In a pioneering move to promote workplace wellness, the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice inaugurated the ‘Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh,’ a dedicated health and fitness facility for women employees, at Shastri Bhawan. The initiative, launched by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, marks a significant step toward fostering women’s well-being in government workspaces.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by Law Secretary Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, senior officials, and numerous women employees, featured a ribbon-cutting, plaque unveiling, and a tour of the newly established facility. Transformed from an unused garage, the Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh now houses gym equipment and a private lactation room for nursing mothers, creating a vibrant space designed to support physical fitness, mental health, and work-life balance.
Speaking at the event, Meghwal lauded the initiative as a vital contribution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Hum Fit Toh India Fit’ campaign. He emphasized that prioritizing the well-being of women employees is crucial for building an inclusive and healthy India, urging them to fully utilize the facility.
Dr. Anju Rathi Rana highlighted the initiative’s broader significance, noting the challenges women often face in balancing professional and personal responsibilities while neglecting their own health. “This space is a reminder that self-care is foundational to empowerment,” she said, reaffirming the Department’s commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment that prioritizes employee well-being.
The Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh redefines the concept of government offices, moving beyond mere administrative spaces to workplaces that address the human needs of their employees. Aligned with the Fit India Movement and the vision of a Viksit Bharat, this facility underscores the importance of dignity, health, and inclusion in institutional culture.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sarah Parkhouse, British Academy Research Fellow, Centre for Biblical Studies, University of Manchester
Cynthia Erivo, the award-winning actor and star of Wicked, will play Jesus Christ at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles between August 1 and 3 2025.
Unsurprisingly perhaps, the casting of the Wicked star as the son of God in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s provocative rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar has caused upset on social media. Accusations of blasphemy have been made based on Erivo’s gender, sexuality, race – and even hairstyle.
The UK-based Christian magazine Premier Christianity responded to the outcry, featuring articles on whether a female Jesus was “inclusive” or “offensive”. Erivo laughed it all off.
I’m an expert in the reception of Biblical narratives. As such, I believe the outrage over this particular casting choice misses the fact that women have been involved in reimagining and retelling the Jesus story since antiquity.
The earliest gospels were originally written anonymously. They have only retroactively been ascribed to male authors, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Within a few generations after Jesus’s death, a work titled the Gospel of Mary was written from the perspective of Mary Magdalene, positioning her as Jesus’s favoured disciple and bearer of secret knowledge.
While we can’t prove the Gospel of Mary was written by a woman any more than we can prove the four canonical gospels were written by men, within the text the male disciple Peter attacks Mary precisely for being a woman. This suggests that the author was clued into gender dynamics, especially in the context of early Christian discourse and authority.
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As Christianity was gaining state approval within the Roman empire in the fourth and fifth centuries, the elite woman poet Faltonia Betitia Proba and the Byzantine empress Aelia Eudocia composed their own gospel retellings. They reconfigured the Hebrew Bible and gospel stories by using verses from Virgil and Homer.
These ancient works offer a distinctively female perspective. Their retellings pay careful attention to the experiences of female characters who are often marginalised in the canonical tradition, depicting the particularly gruelling experience of Mary’s maternal grief when her son was crucified.
These retellings aren’t apocryphal outliers – they belong to the same literary tradition of the four gospels Bible readers know today.
Just as Matthew and Luke (and possibly John) very clearly reworked Mark by adapting and rearranging scenes and strings of words, so too the Gospel of Mary retells the resurrection scene from John. Proba and Eudocia combine and rearrange gospel material to tell the story anew again.
Women continue to retell the Jesus story today, sometimes focusing more on the female characters. In Edinburgh, director Suzanne Lofthus has been writing and directing the city’s annual Passion Play for the last 20 years. Her 2024 and 2025 productions reimagined Jesus’s masculinity and placed the experiences of women at its centre. This year, she showed Jesus willingly getting stuck into the “women’s work” of making bread at the house of Mary and Martha, and questioning the culpability of the man in the story of the woman caught in adultery.
The Nativity Story focused on women’s experiences.
Catherine Hardwicke, meanwhile, best known for directing the first Twilight movie, directed The Nativity Story in 2006, a tender portrayal of Mary’s journey through her pregnancy, with particular emphasis on the women around her.
These creative contributions are really quite different to brutal, hypermasculine retellings such as Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ (2004), for which a sequel is reportedly in development. Hardwicke herself contrasted The Nativity Story with The Passion, noting striking differences “especially [in] the quarts of blood per frame”.
Women playing Jesus
The role of Jesus is often played by women in these retellings. Erivo herself sang the role of Mary Magdalene in a 2017 New York concert that led to two all-female concept albums, controversially titled She Is Risen. The project was the brainchild of singer and actor Morgan James, who performed the role of Jesus.
Just last year, an all-female cast performed Jesus Christ Superstar in Santa Barbara, California. And a gender-blind casting led to the role of Jesus being given to Mina Kawahara in a 2017 production of the hippy-ish retelling of the gospel, Godspell, at Villanova Theatre, Pennsylvania. She followed a precedent of other female leads in this musical. The Japan-born Kawahara donned a white pantsuit with flowers in her hair.
A Japanese woman named Yuko Takeda took on the role of the son of God in the 2010 Helsinki Passion Play – another casting choice that enraged some conservative Christians. The female director, Miira Sippola, commented that the decision would free the audience from focusing too much on whether the performer resembles the Jesus of medieval artwork – already so far from the historical Jesus.
Over in New Jersey, a 15-year-old American girl played the role of Jesus in a 2023 passion play, carrying a 12-foot cross for over two miles in bare feet. These are a mere smattering of examples, of which there are many more.
The controversy over Erivo’s casting reveals more about cultural assumptions than historical precedent. The Hollywood Bowl’s Jesus Christ Superstar continues the often-overlooked tradition of women who have long participated in retelling, reshaping and performing the story of Jesus — on the page, on screen and on stage.
Sarah Parkhouse receives funding from the British Academy.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Chee Meng Tan, Assistant Professor of Business Economics, University of Nottingham
Political and economic pressures might force Chinese president and overall leader Xi Jinping to delegate some of his powers to his deputies in a highly significant move. This has prompted some observers and media outlets to speculate that Xi’s grip on power may be waning.
A major part of why this is happening is likely to stem from Xi’s difficulties in dealing with China’s economic woes, which began from a real estate crisis in 2021. For years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has relied on providing economic prosperity to legitimise its rule over the country.
But the continuously lacklustre performance of the Chinese economy over the past four years coupled with Trump’s trade war with Beijing is making recovery a difficult task. And this is likely to be a factor that undermines Xi’s rule.
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These rumours about Xi started just after the latest meeting, on June 30, of the politburo (the principal policy making body of the party), which brings China’s top leaders together to make major decisions.
For people who don’t follow Chinese politics, the idea of Xi delegating some authority might seem nothing special. However, in understanding China, it’s important to understand that Xi has massive power, and it seems the politburo is signalling there are some changes on the horizon.
What are the clues?
Symbolism and indirect language play an important role in how the communist party communicates with Chinese people. The way it is done comes through slogans or key phrases, which are collectively known as “tifa (提法)”’.
This method of information is important since it shapes political language and debate, and influences how a Chinese, and international, audience understands what’s going on. At first glance, the politburo’s call for enhancing “policy coordination” and the “review process” of major tasks may appear to indicate that the central government is seeking to ensure local officials follow through with Beijing’s agenda.
For experienced China watchers there are hints here that this powerful decision-making body is making a veiled threat against Xi for holding on to too much power. But the opaque nature of China’s elite decision-making process, where a great deal of backroom politics occurs behind closed doors, means that decoding its messages isn’t always easy.
China’s president Xi Jinping on a public outing, after several weeks when he was not seen in public.
Because of all of this, there is increasing speculation that a power struggle is in progress. This isn’t entirely surprising given Xi’s purge of many senior party officials through anti-corruption campaigns and dominance over the highest levels of government is likely to have earned him many enemies over the years.
Another sign that all isn’t going well with Xi’s regime is the removal of some his allies from key positions within the government. Xi began his anti-corruption campaign in 2012 when he became China’s leader. On paper, while officially framed as a drive to clean up corruption, evidence suggests that the campaign may have been used to remove Xi’s political rivals.
The problem for Xi is that the campaign is being used against his loyalists as well. In October 2023, defence minister Li Shangfu, who was considered a Xi ally, was sacked due to what was later confirmed in 2024 to be from due to corruption charges. But the dismissals of Xi loyalists continued.
