Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police can now confirm the name of the man who died following a crash on Pahiatua-Mangahao Road on 25 February.
He was 17-year-old Corey James Wiki, from Woodville.
Police extend our condolences during this difficult time.
Enquiries into the crash remain ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
The Crown and Ngāti Hāua are now entering the final stages of their settlement after agreeing on the terms at Ngāpuwaiwaha Marae in Taumarunui today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
“It is an honour to be able to sign a Deed of Settlement and deliver a Crown apology after eight years of negotiations.
“This means we can now get legislation underway to put through the house at pace. Treaty Negotiations are a major priority for this Government.
“This settlement includes an agreed historical account and redress for historical breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi that caused harm to Ngāti Hāua.
“A key component of the Deed is Te Tātairango o Te Karauna – a collective agreement, between Ngāti Hāua and key Crown agencies to support, resource and empower the future wellbeing of the Iwi.”
The redress package agreed on today includes:
the return of 64 culturally significant sites including Ngā Huinga (Cherry Grove) where the Whanganui and Taringamotu Rivers meet.
a $6-million cultural revitalisation fund
$19 million of financial redress
statutory pardons for two Ngāti Hāua ancestors who were tried under martial law and treated with exceptional harshness. One was confined for life and the other was sentenced to death.
“While no settlement can fully compensate for the Crown’s injustices towards Ngāti Hāua, I sincerely hope this redress package will support Ngāti Hāua to realise their economic and cultural aspirations for generations to come,” says Mr Goldsmith.
Ngāti Hāua is a tribe based in the Central North Island, centred in Taumarunui. They have a population of approximately 2,500 members.
A copy of the Deed of Settlement is available online at: Te Tari Whakatau – Ngāti Hāua
Source: New Zealand Government
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Singapore this week to build on the momentum from the NZ Infrastructure Investment Summit and show New Zealand is ‘open for business’.
“The NZ Infrastructure Investment Summit was a real success, with huge interest from around the world in investing in New Zealand,” says Mr Bishop.
“In Singapore I will meet with a range of pension funds and investment companies, including Temasek and GIC, to talk about New Zealand’s infrastructure pipeline and government reforms to welcome international investment.
“New Zealand infrastructure company Morrison is expanding their office in Singapore and it will be a pleasure to formally launch their new office. As one of the world’s largest specialist infrastructure managers, Morrison is a real New Zealand success story.
“Singapore is one of our most important partners in Southeast Asia, and one of our largest sources of foreign investment. This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Singapore, a significant milestone that underscores the depth and strength of our partnership.
“I will also meet with Minister Grace Fu, Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, to discuss renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, and infrastructure investment.
“We have a lot to learn from Singapore, particularly around transport and infrastructure and I am looking forward to meetings to discuss rapid transit, public housing, and port development.”
Mr Bishop leaves for Singapore on Sunday 30 March and is due to return on Thursday 3 April.
Source: New Zealand Government
All options are on the table to deliver a better deal for supermarket shoppers, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says.
“Today I am issuing a Request for Information (RFI) asking potential supermarket challengers – both in New Zealand and overseas –what regulatory changes are needed to help them compete at a national scale and drive grocery prices down.
“At the same time, I have asked officials for advice on ways in which the grocery sector could be restructured to increase competition.
“New Zealand grocery prices are high by international standards and Kiwi shoppers are being poorly served by a market effectively dominated by just two major players – Foodstuffs and Woolworths.
“This lack of competition is the result of a series of mergers that have occurred over the past 30 or 40 years.
“Despite well-intended reforms in recent years, competition in the grocery market has not improved. Kiwis are still missing out on competitive grocery offerings.
“The purpose of the RFI is to identify the regulatory and legislative steps necessary to facilitate increased competition at scale.
“I am seeking information from a range of potential investors, on what it would take for one or more new grocery retailers to enter the market on a national scale, or for existing competitors to grow to sufficient size to materially increase competition.
“I also want to know what regulatory and commercial barriers to competing potential new entrants see and what they would like the Government to do about those barriers.
“I am concerned that more significant action may be required to foster genuine competition. Therefore, I have commissioned specialist external advice on ways in which the existing supermarket duopoly could be restructured to improve competition.
“Officials are working with the appointed advisors to consider options including a possible demerger of existing entities.
“In mid 2025, once I have considered the evidence coming in from the RFI, and the Commission’s work, I will bring further recommendations to Cabinet.”
“No decisions have been made yet, but if Cabinet decides legislation is necessary, I expect to introduce it to Parliament by the end of the year.”
Source: New Zealand Government
Today I am announcing next steps in the Government’s mission to deliver better grocery prices for Kiwis.
Our Government knows that the cost of living is a major concern for New Zealanders. We are focused on delivering changes that will bring down the cost of living, now and in the years ahead.
One major driver of the cost of living is the high prices many Kiwis pay for their basic groceries. After housing, food is the second-most expensive item in Kiwis’ household budgets.
The current situation
New Zealand grocery prices are high by international standards. Kiwi shoppers are being poorly served by extremely low levels of competition in our grocery sector.
This lack of competition is the result of a series of mergers that have occurred over the past 30 or 40 years, reducing a sector once characterised by a number of grocery chains to a market now dominated by just two major players per island: Foodstuffs North Island, Foodstuffs South Island (with the New World, Pak ‘n Save and Four Square brands) and Woolworths (with the Countdown and Fresh Choice / Super Value brands).
These incumbents exhibit significant market power and act as an effective island duopoly, with many communities experiencing what could be characterised as a localised grocery monopoly, as they have no other store to choose from near their homes.
It’s noteworthy that Foodstuffs argued in the courts that the merger of Progressive Enterprises and Woolworths NZ was not in consumers’ interests.
This dynamic was acknowledged by a 2022 market study and led to a series of reforms.
In September last year the Commerce Commission published its first annual report into the grocery sector, which provided an update on the impact of reforms so far.
It concluded that competition in the grocery sector had not materially improved.
The Commerce Commission did note pockets of improved competition due, for example, to Costco entering the Auckland market, and the Warehouse expanding its range of grocery offerings. But these incursions have not fundamentally changed the competitive dynamics in the market.
There has been no reduction in market concentration, with evidence of increasing margins for major supermarkets, and ongoing levels of profitability much higher than would be expected in a workably competitive market.
There have also been recent examples of firms struggling to compete in the market. Organic grocer Huckleberry, which owned three stores in Auckland, went into liquidation in 2024. Online grocer Supie was put into voluntary administration in October 2023.
The Grocery Commissioner has noted the disappointing impact of new wholesale regulations, and ongoing problems with the Grocery Supply Code.
The simple reality is this: Despite good intentions, the last Government’s reforms have not improved grocery competition or delivered better prices for Kiwi supermarket shoppers.
I am advised that without further action, meaningful changes to competition will be some time away.
Progress Update
Last month I announced my desire to see another competitor enter the supermarket scene to deliver more effective competition in the grocery sector, disrupt the major players, drive down prices and increase options for Kiwi shoppers.
I made clear then that the Government wants to help remove barriers that could get in the way of a new entrant, including potentially removing a range of regulatory hurdles.
Since February, I and my officials have engaged with a range of interested parties who’ve shared their views of what might be needed to help their entry or expansion into the New Zealand grocery market.
These engagements have been instructive. My key findings have been:
To achieve the best outcomes for consumers we need at least one competitor entering or expanding to operate at a national scale. The Commerce Commission’s first grocery report supports this view, stating that success in the grocery industry “requires a third major network of supermarkets, offering a full range of groceries nationwide”.
That the Government’s work to replace the Resource Management Act, and changes to the Overseas Investment Act can help to ease the path for new grocery stores.
That the Commerce Commission’s work to target multiple other issues – including on wholesale supply of groceries, monitoring of anti-competitive behaviour and strengthening information and protections for consumers and suppliers – must continue at pace.
That further bespoke regulatory intervention could help some potential entrants – including by addressing potential barriers in food labelling and import standards that could prevent the importation of competitor products.
That even with all these changes, major commercial and regulatory barriers could still prevent a third player from being able to enter or compete at a national scale.
A competitor at scale
This final point is very important.
I want to see a new grocery competitor that can introduce competitive pressure not just in one niche or region but across the country, so that it improves shopping choices and prices for as many Kiwi shoppers as possible.
International experience suggests that for this to occur, a new player would probably need to reach a scale of at least 10% of the existing market and do so relatively quickly.
There are a range of views about what additional interventions could be needed to make that possible. Some suggest that progressing the current Commerce Commission work programme, in conjunction with consenting and investment reform may be sufficient.
Others advocate more significant changes to the structure of the New Zealand grocery market.
These include splitting existing brands currently housed under one umbrella back into separate businesses (horizontal separation or demerger); splitting wholesale and retail provision of groceries (vertical separation); divestment approaches explored but ultimately put on hold by the previous Government, or a combination of these approaches.
In light of this work, and the advice and views I have considered to date, I have now made recommendations to Cabinet about the next steps needed to improve competition in the New Zealand grocery sector.
Issuing a formal “Request for Information” to support a supermarket competitor
Today I am announcing that Cabinet has agreed to commence a formal Request For Information (RFI) process to accelerate improved competition in the New Zealand retail grocery market.
The RFI I am releasing will help the Government identify the next regulatory and legislative steps needed to support a significant national-scale competitive challenge to the New Zealand supermarket duopoly.
We want to know what it would take for one or more new grocery retailers to enter the grocery market on a national scale, or existing competitors to grow to sufficient size to generate a material increase in the level of competition in the New Zealand grocery sector.
We want to hear from firms or groups who have the capability and capacity to provide New Zealand consumers with a full range of grocery products, at scale, nationwide.
This is about obtaining detailed information about how the Government can support a new supermarket competitor, using the full range of legislative and regulatory tools available to us.
