
Having a high Lp(a) level is an independent cardiovascular disease risk factor.
Your blood fat levels are affected by both modifiable factors:
And non-modifiable factors:
Read more:
Got high cholesterol? Here are five foods to eat and avoid
Cholesterol ratios are sometimes used to provide more detail on the balance between different types of blood fats and to evaluate risk of developing heart disease.
Commonly used ratios include:
This ratio is used in Australia to assess risk of heart disease. It’s calculated by dividing your total cholesterol number by your HDL (good) cholesterol number.
A higher ratio (greater than 5) is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, whereas a lower ratio is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
A study of 32,000 Americans over eight years found adults who had either very high, or very low, total cholesterol/HDL ratios were at 26% and 18% greater risk of death from any cause during the study period.
Those with a ratio of greater than 4.2 had a 13% higher risk of death from heart disease than those with a ratio lower than 4.2.
Non-HDL cholesterol is the total cholesterol minus HDL. Non-HDL cholesterol includes all blood fats such as LDL, triglycerides, Lp(a) and others. This ratio is abbreviated as NHHR.
This ratio has been used more recently because it compares the ratio of “bad” blood fats that can contribute to atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries) to “good” or anti-atherogenic blood fats (HDL).
Non-HDL cholesterol is a stronger predictor of cardiovascular disease risk than LDL alone, while HDL is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk.
Because this ratio removes the “good” cholesterol from the non-HDL part of the ratio, it is not penalising those people who have really high amounts of “good” HDL that make up their total cholesterol, which the first ratio does.
Research has suggested this ratio may be a stronger predictor of atherosclerosis in women than men, however more research is needed.
Another study followed more than 10,000 adults with type 2 diabetes from the United States and Canada for about five years. The researchers found that for each unit increase in the ratio, there was around a 12% increased risk of having a heart attack, stroke or death.
They identified a risk threshold of 6.28 or above, after adjusting for other risk factors. Anyone with a ratio greater than this is at very high risk and would require management to lower their risk of heart disease.
LDL/HDL is calculated by dividing your LDL cholesterol number by the HDL number. This gives a ratio of “bad” to “good” cholesterol.
A lower ratio (ideal is less than 2.0) is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
While there is lesser focus on LDL/HDL, these ratios have been shown to be predictors of occurrence and severity of heart attacks in patients presenting with chest pain.
Read more:
Health Check: five food tips that could save your life after a heart attack
If you’re worried about your cholesterol levels or cardiovascular disease risk factors and are aged 45 and over (or over 30 for First Nations people), consider seeing your GP for a Medicare-rebated Heart Health Check.
Clare Collins AO is a Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle, NSW and a Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) affiliated researcher. She is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Leadership Fellow and has received research grants from NHMRC, ARC, MRFF, HMRI, Diabetes Australia, Heart Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, nib foundation, Rijk Zwaan Australia, WA Dept. Health, Meat and Livestock Australia, and Greater Charitable Foundation. She has consulted to SHINE Australia, Novo Nordisk, Quality Bakers, the Sax Institute, Dietitians Australia and the ABC. She was a team member conducting systematic reviews to inform the 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines update, the Heart Foundation evidence reviews on meat and dietary patterns and current Co-Chair of the Guidelines Development Advisory Committee for Clinical Practice Guidelines for Treatment of Obesity.
Erin Clarke is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Newcastle, and an affiliated researcher with Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). She is also an Accredited Practising Dietitian working in private practice. She is currently supported by L/Prof Clare Collins’ National Health and Medical Research Council Leadership Fellowship. She has received funding from the New South Wales Ministry of Health, University of Newcastle, HMRI, Hunter New England Health and has an industry grant with Honeysuckle Health Pty Limited. She also holds positions on the Nutrition Society of Australia Council as Co-Chair of the Newcastle Regional Group, she is an early career representative for the HMRI Food and Nutrition Research Program and the University of Newcastle College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing ECR Research Sub-Committee. She is also a member of the Nutrition Society of Australia Precision and Personalised Nutrition Special Interest Group and the NSW Cardiovascular Research Network.
– ref. What is a blood cholesterol ratio? And what should yours be? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-a-blood-cholesterol-ratio-and-what-should-yours-be-253126
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Digital Storytelling Team, The Conversation
Are you keen to know how many women there are in the new House of Representatives? And how the parties fare on gender balance?
What about how many young people will have a vote in the parliament, given they’re such a big voting bloc?
We’ve pulled together information from the Australian Electoral Commission, the ABC and some party websites to give you the most complete picture of the new parliament.
Digital Storytelling Team does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Explore the new House of Representatives – https://theconversation.com/explore-the-new-house-of-representatives-256214
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samara Kim, PhD Candidate & Researcher, Southern Cross University
Korean adoptees worldwide are grappling with a devastating possibility: they were not truly orphans, but may have been made into orphans.
For decades, adoptees were told they were “abandoned”, “rescued” or “unwanted”. Many were told their Korean families were too “poor” or “incapable” to raise them – and they should only ever feel grateful for being adopted.