But even if it weren’t and the purges are part of a concerted effort to stamp out corruption, Xi’s campaign will not only cast aspersions on his ability to appoint the right people into government, but also create a climate of fear among allies and potentially create further enemies. Either scenario puts Xi on the spot. But since Xi became China’s head of state in 2013, he and his loyalists have taken over leadership of many key national commissions, making him the most powerful Chinese leader since the time of Chairman Mao.
But it looks like Xi is about to delegate some of his power, and there are some other decisions that may indicate a shift. For the first time since coming into power in 2012, Xi skipped the annual summit organised by the Brics group (named after Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Instead, from July 5 to 7 this year, Chinese premier Li Qiang, led a delegation to Rio de Janeiro.
This isn’t the first time that Li has represented Xi in high-profile conferences abroad. In September 2023, Li attended the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, and has taken part in Asean summits.
But the Brics appearance alongside with Li’s increasingly prominent role in economic policy making may suggest that his influence is on the rise, while Xi’s is declining. Watch this space.
Chee Meng Tan 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.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday inaugurated the Mumbai campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT).
The new campus, located at the NFDC Films Division Complex on Pedder Road, will begin academic sessions in September. Around 300 students are expected in the first batch. The campus features classrooms, media labs, post-production suites, and specialised facilities for animation, VFX, and extended reality (XR).
Speaking at the event, Vaishnaw said the government is focused on empowering youth and expanding opportunities in creative sectors. “This is a big achievement. It will open new opportunities for the youth of our country,” he said.
Vaishnav added that the central government has allocated ₹400 crore for the development of IICT. The institute will offer 17 specialised courses and has already partnered with global technology leaders like Google, Meta, and Adobe for hands-on training and industry exposure.
Fadnavis termed the event a “moment that is now transforming into a movement”, adding that the institute will serve as both an academic and cultural landmark. “Just as WAVES revolutionised the creator economy, IICT stands as a testament to all that hard work,” he said.
Also present were Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra’s Minister of Cultural Affairs.
The IICT will offer advanced programs in integrated media post-production, animation, VFX, XR, and related domains. Officials said the institute will bring academic training, industry collaboration, and state-of-the-art infrastructure under one roof.
The move comes as India looks to institutionalise its AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) sector, which is expected to play a growing role in the global digital economy.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday inaugurated the Mumbai campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT).
The new campus, located at the NFDC Films Division Complex on Pedder Road, will begin academic sessions in September. Around 300 students are expected in the first batch. The campus features classrooms, media labs, post-production suites, and specialised facilities for animation, VFX, and extended reality (XR).
Speaking at the event, Vaishnaw said the government is focused on empowering youth and expanding opportunities in creative sectors. “This is a big achievement. It will open new opportunities for the youth of our country,” he said.
Vaishnav added that the central government has allocated ₹400 crore for the development of IICT. The institute will offer 17 specialised courses and has already partnered with global technology leaders like Google, Meta, and Adobe for hands-on training and industry exposure.
Fadnavis termed the event a “moment that is now transforming into a movement”, adding that the institute will serve as both an academic and cultural landmark. “Just as WAVES revolutionised the creator economy, IICT stands as a testament to all that hard work,” he said.
Also present were Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra’s Minister of Cultural Affairs.
The IICT will offer advanced programs in integrated media post-production, animation, VFX, XR, and related domains. Officials said the institute will bring academic training, industry collaboration, and state-of-the-art infrastructure under one roof.
The move comes as India looks to institutionalise its AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) sector, which is expected to play a growing role in the global digital economy.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
VIENTIANE, July 18 (Xinhua) — At the invitation of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), a CPC delegation led by Chen Zhou, vice director of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited Laos from July 16 to 18.
During the visit, Chen Zhou met with General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, and Acting Head of the LPRP Central Committee External Relations Commission Bounlua Phandanouvong. Chen Zhou also held brief talks with leaders of various Lao Party and government departments.
The two sides exchanged views on the relations between the two parties and the two countries, as well as other issues of common concern. They agreed on the need to follow the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, strengthen strategic mutual trust, deepen inter-party exchanges, expand practical cooperation, so as to promote the stable long-term development of the China-Laos community with a shared future, and make positive contributions to regional peace and development. –0–
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Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
Speech
ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: Foreign Secretary’s remarks, July 2025
Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke at the UK Post Ministerial Conference with ASEAN member states, highlighting achievements under the UK’s Dialogue Partnership.
Thank you all. Minister Bui, we’re grateful for Vietnam’s support as our country coordinator. And Minister Mohamad, it’s such a pleasure to be here in your beautiful country.
Last year, I told ASEAN I wanted to reconnect Britain with the world. Today, I’m the first British Foreign Secretary to return to one of these meetings since we became your newest Dialogue Partner.
I hope this consistency is welcome right now. The world feels no less volatile than it did a year ago.
Rapid technological change is remaking our societies, rewiring our economies, reshaping the global balance of power.
I agree countries like ours need to respond with resilience, with innovation and dynamism, and by putting people – our citizens – first.
Those are the values of your Community Vision 2045, precisely what we hope partnership with Britain can achieve.
As our recently published Trade Strategy set out, we believe this region offers real potential for our businesses to expand. We are working with you to unlock that.
That’s why we backed CPTPP’s decision in May to work towards a dialogue this year with ASEAN, why we’ve been supporting development of the ASEAN Power Grid, why we’re backing British firms to scale up their investments here.
Likewise, as our recently published National Security Strategy stressed, our region’s security and your region’s security are inextricably linked.
Russia illegally invaded Ukraine – that has consequences for markets here in Asia. North Korean troops fight for Russia – that has consequences for our Ukrainian friends on the European frontline. Smugglers or scammers ply their criminal trade – that has consequences for all our citizens and, ultimately, our tax revenues.
At the heart of our security cooperation is a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The recent visit of Britain’s Carrier Strike Group and this Dialogue Partnership are just 2 examples of how, together, we can support this goal.
We stand firmly behind ASEAN centrality, recognising it underpins peace, prosperity and stability across the region.
All told, we’ve done a lot on both growth and security this past year. Nearly 95% of our Action Plan on track for delivery, the commitments we made last year in our first joint ministerial statement well under way.
Our job now is to go further, ahead of the fifth anniversary of this partnership next year and a new Action Plan to guide our cooperation to 2030.
At the moment, everyone needs to fill in an individual voter registration application at least 12 days before an election. Automatic registration would enable electoral officials to update the electoral rolls without people having to make an application to register to vote. They could use other reliable data to make the electoral register as accurate and complete as possible.
Electoral officials would then write to the potential voter to inform them that they had been added to the register. They would have the opportunity to make any corrections needed.
The details are still to be worked out and the change would not come overnight. The process may be semi-automated to begin with – with the individual process sitting alongside some automation.
Why is automatic registration needed?
Many people don’t register in time for elections. Some don’t intend to vote, but others assume that they’re already registered. Some are also just busy.
The result is that there are around 7-8 million people who are not correctly registered when the polling stations open on election day. A significant number are then turned away. The problem is getting worse as the number of people who are not registered is also rising at an alarming rate.
Estimated number of people missing from the electoral register at UK general elections, 1945-2024.
What is especially troubling is that there are large gaps in registrations by age, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Nearly all over-65-year-olds are on the register, but younger people are increasingly missing. Only 60% of 18-to-19-year-olds are on the electoral rolls – and 16% of the soon-to-be-enfranchised 16- to 17-year-olds (you can currently register to vote at 16).
Automatic registration will therefore be crucial to making votes at 16 a success. Asking and reminding young people to register would inevitably involve an enormous administrative effort. But if data could be transferred from schools and government departments to election officials to put them straight onto the roll, it would save both time and money – and bring about a higher participation rate.
Does automatic voter registration work?
Roughly half of countries around the around the world use automatic voter registration – including Germany, the Netherlands, Iceland and Finland. Countries which have historically not had automatic registration, such as the US, Malta, Canada and Australia, have all moved to at least partially implement it over recent years.
In a recent report with colleagues, I set out how this can be implemented and suggested a range of datasets that could be securely used.
Electoral rolls could be updated when people apply for a passport, register to pay council tax, update their driving licence details, register at university or claim benefits. Electoral officials could also be authorised to update the electoral rolls with data such as council tax data and information held by the Department for Work and Pensions.
One option would be to register people to vote when they apply for a passport. Shutterstock/ClimbWhenReady
Data sharing is already used in electoral registration. Every time a voter registration application is made, it is checked against another government dataset. There is therefore already the data infrastructure to enable automatic registration to work.
Electoral officials already use such data to register, remove or re-register people. This has enabled a lot of savings and less administrative hassle for many people.