We are asking respondents to set out the ideal conditions that would need to exist for them to enter and grow in the New Zealand retail grocery market. I also want to hear about barriers, both commercial and regulatory, and what the Government can do to improve conditions to allow them to set up and better compete with the incumbents.
For example, they may face barriers securing appropriate sites to build on, or they may have issues accessing supply, or there may be fundamental issues with the structure of the market.
I expect that a new competitor would need to have, buy or build a substantial physical store network. That is a big ask. We can’t just cross our fingers and wait for that to happen. Nor am I satisfied that we’ve yet flushed out everyone who might be up for the task – if we get the conditions right.
As such, I have asked officials to seek responses from firms which already have a presence in the New Zealand market, such as Costco and the Warehouse as well as established overseas grocery firms, such as Coles, Aldi and Lidi. Investors for targeting will include general investment funds, specialist infrastructure investors and iwi groups.
I have also asked officials to seek views from the existing major players, alongside the smaller store owners who work under their brands, to ensure their perspectives are heard.
The scale of the challenge
The challenges facing a major new competitor should not be underestimated.
My engagements to date have suggested that for so long as the current duopoly structure continues, and even with targeted regulatory action, potential investors may perceive that the commercial barriers to success in the NZ grocery market are just too high.
Initial research suggests a new or expanding national-scale grocery competitor would require significant upfront capital. It’s expected that the RFI will expose the “J Curve“” for investment, that is the potential for upfront losses that would be incurred during set-up followed by larger returns down the line.
Any large new supermarket business would need to compete with what are large, well-established retailers, with strong brand recognition, substantial market power and significant efficiencies of scale.
Concerns include the difficulty in obtaining suitable store sites at scale and pace, the potential for existing players to use their market power to block or squeeze out new entrants and the potential for existing players to place pressure on suppliers to offer less advantageous terms to new entrants.
I want potential participants in the Government’s RFI to know I understand the mountain we are asking them to climb.
It’s important they take this opportunity to articulate potential challenges as plainly as possible.
Further options for Government Intervention
I acknowledge that we can’t just wait for another competitor to arrive.
In order to make the New Zealand grocery sector more competitive sooner it’s possible more significant reform of the underlying grocery market structure may be required.
I have therefore advised Cabinet that when I report back to them later this year I will potentially recommend progressing additional intervention options for the New Zealand grocery market, including new legislation, should I view this as necessary to achieve the increased levels of grocery competition we are seeking for New Zealand shoppers.
I am actively anticipating what that may involve.
Accordingly, I am also announcing today that I am considering a possible structural separation of existing entities in the New Zealand grocery sector.
To support this, I have commissioned specialist external advice on ways in which the existing supermarket duopoly could be restructured to improve competition, including advice on options for ‘de-merger’ of existing brands, the potential impacts of structural separation of existing entities, and concepts for how this could be achieved.
It’s important this work, and any recommendations I make to Cabinet, are informed by the responses the Government receives to the Request for Information we are issuing today.
And that resulting recommendations properly consider the potential benefits – and costs – of intervention.
In considering potential design options I consider any newly created market structure would need to deliver net consumer benefits from greater competition, be enduring, ensure the market is dynamic and efficient and ensure that any transaction costs are kept to a minimum.
I do not take this step lightly.
In a global context, the New Zealand grocery market has experienced exceptional consolidation, a point that the OECD and other international experts agree is major cause for concern.
This is a $27 billion sector – roughly the size of New Zealand’s tourism and dairy sales combined – so it’s crucial that we get this market working effectively.
Doing so will deliver benefits into every shopping trolley and create new business opportunities up and down the supply chain.
I want to emphasise once again that this Government is not looking to run a supermarket chain: there will be no KiwiShop.
Next steps
I know that while this work progresses, Kiwi shoppers, feeling the pinch at the checkout, will remain impatient.
They have already waited too long for more competitive grocery offerings.
We need to move fast, and also with due care.
The RFI will proceed at pace, with information sought in the next six weeks. Work on market structure options will continue while this occurs, as will the Commerce Commission’s work to complete its wholesale inquiry, its analysis into land-banking issues and its second grocery report.
In mid 2025, once I have considered the evidence coming in from the RFI, and the Commission’s work, I will bring further recommendations to Cabinet. Depending on what I hear, I may seek Cabinet’s mandate to progress further design work on structural options to improve competition in the grocery sector.
If legislation is needed, I would want to introduce it before the end of the year and pass it during this parliamentary term, with rapid implementation shortly thereafter.
I am determined that this be a thorough and considered process. It’s vital we get this right.
As I said, I take seriously the need to weigh carefully not only the potential benefits of further intervention, but also its potential costs. And, it’s important to note, Cabinet has not yet formed a view on whether structural intervention will, in fact, be needed.
The RFI we are issuing today is a crucial step for informing our future deliberations. I can’t yet predict the detailed recommendations I will make as a result.
It could also be the case that the incumbent supermarkets propose actions that would prevent the need for any new legislation – for example through voluntary divestment undertakings under section 69A of the Commerce Act.
My key message is this: if further intervention is needed to drive competition in the grocery sector, then I’m up for it.
I’m putting all options on the table.
I’ll now take your questions.
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Emergency services are responding to a crash involving a pedestrian and a vehicle on Brockville Road, Brockville, Dunedin.
The crash was reported around 4:15pm.
One person has been transported to hospital in a critical condition.
The Serious Crash Unit has been advised and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are underway.
The road is closed and diversions are being put in place, motorists are advised to take the alternate route.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Emergency services are responding to a single motorbike crash on Christchurch Akaroa Road near Bayleys Road, Birdlings Flat.
The crash was reported around 5pm.
One person is in a critical condition and the Serious Crash Unit has been advised.
The road is down to one lane while emergency services work at the scene, motorists are advised to expect delays.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
One person has died following an incident in Katikati.
At around 2.50pm yesterday, Police were alerted to two people sustaining dog bite injuries.
One person was transported the Katikati Medical Centre in a critical condition, where sadly they died a short time later.
Another person received moderate injuries and was transported to hospital, where they remain.
Animal Management staff have taken the dogs involved in the incident.
Police are making enquiries into the incident on behalf of the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Palestinians around the world commemorate Land Day today, marking 49 years since the killing of six unarmed Palestinian protesters by Israeli forces on March 30, 1976. This annual event stands as a powerful reminder of the Palestinian struggle against land confiscation, dispossession, and apartheid policies.
Land Day originated from mass demonstrations by Palestinian citizens of Israel in response to the Israeli government’s plans to seize thousands of dunams of Palestinian land in the Galilee. The brutal crackdown that followed resulted in deaths, injuries, and mass arrests—igniting a legacy of resistance that continues today.
Land Day is not just a historical event; it is a reflection of the ongoing reality for Palestinians facing land theft, forced displacement, and settler colonialism. From the Galilee in 1976 to Gaza, Jerusalem, and the West Bank today, the struggle remains the same: the right to our land, the right to return, and the right to live in dignity.
As Israel escalates its policies of land grabs, illegal settlements, and home demolitions, Palestinians reaffirm their steadfastness (sumud) in the face of oppression. Around the world, supporters of Palestinian rights are urged to amplify the call for justice, demand an end to apartheid, and stand against occupation.
Maher Nazzal
Source:
The tradition, which dates back to 1873, saw hundreds of CFA members march through the town after sunset, led by CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan and VFBV State President Samantha Collins, behind a fleet of vintage and modern CFA appliances.
Jason said the procession remains one of CFA’s proudest traditions.
“The energy from both our members and the local community always makes for a truly special night,” he said.
“It’s a standout CFA tradition that showcases our pride, discipline, and unity as firefighters, and it was great to see that spirit shine through after a big day of competition.
“I want to thank the Mooroopna community for turning out in numbers and adding to the atmosphere.”
Judges scored brigades on their appearance and parade performance, and it was the team from the Knox Group of Brigades who took out first place this year.
While some brigades were chasing silverware, for 4th Lieutenant of the Gapsted Fire Brigade and Junior Leader Craig Hodgetts, it was more about being part of the tradition.
With a population of just 173, Gapsted, in the state’s northeast, is one of the smallest communities represented at the State Championships.
The team made its long-awaited comeback to the competition in 2019 after more than three decades away and has returned each year since with growing momentum.
“Between 1985 and 2019, Gapsted had no representation at the State Championships,” Craig said.
“We’re a very small brigade, so I started a junior team to try and build up our senior numbers.”
“It’s not about winning. I tell the kids, ‘I don’t care if you come last, just enjoy it. If you make mistakes, laugh about it and move on.’”
Craig first competed in the State Championships in 1982. More than 40 years later, he’s focused on inspiring the next generation to carry the tradition forward.
“Back in the 80s, every brigade in our area had a team. Now we’ve only got four. It’d be great to see more come back,” he said.
“This year, one of my former junior teams made their debut in the seniors, which was the goal all along.”
“It was an incredibly proud moment to watch them march under the Gapsted banner.”
“Even better was watching them win our town’s first ever senior event, the Dry Hydrant, in the district 22 championships on Sunday the 23rd.“
“We’ll certainly be part of the procession and championships again next year.”
Following a successful first year using LED torchlights in 2024, the new LEDs were used again this year.
The CFA/VFBV State Firefighter Championships will take place in Stawell in 2026.
| Submitted by | CFA Media |
|---|
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
UK Government announces a package of up to £10 million support to help the people of Myanmar following recent earthquake
The UK Government has today, 29 March 2025, announced a package of up to £10 million support to help the people of Myanmar following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the country’s central region yesterday.
This UK funding will increase support in the hardest hit areas of the earthquake and geared towards food and water supplies, medicine, and shelter.
The UK is sending immediate and life-saving support to the people of Myanmar following the devastating earthquake.
UK-funded local partners are already mobilising a humanitarian response on the ground, and this £10m package will bolster their efforts.