But these long-held stories are now under scrutiny.
Our recent research interrogates the narratives that have obscured the darker realities of intercountry adoption. Rather than viewing adoption solely through the lens of “rescue”, our work examines the broader power structures that facilitated the mass migration of Korean children to western countries, including Australia.
In March, South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its preliminary findings after collecting records and testimony from a coalition of overseas Korean adoptee-led organisations (including the Australia–US Korean Rights Group).
The preliminary report revealed a disturbing pattern of human rights violations in the country’s adoption industry, including:
The commission’s chair described finding
serious violations of the rights of adoptees, their biological parents – particularly Korean single mothers – and others involved. These violations should never have occurred.
The commission is expected to release its final report soon, but due to the upcoming presidential election and political uncertainty in South Korea, the timeline remains unclear.
This is not the first time intercountry adoption has made headlines for irregularities, human rights abuses, or illicit and illegal practices.
While Australia was expanding the number of children for intercountry adoption from South Korea in the 1980s, Park In-keun – director of South Korea’s infamous Brothers Home, an illegal detention facility that sent children overseas for adoption – was arrested for embezzlement and illegal confinement.
He was ultimately acquitted of the most serious charges in South Korea before escaping to Australia. He was then charged again in 2014 for embezzlement, including government subsidies and wages of inmates forced into slave labour in South Korea. He died two years later.
Other allegations of human rights violations and abuses came to light around the same time with the arrest of Julie Chu.
She was accused of facilitating a “baby export” syndicate. Children were believed to have been kidnapped from Taiwan to send to Western countries, including Australia, in the 1970s and 80s. She was convicted of forgery, but denied being involved in trafficking.
Since then, other cases have continued to emerge involving countries such as Chile, Sri Lanka, India, Ethiopia and Guatemala.
Intercountry adoption is not just a social practice. It’s also an economic and political system sometimes known as the transnational adoption industrial complex.
This network of organisations, institutions, government policies and financial systems created a globalised adoption economy worth billions of dollars. According to numerous investigations, Western nations, as “receiving” countries, drove the demand for the continuous sourcing of children.
As Park Geon-Tae, a senior investigator with South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said:
To put it simply, there was supply because there was demand.
Australia received an estimated 3,600 Korean children from the 1970s to the present, as part of more than 10,000 intercountry adoptions.
Prospective parents typically paid between US$4,500 and $5,000 to facilitate acquiring a child in Australia in the 1980s, equivalent to A$21,000 today.
Since colonisation, Australia has had a long and painful history of child removal. From the Stolen Generations involving First Nations children to the forced adoption of children born to unwed mothers, child separation has been deeply embedded in the nation’s social policy.
While national apologies have acknowledged the irreparable harms caused by these policies, the same ideologies and structures were repurposed as the blueprint for intercountry adoption.
In recent years, other western nations, such as Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland, have begun to investigate their own roles in the intercountry adoption industry. These nations have either suspended their adoption programs, issued formal apologies or launched formal investigations.
Thus far, Australia and the United States have not.
Intercountry adoption has long been framed as a humanitarian act. The central idea was that children needed “rescuing” and any life in a Western country would be “better” than one with their families in their home country.
Many adoptees and their original families were expected to just move on or be grateful for being “saved”.
However, research shows this gratitude narrative disregards the deep trauma caused by forced separation.
Studies have reported that adoptees experience lifelong ruptures due to cultural, familial and ancestral displacement. Forced assimilation makes reconnection with family and culture complex or nearly impossible.
Many intercountry adoptees have also voiced concerns about abuse, violence and mistreatment in adoptive homes.
The myth of a global orphan crisis has also been a powerful driver of intercountry adoption.
Adoption groups often reference outdated UNICEF estimates that there are 150 million orphans globally. However, this figure obscures the fact most of the children classified as “orphans” are children of single parents, or children currently living in homes with extended family or other caregivers.
This was the case in South Korea. Most children sent for adoption were not true orphans, but children who had at least one parent or extended family they could have stayed with if they were adequately supported.
The belief that millions of children of single parents were “orphans” in need of “rescue” was used to justify calls for faster, less regulated adoptions.
Labelling these children as “orphans” also helped attract millions of dollars in philanthropic donations. However, donors were rarely interested in supporting children to stay with their families and communities in their home countries.
Instead, the focus was often on removing and migrating them for the purpose of intercountry adoption.
The question then emerges: was this about finding families for babies or finding babies for Western families?
Samara Kim is a founding member of KADS Connect, an advocacy organisation for South Korean adoptees.
Kathomi Gatwiri and Lynne McPherson 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.
– ref. ‘These violations should never have occurred’: the troubled history of intercountry adoption – https://theconversation.com/these-violations-should-never-have-occurred-the-troubled-history-of-intercountry-adoption-254200
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i) and Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) today reintroduced bicameral legislation that would help strengthen and protect health care for seniors in Hawai‘i. The Protecting Access To Care in Hawai‘i (PATCH) Act would provide fair Medicare reimbursements to Hawai‘i providers, helping retain and recruit more doctors and protect access to health care for seniors across the state.