Voter identification changes
The government’s election bill proposals will also extend the forms of identification that voters can present at polling stations to include bank cards. It clears the path for future digital forms of ID to be accepted.
The last government introduced a requirement for everyone to provide photographic identification at polling stations at UK general elections and some local elections. Accepted forms of identification include passports and driving licences but also a range of other options. If citizens don’t have identification, then they can apply for a free voter authority certificate, provided that they do so before the deadline.
However, our research found that many people were turned away in polling stations as they did not have required identification. Poll workers reported that the impact particularly affected some groups, such as students and women.
They may not, however, go far enough. The previous government restricted the independence of the Electoral Commission and these changes have not been reversed by the Labour government. The Electoral Commission will play an important role in automatic registration, so the government could renew its independence to help build confidence and trust in elections.
Nonetheless, the move to automatic registration would be a major step forward for a changing democracy – as long as the government now puts on the afterburners to power the effort needed to make these changes work effectively in time for the next election.
Toby James has previously received funding from the AHRC, ESRC, Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, British Academy, Leverhulme Trust, Electoral Commission, Nuffield Foundation, the McDougall Trust, Unlock Democracy, International IDEA and the Canadian SSHRC.
India and the United Arab Emirates are solidifying their strategic partnership, setting their sights on nuclear energy and advanced technology as the next frontiers for collaboration. This move comes as bilateral trade has already surged past the $100 billion mark, five years ahead of schedule, cementing the UAE’s position as India’s third-largest trade partner. Speaking at an Observer Research Foundation Middle East event in Dubai, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, highlighted how both nations are leveraging their unique strengths to forge resilient supply chains and foster sustainable growth, moving beyond traditional trade ties.
Intensified high-level diplomatic engagement since September 2024, including visits from Sheikh Khalid and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan to India, has focused on substantive economic cooperation. Discussions during Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan’s visit with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal underscored the significant role of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in accelerating bilateral trade, particularly progress on the Virtual Trade Corridor, a foundational element of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). UAE investments in India have reached $23 billion, with a notable $4.5 billion committed in 2024 alone, following the finalization of the Bilateral Investment Treaty last year. Furthermore, local currency trade settlement now accounts for 10 percent of all bilateral transactions, reducing dependence on dollar-denominated exchanges.
A significant stride in financial technology integration is the UAE’s Jaywan card, built entirely on India’s rupee card stack. Plans are also underway to connect banking messaging systems, offering an alternative to SWIFT networks, and to integrate India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the UAE’s Aani platform by November 2025, enabling Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) interoperability. Educational cooperation has also seen tangible results with the launch of IIT Abu Dhabi’s PhD program this year, alongside IIM Ahmedabad’s Dubai campus and IIFT Dubai. Defense collaboration has been elevated to the secretary level, featuring joint exercises such as Desert Cyclone, Desert Flag, and the India-France-UAE Trilateral Exercise, and extends to participation in major defense exhibitions like IDEX and Dubai Airshow, with 25 Indian companies actively involved. Hardware integration initiatives include components for the Tejas fighter aircraft and the development of drone and anti-drone systems.
Nuclear cooperation is emerging as a transformative area, with the UAE currently generating 25 percent of its energy from nuclear sources (5.6 GW capacity) and aiming to double this by 2030. The Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE) initiative involving the US, UAE, , coupled with synergies with France, positions nuclear energy as a key growth sector. The advanced technology partnership gained momentum at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024.
Discussions are also underway for collaboration in critical minerals and the space sector, including polar initiatives. The IMEEC project envisions a comprehensive connectivity corridor for containers, data, and energy through connected grids and subsea cables. The I2U2 framework (India, Israel, UAE, US) is expanding its focus to food security, with plans for two food parks in Gujarat and renewable energy projects targeting 60 GW capacity in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Ambassador Sudhir emphasized the potential benefits for India from the UAE’s 25 other Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), which could provide diversified market access and manufacturing advantages, particularly for energy-intensive industries. The UAE’s recent inclusion in BRICS further enhances its role as a strategic gateway for India’s engagement with Africa through initiatives like Bharat Africa Setu. The legal predictability and stable environment in the UAE also make it an attractive destination for Indian manufacturing investments requiring significant energy inputs.
Culturally, the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi stands as a powerful symbol of the shared ethos, religious tolerance, and cultural inclusivity underpinning the broader strategic relationship, a testament to the graciousness of the Abu Dhabi government. As both nations navigate global economic uncertainties, their partnership exemplifies how complementary strengths can foster resilient supply chains and sustainable growth models, with nuclear energy and advanced technology at the forefront of their expanding cooperation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and dedicated development projects worth over ₹5,400 crore in Durgapur, West Bengal, marking a significant step toward strengthening the region’s infrastructure and economic growth. Addressing a gathering in the Steel City, known for its robust labor force, the Prime Minister highlighted Durgapur’s pivotal role in India’s development journey. He emphasized that the projects launched will enhance connectivity, promote a gas-based economy, and reinforce Durgapur’s industrial identity while aligning with the vision of “Make in India, Make for the World.” The initiatives are expected to create numerous employment opportunities for the youth of West Bengal.
PM Modi underscored that India’s resolve to become a developed nation by 2047, or Viksit Bharat, is a focal point of global discussions, driven by transformative changes in infrastructure. He highlighted the government’s achievements over the past decade, including the construction of over 4 crore pucca houses, crores of toilets, more than 12 crore tap water connections, thousands of kilometers of new roads and highways, new railway lines, airports in small towns, and widespread internet access reaching villages and households. In West Bengal, he noted significant advancements in rail connectivity, with the state leading in operating Vande Bharat trains, expanding the Kolkata Metro, and modernizing railway stations. The inauguration of two road overbridges in Paschim Bardhaman under the Setu Bharatam Programme, worth over ₹380 crore, will further ease travel and enhance safety by reducing accidents at railway crossings.
The Prime Minister emphasized the integration of Durgapur’s airport into the UDAN scheme, which has facilitated over 5 lakh passenger journeys in the past year. He noted that such infrastructure not only improves convenience but also generates employment, with even the production of raw materials for these projects creating substantial job opportunities.
In the energy sector, PM Modi highlighted India’s unprecedented progress in gas connectivity over the past decade, with LPG reaching households nationwide and earning global recognition. He outlined the government’s “One Nation, One Gas Grid” vision through the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Yojana, which includes laying gas pipelines across six eastern states, including West Bengal. The Durgapur to Kolkata section of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline, worth over ₹1,190 crore, was dedicated to the nation, passing through Purba Bardhman, Hooghly, and Nadia districts. This pipeline will supply natural gas to lakhs of households, enable CNG for vehicles, and support gas-based industrial technologies. Additionally, the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd’s City Gas Distribution project in Bankura and Purulia, worth around ₹1,950 crore, was laid to provide piped natural gas to households, commercial establishments, and industries, further boosting employment.
The Prime Minister also dedicated retrofitting pollution control systems (Flue Gas Desulphurization) at the Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station, worth over ₹1,457 crore. These upgrades enhance efficiency, support cleaner energy production, and position the plants to compete globally. The doubling of the Purulia-Kotshila Rail Line, worth over ₹390 crore, was also dedicated, improving connectivity for industries in Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Ranchi, and Kolkata, reducing travel time, and streamlining logistics.
PM Modi reiterated that India’s progress in factories and fields is driven by a unified resolve to achieve a developed nation by 2047. He outlined the government’s approach: empowerment through development, self-reliance through employment, and good governance through responsiveness. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that these efforts will position West Bengal as a strong engine of India’s development journey.
With Tropical Storm Wipha approaching Hong Kong, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki chaired a meeting of the steering committee on inter-departmental handling of typhoons this afternoon to ensure comprehensive and adequate preparations and response planning by the Government.
At the meeting, members were briefed by the Director of Hong Kong Observatory on the latest assessments of Wipha.
According to the present forecast, Wipha will enter within 800km of Hong Kong around midnight tonight, at which point the Hong Kong Observatory will issue the Standby Signal No. 1. It will consider issuing the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 during the day tomorrow.
As Wipha comes close to the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary on Sunday, there will be heavy squally showers and thunderstorms. The observatory will assess, on Saturday afternoon, the need for issuing higher tropical cyclone warning signals. The public is advised to pay close attention to weather forecasts and warnings from the Observatory.
The Chief Secretary co-ordinated preparatory work by relevant departments in view of possible adverse weather conditions.
The Security Bureau’s Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre will be fully activated upon the issuance of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8. Leveraging the Common Operational Picture, the centre will conduct real-time citywide monitoring, and integrate updates from various departments to swiftly assess risks and formulate response plans and measures. Various emergency response teams will be on standby to handle possible emergencies.