I offer my deepest sympathies to the people of Myanmar after this tragic event.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is offering support to British nationals in both Myanmar and Thailand following the earthquake.
British nationals in Myanmar who require consular assistance can call British Embassy Yangon on +95 (01) 370 863/4/5/7. British Nationals who require consular assistance in Thailand can call British Embassy Bangkok on +66 (0) 2 305 8333. Anyone in the UK and concerned about a British national in Myanmar or Thailand you can contact the FCDO on +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
Source: United States Department of Defense (video statements)
Four @nationalguard soldiers assigned to 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade reenlisted together during a smoke display and flyover at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.
For more on the Department of Defense, visit: http://www.defense.gov
Source: United Nations 2
Countries should consider looking beyond Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, as the key measure of economic growth to achieve the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN policymakers have suggested.
The initiative is in line with UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s longstanding assertion that “moving beyond GDP is fundamental to building an economic system that gives value to what counts – human well-being – now and in the future, and for everyone”.
While GDP has become the gold standard by which economic development is judged, it was never intended to encompass the overall wellbeing and progress of any single nation.
Neither does it capture the value of human, social or nature capital, explained Özge Aydogan, Director of UN Geneva’s Beyond Lab, which takes a lead thinking about social innovation and sustainability.
UN Geneva/Emma Schneider
Özge Aydogan, Director of UN Geneva’s Beyond Lab.
“That’s something that GDP measures very poorly – or not at all, in fact,” Ms. Aydogan said, “so, the whole movement around ‘Beyond GDP’ is to look into ways of moving from an extractive economy – which we are on right now – into an economy where capital…is not only created for economic purposes that only benefit a few, but actually for people and planet.”
In a bid to integrate untapped human capital, natural resources and wellbeing into how a country’s wealth might be calculated in future, the Beyond Lab has been brainstorming with government officials, researchers and thought leaders in sustainability.
But what policymakers still haven’t worked out is what a post-GDP economy would look like – neither have they agreed on the best path to get there.
For Ms. Aydogan, an ideal scenario for 2050 would be a regenerative economy – one that isn’t only extracting resources to derive revenue, but rather, creating wealth through untapped virtual assets.
In practical terms, countries would factor in other wealth-creating assets, such as a country’s natural resources.
“You replenish nature, for instance,” she explained, adding that more holistic metrics would not necessarily replace GDP. “What we’re really actually looking into is to complement GDP.”
© UNICEF/Karin Schermbrucker
An mother and her baby are among those benefiting from services offered at a UNICEF-supported health centre in Malawi.
Alternative economic metrics have been around for some time. In 1972, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of the small, landlocked Asian state of Bhutan coined the Gross National Happiness index.
It captures four areas: sustainable development, conservation of the environment, preservation and promotion of culture – and good governance.
Likewise, the Human Development Index is often cited as another alternative to evaluate the overall development and well-being of a nation, taking into account life expectancy, standards of living, and education.
An increasing amount of research reveals that the GDP model is insufficient, says Nathalie Bernasconi of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) – and change-makers must find ways to translate the scientific evidence into national policies.
They should also create incentives for governments to move away from an outdated, GDP-heavy paradigm that was created in the 1930s, in the aftermath of the Great Depression, by the economist Simon Kuznets to measure economic output and help policymakers respond to the crisis.
“GDP alone cannot guide us towards this future,” said Ms. Bernasconi, who is Vice-President of Global Strategies and Managing Director for Europe at IISD.
GDP is not necessarily a reliable indicator of sustainability and can even increase after costly accidents such as oil spills, owing to intensive clean-up operations, as was the case with the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in 2010.
Another environmental disaster in Alaska in 1989 – the Exxon Valdez spill – temporarily boosted GDP in the United States, thanks to job creation and a rise in demand for services.
But while the tragedy initially inflated GDP, it also caused pervasive harm to the ecosystem and local communities – long-term losses not captured by the indicator.
“Why do we value dead things? Why value a dead tree, rather than the living tree providing oxygen?” said Bingying Lou of the Beyond Lab, citing an indigenous environmental activist.
© WHO/Anna Kari
The SDGs focus on eliminating poverty and providing people with opportunities to prosper.
Among those supporting calls to think creatively about reforming GDP and to “recommit to multilateralism” to find solutions for heavily indebted countries held back by classic financial models created after the Second World War, is Ambassador Matthew Wilson of the Permanent Mission of Barbados to the UN in Geneva.
“Recent months have shown that when you think you’re beyond – something, or someone, pulls you right back in,” he said.
Mr. Wilson added that while multilateralism has not worked perfectly, the world would be in a worse position without it.
We need to be forward-thinking but also active in solving issues like debt and development assistance, the ambassador stressed.
Whether politicians will venture away from campaigns focused on how much they have grown GDP and adopt other measurements, remains to be seen, said Ms. Aydogan.
“We have been taught a certain way to look at the economy,” she said. “But at the same time, the fact that we’re hitting all these planetary boundaries…shows us that the status quo is just simply not viable anymore.”
To take the discussion one step further, policymakers will convene at the International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain from June 30 to July 3, 2025, and at the World Social Summit in Doha, Qatar in November 2025.
Source: United Nations MIL OSI
A “new black market” for synthetics and drug trafficking through war zones are fuelling instability around the world, the chief of the UN drugs and crime office said on Monday.
“Today, the illicit drug market is becoming more unpredictable, driven by the impact of synthetic drugs,” Ghada Waly, Director-General of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said, addressing the opening of the latest session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna.
“Trafficking routes run through war zones and rule of law vacuums, from Haiti to the Levant to the Golden Triangle, fuelling instability.”
With over 2,000 participants and 179 side events, the commission’s session takes place from 10 to 14 March, with experts from around the world taking stock of the narcotic drugs trade as countries grapple with deadly tides of opioids like fentanyl while also highlighting gains made through joint operations.
For its part, UNODC supports more than 180 border control units in 87 countries to intercept drug flows. In 2024, UN-facilitated seizures included 300 tonnes of cocaine, 240 tonnes of synthetic drugs and 100 tonnes of precursors.
“We are facilitating backtracking investigations, bringing together law enforcement agencies and prosecutors from source, transit and destination countries,” Ms. Whaly explained.
She also warned of emerging threats. Technology is radically transforming and accelerating how drugs are sold and distributed, with the dark web having created a “new black market” for synthetic drugs and precursors, Ms. Whaly said.
“Cryptocurrencies allow traffickers to move illicit profits undetected, and social media platforms have become major channels for promoting and advertising drugs online, particularly targeting young people and vulnerable users,” she said.
She also cautioned that drug trafficking networks are capitalising on these changes to expand their reach.
One of the biggest threats is synthetic drugs, she said. Synthetic manufacturing labs are being uncovered in new countries and regions. Indeed, more than 1,300 distinct psychoactive substances have been reported to UNODC to date.
At the same time, amphetamine-type stimulants and pharmaceutical opioids are registering record seizures. Synthetic opioids of the nitazine class are on the rise, with 26 different substances reported to UNODC so far, she added.
“Synthetic drugs have become one of the most urgent and elusive drug challenges that we face,” Ms. Whaly said. “They are evolving every day, expanding in reach and growing in potency.”
Clandestine production laboratories are emerging in parts of the world typically not known to produce synthetic drugs, Ms. Whaly said.
The methods to manufacture drugs and the means to traffic them are constantly evolving. Now, the internet is growing as a marketplace for drugs as well as a platform to exchange knowledge on how to make them.
Unlike plant-based substances, synthetic drugs can be manufactured quickly, at a low cost, almost anywhere in the world. They can also be moved across borders in bulk, often concealed in legitimate exports or in such large quantities that individual seizures “barely make a dent”, Ms. Whaly said.
“Simply put, they are harder to identify, intercept and interrupt,” she added.
UNODC
A drug seizure operation in South Africa.
Every region has suffered from the spread of synthetic drugs, she said, citing several examples:
In the Middle East and Africa, the captagon trade – a highly addictive stimulant popular on the battlefield – has been fuelling instability, with production and smuggling now deeply intertwined with conflict, Ms. Whaly said.
In Iraq, seizures of the drug surged by more than 3,300 per cent between 2019 and 2023, with authorities seizing 4.1 tonnes in a single year.
Large stockpiles were discovered in Syria, she said, adding that the situation following the fall of Assad requires close monitoring and attention.
In Southeast Asia, authorities seized a record 190 tons of methamphetamine in 2023, with criminal networks exploiting the region’s porous borders to move their product. Meth products are often found in heroin, vapes and counterfeit tablets and can be even more potent than fentanyl.
The Commission on Narcotic Drugs was established by Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1946 to assist in supervising the application of the international drug control treaties. Learn more about the commission here.
Source: United Nations MIL OSI
Prices for opium in Afghanistan have increased tenfold since the de facto authorities imposed a drug ban in 2022 following their takeover in Kabul, latest UN data shows.
One kilogramme of opium cost $750 last year, up from $75 just three years ago, compensating sellers for the loss in overall production and poppy fields, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
“Heroin and opium seizures are down about 50 per cent in weight since 2021,” the UN agency reported, highlighting that the post-ban decrease in production in Afghanistan has led to a decline in opiate trafficking.
Opium is the naturally occurring primary active ingredient used in the production of heroin, a more potent, synthetic drug. The three main global sources of illegal opium are Afghanistan, Colombia and Myanmar.
Because of the higher prices, “massive profits are still being made, primarily benefiting high-level traders and exporters in organised crime groups,” UNODC noted.
The UN agency estimates that opiate stocks at the end of 2022 totalled 13,200 tonnes, enough to potentially meet demand for Afghan opiates until 2027.
“The surge in opium prices and the substantial stockpiles mean that drug trafficking in Afghanistan remains a highly profitable illicit trade,” said UNODC executive director Ghada Waly.