“As more people reach Medicare age in Hawai‘i, we are seeing fewer health care providers because of the rising operating and living costs in our state,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill would help fix that, boosting Medicare payments to providers and protecting health care access for the 300,000 seniors in Hawai‘i that rely on Medicare.”
“Hundreds of thousands of seniors rely on Medicare throughout Hawai‘i, yet there are numerous obstacles that prevent them from accessing the care they need,” said Senator Hirono. “Hawai‘i’s high cost of living and unique geography make it difficult to attract and retain physicians, further exacerbating the state’s shortage of health care professionals. That is why I am proud to support the PATCH Act, legislation that will help expand and protect access to health care across the islands by ensuring that physicians and other health professionals are being fairly compensated.”
“Hawai‘i’s seniors deserve reliable, timely care, no matter where they live. But our health care system is under real strain, especially in rural and Neighbor Island communities, where too many providers are already operating on thin margins,” said Representative Tokuda. “The PATCH Act is simply about fairness and sustainability. By adjusting Medicare payments to reflect the true costs of care in Hawai‘i, we can better support our doctors, strengthen local health systems, and ensure that our kupuna aren’t left behind when they need care the most.”
“Nearly one in five of our Hawai’i ‘ohana are now age 65 or older and our senior population continues to grow rapidly,” said Representative Case. “The PATCH Act reinforces our commitment to Hawai‘i’s kupuna by ensuring that their medical practitioners are adequately compensated for the care they provide to our seniors.”
Medicare physician payments per beneficiary in Hawai‘i are among the lowest in the country. While health care operating costs in Hawai‘i are substantially higher than in other states, its Medicare reimbursement rates do not account for those rising costs. The PATCH Act would increase health care provider payments by up to 38 percent, ensuring more doctors stay in Hawai‘i to help provide care to Hawai‘i’s 300,000 Medicare beneficiaries.
“There is a serious workforce shortage in Hawai‘i that affects the ability of residents in the state to access timely care. We’ve known for decades that physician reimbursements in the state do not accurately reflect the actual costs of providing care. Coupled with our unique, difficult geography, more steps need to be taken by Medicare to ensure that all Hawai‘i residents can see a doctor when they need one. This bill will provide long-overdue relief to our state by ensuring that physicians are paid fairly for their services,” said Hilton Raethel, President and CEO of Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i.
The full text of the bill is available here.
Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets
Some of New Zealand’s most outstanding scientific minds have been recognised at the 2024 Prime Minister’s Science Prizes Award Ceremony, held this evening in Wellington.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon praised the winners, acknowledging the crucial role that science plays in building a more productive, innovative, and sustainable New Zealand.
“This year’s top honour, the Prime Minister’s Science Prize, has been awarded to Dr Linda Johnson and the Endophyte Discovery Team at AgResearch,” Christopher Luxon says.
“Their groundbreaking work to improve the health and productivity of ryegrass is making a tangible difference for New Zealand farmers, boosting yields while reducing reliance on pesticides.”
Ryegrass is the most commonly used pasture grass in New Zealand agriculture. The team’s research has led to the development of beneficial microorganisms that protect grass from pests and disease, while also enhancing drought resistance.
“This is an excellent example of science delivering real-world solutions.
“By improving the quality of pasture on our farms, we’re not only increasing our capacity to produce high-quality food, but we’re also supporting the growth of our economy and ensuring a more resilient future for our agricultural sector.”
The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes comprise five prestigious awards, with a total prize pool of $975,000. The 2024 recipients include:
“Congratulations to all this year’s winners. Your achievements are a testament to the power of Kiwi ingenuity and scientific excellence,” Mr Luxon says.
“Your work is not only advancing knowledge—it’s improving lives and building a better New Zealand for future generations.”
The five prizes are:
The Prime Minister’s Science Prize
An individual or team for a transformative scientific discovery or achievement, which has had a significant economic, health, social and/or environmental impact on New Zealand and/or internationally. The total value of this prize is $500,000. $100,000 goes towards the team, and $400,000 will be used to support the ongoing research.
The Prime Minister’s MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize
An outstanding emerging scientist who has had their PhD or equivalent qualification conferred within the last eight years i.e. (no earlier than 1 January 2014). The total value of the Prize is $200,000. $50,000 is for the winner, and $150,000 for their ongoing research.
The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize
A registered teacher kaiako who has been teaching science, mathematics, technology, pūtaiao, hangarau or pāngarau learning areas of the New Zealand curriculum to school-age children in a primary, intermediate or secondary New Zealand registered school or kura kaupapa. The total value of this prize is $150,000. The winner can use $50,000 at their own discretion. The winner’s school will receive $100,000 which must be used for the development of science in their school.
The Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize
A practising scientist who can demonstrate an interest, passion and aptitude for science communication and public engagement, or to a person who has developed expertise in public engagement, or communication of complex scientific or technological information to the public and/or science and research communities. The total value of the Prize is $75,000. $55,000 of the Prize money is to be used to support the recipient to carry out a programme of activities/professional development to further their understanding of science communication. $20,000 is for the winner.