The Transport Department’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will work with public transport agencies to closely monitor traffic and transport conditions, and will disseminate emergency traffic information and public transport service arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Development Bureau is responsible for co-ordinating preparatory work to deal with flooding, landslides and fallen trees, and to ensure the safety of building structures. Emergency control centres in various departments are fully prepared to respond.
The Drainage Services Department (DSD) today completed a special inspection and carried out necessary clearance at about 240 locations which are prone to flooding due to blockages.
For coastal low-lying or windy residential areas at high risk, the DSD and the Civil Engineering & Development Department have advance management measures in place. These include early warning systems and emergency response arrangements.
The Geotechnical Engineering Office and the Hong Kong Observatory closely monitor weather conditions and will issue a landslip warning when appropriate. Relevant departments have completed inspections of government man-made slopes which have relatively higher potential impacts.
Additionally, the Highways Department (HyD) inspected again the flood warning systems installed at Kwun Tong Road Underpass and 16 pedestrian subways along Shing Mun River in Sha Tin, Lam Tsuen River in Tai Po, and Tai Po River, from July 16 to 18, to ensure normal operation.
In collaboration with the DSD, the HyD carried out special inspections and clearance of public road sections which are prone to flooding due to blockages. It also inspected and cleared the drainage channels at roadside man-made slopes.
District Offices have also initiated response measures, including co-ordinating with other departments and organisations to enhance preparedness, and preparing sandbags and water-stop boards. They will also mobilise District Council members, members of the “three committees”, and the District Services & Community Care Teams, to disseminate the latest weather information to residents in flood-prone areas.
With Tropical Storm Wipha approaching Hong Kong, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki chaired a meeting of the steering committee on inter-departmental handling of typhoons this afternoon to ensure comprehensive and adequate preparations and response planning by the Government.
At the meeting, members were briefed by the Director of Hong Kong Observatory on the latest assessments of Wipha.
According to the present forecast, Wipha will enter within 800km of Hong Kong around midnight tonight, at which point the Hong Kong Observatory will issue the Standby Signal No. 1. It will consider issuing the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 during the day tomorrow.
As Wipha comes close to the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary on Sunday, there will be heavy squally showers and thunderstorms. The observatory will assess, on Saturday afternoon, the need for issuing higher tropical cyclone warning signals. The public is advised to pay close attention to weather forecasts and warnings from the Observatory.
The Chief Secretary co-ordinated preparatory work by relevant departments in view of possible adverse weather conditions.
The Security Bureau’s Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre will be fully activated upon the issuance of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8. Leveraging the Common Operational Picture, the centre will conduct real-time citywide monitoring, and integrate updates from various departments to swiftly assess risks and formulate response plans and measures. Various emergency response teams will be on standby to handle possible emergencies.
The Transport Department’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will work with public transport agencies to closely monitor traffic and transport conditions, and will disseminate emergency traffic information and public transport service arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Development Bureau is responsible for co-ordinating preparatory work to deal with flooding, landslides and fallen trees, and to ensure the safety of building structures. Emergency control centres in various departments are fully prepared to respond.
The Drainage Services Department (DSD) today completed a special inspection and carried out necessary clearance at about 240 locations which are prone to flooding due to blockages.
For coastal low-lying or windy residential areas at high risk, the DSD and the Civil Engineering & Development Department have advance management measures in place. These include early warning systems and emergency response arrangements.
The Geotechnical Engineering Office and the Hong Kong Observatory closely monitor weather conditions and will issue a landslip warning when appropriate. Relevant departments have completed inspections of government man-made slopes which have relatively higher potential impacts.
Additionally, the Highways Department (HyD) inspected again the flood warning systems installed at Kwun Tong Road Underpass and 16 pedestrian subways along Shing Mun River in Sha Tin, Lam Tsuen River in Tai Po, and Tai Po River, from July 16 to 18, to ensure normal operation.
In collaboration with the DSD, the HyD carried out special inspections and clearance of public road sections which are prone to flooding due to blockages. It also inspected and cleared the drainage channels at roadside man-made slopes.
District Offices have also initiated response measures, including co-ordinating with other departments and organisations to enhance preparedness, and preparing sandbags and water-stop boards. They will also mobilise District Council members, members of the “three committees”, and the District Services & Community Care Teams, to disseminate the latest weather information to residents in flood-prone areas.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this evening hosted a farewell dinner in honour of H.E. Kjell Tormod Pettersen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to ASEAN, who has completed his tenure in Jakarta. On this occasion, both sides exchanged views on advancing ASEAN–Norway relations, particularly as ASEAN and Norway commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Sectoral Dialogue Partnership this year. Dr. Kao also expressed his sincere appreciation to Ambassador Pettersen for his dedication and efforts in strengthening ASEAN-Norway relations throughout his tenure, including the successful arrangements for the Working Visit of SG Dr. Kao to Norway, in June 2025.
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We’ve completed more than 200 SMSF auditor reviews in 2024–25. Our goal remains the same – supporting a high-quality audit profession that underpins confidence in the SMSF sector.
As a result of these reviews, we referred 41 auditors to our co-regulator ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) and 36 voluntarily cancelled their registration during our reviews.
The main reason for a referral was due to an auditor failing to comply with the auditing and assurance standards. Most auditors reviewed did not obtain sufficient and appropriate audit evidence to form an opinion on the fund’s financial statements and compliance with the super laws.
A number of auditors were also referred as a result of failing to meet the independence requirements by conducting in-house audits and by failing to demonstrate they had the necessary practical experience to carry out SMSF audits.
We’ve also focused on educating auditors through market valuation and disqualified trustee reviews, 51 auditors received targeted guidance to help them meet their obligations.
The most common compliance issues we identified from our auditor reviews were a lack of evidence to support that:
fund transactions were at arm’s length (section 109)
fund assets were correctly reported at market value (regulation 8.02B)
there were no charges over fund assets (regulation 13.14)
the fund’s limited recourse borrowing arrangement had met the borrowing exceptions (section 67, 67A).
We also found many auditor’s files contained unsigned financial statements (section 35B).
Our high-volume auditor program continues to be effective, with ACR lodgments rising from 2.2% to 3.6% following our reviews.
We’ll keep a strong focus on this group in 2025–26, along with high-risk auditors, auditors conducting in-house audits and auditors who may be failing to conduct adequate compliance checks in relation to ensuring trustees value their assets at market value each year.
Looking for the latest news for SMSFs? You can stay up to date by visiting our SMSF newsroom and subscribingExternal Link to our monthly SMSF newsletter.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this evening hosted a farewell dinner in honour of H.E. Kjell Tormod Pettersen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to ASEAN, who has completed his tenure in Jakarta. On this occasion, both sides exchanged views on advancing ASEAN–Norway relations, particularly as ASEAN and Norway commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Sectoral Dialogue Partnership this year. Dr. Kao also expressed his sincere appreciation to Ambassador Pettersen for his dedication and efforts in strengthening ASEAN-Norway relations throughout his tenure, including the successful arrangements for the Working Visit of SG Dr. Kao to Norway, in June 2025.
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UK and Australia discuss digital defence and emerging threats
Australia’s recent defence changes offer valuable insights for the UK’s newly announced Strategic Defence Review.
From left to right: WO Suzie Hall, JCG CSEL WO; Lt Gen Susan Coyle, Australia Chief of Joint Capabilities; Sqn Ldr A Porter, Director Cyber and EM; AVM Tom Ashbridge, Director Cyber and EM; Maj Gen Robert ‘Doc’ Watson, Commander ADF Cyber Command; Brig James Dennis, PJHQ J6 ACOS MOD Crown Copyright
Australia remains one of the UK’s closest partners and in an increasingly dangerous world, working with our international partners has never been more important. Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, Australia’s Chief of Joint Capabilities, and Major General Robert Watson from the Australian Defence Force’s Cyber Command visited Strategic Command where they were welcomed by Commander General Sir Jim Hockenhull and Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes to share lessons from their 2023 defence review and discuss progress on the AUKUS partnership.
The visit focussed on four main areas where both nations are adapting defence to address modern threats. Australia now brings together cyber, space, intelligence and logistics teams under single commands, allowing different military specialities to work together more effectively. This approach mirrors what the UK wants to achieve through its Strategic Defence Review.
Lieutenant General Coyle and Major General Watson visited the new UK Cyber Command facility at Ministry of Defence Corsham, where our teams protect the country’s digital networks from online attacks. They were among the first senior international visitors to see the headquarters, with Air Vice-Marshal Ashbridge leading detailed discussions about cyber threats and defence methods during their time at Corsham. These talks showed how both the UK and Australia need specialist teams to tackle digital threats, working closer together on cyber defence and shared ways to protect military networks.