“The profits are being channeled to transnational organised crime groups, destabilising Afghanistan, the region and beyond. We need a coordinated counter-narcotics strategy that targets trafficking networks while at the same time investing in viable economic livelihoods for farmers to provide long-term stability for Afghanistan and its people.”
Afghanistan’s stockpiles before the drop in opium cultivation are believed to have been worth between $4.6 billion and $5.9 billion, or roughly 23 to 29 per cent of the country’s economy in 2023. This may have helped some ordinary Afghans to withstand the crippling economic problems the country has faced since the return of the de facto authorities, UNODC said.
Nevertheless, with 60 per cent of stockpiles likely in the hands of large traders and exporters and only 30 per cent of farmers holding “small to modest” reserves in 2022, “most farmers who previously cultivated opium are likely experiencing severe financial hardship,” the UN agency warned.
Sustainable economic alternatives are urgently needed to discourage them from returning to poppy cultivation, particularly given today’s high opium prices.
The UN agency also warned that the continued shortage of opium may motivate buyers and sellers to look to alternative drugs that are potentially even more harmful than heroin, such as fentanyl or other synthetic opioids.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SINGAPORE, March 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As crypto markets remain volatile, BexBack is empowering traders with 100x leverage, no KYC, and a 100% deposit bonus to maximize returns. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, BexBack offers exceptional opportunities for profitable trading.
Why Trade with 100x Leverage on BexBack?
What is 100x Leverage and How Does It Work?
With 100x leverage, a 1 BTC position can control 100 BTC. For example, if Bitcoin rises from $100,000 to $105,000, your profit would be 5 BTC, giving you a 500% return.
100% Deposit Bonus
Double your funds instantly with 100% deposit bonus — available on all deposits greater than 0.001 BTC or 100 USDT. Use the bonus to open larger positions and increase profits.
About BexBack
BexBack is a leading cryptocurrency derivatives platform offering 100x leverage on BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, and other popular cryptos. Headquartered in Singapore, BexBack serves over 500,000 traders globally, providing fast execution, no deposit fees, and 24/7 customer support.
BexBack is a US MSB (Money Services Business) licensed platform, trusted by traders in over 200 countries, including the US, Canada, and Europe.
Why Choose BexBack?
Sign Up Now — Break the KYC and Leverage Barriers.
If you missed the previous crypto bull run, this could be your chance. With BexBack’s 100x leverage and 100% deposit bonus and $50 bonus for new users (complete one trade within one week of registration), you can be a winner in the new bull run.
Sign Up Now on BexBack — Break the 100x Leverage and KYC Barriers, Get Double Deposit Bonus and $50 Welcome Bonus Instantly
Website: www.bexback.com
Contact: business@bexback.com
Contact:
Amanda
business@bexback.com
Disclaimer: This press release is provided by BexBack. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/864d6022-17df-448b-9227-2afe5ef57ec3
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/93e803e5-c903-45f7-9226-2779199da8fe
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dccb7700-dc2c-4383-b410-a73cc1b01fe4
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9931338b-a07a-414a-8394-f83b37955433
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
MONROE, La., March 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Transactions are now faster than ever thanks to contactless payment methods and RFID-enabled cards, but they have also made it easier for criminals to gain access to your private information. Powerful RFID skimming devices have made it possible for cyber criminals to collect your personal card information without any physical contact, and the sad part is that you have probably been a victim in the past, with or without realising it. Many people are now looking for trustworthy methods to safeguard their personal and financial data without the bulk of RFID wallets and sleeves.
SafeCard RFID Blocking Card Reviews
We will be discussing the SafeCard, a thin and lightweight RFID-blocking card that promises to stop unwanted scanning of debit cards, credit cards, and other RFID-enabled devices. Many USA consumer reports claim it’s a sleek, hassle-free answer to digital theft, unlike heavy RFID wallets or thin sleeves. Does it, however, work as advertised? Any SafeCard Reviews Complaints on Trustpilot And Reddit?
It’s important to be on the safe side given the abundance of security devices available on the market. Despite their lofty claims, several RFID-blocking devices fall short of providing adequate protection, leaving consumers vulnerable to cyber theft. Others are difficult to use, requiring frequent modifications or adding needless bulk to wallets.
But does the SafeCard really work, or is it simply another overhyped RFID-blocking device? Is it worth your dime? What is the real truth of the SafeCard Shield, despite the hype it’s getting in the USA? To answer all these questions and more, we will look more closely at what makes it special, go over some of its main features, pros and cons and actual customer experiences.
Introduction to Safecard
What is Safecard (Safecard Reviews)
If this is your first time hearing about this RFID Blocking device, your first question would be ‘What is The SafeCard?’ So let’s start by answering that. SafeCard is an innovative RFID-blocking gadget made to prevent unwanted scanning of passports, credit cards, debit cards, and other RFID-enabled objects.
Scammers can now obtain important information from your cards without making direct contact using powerful RFID skimming devices. By creating an imperceptible barrier that prevents these scanning efforts, SafeCard provides a dependable solution and guarantees the security of your financial and personal information.
SafeCard neutralizes skimming devices by using active interference technology. It creates a barrier around your cards when you carry them in your wallet or purse, keeping identity thieves out. For shoppers, travelers, and anybody else worried about digital security, this makes it a great option.
SafeCard’s lightweight, thin design is one of its best qualities; it lets customers experience safety without having to carry heavy accessories. With its long-lasting build and universal compatibility with all RFID-enabled cards, it provides long-term 24/7 protection. The SafeCard is a simple, cost-effective, and efficient method of protecting your private information that gives you peace of mind wherever you go.
FLASH OFF: Click Here To Buy SafeCard From The Official Website – Up To 50% Off, Only While Stock Lasts
Explanation on How The SafeCard Shield Works
SafeCard prevents unwanted scanning of your passports, credit cards, debit cards, and other RFID-enabled objects by actively blocking RFID and NFC signals. In contrast to conventional RFID-blocking wallets or sleeves that passively protect cards from signals, SafeCard instantly blocks scanning efforts, guaranteeing that even with sophisticated skimming tools, cybercriminals cannot access your private data. Just put the SafeCard in your wallet, handbag, or cardholder with your other cards to use it. It surrounds them with a protective field that prevents unwanted scanners from picking up RFID signals.
Most RFID-enabled cards are compatible with SafeCard’s active protection solution, which provides a more sophisticated and dependable option than passive shielding techniques. Its lightweight and thin design also makes it possible for you to use it conveniently without having to deal with the bulk. SafeCard guarantees that your financial and personal information is always secure; you can now travel, buy, or commute with peace of mind.
Verified Distinguishing Features Of The SafeCard (SafeCard Reviews USA)
The SafeCards manufacturer’s objective is to provide you with a convenient and safe experience while keeping you one step ahead of fraudsters. SafeCard has recorded a plethora of customer reviews and validated testimonials supporting its functionality. Let’s look at the unique features of SafeCard:
Is SafeCard Better Than RFID Sleeves?
Many people, especially frequent travelers, are looking for trustworthy methods to safeguard their financial and personal data due to the growing threat of digital theft and illegal RFID scanning. For many years, RFID-blocking sleeves were the only popular solution, hence the tolerance despite their many drawbacks. The SafeCard is here now and is superior to conventional RFID sleeves.
The fact that RFID sleeves only use passive shielding to prevent signals is one of their main drawbacks. A coating of metallic substance inside these sleeves keeps RFID readers from accessing card data. However, the card must be fully covered and positioned inside the sleeve for them to be effective. Protection may be jeopardized if a card is even slightly exposed or if the sleeve wears out. Conversely, SafeCard makes use of active detection technologies in conjunction with sophisticated electromagnetic shielding. It ensures constant protection by automatically blocking RFID scanning attempts, saving users from having to manually insert or remove cards.
SafeCard’s lightweight and thin design, which fits easily into any wallet, is another significant benefit. Although theoretically functional, RFID-blocking sleeves can be cumbersome and inconvenient. The fact that each card must be stored separately makes them difficult for many people to use. As a result, people who carry several RFID-enabled cards will need to buy extra sleeves or swap out their cards often. By providing universal safety for all surrounding RFID cards without the need for separate storage, SafeCard removes this inconvenience. Emma R., a verified buyer. recounted her experience, pointing out that SafeCard is so discreet that she hardly notices it’s there and that it performs better than RFID wallets or sleeves.
Another area in which SafeCard performs better than conventional RFID sleeves is durability. Many sleeves are composed of thin fabrics that eventually rip, deteriorate, or lose their usefulness. SafeCard, on the other hand, is made to endure regular use and has dustproof and water-resistant components that guarantee long-term use. Users don’t have to bother with inefficient shielding or the need to replace worn-out sleeves on a regular basis. The SafeCard is an excellent investment for digital security and definitely superior to RFID and sleeves.
FLASH OFF: Click Here To Buy SafeCard From The Official Website – Up To 50% Off, Only While Stock Lasts
Shocking Myths and Truths About SafeCard (SafeCard Shield Reviews)
As a dependable defense against illegal RFID scanning, SafeCard has grown in popularity in the USA as well as other countries of the world, but like many security devices, it has also been shrouded in rumors and false beliefs. It’s important to distinguish fact from fiction in order to appreciate SafeCard’s true worth. The most common myths and the facts that refute them are listed below.
Myth 1: SafeCard Is Just Another RFID Sleeve
The idea that SafeCard works in the same way as a conventional RFID sleeve is among the most common fallacies. Many people believe that passive blocking using material layers is the same approach used by all RFID shielding. This is not at all the case, though. SafeCard is an instant RFID-blocking device that blocks scanning attempts in real time. In contrast to RFID sleeves, which, depending on their quality, can still permit some signals to get through, SafeCard automatically blocks attempts at data compromise.