The Prime Minister’s Future Scientist Prize
Awarded to a Year 12 or Year 13 school tauira student for outstanding achievement in carrying out a practical and innovative science research, maths, technology or engineering project. This Prize is valued at $50,000 and is to be used to support the winner’s tertiary education.
Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has today announced the new Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, and the members of the Prime Minister’s Science and Technology Advisory Council.
“We have world-class scientists in our universities and research institutes, but they’re working in a system held back by outdated settings. To unlock the full potential of science and technology, we need a sharper focus on commercialisation, better access to global investment, and clearer priorities at home,” Mr Luxon says.
“This Council is a new initiative to get clear, independent advice to ensure our investments in science and technology are delivering real outcomes for New Zealanders.
“The Council will provide advice on long-term priorities for government-funded science and innovation. They will help identify areas of focus that will have the greatest benefit for Kiwis and our economy.
“I also expect them to provide bold and courageous advice about those areas that aren’t delivering value for New Zealanders and may need to be deprioritised. It’s about making sure we are investing in what will have the greatest impact for New Zealanders.”
Members of the Council bring a strong mix of scientific, commercial and strategic expertise. They include:
Sir Peter Gluckman
Craig Piggott
Professor Merryn Tawhai
Komal Mistry-Mehta
Malcolm Johns
Dr John Roche
“I am also pleased to announce that Dr John Roche has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor. In this role, John will support robust decision making by providing high quality, independent scientific advice. John, in his capacity as my science advisor, will also be a member of the council.”
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, Hon Dr Shane Reti, will chair the Council, with Dr John Roche as deputy chair.
“These are highly capable individuals who understand both the science and the economic imperatives. They are prepared to make the bold calls needed to ensure the system is future-focused, outcome-driven and aligned with our economic goals,” Mr Luxon says.
“A strong, well-directed science and innovation sector is critical to lifting productivity, creating high-value jobs and supporting a more resilient and competitive economy.”
The Council will provide its first formal advice to the Prime Minister and Minister Reti later this year.
Biographies of Council members:
Sir Peter Gluckman
Professor Sir Peter Gluckman ONZ KNZM FRSNZ FMedSci FRS trained as a paediatrician and biomedical scientist. He is Director of Koi Tu- Centre for Informed Futures and holds a Distinguished University Professorship at the University of Auckland. He is currently the chair of the Science System Advisory Group. Sir Peter is President of the International Science Council (ISC, 2021-2026). From 2014-2021 he was the inaugural Chair of the International Network of Government Science Advice (INGSA), and from 2009-2018 he was the first Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of New Zealand. He was also Science Envoy for the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and coordinated the secretariat of the Small Advanced Economies Initiative. He has written and spoken extensively on science-policy and science-diplomacy and science-society interactions. He has received the highest scientific and civilian honours in New Zealand and numerous international scientific awards.
Craig Piggott
Craig Piggott is the founder of Halter. The company’s solar-powered collar for dairy and beef cows, pairs with an app for farmers and allows cows to respond to guidance cues, enabling virtual herding and fencing while monitoring health 24/7. This innovation helps farmers increase milk and protein production propelling the company to become one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing businesses with a thriving international customer base. Craig brings experience in innovation, agriculture and business.
Merryn Tawhai
Merryn Tawhai graduated from the University of Auckland with a PhD in Engineering Science in 2001. She leads a research programme at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI) in applied computational physiology of the respiratory system. Merryn is the Director of the ABI and sits on the Board of Directors for Cure Kids Ventures and the Virtual Physiological Human Institute. She was ABI’s Deputy Director for 10 years, Director of the Medical Technologies Centre of Research Excellence (MedTech CoRE), and an independent Director for Izon Science. Merryn was awarded the 2016 MacDiarmid Medal by the Royal Society of New Zealand (RSNZ) Te Apārangi, is a Fellow of the RSNZ, a Fellow of IAMBE and AIMBE, and an elected member of the Fleischner Society.
Komal Mistry-Mehta
Komal is Chief Innovation & Brand Officer at Fonterra and Managing Director of the Ki Tua Fund, Fonterra’s corporate venture capital arm. She leads global innovation, research and development, digital, brand and marketing functions for New Zealand’s largest company. Prior to joining the Fonterra Executive Team, Komal led Fonterra’s global health and nutrition business based in Singapore. With experience across Asia, the America’s and Europe, she has led major transformations in sales, innovation, digital enablement and technology. Komal was named New Zealand’s Young Executive of the Year in 2017 and serves on several international boards. Komal has completed the Executive Program at Stanford University School of Business and holds Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Management degrees from the University of Waikato. She is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand as well as a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Malcolm Johns
Malcolm is the Chief Executive of Genesis Energy. Previously he was the Chief Executive of InterCity Group and held several governance roles within New Zealand’s transport, infrastructure and tourism sectors. He is Convenor of the Climate Leaders Coalition and served as Chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council leading the regional trade policy task force for climate change. Malcolm has extensive business acumen and understanding of Government systems
John Roche
John was appointed MPI’s Chief Science Adviser in June 2018 to provide an independent science perspective. He leads MPI’s Science Forum, chairs the Science Governance Group at MPI and the independent Mycoplasma bovis Strategic Science Advisory Group. John is also a member of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser’s forum and is an adjunct professor in University of Auckland’s School of Biological Sciences. John was previously DairyNZ’s Principal Scientist for Animal Science. He has held science appointments in Ireland and Australia. He is also Managing Director of Down to Earth Advice Ltd. Widely published and a regular contributor to international science and farming conferences, John has an Honours degree in Agricultural Science, a Masters in Farm Systems and Pasture Management, and a PhD in Animal Nutrition.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Executive John Lee will lead a delegation to the Middle East on Saturday, with his trip encompassing visits to Qatar and Kuwait.