Conversations also included progress on AUKUS capabilities beyond submarine development. The three nations, the UK, US and Australia, are developing artificial intelligence, smart systems and cyber capabilities that will define future warfare. Australia’s experience implementing these new technologies provides valuable lessons for UK programmes.
Australia’s Joint Capabilities Group, led by Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, operates similarly to Strategic Command. Both are designed to integrate capabilities across the single services, showing how close allies learn from each other’s experiences to speed up defence transformation and maintain military advantage.
By combining Australia’s lessons with the UK’s Strategic Defence Review, both countries are building the modern defence capabilities needed to stay ahead of new threats and ensure we remain ahead of our adversaries in an increasingly dangerous world.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Friday addressed a felicitation ceremony in New Delhi to honor the Indian Police and Fire Brigade contingent for their remarkable performance at the 21st World Police and Fire Games 2025, held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. The Indian team secured an impressive 613 medals, earning praise from Shri Shah for making the nation proud. The event was attended by dignitaries, including the Director of the Intelligence Bureau and the Special Secretary (Internal Security) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Shah announced that an incentive of ₹4,38,85,000 was awarded to the contingent for their outstanding achievement. He emphasized the significance of the World Police and Fire Games, noting that it is the world’s largest sporting event after the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, with nearly 10,000 athletes participating globally. The Home Minister expressed pride in India’s strong performance, which he said reflects the potential of the country’s 1.4 billion citizens.
Looking ahead, Shah set ambitious goals for the 2029 World Police and Fire Games, which will be hosted in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Kevadia in Gujarat. He urged every athlete to aim for a medal with the focus and determination of the mythological archer Arjun. He stressed the importance of participation, stating that while winning is crucial, the spirit of striving for excellence is what defines success. The Home Minister encouraged the All India Police Sports Control Board to ensure at least one athlete from every police force participates in 2029, with each team targeting at least three medals to surpass the current record.
Shah highlighted the Modi government’s efforts to promote sports across India, including bids to host the 2036 Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games. He noted that the sports budget has increased fivefold over the past decade, reflecting the government’s commitment to fostering a sports culture. Initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) support around 3,000 athletes with a monthly stipend of ₹50,000 to prepare for the 2036 Olympics, while the Fit India Movement has tripled India’s medal tally in major global events like the Olympics, Paralympics, and Asian Games. Shri Shah expressed confidence that India will rank among the top five nations in the 2036 Olympics medal tally.
The Home Minister also underscored the role of sports in building resilience and teamwork, particularly for police personnel. He urged Directors General of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to foster a sporting culture by starting mornings with parades and spending evenings playing sports with subordinates to relieve stress and enhance performance. He emphasized that sports teach broad thinking and cultivate a habit of accepting defeat while striving for victory.
To support sports within security forces, Shah outlined recent initiatives by the Ministry of Home Affairs, including changes in recruitment rules for talent identification, the formation of 25 outdoor sports teams in each force, and the creation of combined CAPF teams. The proposed National Sports Bill will recognize state police forces, allowing them to participate as single units in national sporting events. Additionally, he called for world-class coaching and specialized medical training for sports injuries to prepare Indian police teams for global competitions, assuring full support from the Ministry of Sports.
In a linguistically diverse country like India, disputes over language are commonplace. Yet, intriguingly, resistance to English education and the resulting sense of “Englishness” is almost nonexistent—perhaps never existent. What lies at the root of this? A new book by scientist Amitabh Satyam, titled *The Hindi Medium Types*, delves into this question, unraveling the hollow “Englishness” entrenched in Indian society, particularly among the elite.
Originally from Sheohar, Bihar, Amitabh Satyam, an IIT Kanpur graduate with an MBA from Fisher University, USA, shares his journey from Bihar to America. Through experiences spanning student life to professional endeavors, he illustrates how English in India is not just a language but a mindset. Despite India’s independence, colonial notions and Western cultural concepts remain firmly rooted in the Indian psyche.
Satyam highlights experiences that many Indians, especially those who speak local languages, may find relatable. Though published in English and Hindi, the book champions every Indian local language, culture, and its values. From viewing traditional attire like dhoti-kurta as inferior to dismissing Ayurveda as unscientific, Satyam underscores aspects that reveal the hollowness of “Englishness” in certain societal sections. He notes how English medicine has deemed expensive fruits like apples essential, while local and seasonal fruits are equally beneficial.
Striking at the mindset of English supremacy, Satyam writes: “Today, people don’t even consider that English is the language of foreigners who forcibly ruled and exploited us. Millions of Indians—once pioneers in science, engineering, literature, medicine, philosophy, and art—were declared illiterate overnight. By the decree of English-speakers, India’s greatness was dismissed, and English language and culture were imposed as superior. Jobs went only to those who spoke English and followed their ways. Governance was in their hands.”
Satyam observes that English culture so deeply influences Indian systems that parents prefer schools named after Western “saints.” He recounts how merely changing a school’s name in his hometown led to a surge in admissions. Remarkably, the notion that English is supreme follows Indians even to America. Satyam shares: “In the USA, my English accent and pronunciation were American-like. Most Indians speak English with an Indian accent, having learned it in India. But I learned proper English in America, so it sounded like theirs. My American accent earned me praise from Indians there: ‘You’re from India? You sound like you were born here!’”
The book, divided into nine chapters, is a treasure trove of anecdotes exposing the colonial mindset ingrained in Indian society. It challenges the notion of venerating the language and culture of former oppressors, suggesting that a large part of India’s population is gripped by a form of “Stockholm Syndrome.” This book is essential reading for anyone who senses the excesses of Western civilization and colonial thinking in India.
HAMMOND – Yesterday, Luis Banegas Rodriguez, 25 years old, of Honduras, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in two cases, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
Banegas Rodriguez was sentenced to 27 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $533,043 in restitution.
According to documents in each case, on January 11, 2023, Banegas Rodriguez and his co-conspirators used fake identification cards to cash 169 fraudulent paychecks totaling $233,569 at three branches of the same bank in the Northern District of Indiana. The fraudulent paychecks were designed to look like they had been issued by a company that operates dairy farms in the Northern District of Indiana.
Almost six months later, on June 23, 2023, Banegas Rodriguez and his co-conspirators used fake identification cards to cash 178 fraudulent paychecks totaling $299,474 at five branches of the same bank and three check cashing businesses in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The fraudulent paychecks were designed to look like they had been issued by a building materials supply company in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
“Banegas Rodriguez participated in a far-reaching conspiracy that caused major financial harm to community banks and small businesses across the United States. Due to the unwavering efforts and collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement, Banegas Rodriguez was brought to justice for his role in this scheme,” said Proctor. “The sentence imposed by the court sends a message that there are real consequences for engaging in fraud, particularly in northwest Indiana.”
“The illicit actions of co-conspirators to commit bank fraud as they travel throughout the United States will not be tolerated,” said Matthew J. Scarpino, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Chicago. “HSI will continue to partner with our fellow law enforcement agencies to disrupt these types of offenders and hold them accountable for their crimes.”
These cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Indiana State Police, with valuable assistance provided by the Benton County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department, the Benton County (Indiana) Prosecutor’s Office, the Poteau (Oklahoma) Police Department, and the Houston (Texas) Police Department. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa from the Northern District of Indiana and Assistant United States Attorneys Kara Traster and Jordan Howanitz from the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
2025 SCO Int’l Investment and Trade Expo opens in Qingdao
Updated: July 18, 2025 21:49Xinhua
People pose for photos outside the venue of the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) International Investment and Trade Expo in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, July 18, 2025. Under the theme “Sharing New Opportunities, Seeking New Common Development,” the expo kicked off on Friday in Qingdao. [Photo/Xinhua]People visit the pavilion of India during the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) International Investment and Trade Expo in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, July 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
SAN FRANCISCO – George Aboagye and Dennis Jordan pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with their roles in online phishing scams. Aboagye entered his guilty plea today and Jordan pleaded guilty on July 10, 2025.
Aboagye, 44, who previously resided in Stone Mountain, Ga., and Jordan, 39, who previously resided in Dallas, Texas, were originally indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2024 and charged by superseding informations in July 2025.
According to court documents and the plea agreements, in December 2019, Aboagye laundered $922,445.34 fraudulently obtained from a San Francisco-based business through a business email compromise scam. Employees at the victim business received a fraudulent email that purported to be from one of the business’s actual service providers. The email induced employees at the victim business to send a wire transfer in the amount of $922,445.34 to a bank account for a fake company. Aboagye and others used the fake company’s bank account to receive and launder the proceeds from this scam.