Myth 2: RFID Skimming Isn’t a Real Threat
There is no actual risk of card information being taken electronically, according to those who think RFID skimming is an overblown problem. However, innumerable instances have demonstrated that physical contact is not necessary to compromise RFID-enabled cards. High-tech scammers have targeted travelers in particular, using concealed RFID scanners to collect card information in crowded places like airports and public transportation. Hannah L., a verified buyer. “I’ve had my cards skimmed in airports twice, and it was terrifying,” she said, sharing her story. I truly feel safe when traveling now that I have SafeCard.” This actual case demonstrates that RFID skimming is a genuine and expanding issue.
Myth 3: SafeCard Is Bulky and Inconvenient
Some people believe that RFID-blocking devices must be bulky. Well, this might be the case with large wallets that prevent RFID, but SafeCard was made to be portable and convenient. It is lightweight, slim, and fits neatly into any purse or wallet without taking up much space. As confirmed purchaser Emma R. stated, “I’ve previously used RFID wallets, but they were cumbersome and inconvenient. I don’t even realize SafeCard is there, yet it works so much better! “
Myth 4: SafeCard Requires Constant Charging
Some people feel that SafeCard is stressful for daily usage because it requires frequent recharging. On the other hand, SafeCard does not need charging at all. It will continue to work 24/7 without needing a battery.
Myth 5: RFID-Blocking Products Are Unnecessary if You Have a Chip Card
Many people believe that current chip-enabled debit and credit cards are sufficiently safe and don’t need extra RFID protection. When the card is only in a pocket or wallet, chip technology does not stop unwanted RFID scanning, even though it helps improve security during transactions. By providing an additional layer of security, SafeCard prevents hackers from stealing your data without your knowledge.
Truth: SafeCard Offers Genuine Security and Peace of Mind
Despite all of the fallacies, SafeCard is still a legit and useful card for safeguarding personal and financial data. Verified customers have continuously commended its dependability, use, and capabilities. One happy client, Aubree R., said, “I purchased a SafeCard for my family and myself. It’s so simple to use, and I feel more at ease every day knowing that we’re all safe. Ultimately, SafeCard stands out as a reliable, efficient, and user-friendly defense against RFID skimming.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use SafeCard (SafeCard Instructions)
Using SafeCard is simple and requires no complicated setup. Follow these steps to ensure maximum protection:
Is SafeCard Legit?
Many customers are understandably wary of security products given the rising risk of identity theft, digital fraud and probably previous bad experiences with the traditional RFID wallets. Devices with big claims but that fall short are common in the market, which makes people skeptical of SafeCard and similar tools. However, SafeCard’s authenticity is strongly supported by verified customer feedback, demonstrating that it is a valid and trustworthy RFID-blocking device.
The SafeCard ensures that all your sophisticated RFID-enabled cards, including credit cards, debit cards, passports, and access badges, cannot be scanned without your notice. Unlike conventional blocking sleeves, SafeCard instantly recognizes and blocks scanning efforts in real time. Users attest to the product’s effectiveness; one verified customer, Hannah L., reports that SafeCard has already prevented many scanning attempts while on the road. Her story demonstrates how the product offers genuine defense against possible fraud.
Numerous consumers have expressed their satisfaction, demonstrating that SafeCard prevents RFID scans and differs from subpar substitutes that don’t provide any true protection. Months of protection are guaranteed with any need for battery changes.
The overwhelmingly positive reviews left by actual users are one of the best proofs of SafeCard’s legitimacy. Clients such as Rachel T. along with Melissa H., have reported how using SafeCard has prevented them from falling victim to financial fraud in public places. It is a worthy option for travelers because of its lightweight construction, TSA-approved design, and universal compatibility. These practical experiences attest to SafeCard’s status as a reliable security card rather than just another gimmick. SafeCard is by no means a hoax
FLASH OFF: Click Here To Buy SafeCard From The Official Website – Up To 50% Off, Only While Stock Lasts
What Makes the SafeCard So Affordable?
The cost of SafeCard actually surprised many users; We mean, how can a product made to prevent RFID theft be so reasonably priced in a market filled with products with high price tags yet claim superior protection? Unlike expensive RFID-blocking wallets or expensive high-tech security devices, SafeCard provides an affordable option without sacrificing efficacy or quality.
The simplified design of SafeCard is a major factor in its price. Instead of bundling unnecessary features that inflate the price, SafeCard focuses solely on delivering reliable RFID-blocking technology in a compact form. It doesn’t need a large structure or pricey components; production costs were kept low while still providing excellent protection against digital theft.
Additionally, SafeCard is sold directly through its official website, cutting out middlemen and reducing extra retail markups. Many security products go through multiple distribution channels before reaching the customer, which significantly raises their final price. By offering SafeCard online without relying on third-party sellers, the manufacturer ensures that buyers get the best price possible without paying unnecessary commissions or inflated retail costs.
Another reason SafeCard remains affordable is its long-lasting design. Unlike disposable RFID sleeves that need frequent replacement or wallets that wear out over time, SafeCard is built to last. With a durable, non-battery-powered system, it provides continuous protection without requiring users to spend extra on replacements. SafeCard proves that high-quality security doesn’t have to come with a premium price. You can give it a try right away!
SafeCard Reviews Consumer Reports From United States, Canada, Australia
Verified Customer Reviews from real users have been included below to help you see the SafeCard from a user perspective:
FLASH OFF: Click Here To Buy SafeCard From The Official Website – Up To 50% Off, Only While Stock Lasts
Pros of SafeCard (SafeCard Reviews)
Cons of SafeCard (SafeCard Reviews)
How Much Is A SafeCard?
The SafeCard is available at a really affordable price. You can get your own SafeCard at the following pricing:
Where Can I Buy SafeCard At The Best Pricing?
For those looking to purchase SafeCard, the best and most reliable place to buy it is the official website. Buying directly from the official source ensures that customers receive a genuine, high-quality product with all the promised features and benefits. With the rise in counterfeit and substandard RFID protection products, purchasing from unauthorized third-party sellers can pose risks, including receiving an ineffective or fake version of SafeCard.
Ordering from the official website also comes with several advantages. Customers often gain access to exclusive discounts, bundle deals, and special promotions that are not available elsewhere. Additionally, purchasing directly from the manufacturer ensures better customer support, warranty protection, and hassle-free returns in case of any issues.
Another key benefit of buying from the official website is the guarantee of security and privacy. Unlike some third-party marketplaces where seller credibility may be uncertain, the official website provides a secure checkout process that protects customers’ personal and payment information.
Many verified buyers have shared their positive experiences after purchasing SafeCard directly from the manufacturer. The process is straightforward, and orders are typically shipped quickly to ensure fast and reliable delivery.
To avoid counterfeit products and ensure authentic RFID protection, purchasing SafeCard from the official website is the smartest choice. Visit the manufacturer’s website today to secure personal and financial information with this trusted, high-quality security solution.
CLICK HERE NOW TO BUY SAFECARD DIRECTLY FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT A MASSIVE DISCOUNT
Commonly Asked Questions (SafeCard Wallet)
With so much information available, it’s natural to have questions before making a purchase. The comprehensive FAQ section below answers the most common queries about SafeCard, helping you understand the RFID blocking card better.
Is SafeCard different from RFID-blocking wallets?
Yes, SafeCard is not just different but better. While RFID-blocking wallets and sleeves rely on a physical barrier to block signals, SafeCard uses the latest technology to neutralize skimming attempts in real time. Additionally, it is slim and lightweight, allowing you to use your existing wallet without adding bulk.
Do I need a special wallet to use SafeCard?
No, SafeCard is designed to work with any wallet, purse, or cardholder. Simply place it next to your credit or debit cards, and it will provide instant protection against RFID skimming.
What types of cards does SafeCard protect?
SafeCard is compatible with all RFID-enabled cards, including:
How many SafeCards do I need?
One SafeCard is usually enough to protect multiple cards in a standard wallet. However, if you carry multiple wallets or bags, purchasing an extra SafeCard for each would ensure full protection.
Is SafeCard effective against all types of digital theft?
SafeCard is highly effective against RFID skimming, a common form of digital theft where criminals use scanners to steal card data wirelessly. However, it does not protect against physical card theft.
Does SafeCard require charging?
No. The SafeCard doesn’t require charging, so it will continue to work in all circumstances.
Can SafeCard be used while traveling?
Yes, SafeCard is TSA-approved and safe for travel, so it will work in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries of the world. Unlike metal RFID wallets that might trigger airport security detectors, SafeCard does not interfere with screening processes, making it ideal for frequent travelers.
Will SafeCard interfere with my phone or other electronics?
No, SafeCard does not affect mobile phones, Wi-Fi signals, or other electronic devices. It only blocks RFID scanners from reading your card data, ensuring that your personal electronics remain unaffected.
Is SafeCard waterproof?
Yes, SafeCard is built with water and dust-resistant materials, making it durable for everyday use. However, it is not fully submersible, so it is best to avoid prolonged exposure to water..
Does SafeCard wear out over time?
SafeCard is designed to be durable and long-lasting. With proper care, it will continue to provide RFID-blocking protection for years.
Can SafeCard be used in a minimalist wallet?
Yes, SafeCard’s slim design makes it perfect for minimalist wallets. Unlike bulky RFID-blocking wallets, it takes up minimal space while offering superior protection.
Is SafeCard safe to use?
Absolutely. SafeCard does not emit harmful radiation or interfere with health devices. It is completely safe to carry in a wallet or purse daily.
What Are The Benefits Of SafeCard?
SafeCard provides a very important defense against RFID skimming, stopping illegal access to your financial and personal information. Its lightweight, sleek design offers security without adding bulk and fits easily into any wallet. Travelers, shoppers, and regular users will enjoy the SafeCard’s long-lasting build.
Can SafeCard protect against contactless payment scammers?
Yes, SafeCard prevents unauthorized RFID scans, which are commonly used in contactless payment fraud. By blocking these signals, SafeCard ensures that criminals cannot access your card information without your consent.