Executive Council member and Legislative Councillor for the Commercial Functional Constituency Jeffrey Lam, who will be part of Mr Lee’s delegation, explained that the Middle East has seen rapid development in recent years in areas such as finance, infrastructure and tourism. He believes there is significant potential for economic co-operation with Hong Kong, and that the city must accelerate its exploration of emerging overseas markets.
Mr Lam expressed optimism about the potential for such co-operation, noting that – as an international financial centre – Hong Kong is ideally positioned to advance collaborative efforts in various sectors.
“Especially after the import duty trade war started by the US, a lot of people do not want to rest all their investments or businesses in the US. So, they are looking into Hong Kong, the Middle East, Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, etc.”
Mr Lam added that he hopes the trip can facilitate opportunities for co-operation related to new energy. He highlighted that the Middle East, traditionally reliant on oil, is increasingly interested in diversifying and adopting new technologies.
“Solar energy is another area that we can develop,” he said. “Imagine 6.5 to 8.5 hours of sunlight, how we can save that energy and use that energy. That needs technology to accomplish it.”
Mr Lam also outlined that in addition to helping Hong Kong businesses develop opportunities overseas, the delegation hopes to bring in more capital from the Middle East region. This includes attracting companies to set up regional headquarters in Hong Kong, leveraging the city’s role as a hub connecting the Mainland and the rest of the world.
Source: ASEAN
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community, Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz, today met with the Assistant Deputy Minister for the Indo-Pacific at Global Affairs Canada/Canada Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Leader, Weldon Epp, at the sidelines of the 22nd ASEAN-Canada Dialogue in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Both sides exchanged views on ways to further advance the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership and touched upon regional and international issues of common interest and concern.
photos credit: ASEAN Secretariat
The post Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community meets with Assistant Deputy Minister for the Indo-Pacific at Global Affairs Canada/Canada SOM Leader appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Allen-Franks, Senior Lecturer, Law School, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
A recent Supreme Court decision could have far reaching consequences on how police can use photographs as evidence.
The central question in Mahia Tamiefuna v The King was whether a photo taken by a police officer on a public road during a routine traffic stop could be used to convict a person of an unrelated crime.
According to the decision, which became public this week, the answer is no. And there are clear and compelling reasons why a majority of the court made this call.
The Tamiefuna case started with a traffic stop by a police officer in 2019. Finding the driver was unlicensed, the officer impounded the car and the occupants had to get out.
While they were standing on the road, the officer took pictures of them with his phone and uploaded the images to the national intelligence database.
The photo of Tamiefuna matched CCTV footage taken three days earlier after an aggravated robbery. At the time of the robbery, police weren’t able to identify Tamiefuna because his face was obscured.
But after the photo was uploaded to the database, police realised the clothing Tamiefuna was wearing in the photo matched the clothing from the aggravated robbery. The photo became a key piece of evidence linking him to that case and resulted in a conviction of aggravated robbery.
His appeal against the conviction was dismissed before the case came before the Supreme Court, where a majority of the court agreed with his arguments.
The court found the taking of the photo was unlawful and unreasonable because the officer wasn’t investigating any specific crime when he took it. Uploading the photo to the database and keeping it there was also unlawful and unreasonable.
If the officer had been investigating a specific crime, there is a legal framework that would have allowed the taking of photos and other information by police.
The impropriety in taking and retaining the photo was such that the court said it should have been excluded from Tamiefuna’s trial under section 30 of the Evidence Act 2006. The Crown has subsequently said it would not seek a retrial of Tamiefuna due to insufficient evidence. He is a free man.
Under the Evidence Act, a judge must decide whether to exclude evidence from the trial if a court finds it was obtained improperly. That decision is made by balancing whether exclusion would be “proportionate to the wrongdoing”.
In making that decision, the judge has to take account of “the need for an effective and credible system of justice”. If the evidence is excluded, the judge may be depriving the jury of relevant material which could help them determine what truly happened.
As such, we need a strong justification for why it may be right to keep evidence out of a trial.
In my view, there are two compelling justifications for what happened in Tamiefuna’s case. The first is called the “rights thesis”: the idea that we should exclude evidence if it has been obtained in breach of a defendant’s rights.