To conceal the source of the fraudulently obtained funds, portions of the $922,445.34 were distributed to Aboagye and other individuals, including Jordan, who deposited a $20,000 cashier’s check derived from the fraud proceeds into a bank account he set up under another fake business name.
Aboagye also wired other ill-gotten proceeds into accounts held in his name, including portions of $173,315.70 fraudulently obtained from a North Dakota state agency in May 2020 as part of a business email compromise and fraudulent payments totaling $80,300 from the Small Business Administration in August 2020. In sum, Aboagye admitted to laundering between $1.5 million to $3.5 million in fraudulent proceeds.
Jordan also admitted to using multiple fake companies and identities to open bank accounts, which he then used to receive funds from various victims, including $15,000 in January 2020 from a victim in California who believed the money was going to be used to obtain a shipment of gold from Australia, and $40,000 in April 2020 from a victim in California who believed the money was being used to help Covid-19 research. Jordan also used one such account to obtain a $220,000 loan through the Small Business Administration’s Covid-19 Paycheck Protection Program. Jordan used some of these funds to purchase a residence for himself in Dallas. In sum, Jordan admitted to laundering $336,600 in fraudulent proceeds.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.
Both defendants have remained in custody since their arrests and both were remanded into custody following their guilty pleas. Jordan and Aboagye are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 24, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Rita F. Lin. Each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Assistant United States Attorneys S. Waqar Hasib and Kevin Yeh are prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.
HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Daylyn Harris, 34, and Chelsea Johnson, 32, of Honolulu, Hawaii, were arrested on July 15, 2025 and charged in a seven-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on July 17, 2025.
The indictment alleges that Harris and Johnson conspired with each other and carried out a wire fraud scheme, wherein Harris and Johnson submitted false claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”), claiming to have suffered income, housing, and property losses as a result of two federal disasters, when, as Harris and Johnson both knew, they did not live in the disaster area or suffer any such losses. Specifically, Harris falsely claimed that he resided in Lahaina, Hawaii during the Lahaina fires federal disaster in August and September 2023, and that he lost housing and income, suffered medical bills, and lost property when, in fact, did not suffer such losses. Johnson assisted the fraudulent claim by posing as Harris’s Maui landlord. The indictment also alleges that in January 2025, Johnson falsely claimed to live in Pacific Palisades, California during the California fires federal disaster and claimed lost housing and other expenses. The indictment alleges that, together, Harris and Johnson received over $60,000 in disaster relief from FEMA.
If convicted of the charged offenses, the defendants face up to thirty years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for each count.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. In the case of conviction, any sentence would be imposed by a United States District Judge based on the statutory sentencing factors and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
This case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security – Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from the Honolulu Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese is prosecuting the case.
Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks ‘World Art Day 2025’ through their Pan African ‘Art and Fashion with Purpose’ Community, established by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. Through this dynamic community, Dr. Kelej continues to raise awareness on critical health and social issues while empowering artists across Africa and beyond to use their creativity as a powerful tool for advocacy, education, and fostering a cultural shift within their communities.
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 emphasized, “I am delighted to mark ‘World Art Day 2025’ as I strongly believe that art, fashion, and media hold immense power in raising awareness and addressing critical social and health issues—ultimately creating a culture shift in the communities. Art and fashion, to me, go far beyond aesthetics or entertainment, they serve as meaningful tools for education and advocacy. With this vision, we have launched many initiatives including our first-ever pan-African TV program, Our Africa by Merck Foundation, which uniquely highlights pressing issues across the continent through the voices of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ community. Through this one-of-a-kind show and our other unique initiatives, we continue to raise awareness about critical social issues such as Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation, Stopping Gender-Based Violence, Women’s Empowerment, and also about health issues like diabetes, hypertension, and much more.”
‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa. The program has captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa.
The TV program has been broadcasted on prime TV stations of many countries like KTN HOME (Kenya), GH One & TV3 (Ghana), NTV (Uganda), BTV (Botswana) Mashariki TV (Burundi), QTV (The Gambia), KTN (Kenya), LNTV (Liberia), Mibawa TV (Malawi), Deffi Media (Mauritius), AYV (Sierra Leone), NTV (Uganda), ZNBC (Zambia), ZTN (Zimbabwe), NTV (Namibia) and more.
Beyond Our Africa TV Program, Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa announces annually 8 important Awards, under two themes, for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers and Musicians/ Singers, and potential young African talents in these fields. The themes of the two categories of awards are: 1) Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls’ Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and/ or Women Empowerment at all levels and 2) promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. The 2025 editions were announced during the 11th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary held in Tanzania in October 2024.
Dr. Kelej emphasized, “It is very well known that Africa’s creativity reflects its rich heritage, expressed in the form of art, fabrics, music, and storytelling and is carried forward through generations. Hence, we launch these awards annually, with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”. Through our Awards, we aim to inspire the continent’s youth to use their innate talents to address our important and critical social and health issues, by raising awareness through their creative work at all levels.”
Also, as a part of the Community Awareness Programs, Merck Foundation has created over 30 songs with many African Artists, in English, French, Portuguese and also local African languages to address critical issues like breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, supporting girl education, ending child marriage, diabetes awareness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and more.
Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa has also launched 8 Children’s Storybooks in three languages: English, French and Portuguese. Additionally, Merck Foundation has adapted these storybooks to create interesting animation films with the purpose of reaching out to the communities to raise awareness on the important issues with an aim of instilling change at grassroot levels.
To listen to the Merck Foundation songs, read Merck Foundation storybooks and watch Merck Foundation animation films, click on the below links:
About Merck Foundation: The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3GvgIG0), X (https://apo-opa.co/4eTMSYd), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/46Az9nl), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4o1OJ1A), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/44Dc6H2) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/44USpcs).
The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.
Working Together, Growing Stronger: Responsible Governance for a Resilient UCB Sector (Valedictory Address by Shri Swaminathan J, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India at the Seminar for Directors of Urban Co-operative Banks held in CAB, Pune on Friday, July 11, 2025)
Astronomers capture imagery of this interstellar object — the third such object ever discovered — as it zooms through the solar system
Using the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii, astronomers have captured an image of comet 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object that was first detected on July 1, 2025, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) for which the comet was named. The letter “I” means “interstellar,” and “3” indicates it is only the third object from another star system ever observed. The observations will help scientists study the characteristics of this rare object’s origin, orbit and composition.
Gemini North is in Hawaii and is one half of the International Gemini Observatory, funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The imagery reveals the comet’s compact coma — a cloud of gas and dust surrounding its icy nucleus.
“The sensitivity and scheduling agility of the International Gemini Observatory has provided critical early characterization of this interstellar wanderer,” says Martin Still, NSF program director for the International Gemini Observatory. “We look forward to a bounty of new data and insights as this object warms itself on sunlight before continuing its cold, dark journey between the stars.”
Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/K. Meech (IfA/U. Hawaii)/Image Processing: Jen Miller & Mahdi Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is captured in this image by the NSF-funded Gemini North telescope. The image shows the comet’s compact coma — a cloud of gas and dust surrounding its icy nucleus.
Ranging from tens of meters to a few kilometers in size, interstellar objects are pieces of cosmic debris left over from the formation of their host star’s planetary systems. As these remnants orbit their star, the gravity of nearby larger planets and passing nearby stars can launch them out of their home systems and into interstellar space, where they can cross paths with other solar systems, including ours.
These visitors from faraway regions of the cosmos are valuable objects to study since they offer a tangible connection to other star systems. They carry information about the chemical elements that were present when and where they formed, which gives scientists insight into how planetary systems form at distant stars throughout our galaxy’s history, including stars that have since died out.
Although 3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object ever discovered, the NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, jointly funded by NSF and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, is expected to capture millions of objects moving throughout our solar system when it begins operations later this year. By repeatedly scanning the entire southern hemisphere sky every few nights, NSF–DOE Rubin will capture an unpredictable number of never-before-seen interstellar objects.
Suaalii only switched codes from rugby league to rugby union in 2023 and has just five international caps to his name. But despite his lack of union experience, he has been catching attention lately for more than just his powerful runs and physicality. In recent weeks, Suaalii’s unusual pre-match warm-up has also sparked curiosity, most notably, his use of juggling and peripheral awareness drills to prepare his visual system.
For many spectators, seeing a player showing off their juggling skills is more suited to a circus performance than international rugby. But there is science behind his bizarre approach. This preparation could be giving him an edge the Lions should fear.