Why should I choose SafeCard over other RFID protection methods?
SafeCard provides a combination of slim design, real-time protection, and universal compatibility, making it one of the most advanced RFID-blocking devices available.
Final Wrap on SafeCard Reviews
The SafeCard fulfills its claims according to all available data, consumer reports and complaints. Even discussions on Reddit and Trustpilot agree that the SafeCard is a worthy investment. With its advanced shielding technology, slim design, and ease of use, SafeCard makes sure your private information stays private.
Many users have shared how SafeCard has helped them stay safe from fraud and financial loss. Rachel T., a verified buyer, recounted her experience: “While traveling through Rio, I discovered my bank account had been drained by scammers. A fellow traveler recommended SafeCard, and it’s been a lifesaver ever since.” This highlights how common digital theft is and why proactive protection is necessary.
SafeCard also stands out for its convenience. Unlike bulky RFID wallets, it’s compact and discreet. Emma R. praised its design, saying: “I’ve used RFID wallets before, but they were bulky and annoying. SafeCard works so much better, and I don’t even notice it’s there!” This ease of use makes it a preferred choice for those who want to stay safe without the bulk.
Investing in SafeCard is a smart step toward protecting finances and identity. With SafeCard, you will stay ahead of scammers and enjoy your trips knowing that your personal data is secure. Hurry while offers last!
SPECIAL OFFER: Click Here To Buy SafeCard From The Official Website — up to 50% OFF, only while stock lasts!
Contact: SafeCard
Email: support@safecardshield.com
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, legal, or cybersecurity advice. While SafeCard may help reduce the risk of RFID-based digital theft, no security product can guarantee 100% protection in all scenarios. Individual results may vary based on usage and other factors. Always exercise general caution and follow best practices when safeguarding your financial and personal data. The publisher and all parties involved in the creation and distribution of this content are not liable for any misuse, loss, or damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided herein. Always consult the official product website or customer support for the most accurate and updated details.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/73cfc771-032a-4dcd-b2b0-d26ecb66dcc6
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d29cc163-cb6a-4c66-8edf-2f62994e3c33
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b8ff53aa-ffa8-40dc-a79b-e77933daa881
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f88be7c1-c53a-483c-8063-ef12d643d7d6
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—issued the following statement expressing her sympathy for the people of Myanmar, Thailand and across the region after a powerful earthquake killed and injured hundreds of people, with many more missing and casualty tolls likely to rise:
“Absolutely heartbroken watching the footage of the violent earthquake in Myanmar—a catastrophe of epic proportions. As brave first responders continue working to locate those missing and save lives, I’m sending my deepest sympathies to the victims, their loved ones and all those enduring the repercussions in Myanmar, Thailand and across the region. In the wake of this tragedy, the United States must join the international community and unequivocally support Southeast Asia however we can—with disaster assistance and more. Praying for safety and a swift recovery throughout this disaster.”
-30-
Source: United Nations 2-b
Latest news reports indicate that over 1,600 have been killed in Myanmar with thousands injured following two powerful earthquakes on Friday which have left hundreds trapped under rubble.
The earthquakes of 7.7 and 6.4 magnitude struck Myanmar in central Myanmar northwest of Sagaing. The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported on Saturday that hospitals in the area are overwhelmed with extensive damage to health infrastructure.
The areas affected are Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Naypyitaw, Northeastern Shan and Sagaing.
Internet communications are down in the main city of Mandalay, with land and air routes heavily disrupted.
Health partners are preparing to deploy mobile surgical and medical teams, as well as field hospitals to the affected areas, to deliver life and limb-saving medical interventions to earthquake victims.
News reports indicate that hundreds of people are trapped under rubble in multiple collapsed buildings, including at least 50 construction workers in the Thai capital Bangkok who are so far unaccounted for.
More than 90 people are reportedly trapped in the rubble of one apartment block in Mandalay.
Myanmar has been mired in a brutal civil war since a severe military crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators by military authorities, who overthrew the government in a military coup in February 2021.
The military has called on the international community to provide emergency assistance amid the widespread destruction and loss of life. Meanwhile, opposition forces are reporting that some airstrikes have continued following the quake, including one in the Sagaing region.
The World Health Organization (WHO is looking to move Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) into Myanmar amid reports of insufficient medical supplies, including trauma kits to treat injured people, blood bags for transfusion, anaesthetics, assisted devices, other essential medicines, and tents for health workers.
Marcoluigui Corsi, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Myanmar, issued a statement on Saturday expressing his unwavering solidarity with the Burmese people “during this tragic time.”
“The UN and its partners are urgently mobilizing to support emergency response efforts and stand ready to assist all affected communities wherever they are,” he said.
Myanmar had already been “reeling from an alarming humanitarian crisis, largely driven by persistent conflict and recurrent disasters. At this critical time, the people of Myanmar urgently need the steadfast support of the international community,” he added.
In an interview with UN News from Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, Mr. Corsi said that around 20 million people have been impacted by the quake.
He stressed that the UN and partner agencies have a “significant presence” in the disaster-affected areas around Mandalay and the capital Naypyidaw, and crucially, the immediate aid effort can draw stockpiles already in place.
“I would say that although the logistical challenges for the first few days continue, at least we will be able to deliver and assist.”
The country is grappling with multiple crises, he stressed, with 19.9 million people in need of assistance even before the earthquake. Only five per cent of the 2025 humanitarian response plan has been funded.
He reminded that the Burmese had endured major flooding around seven months ago, and a devastating cyclone in 2023, so “we see that the resilience of the people and the resilience of the communities, continue to be eroded.”
He said that “at this critical time you know the people of Myanmar needs the support of the entire international community – now more than ever.”
Trevor Clark, the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF’s regional chief of emergency operations, warned that the devastating quake “has left children facing even greater hardship in an already dire crisis.
“Homes and critical infrastructure are damaged, and urgent aid is needed. UNICEF is delivering lifesaving supplies but requires immediate support to scale up its response.
He said UNICEF was sending lifesaving supplies including tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, recreational kits and health supplies: “We are ready to bring in even more, but we need the support of our partners.”
Some $5 million has already been released by the head of OCHA from the Central Emergency Relief Fund and on Saturday UN procurement agency, UNOPS, announced that thanks to donors it was releasing $10 million to aid partners in the emergency response.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, March 29 — The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) has sent emergency humanitarian aid to Myanmar following a 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Friday, the RCSC said on Saturday.
Emergency relief supplies, to be distributed through the Myanmar Red Cross Society, include 300 tents, 2,000 blankets, 600 folding beds and relief kits for 2,000 affected households. The supplies have been dispatched from a disaster relief center in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, the RCSC said in a press release.
An international RCSC rescue team has also departed for Myanmar with necessary equipment to carry out humanitarian relief operations. The RCSC has said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide further assistance as needed.
The information team of Myanmar’s State Administration Council on Saturday said that at least 1,002 people have been killed, 2,376 have been injured, and 30 are missing as a result of the earthquake.
Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)
This week’s top stories of the week include:
0:15 Beavers return to England’s wild – Wild beavers were hunted to extinction in England 400 years ago. But 2 beavers were spotted at Little Sea in January 2024. That paved the way for this licensed release by the National Trust, which called it ‘a watershed moment in the history of the species’. Beavers are regarded as ‘ecosystem engineers’ as they build habitats, they can restore native woodland and create new wetlands.
2:13 Indigenous Peoples are reshaping trade – In 2021, four Asia-Pacific economies initiated a deal to promote trade between different Indigenous communities, help them to trade internationally and support them in protecting their cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. It’s called the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA).
5:52 Norway leads the charge in EV transition – EVs made up 95% of all new cars sold in Norway in February 2025. The overall figure for 2024 was 89%, up from 82% in 2023. Norway wants 100% of new cars to be electric by the end of 2025. These latest figures suggest the country could hit its target. So how has Norway done this?
7:26 Turning textile waste into new fabrics – At present, used clothing is typically resold and reworn, not recycled. There is no large-scale process for breaking down material fibres so they can be made into new garments. Evrnu is working on a solution. It collects fabrics with a high cotton content. It sorts and shreds them, then liquefies them into pulp which can be shaped into fibres and woven or knitted into new fabrics.
_____________________________________________
The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.
World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/
Twitter ► https://twitter.com/wef
LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF
#WorldEconomicForum
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, March 29 — China has decided to provide Myanmar with 100 million yuan (approximately 13.9 million U.S. dollars) in emergency humanitarian aid to support earthquake relief efforts, a spokesperson for the China International Development Cooperation Agency said on Saturday.
At the request of the Myanmar government, China will also send two rescue teams and supply tents, blankets, first-aid kits, food and drinking water — items that are urgently needed in affected areas, said spokesperson Li Ming.
The first batch of supplies is scheduled for delivery on Monday, according to the agency. China will offer further assistance based on Myanmar’s needs, it added.
A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday. The information team of Myanmar’s State Administration Council said 1,002 people have been killed, 2,376 were injured, and 30 remain missing.
Global press freedom organisations have condemned the killing of two journalists in Gaza this week, who died in separate targeted airstrikes by the Israeli armed forces.
And protesters in Aotearoa New Zealand dedicated their week 77 rally and march in the heart of Auckland to their memory, declaring “Journalism is not a crime”.
Hossam Shabat, a 23-year-old correspondent for the Al Jazeera Mubasher channel, was killed by an Israeli airstrike on his car in the eastern part of Beit Lahiya, media reports said.
Video, reportedly from minutes after the airstrike, shows people gathering around the shattered and smoking car and pulling a body out of the wreckage.
Mohammed Mansour, a correspondent for Palestine Today television was killed earlier on Monday, reportedly along with his wife and son, in an Israeli airstrike on his home in south Khan Younis.