The logic is that if parliament declares we have a right, it should be taken seriously. And there should be consequences for violating a person’s rights. When evidence is obtained through breaching a person’s rights, the most appropriate remedy is the exclusion of the evidence.
For Tamiefuna, the evidence was obtained in breach of his right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure under section 21 of the Bill of Rights Act. With the rights thesis, we return a person back to the position they would have been in had the breach not happened.
The other justification is that we should exclude evidence if we need to uphold the integrity of the justice system (the “integrity principle”).
Courts need the ability to exclude improperly obtained evidence, because integrity as a rule-of-law concept requires our courts to act coherently. By this logic, they shouldn’t ignore wrongdoing in the obtaining of evidence.
The court shouldn’t condone illegal actions by state actors such as the police, while condemning some other conduct by finding someone guilty of crime. It matters if evidence is obtained in breach of a right.
In circumstances where parliament has marked out certain rights by including them in the Bill of Rights Act, relying on evidence obtained in breach of such rights raises serious integrity concerns.
The best way for the court to show it’s acting with integrity would be to approach this sort of evidence by presuming it should be excluded.
This may mean that “the criminal is to go free because the constable has blundered”, as American judge Benjamin Cardazo once complained. But that is a consequence we have to accept to be sure we have an effective and credible system of justice.
Tamiefuna’s case will likely lead to greater guidance for police around the taking of pictures so the same thing doesn’t happen in the future.
Some people might baulk at Tamiefuna going free, but it’s the right decision overall.
Alexandra Allen-Franks does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Inadmissible evidence: why a routine traffic stop and police photo went all the way to the Supreme Court – https://theconversation.com/inadmissible-evidence-why-a-routine-traffic-stop-and-police-photo-went-all-the-way-to-the-supreme-court-256203
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 8, 2025.
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New taxes on super didn’t get much attention in the election campaign. But they could be tricky to implement
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Melatos, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Sydney Poetra.RH/Shutterstock The re-election of the Albanese government has led to renewed concern about planned changes to the taxation of investment returns in superannuation funds. Labor’s emphatic victory on Saturday night, including what looks like an increased presence in
New Caledonia’s political talks – no outcome after three days of ‘conclave’
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific Desk After three solid days of talks in retreat mode, New Caledonia’s political parties have yet to reach an agreement on the French Pacific territory’s future status. The talks, held with French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls and French Prime Minister’s special advisor Eric Thiers, have since
Forest home of ‘polar dinosaurs’ 120 million years ago in southern Australia recreated in detail for the first time
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vera Korasidis, Lecturer in Environmental Geoscience, The University of Melbourne Artwork © Bob Nicholls 2024 Roughly 140 million to 100 million years ago, the piece of land that is modern day Australia was located much further south on Earth. In fact, what is now Victoria was once
Ovarian cysts can be painful when they burst. When do you need to see a doctor?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Chruścik, Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock Cysts are small pockets of fluid that form inside the body. Ovarian cysts are common, affecting around one in ten women. But sometimes they can cause pain – especially when they burst. You
Keith Rankin Chart Analysis – International Trade over time: gifts with strings
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‘Utu’ as foreign policy: how a Māori worldview can make sense of a shifting world order
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While the Liberals haemorrhaged, the Nationals held their own. Is it time to break up the Coalition?
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Why is hospital parking so expensive? Two economics researchers explain
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Farrell, Professor of Economics (Health Economist), RMIT University ThirtyPlus/Shutterstock Imagine having to pay A$39 dollars a day to park your car while visiting your sick child in hospital. For families already struggling in a cost-of-living crisis, hospital parking fees are not just another expense. They can
Vietnam is poised to become a top 20 economy, so why is Australia taking so long to make trade and investment links?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Vo, Senior lecturer in Vietnamese culture and politics, University of Wollongong Aritra Deb/Shutterstock At a time of widespread global trade instability, Australia should be expanding and diversifying its economic partnerships. Supply chains remain fragile, and protectionist rhetoric is once again gaining traction in major Western economies.
Marvel’s Thunderbolts* shines a light on men’s mental illness – but falls down with this outdated plotline
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Australia is set to be a renewables nation. After Labor’s win, there’s no turning back
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wesley Morgan, Research Associate, Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney bmphotographer/Shutterstock An emphatic election victory for the incumbent Labor government means Australia’s rapid shift to renewable energy will continue. As Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said on Saturday: In 2022, the Australian people
Financial Times: The West’s shameful silence on Gaza – do more to restrain Benjamin Netanyahu
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Australia doesn’t have a federal Human Rights Act – but the election clears the way for overdue reform
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Samoa down in RSF media freedom world ranking due to ‘authoritarian pressure’
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How maximum security prison inmates and officers worked together to create a farm behind bars
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Tietz, Senior Lecturer in Industrial Design, UNSW Sydney Macquarie Correctional Centre Media Unit At Macquarie Correctional Centre in western New South Wales, a story of collaboration and persistence is unfolding. Inmates and prison officers are farming commercial quantities of fresh food in a purpose-built indoor facility.