Growing evidence
Visual performance in elite sport remains an under-applied area of sport science, yet the evidence for its effectiveness is growing.
My own research has found that a county cricket team which underwent six weeks of visual training improved their basic cricket skills more than a control group which did extra cricket skills exercises. This demonstrates that we need to be looking beyond the confines of the sport itself to bring about maximal performance.
Visual skill in sport is about more than just 20/20 vision. Each sport has its own specific demands, and rugby requires skills such as peripheral awareness, depth perception, rapid eye movement, reaction speed, dynamic visual acuity and eye-body coordination.
Combining these visual skills will allow the most accurate information to be sent to the brain for processing – helping players to make the best decisions, even under intense pressure and high levels of fatigue.
By using exercises such as juggling, Suaalii is training several of these visual skills at once. Juggling requires excellent eye-body coordination, the use of the peripheral system and reaction speed. These are all skills which are also used in rugby for catching high balls kicked by opponents, reading attacking threats and spotting the movement of teammates and opposition players.
Juggling has also been shown to bring about positive structural changes in the human brain – particularly in areas linked to processing visual information – and integrating this with motor control.
This demonstrates that this relatively simple exercise can lead to improvements not only in the eyes, but also the brain. In rugby, the visual array will be constantly changing. A shift in the defensive line, a looping support run, a player slightly slow to recover from a ruck, or a spiralling high kick – the ability to spot, process and respond to these visual cues can be the difference between success and failure.
Suaalii is by no means the first rugby player to train his visual system. Former coach Clive Woodward famously brought in a visual performance coach to work with the England team – and they went on to win the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
I also worked with the Harlequins rugby team in the English Premiership as a visual performance coach. We won three trophies in my first three seasons with the team, which is known for free flowing, creative play. This style of play places extremely high demands on the players’ visual systems.
Lions test series
So what particular visual skills can you look out for over this Lions test series and how might they impact the outcome?
When defending close to their own try line, players should be scanning across the width of the pitch to ensure that they do not become outnumbered on either side of the field. Conversely, the attackers should be making rapid scans to quickly identify any mismatch (for example, a slow front row forward versus a swift and agile winger) they can take advantage of.
In these situations, players can often focus too much on the ball, allowing opposition players to craftily reposition themselves unseen. The best players will, wherever possible, be looking at everything, everywhere, all at once, improving their spatial awareness and enabling them to maintain an overview of the game in their minds.
To catch a kicked spiralling highball, a fullback or winger needs exceptional tracking ability and depth perception. Players in this situation are sometimes let down by “convergence issues”, where as the eyes track an object moving towards them, they can drift outwards or become misaligned. This can cause players to mistime their jump, or for the ball to hit their chest before being caught, wasting vital milliseconds. Training these convergence issues has been shown to bring about improvements in sports performance.
As a scrum-half is collecting the ball from a breakdown, they need quickly to scan the positions of teammates on either side of them, and be aware of the depth of the defensive line. Having this visual information will lead to better decisions and creating faster attacking opportunities.
A crunching tackle may seem like a purely strength-based skill. But to ensure it is both perfectly timed and legal, a defender must perfectly anticipate the speed and direction of the oncoming player. They can then use this information to precisely position their own body to impart their full momentum, while using their reaction speed to make last-second adjustments to ensure they do not put their opponent in danger.
Subtle visual advantages, honed through practice, can influence these moments. During this test series, they may well be the difference between winning and losing. Suaalii’s juggling may seem better suited to the circus, but it could be the secret weapon Australia need to secure the series.
Zoe Wimshurst is the owner and director of Performance Vision Ltd, a company which provides visual training and consultancy services.
As summer holidays begin, many travellers are packing more than just swimsuits and sunscreen – for millions, medicines are essential. But taking them abroad isn’t always simple. From legal pitfalls to temperature-sensitive drugs, here’s how to travel safely and legally with your medication.
Know the law
Medicines that are legal in the UK can be restricted or even banned in other countries. Having a valid prescription doesn’t guarantee you can take a medicine into another country.
For example, Nurofen Plus, which contains codeine (an opioid painkiller), is prohibited in countries like Egypt, Indonesia and the UAE.
Even common cold remedies containing decongestants like pseudoephedrine can land you in trouble in places like Japan and South Korea. This is because pseudoephedrine can be used to make methamphetamine (“speed”). Likewise, many stimulant ADHD drugs are also banned from these countries.
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Some countries have restrictions on the amount of medication that you are allowed to bring into the country – usually a maximum of three months supply.
Travellers often overlook how strict customs regulations can be regarding medications. Even if prescribed for a valid medical reason, carrying a prohibited drug can lead to confiscation (leaving you without essential treatment), fines (especially in countries with tough drug laws) and detention or arrest in rare but serious cases.
If you’re travelling with certain controlled drugs – such as opioids, stimulants or psychotropic substances – you may need to apply for an export licence from the UK Home Office. This is typically required when carrying a supply of three months or more. Examples of controlled drugs include diazepam (for anxiety and muscle spasms), codeine and morphine (for pain), amphetamines (for ADHD) and temazepam (for insomnia).
Before you travel, check whether your medicine is affected by any of these restrictions. Use the country’s embassy website or the UK government’s travel advice to check the rules of your destination country.
This should provide guidance on whether you simply need a copy of your prescription, a doctor’s letter or a special import certificate (some countries require official documentation even for personal use).
The UK government advises carrying controlled drugs or any drugs that might be restricted in your hand luggage. You should take along a prescription or a signed letter from your doctor detailing your medication, dosage and travel dates.
Ensure you take sufficient supplies for the duration of your trip and include extras for unexpected delays, damage or loss.
It might be tempting to save space by transferring pills or liquids into smaller containers or pill organisers. While this can be convenient, it’s not always advisable. Customs officials may not recognise unlabelled containers, increasing the chance of delays or confiscation.
Some medications are sensitive to light, air or temperature, and must remain in their original packaging to stay effective. For example, HRT (hormone replacement therapy) sprays like Lenzetto must not be decanted.
These products rely on precise metered dosing and specialised packaging to deliver the correct amount of hormone. Transferring them to another container could result in incorrect dosing or loss of potency.
Similarly, GTN (glyceryl trinitrate) tablets, used to treat angina, should always be stored in their original glass bottle. The active ingredient can evaporate if exposed to air, reducing the tablets’ effectiveness.
You might be worried about the 100ml liquid in hand luggage restriction – with a doctor’s letter certifying the need for this medicine, you should be able to take larger amounts of liquid medicine through security.
Medicines should always be kept in their original packaging with labels intact. When in doubt, ask your pharmacist whether your medication can be safely repackaged for travel.
It’s also important to split your supply of medicines between bags (if more than one is used) in case one is lost. Tablets and capsules can sometimes be placed in a pill organiser for daily use, but always carry the original box or prescription label as backup.
Some medicines require refrigeration – like Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide) injections for weight loss or insulin.
Usually, unopened Wegovy pens and insulin preparations should be stored between 2°C and 8°C in a fridge. Once out of the fridge, they can be kept at room temperature (up to 25°C) for up to 28 days, but must be protected from heat and sunlight. High temperatures, such as in direct sunlight or a hot car, can damage insulin.
When travelling, use an insulated travel case or cool pack, but avoid placing pens or other medicines directly next to ice packs to prevent freezing.
Airlines generally do not provide refrigeration or freezer storage for passenger items, including medicines, due to space and liability concerns, but it’s worth contacting them to see if they can help with arrangements for storage. Inspect insulin for crystals after flying – if any are present, it should be discarded.
You can bring needles and injectable medicines like EpiPens (for allergies), insulin or Wegovy in your hand luggage. But it’s important to carry a doctor’s note stating your medical condition and the necessity of the medication, and a copy of your prescription.
You should also declare them at airport security. Security officers may inspect these items separately, so allow for extra time going through security.
Contact your airline for any specific rules on needles and injectable medicines. Always carry such medicines and medical devices in your hand luggage – checked bags can be lost or exposed to extreme temperatures.
Don’t skip doses
Tempting as it may be to leave your medication behind for a short trip, doing so can be risky. Stopping treatment – even temporarily – can lead to relapse or worsening of symptoms (especially for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension or depression).
For medicines like antidepressants or opioids, people may start feeling withdrawal effects. You’re also at risk of reduced effectiveness if you miss doses of medicines that require consistent levels in your bloodstream.
If you’re considering a break from your medication, consult your doctor first. They can advise whether a short pause is safe or help you plan a travel-friendly regimen.