One Palestinian woman read out a message from Shabat’s family: “He dreamed of becoming a journalist and to tell the world the truth.
“But war doesn’t wait for dreams. He was only 23, and when the war began he left classes to give a voice to those who had none.”
Global media condemnation
In the hours after the deaths, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Palestinian press freedom organisations released statements condemning the attacks.
“CPJ is appalled that we are once again seeing Palestinians weeping over the bodies of dead journalists in Gaza,” said Carlos Martínez de la Serna, CPJ’s programme director.
“This nightmare in Gaza has to end. The international community must act fast to ensure that journalists are kept safe and hold Israel to account for the deaths of Hossam Shabat and Mohammed Mansour.
“Journalists are civilians and it is illegal to attack them in a war zone.”
In a statement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed it had targeted and killed Shabat and Mansour and labelled them as “terrorists” — without any evidence to back their claim.
The IDF also said that it had struck Hamas and Islamic Jihad resistance fighters in Khan Younis, where Mohammed Mansour was killed.
In October 2024, the IDF had accused Shabat and five other Palestinian journalists working for Al Jazeera in Gaza of being members of the militant arm of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
Al Jazeera and Shabat denied Israel’s claims, with Shabat stating in an interview with the CPJ that “we are civilians … Our only crime is that we convey the image and the truth.”
In its statement condemning the deaths of Shabat and Mansour, the CPJ again called on Israel to “stop making unsubstantiated allegations to justify its killing and mistreatment of members of the press”.
The CPJ estimates that more than 170 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023, making it the deadliest period for journalists since the organisation began gathering data in 1992.
However, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate says it believes the number is higher and, with the deaths of Shabat and Mansour, 208 journalists and other members of the press have been killed over the course of the conflict.
Under international law, journalists are protected civilians who must not be targeted by warring parties.
Israel has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in its genocide in the blockaded enclave since October 7, 2023.
The Israeli carnage has reduced most of the Gaza to ruins and displaced almost the entire 2.3 million population, while causing a massive shortage of basic necessities.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its war on the enclave.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor
Depending on what you think of Donald Trump, his administration could fit either of the following two descriptions. Chaotic, vindictive and accident-prone, marked by mendacity, driven by impulse and bent on securing the will of the leader, rather than – as in the US constitution – the will of the people. Or it could be a government masterminded by a man playing 4D chess while all around him are playing chequers. A president whose deal-making skills and focus on outcomes ensure the security and prosperity of America and its allies.
If you base your assessment on the people Trump has chosen as his key national security advisers then, after the recent Signal chat group intelligence debacle, you’d almost certainly opt for chaotic and accident-prone, at the very least.
Looking around the Signal chatroom, who do we have? National security advisor Mike Waltz, Vice-President J.D. Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio, defense secretary Pete Hegseth, director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA director John Ratcliffe and a supporting cast of other senior Trump staffers. And, unwittingly, the editor-in-chief of the Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg.
Heads must roll, say Trump’s critics. But who from this hydra-headed beast should take the fall? Should it be Waltz, who invited Goldberg to the chat group? Or Hegseth, who posted operational details of a US attack, including the when, where and how, hours before it was due to take place? Should it be Vance, whose swipe at America’s freeloading European allies has caused considerable angst across the Atlantic?
Or perhaps one or another of Gabbard and Ratcliffe, who sat in front of the Senate select committee on intelligence on Tuesday and maintained that no classified material or “war plans” had been revealed to the group – sworn evidence now revealed to be unreliable at best?
Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.
At present it seems as if none of them are going to pay for their dangerous incompetence. Instead their ire is turned on Goldberg, who has variously been called a “sleazebag” by Trump himself, “loser” and the “bottom scum of journalists” by Waltz and a “deceitful and highly discredited, so-called journalist who’s made a profession of peddling hoaxes time and time again” by Hegseth.
Robert Dover of the University of Hull, whose research centres on intelligence and national security, believes this is a “national security blunder almost without parallel”. He points to the hypocrisy of people like Hegseth who savaged Hillary Clinton for using a private email server to conduct official business when she was secretary of state under Barack Obama.
Dover also notes the damage the episode will have done to America’s already shaky relations with its allies in Europe. Being disparaged by the vice-president as freeloaders and dismissed by the defense secretary as “pathetic”, he believes, will be “difficult to unsee”.
But credit where it’s due, it appears that US diplomacy may at least be bearing some – limited – fruit. At least, that is, if the two partial ceasefires recently negotiated between Russia and Ukraine actually materialise. That’s a fairly big if, of course. Despite a pledge by both sides that they could support a deal to avoid targeting each other’s energy infrastructure, there’s no sign yet of a cessation of attacks.
And there has been a degree of scepticism over the recently announced plan for a maritime ceasefire to allow the free passage of shipping on the Black Sea. Critics say this favours Russia far more than Ukraine. Over the course of the war, Ukraine has successfully driven Russia’s Black Sea fleet away from its base in Crimea, giving it the upper hand in the maritime war. But maritime strategy expert, Basil Germond, says the situation is more nuanced, and the deal represents considerable upside for Ukraine as well.
Read more:
Russia has most to gain from Black Sea ceasefire – but it’s marginal, and Ukraine benefits too
Setting aside America’s eventful recent forays into foreign relations, there’s a major domestic fix brewing which many US legal scholars believe could plunge the country into a constitutional crisis.
Anne Richardson Oakes, an expert in US constitutional law at Birmingham City University, anticipates a potential clash between between the executive and the judiciary which could threaten the separation of powers that lies at the heart of American democracy.
Oakes observes there are more than 130 legal challenges to Trump administration policies presently before the courts, some of which will end up in front of America’s highest legal authority, the Supreme Court, which is tasked with assessing the constitutionality of those policies. She warns that we’ve already seen evidence that Trump and his senior officials resent what they consider to be interference from the judiciary into the legitimate executive power of the elected president.
Will there be a stand-off where the Trump administration simply ignores the Supreme Court’s ruling? It’s happened before, says Oakes. In the mid-20th century, in Little Rock, Arkansas, when the governor used the state’s national guard to prevent the court-ordered desegregation of public schools. On that occasion the then president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, sent in federal troops to enforce the court’s ruling and a constitutional crisis was averted.
Read more:
US stands on the brink of a constitutional crisis as Donald Trump takes on America’s legal system
But what if it’s the serving president who chooses to ignore a Supreme Court ruling? This was the case in the 1830s when greedy cotton farmers in Georgia were bent on forcing the Native American peoples off their lands. The Cherokee actually took the state of Georgia to the Supreme Court, which ruled that as a “dependent nation” within the United States they were entitled to the protection of the federal government and that the state of Georgia had no right to order their removal.
As historian Sean Lang of Anglia Ruskin University recounts, Georgia ignored the Supreme Court’s ruling and sent in troops to expel the Cherokee who were then forced to move to new lands in a journey known as the “Train of Tears”. Lang writes that then US president, Andrew Jackson, a populist advocate of states’ rights and former “Indian fighter”, ignored the Supreme Court’s ruling, “sneering that [Chief Justice John] Marshall had no means of enforcing it”.
Lang concludes: “It’s a history lesson Greenlanders, Mexicans and Canadians – and indeed many Americans who may fall foul of this administration and seek recourse to the law – would do well to study.”
Read more:
Trump’s America is facing an Andrew Jackson moment – and it’s bad news for the constitution
The Trump administration’s antipathy towards judges who have opposed its policies have extended towards those law firms who have in some way crossed the US president. But the legal system is not the only sector to feel the chilling effect of Trump’s displeasure, writes Dafydd Townley.
The world of higher education in the US is also apprehensive after the administration went after Columbia University, home to some of the most outspoken protest over US policies towards Israel and Gaza. Columbia has recently had to agree to allow the administration to “review” some of its academic programmes, starting with its Middle Eastern studies, after the administration threatened to cancel US$400 million (£310 million) of government contracts with the university.
The news media is also under heavy pressure. The administration has taken control of the White House press pool from the non-partisan White House Correspondents’ Association and has blackballed Associated Press for refusing to call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. We’ve also seen Trump himself bring lawsuits against media organisations he judges to have crossed him. And now the president has called for the defunding of America’s two biggest public broadcasters, NPR and PBL, for what he perceives as their liberal bias.
Townley, an expert in US politics at the University of Portsmouth is concerned that this all adds up to a deliberate attempt to cripple institutions which underwrite American democracy.
Read more:
Donald Trump’s ‘chilling effect’ on free speech and dissent is threatening US democracy
Trump’s leadership continues to be very polarising, writes Paul Whiteley, a political scientist and polling specialist at the University of Essex, who has spent years studying political trends in the US. Looking at the most recent numbers, Whiteley finds that while Trump’s approval ratings are fairly steady at 48% approval and 49% disapproval, when you dig down you find that only 6% of registered Democrats approve of his performance, while 93% disapprove. For registered Republicans it’s almost exactly the opposite.
Whiteley takes his analysis further, looking at measures such as consumer sentiment, which has fallen sharply since January, with talk of tariffs and the return of inflation affecting people’s confidence in the economy. He points out there tends to be a fairly strong historical correlation between confidence in the economy and popular approval of a president’s performance.
Read more:
Three graphs that show what’s happening with Donald Trump’s popularity
Another factor which will surely affect people’s confidence in the government are the job losses flowing from Elon Musk’s work as “efficiency tsar”. Thomas Gift, the director of the Centre on US Politics at University College London, believes that federal job losses as a result of Musk’s cuts are spread indiscriminately among Democrat and Republican states. As a result there may be some Republican voters who are experiencing what he calls “buyer’s remorse”.
At the same time, rising inflation is flowing into the cost of living, something many people voted for Trump to punish the Democrats for. As Gift points out, both parties are experiencing a dip in support at present as people reject politics for having a generally negative effect on their lives. But from now, it’ll be the Republicans who will feel the sting of popular disapproval more keenly.