Can what you eat during pregnancy and breastfeeding affect whether your child develops food allergies?
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How do you put a tariff on movies? Here’s what Trump’s plan could mean for Australia
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Labor says its second term will be about productivity reform. These ideas could help shift the dial
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roy Green, Emeritus Professor of Innovation, University of Technology Sydney Summit Art Creations/Shutterstock In his victory speech, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted social policy as a major factor in Labor’s electoral success, particularly Medicare, housing and cost of living relief. He was justified in doing so. But
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss the Trump Administration’s trade negotiations with China.
*Click the photo above or here to watch*
Partial Transcript
Hagerty on the importance of holding China accountable to their end of the trade deal: “I remember being on the phone with you [Larry] during the 2018 G20 when Xi pledged to President [Donald] Trump and stopped fentanyl flowing in the United States. Of course, he didn’t do it. If you think about the $200 billion worth of goods they promised to buy from us in the phase one deal—you were there, you architected this—and they fell through on that too. So, there’s going to be a lot more proof required here. And I think [Treasury] Secretary [Scott] Bessent, Ambassador [Jamieson] Greer are going to be very focused on making certain that whatever the Chinese agreed to, that they’re going to be ascertainable goals, they’re going to be goals that have to be met. And I sure as hell wouldn’t be leading with any sort of forgiveness or easing until we see performance from China.”
Hagerty on the stark difference between the Biden Admin’s and Trump Admin’s posture towards China: “If you think about it, these partners [other nations] want to extend and deepen their economic relationships with us, Larry. And our economic relationship has to do with security as much as it does our economies and the stronger economic ties. I think the better the opportunity is for us to lock arms from an economic and national security standpoint, and China’s going to see the writing on the walls. They’re going to be left out here. And if you think about the high standard digital trade agreement that we negotiated with Japan in the last administration—you were part of that team—that’s precisely the type of agreement that China could never abide by, with companies like Huawei and contaminated systems like this. So, we are in a position right now like we’ve never been before. I couldn’t agree with you more, [Senator] Kevin [Cramer]. I think that Secretary Bessent and Ambassador Greer have a very strong hand to play as they walk into this. And I’ll just add one more thing, Larry: what a contrast compared to the previous administration that flew four cabinet secretaries over [to China]. Psilocybin mushrooms were on the menu just begging Xi to come to San Francisco for a meeting. Things have definitely changed under President Trump and for the good.”
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) — Eighty-six percent of respondents rated China’s achievements in digital technology highly, according to a report released Wednesday by the Renmin University of China (RUC) in Beijing.
The Global Digital Perceptions Report 2025, conducted by the university’s Global Opinion Research Centre, surveyed 7,599 participants from 38 countries using an international online sample.
The report covers five key areas, including improvements in daily life brought by digital technologies, expectations and concerns about artificial intelligence (AI), and the growing acceptance of China’s digital technologies in the Global South.
Regional analysis shows that the highest approval rates for Chinese digital technologies are in Africa at 94.3 percent, South America at 93 percent, Southeast Asia at 91.1 percent, South Asia and Central Asia at 90.7 percent, and the Middle East at 88.1 percent.
According to the report, more than half of respondents consider artificial intelligence and e-commerce to be the leading digital sectors in China. E-commerce platforms such as Temu and SHEIN are rapidly expanding globally due to their competitive prices and efficient supply chains.
Meanwhile, Chinese AI companies are making rapid progress with open and dynamic development strategies. In regions such as Africa, Chinese AI is increasingly seen as a driving force for intelligent infrastructure and digital governance.
“Chinese tech companies are widely known as leaders in digital innovation. Earlier this year, the DeepSeek R1 demonstrated high performance with minimal computing resources. Tencent’s Hunyuan and Alibaba’s Qwen large language models also ranked among the leaders in the tests. Meanwhile, Alipay and WeChat Pay continue to expand globally, providing users with convenient payment solutions,” said Zhang Di, a professor at NUS’s School of Journalism and Communication.
The report also noted that 83.6 percent of respondents from the Global South view Chinese digital technology as a positive force in their countries. Cooperation in technology, infrastructure, and talent development is strengthening, supporting both the internationalization of Chinese tech companies and digital growth in these countries.
Globally, attitudes toward innovation differ significantly between developing and developed countries: 74.2 percent of people in developing countries closely follow global technology trends, compared with only 50.5 percent in developed countries.
The survey found that 62.7 percent of respondents believe AI has a positive impact on work efficiency, while 64.9 percent see benefits in student learning. However, only 34.9 percent expressed optimism about AI’s impact on employment opportunities. -0-
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) — Cities with border checkpoints in China saw a significant increase in the number of foreign tourists crossing the border during the International Labor Day holiday, largely due to the relaxation of visa policies and improved services at checkpoints, according to the National Immigration Administration.
From April 30 to May 3, foreign nationals passed through Beijing checkpoints 69,000 times, an increase of 52.1 percent year-on-year. The main purposes for entering the country were tourism, visiting relatives, and business trips.