Take the right documents
While showing your NHS app to border officials may help demonstrate that a medicine is prescribed to you, it’s not always sufficient – especially when travelling with restricted or controlled drugs and injectable medicines.
Most countries require a copy of your prescription, and a doctor’s letter confirming the medication is for personal use. Your doctor is not legally obliged to issue this letter, but most will do so upon request.
It’s best to ask at least one to two weeks in advance, as some practices may charge a fee or require time to prepare the documentation.
Travelling with medication doesn’t have to be stressful, but it does require planning. With the right preparation, you can enjoy your holiday without compromising your health or running afoul of foreign laws.
Dipa Kamdar 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.
Globally, $1.4 billion of the agency’s programmes are being shuttered or put on hold, UNHCR said in a new report.
“We can’t stop water, you can’t stop sanitation, but we’re having to take decisions when it comes, for example, to shelter,” said UNHCR Director of External Relations, Dominique Hyde.
“We’re have people arriving on a daily basis from Sudan, from the Darfur regions…arriving in Chad, not able to be given any shelter.”
In an urgent appeal for flexible funding from donors, Ms. Hyde noted that up to 11.6 million refugees and others risk losing access this year to direct humanitarian assistance from UNHCR. The figure represents about one-third of those reached by the organization last year.
On the Sudan-Chad border, the UN agency is now unable to provide “even basic shelter” to more than six in 10 refugees fleeing the conflict. Thousands more vulnerable people have been left stranded in remote border locations in South Sudan, too. “If we just had a bit more support, we could get them to settlements,” she insisted.
Because of the funding cuts, basic activities have already been hit hard. These include refugee registration, child protection, legal counselling and prevention of and responses to gender-based violence.
Every aid sector hit
In South Sudan, 75 per cent of safe spaces for women and girls supported by UNHCR have closed, leaving up to 80,000 refugee women and girls without access to medical care, psychosocial support, legal aid, material support or income-generating activities. This includes survivors of sexual violence, UNHCR noted.
“Behind these numbers are real lives hanging in the balance,” Ms. Hyde said.
“Families are seeing the support they relied on vanish, forced to choose between feeding their children, buying medicines or paying rent, while hope for a better future slips out of sight. Every sector and operation has been hit and critical support is being suspended to keep life-saving aid going.”
Libya influx
Many of those impacted by the war in Sudan have taken the decision to move from Chad and Egypt to Libya, into the hands of people smugglers who dangerously overload boats with desperate people seeking to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.
“What we’re observing now is that in terms of arrivals in Europe of…Sudanese refugees, [it] has increased since the beginning of the year by about 170 per cent compared to the first six months of 2024,” said UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado.
Support slashed from Niger to Ukraine
In camps hosting Myanmar’s Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, education for some 230,000 children could now be suspended. Meanwhile in Lebanon “UNHCR’s entire health programme is at risk of being shuttered by the end of the year”, Ms. Hyde continued.
In Niger and other emergency settings, cuts in financial aid for shelter have left families in overcrowded structures or at risk of homelessness. In Ukraine, financial aid has also been slashed, “leaving uprooted families unable to afford rent, food or medical treatment”, Ms. Hyde noted.
Assistance to returning Afghans has also become another victim of the global aid cuts. Around 1.9 million Afghan nationals have returned home or been forced back since the start of the year, “but financial aid for returnees is barely enough to afford food, let alone rent, undermining efforts to ensure stable reintegration”, UNHCR said.
Legal aid halted
Overall, several UNHCR operations hit by severe funding gaps have now had to curtail investments in strengthening asylum systems and promoting regularization efforts.
In Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Mexico, any prolonged lack of legal status means prolonged insecurity for people on the move, the UN agency said. This results in deepening poverty “as refugees are excluded from formal employment and greater exposure to exploitation and abuse,” Ms. Hyde explained.
Approximately one in three of the agency’s 550 offices around the world has been impacted by the cuts,Ms. Hyde told journalists in Geneva:
“We’re not in a position to do so much contingency planning; what we’re able to do is make decisions on priorities – and at this point the priorities as I mentioned are dramatic.”
For 2025 UNHCR needs $10.6 billion. Only 23 per cent of this amount has been provided.
“Against this backdrop, our teams are focusing efforts on saving lives and protecting those forced to flee,” Ms. Hyde said. “Should additional funding become available, UNHCR has the systems, partnerships and expertise to rapidly resume and scale up assistance.”
Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung today visited the Civil Engineering & Development Department to learn about the department’s progress in optimising operational efficiency and services through the application of technology, as well as its work in slope safety safety and landslip prevention and mitigation.
Mrs Yeung met Director of Civil Engineering & Development Michael Fong and directorate staff to learn about the key initiatives of the Civil Engineering Office, the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) and regional development offices.
She also met staff representatives from various grades in the department to hear about matters of concern to them.
Mrs Yeung said the expectations on the civil service from the community are constantly rising and that the challenges posed by extreme weather are becoming increasingly severe.
“I hope my colleagues will continue to strive for excellence, review workflows to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, and respond to changes with smart innovations. This will strengthen the public’s sense of fulfilment, happiness and security.”
During Mrs Yeung’s visit to the GEO Emergency Control Centre, officers showed her the “Common Operation Picture” developed and managed by the department.
The electronic system facilitates the sharing of real-time information among different government departments to assist in monitoring emergencies such as landslides, flooding and fallen trees, and to enhance contingency co-ordination.
The GEO maintains a 24-hour, year-round emergency service, providing geotechnical advice to rescue teams and government departments on any emergency actions to be taken to deal with danger arising from landslides.
Mrs Yeung also learned that the department started a trial run of its in-house developed, AI-empowered Landslip Warning System this year.
The new system can further enhance the accuracy of the predicted number of landslides during heavy rainstorms, thereby improving landslide risk assessment and early warning capabilities.
In addition, officers responsible for planning and terrain evaluation briefed Mrs Yeung on the Digital Aerial Photograph Interpretation System launched last year.
The system digitalises historical aerial photographs and centralises such imagery on an instantly accessible digital platform.
It not only allows government departments and related organisations to remotely search, view and analyse high-resolution 3D data, but it also empowers professionals to map and visualise 3D terrains to support related research relating to slope safety management and land planning.
The system also eliminates the need to store physical photographs, and helps to shorten construction times, reduce construction costs, and promote environmental efficiency.
The department’s staff also spoke about their efforts to enhance the speed and efficiency in order to support the development of the Northern Metropolis.
The Northern Metropolis is located in a geologically complex area with very limited engineering data. To speed up development and minimise the work required across different projects, the GEO has initiated a regional ground investigation study in the Northwest New Territories, which involves carrying out ground drilling and rock load tests in strategic areas.
The Immersive Hong Kong roving exhibition, showcasing Hong Kong’s diversity and its latest developments, opened in Qingdao.
Themed “Hong Kong – Where the World Looks Ahead”, the exhibition invites visitors from Qingdao and elsewhere in Shandong to explore Hong Kong’s unique opportunities and potential in tourism, education, business and investment.
It comprises five thematic zones: Financial Bridgehead; I&T Brain Bank’ Blossoming Creativity; Diversity & Greenery; and Buzzing Sports Action. These feature interactive art projections, light box installations and naked-eye 3D displays, all representing the distinctive appeal of Hong Kong.
At today’s opening ceremony, Director of Information Services Apollonia Liu explained that as 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt & Road Summit – which is hosted each year by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region – three Belt & Road node cities on the Mainland were specially selected as locations for this year’s Immersive Hong Kong exhibition.
The exhibition visited Shanghai last month. Qingdao is the second stop, and will be followed by Chengdu.
Mrs Liu expressed hope that the exhibition will provide an opportunity for Qingdao residents to experience Hong Kong’s charm and spark their interest in visiting the city.
Introducing the exhibition’s highlights, Mrs Liu said the Buzzing Sports Action zone serves as pre-event publicity for the 15th National Games, due to be co-hosted by Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau in November. She remarked that Hong Kong’s cultural and tourism appeal, and various other developments in the city, are showcased in the exhibition through naked-eye 3D displays and interactive games.
With Qingdao having been part of Hong Kong’s Individual Visit Scheme since March last year, Mrs Liu stressed that in addition to boosting tourism-related industries in Hong Kong, the scheme has been successful in fostering cultural integration and people-to-people bonds between Qingdao and Hong Kong.
As the two cities are linked by multiple direct flights operating daily, an excellent foundation has been laid for deepening tourism co-operation, promoting the sharing of resources and facilitating the two-way flow of visitors, she added.
The Immersive Hong Kong roving exhibition, organised by the Information Services Department, runs from today to July 27 at Lion Mall in Qingdao. Admission is free.