Read more:
Trump’s job cuts are causing Republican angst as all parties face backlash
World Affairs Briefing from The Conversation UK is available as a weekly email newsletter. Click here to get updates directly in your inbox.
– ref. Signal-gate: a national security blunder ‘almost without parallel’ – https://theconversation.com/signal-gate-a-national-security-blunder-almost-without-parallel-253245
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KUNMING, March 29 — Southwest China’s Yunnan Province has sent tents, blankets and folding beds to Myanmar on Saturday morning, after a massive earthquake jolted the Southeast Asian country on Friday.
The first batch of 80 tents and 290 blankets was sent to Myanmar via air at around 6:30 a.m. from the provincial capital Kunming. Preparation and transportation efforts for additional relief supplies are still underway, according to the Yunnan Food and Strategic Reserves Bureau.
Earlier on Saturday, a 37-member rescue team from Yunnan Province arrived in Myanmar, while a group of 16 Chinese volunteers also set out for the quake-hit areas to assist in disaster relief and rescue efforts.
So far the devastating quake has killed 1,002 people, injured 2,376 and left 30 missing in Myanmar, according to the Information Team of Myanmar’s State Administration Council.
Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, International Studies, University of South Australia
In early 2021, after a decade of political and economic reforms, Myanmar looked like it was finally beginning to shake off the hangover of decades of military rule. Foreign investment was growing, and standards of living were gradually improving.
In February that year, however, the military again grabbed power after ousting Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government in a coup. This sent the country spiralling towards civil war and social and economic collapse.
In the latest addition to the daily misery of Myanmar’s long-suffering people, a huge 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit the centre of the country on Friday. Its epicentre was just outside Mandalay, the county’s second-largest city.
The Thai capital of Bangkok, more than 1,000 kilometres from the epicentre, experienced extensive damage too. Video images showed a collapsing building under construction and sloshing rooftop infinity pools causing waterfalls down high-rise condominiums.
Information on the extent of the damage in Myanmar was slower to emerge, given the junta has largely banned social media and communications apps, such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Signal and X.
The death toll has now passed 1,000 at the time of writing. US Geological Survey modelling, however, suggests there could be more than 10,000 deaths and economic losses potentially exceeding the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Unusually for the isolationist military juntas of Myanmar, its leader, Min Aung Hlaing, immediately issued a call for international assistance.
The junta, however, has full control of as little as 21% of the country in the ongoing civil war, with the rest contested or controlled by ethnic armed groups and resistance fighters. This indicates some hard-hit areas of the country may be inaccessible to international aid.
Compounding these difficulties, the Trump administration has decimated the US Agency for International Development (USAID) activities in the country. This will make it far more challenging to determine the areas most in need and distribute any aid on the ground.
Along with its history of brutal and authoritarian military rule since gaining independence in 1948, Myanmar is also regularly afflicted by natural disasters.
At least 430 people are believed to have died in floods last September due to the remnants of Typhoon Yagi. In 2023, Cyclone Mocha reportedly killed about 460 of the Rohingya ethnic minority, who are largely confined to government camps in Rakhine state in inhuman conditions.
The worst natural disaster in living memory, however, was Cyclone Nargis in 2008, which left at least 140,000 dead. On that occasion, the military junta resisted international assistance, likely resulting in many unnecessary deaths.
At that time, there was no independent media in Myanmar and it was almost impossible to find out what was actually happening on the ground.
Fortunately, the proliferation of mobile phones in the last decade has allowed information to spread much more widely, even with the junta’s internet blocks and other methods of censorship currently in place.
When Cyclone Nargis occurred – the year after the iPhone was launched – only around 1% of the Myanmar’s population had mobile phones. By the time of the coup in 2021, Myanmar had a smartphone penetration rate of 114%. (This means the country has more smartphones than people.)
While Min Aung Hlaing has gone farther than his predecessor in 2008 in asking for international help, US President Donald Trump’s actions have ensured that any aid will be far less effective than it would have been two months ago.
On Friday, the same day the earthquake hit, the Trump administration told Congress it would cut nearly all remaining jobs at USAID and shut the agency, closing all USAID missions worldwide.
Jeremy Konyndyk, the president of Refugees International and a former USAID official, called the move “a total abdication of decades of US leadership in the world”. He argued the firings would cut “the last remnants of the team that would have mobilised a USAID disaster response” to the earthquake.
In 2024, USAID spent US$240 million (A$380 million) in Myanmar, around one-third of all multilateral humanitarian assistance to the country.
However, since Trump’s inauguration in January, the number of USAID programs in Myanmar has shrunk from 18 to just three. Several NGOs and at least seven US-funded hospitals operating along Myanmar’s border with Thailand have been shut down.
Myanmar’s exiled independent media outlets, which shine a light on the military’s atrocities, have also seen their funding slashed by the Trump administration’s USAID cuts.
The day before the earthquake, Min Aung Hlaing addressed troops at the 80th anniversary of Armed Forces Day Parade. He announced national elections would go ahead in December – a vote that human rights groups are already calling a “sham”.
There is no conceivable way elections of any integrity can be held in the country under military rule or while the civil war continues to rage.
Military-backed parties have been overwhelmingly rejected by Myanmar’s electorate in every remotely free or fair election over the last four decades. This includes the most recent elections held in 2020, won by the National League of Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
While the world should welcome – and urgently respond to – Min Aung Hlaing’s invitation for international assistance, this doesn’t mean the past is forgotten. Thousands of innocent lives have been lost as a result of the military’s unnecessary and destructive 2021 coup.
If the NLD had remained in government, the country would be infinitely more prepared to deal with consequences of this earthquake. Once again, the military’s brutal rule – and Trump’s draconian aid cuts – will no doubt cause more unnecessary suffering and deaths.
Adam Simpson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Thousands are feared dead in Myanmar’s quake. Trump’s USAID cuts will cause even more unnecessary deaths – https://theconversation.com/thousands-are-feared-dead-in-myanmars-quake-trumps-usaid-cuts-will-cause-even-more-unnecessary-deaths-253403
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
The homes of 847 households in Ruili City, southwest China’s Yunnan province that borders Myanmar, were damaged in a massive earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday.
As of Saturday noon, a total of 2,840 people in the city, which is about 300 km from the epicenter, have been affected, according to sources from the Ruili municipal government.
Following the quake, local governments have deployed task forces for disaster relief, monitoring geological hazards, inspecting water conservancy projects, repairing electrical facilities, and carrying out emergency road maintenance.
Two people sustained minor injuries in the quake and have received medical treatment. The city government is currently assessing the extent of the losses suffered by local residents.
Water, electricity, transportation and communication in Ruili have returned to normal.
So far, the devastating quake has killed 1,002 people, injured 2,376 and left 30 missing in Myanmar.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
China’s top market regulator said on Friday it will carry out an antitrust review of CK Hutchison’s possible Panama Canal ports’ deal in accordance with laws to ensure fair market competition and protect public interests, according to the website of the State Administration for Market Regulation.
In a response to media agency Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei, a spokesman of the second antitrust enforcement division of the SAMR said that the regulator has noted the deal and will conduct an antitrust review.
The move came as Hutchison Ports, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings owned by tycoon Li Ka-shing, is reportedly in the process of selling most of its global ports business to BlackRock on April 2 for an expected $22.8 billion.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
This photo shows a Chinese rescue team from Yunnan province has arrived at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar, March 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
A rescue team from southwestern China’s Yunnan province arrived at Yangon, Myanmar, early Saturday after a massive earthquake jolted the Southeast Asian country on Friday.
At least 144 people were killed and 732 injured in Myanmar after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake jolted the country on Friday.
Myanmar’s State Administration Council Chairman, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, called for assistance from the international community, according to local reports.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
At least 1,002 people were killed, 2,376 injured and 30 missing as of Saturday morning after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar on Friday, the Information Team of Myanmar’s State Administration Council reported.
Myanmar’s State Administration Council Chairman, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, arrived in Mandalay Province by helicopter on Saturday morning to inspect the severely affected area, according to Myanmar Radio and Television.
The devastation has been widespread, with Mandalay, Bago, Magway, northeastern Shan State, Sagaing, and Nay Pyi Taw among the hardest-hit regions. The Myanmar government has declared a national emergency.
Myanmar’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said Saturday morning that 12 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 7.5, occurred on Friday following an earthquake at 12:51 p.m. local time.
The only highway linking Myanmar’s Yangon in the south and central Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay was severely damaged, Xinhua reporters witnessed when heading to the most affected areas.
People have resorted to using the older Yangon-Mandalay road to arrive at the quake-hit areas and facilitate rescue efforts. Additionally, the collapse of buildings in Mandalay Airport and sections of the highway has further disrupted travel between Yangon and Mandalay, Myanmar’s two largest cities.
The devastating temblor also affected Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Friday announced a state of emergency in Bangkok.
As of Saturday morning, the quake has left nine people dead, nine injured and 101 others remain missing in the Thai capital, Bangkok. Fourteen provinces have reported damage following the earthquake, said the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
Tremors were felt in Thailand’s 57 provinces, particularly in Bangkok, prompting mass evacuations from office buildings, residential complexes, and convention centers as people gathered on the streets and in parks as temporary shelters.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said during a meeting for earthquake disaster updates and relief measures on Saturday that the earthquake situation has stabilized, with aftershock intensity gradually weakening.
In Laos and Vietnam, buildings above three stories experienced noticeable shaking, with residents in high-rise buildings feeling swaying indoors.
The United Nations on Friday allocated an emergency 5 million U.S. dollars for earthquake aid to Myanmar, where nearly 20 million people need assistance, including more than 3.5 million people displaced from their homes.
A 37-member rescue team from southwestern China’s Yunnan province arrived early this morning at Yangon, Myanmar, to provide assistance in disaster relief and rescue efforts.