On May 2, an international flight from Paris landed at Beijing Capital International Airport. When an elderly couple was confused while completing their paperwork at the passport control hall, immigration officer Cui Zhongqing helped them through border control by explaining the rules in French. Cui Zhongqing speaks several foreign languages.
At the main checkpoints of the Chinese capital, including the international airports of Beijing Capital and Daxing, highly qualified specialists like Cui Zhuqing provide more than 100 consultations per shift in foreign languages. Special corridors have been set up for the elderly, the sick, the disabled and pregnant women, and temporary entry permits and other procedures are processed through a “single window”.
“It’s now much easier to get a temporary entry permit. You don’t even have to stand in line again. It’s as fast as riding the metro,” a Russian tourist shared.
The southern Chinese city of Guangzhou recorded more than 154,000 entries and exits from May 1 to 3, up 23 percent year-on-year. “During peak hours, all 34 checkpoint windows were operating at full capacity to ensure travelers could pass through the inspection safely and efficiently,” said Lin Shunyue, an immigration officer at Baiyun Port.
With the opening of the third phase of the 137th China Import and Export Fair (Guangzhou or Canton Fair), it was a busy period at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. At the arrivals hall, police officers worked with an AI-based consultation system to assist passengers at the designated corridor for exhibitors.
“After the second phase, we went to Hong Kong, and now we are back for the third. The visa-free regime makes this process very convenient,” the Polish businessman noted.
The immigration office at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in southwest China’s Sichuan Province operated around the clock during the five-day holiday, allowing overseas arrivals to clear the immigration process immediately upon arrival.
Thanks to the visa-free entry policy, the Spanish tourist was able to fully enjoy the local attractions, see pandas and taste Sichuan cuisine. “The unique charm of the city, the developed air network and efficient passport control made the trip to Chengdu unforgettable for me,” she said.
According to the local border control department of Sichuan Province, as of May 3, 160,000 visa-free entries, more than 23,000 transit passengers taking advantage of the 24- or 240-hour visa-free stay rules, and more than 51,000 transit passengers passing through without border control have been registered through Chengdu checkpoints this year.
China’s National Immigration Administration reported on May 6 that foreign nationals entered China 1.12 million times during the holiday period, up 43.1 percent from a year earlier.
According to the above-mentioned department, it is especially noteworthy that over 380 thousand of these visits involved people entering China without a visa, which is 72.7 percent more than in the same period last year.
China currently provides one-way visa-free entry to citizens of 38 countries. In addition, the visa-free transit period for passport holders of 54 countries was extended to 240 hours in December 2024. -0-
Source: police-emblem-97
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will step up proactive farm visits and provide practical advice for farmers in the lead-up to the winter grazing season, says MPI national response manager Andrew Curtis.
“We will prioritise visits to farms where it can be more problematic to manage soil conditions during periods of wet weather,” says Mr Curtis.
“We’ll be assessing these farms before livestock start grazing winter feed and they will be closely monitored to ensure they are meeting animal welfare standards. We will do follow-up visits in June.”
Alongside the above, MPI has been working with regional councils and industry groups, especially in Otago and Southland, to develop practical information to help farmers prepare.
“This includes an information flyer that contains a winter grazing checklist. Extra support is available for Southland farmers around managing their animals and reducing mud build up should they need it,” says Mr Curtis.
“Most farmers work hard to do the right thing and have carefully planned ahead to look after their animals.
“Some farmers will need to continue adapting their approaches to ensure they have more robust back-up plans during extreme weather, which can come with little warning.
“A well-planned winter grazing system supports good animal health and welfare. It ensures animals have sufficient and appropriate feed, access to clean water, and comfortable areas to lie down and rest.”
MPI’s proactive on-the-ground support aims to ensure better outcomes for livestock, the environment, and farmers.
“MPI will also have a helicopter in the air from time to time so that we can pinpoint potential winter grazing problem areas,” Mr Curtis says.
Earlier this year MPI successfully prosecuted a Southland livestock grazing company for allowing hundreds of cattle to graze in mud with the company fined $48,750.
Southland livestock grazing company fined $48,750 over hundreds of cattle grazing in mud
“We visited numerous properties throughout Southland during winter 2024 and found most farmers were on top of their winter grazing requirements with good plans in place,” says Mr Curtis.
“Sector groups have useful resources and information on their websites to help minimise the amount of mud created during winter grazing, such as back fencing and using portable water troughs to reduce walking distances for livestock.”
Winter grazing is an annual practice where livestock are grazed on forage crops between May and September throughout Southland, much of Otago and other parts of New Zealand.
Further information about winter grazing
Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.
For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash on Tomoana Road, Hastings on 26 April.
He was 37-year-old Grant Ross Arthur Neville Tyler, from Akina, Hastings.
Our thoughts are with those close to him at this time.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now release the name of the person who died following a crash in Awakino on 30 April.
He was 31-year-old Stan Tangaroa-Green, of Te Awamutu.
Our thoughts are with those close to him at this time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New places to play in Gungahlin
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Source: New places to play in Gungahlin
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