Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Thursday praised Indian PM Narendra Modi’s leadership and announced that the country’s highest civilian honour, “The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago,” will be conferred upon him on Friday.
The award is being bestowed in recognition of PM Modi’s global leadership, his deep engagement with the Indian diaspora, and his humanitarian efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In her address, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar described PM Modi’s visit as a moment of shared pride and historical connection.
“We are graced by the presence of someone who is near and dear to us,” she said. “We are honoured by a leader whose visit is not just a matter of protocol but a profound gesture of friendship. I am deeply privileged to welcome one of the world’s most respected and visionary leaders – Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India.”
Calling him a transformational force, she added, “You have refined governance in India and positioned your country as a dominant global power.”
She further lauded his visionary leadership, “Through your futuristic initiatives, you have modernised the Indian economy, empowered over a billion citizens, and instilled pride in the hearts of Indians across the globe.”
Recalling PM Modi’s earlier visit to Trinidad and Tobago in 2002, she said, “Back then, you visited not as a Prime Minister but as a cultural ambassador. Today, you return as the elected leader of more than 1.4 billion people—a distinguished statesman whose influence transcends borders. We bow to you, Sir.”
Persad-Bissessar also highlighted Modi’s unwavering support for the Indian diaspora and his efforts to preserve shared heritage and cultural bonds. She expressed deep gratitude for India’s support during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly through its global vaccine initiative.
“Under your leadership, India extended its hand to the world – never more so than during the pandemic. Through your compassion and benevolence, vaccines and medical supplies reached even the smallest nations, including Trinidad and Tobago. You brought hope and calm where there was fear. This was more than diplomacy; it was an act of kinship, of shared humanity, and of love,” she said.
“This is one of the many reasons we are proud to confer upon you the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago,” she added.
The honour adds to a growing list of accolades awarded to Prime Minister Modi during his current Caribbean tour. Earlier, Barbados, Guyana, and Dominica also conferred their highest national awards on him.
The governments of Guyana and Dominica cited PM Modi’s exceptional leadership during the pandemic, his contribution to the global community, and his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties with the Caribbean nations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a traditional dinner hosted by Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar during his visit to the Caribbean nation on Thursday.
In a symbolic gesture highlighting the cultural ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago, the dinner featured food served on a Sohari leaf- an element of cultural significance for the local community, particularly those of Indian descent.
Sharing details of the dinner on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “The dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had food served on a Sohari leaf, which is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special programmes.”
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Port of Spain marks the second stop on his ongoing five-nation tour. This is his first visit to Trinidad and Tobago as Prime Minister, and the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Caribbean nation since 1999. The visit comes at the invitation of the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister and aims to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
The implementation of health taxes requires coordination and collaboration across different government agencies to ensure alignment and coherence across all sectors, particularly the Ministry of Finance (tax administration and design) and the Ministry of Health (advocating for health and evidence). Several countries in Asia and the Pacific have successfully implemented health tax strategies to improve public health and achieve health-financing goals.
Case Study: the Philippines
The 2012 Sin Tax reform in the Philippines marked a landmark policy shift by introducing a unitary excise tax with scheduled increases annually on tobacco and alcohol products. The reform was framed as a health policy reform rather than revenue generation. It adopted a strong intergovernmental approach, with active collaboration from the Ministry of Finance and Department of Health. The reform received tremendous support from both the public and government agencies. Between 2012 and 2018, prices of tobacco products increased by 113%, which led to a 30% plunge in smoking prevalence among adults and a 10%–18% drop among young adolescents in 2009–2021. This tax scheme also tripled tax revenues, reaching almost $3 billion in 2022.
Despite these gains, the percentage share of health taxes remains limited, and the tobacco products are still relatively affordable due to the stagnant annual tax adjustment. The initial plan to adjust the tax every year according to inflation and population growth has not been applied, leading to limitations in deterring consumption. This emphasizes the importance of adjusting health tax rates in response to inflation, so the real value of the tax is maintained at the appropriate level.[1]
Case Study: Thailand
Thailand’s sugar-sweetened beverages tax, reformed in 2017 by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and Thailand Health Promotion Foundation, represents another benchmark. It introduced a tiered-tax approach, where specific tax rates on sugar content and ad valorem (based on value) taxes were applied.
The new ad valorem tax was reduced from 20% to a range of 0%–14% based on the type of beverage (e.g., 10% for fruit-related drinks). An additional specific tax rate was also used to adjust for sugar content, where beverages with more than 6 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters are taxed at higher rates than those with lower sugar content. During the first phase of implementation, average sugar content in beverages significantly dropped from 16.7g to 10.6g per 100ml.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the impact of this tax on low-income populations. This situation emphasizes the need for clear and strategic communication to ensure transparency in monitoring and evaluation.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, the leading non-custodial crypto wallet, has introduced a major upgrade to its gas abstraction feature, GetGas, reducing onchain TRON USDT transfer fees by 50%. The feature now offers users a gas-free first transfer and subsidized rates on all subsequent USDT transfers conducted via TRON. With this update, Bitget Wallet becomes the most cost-efficient option among mainstream wallets for onchain USDT transactions on TRON.
GetGas is Bitget Wallet’s native gas payment abstraction system, enabling users to deposit USDT, USDC, ETH, or BGB into a unified balance to cover gas fees across 10 supported blockchains, including, TRON, Ethereum, Solana, BNB Chain, Polygon, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, TON, and Morph Chain. Whether conducting transfers, swaps, or interacting with dApps, users can pay gas directly from their GetGas balance without needing to hold the native token of each chain. On TRON, this means users can send USDT without holding TRX, with GetGas automatically sourcing and applying energy subsidies to reduce costs.
While TRON remains one of the most liquid and high-throughput stablecoin networks, gas management onchain can be complex for average users. Its resource model is based on “energy,” which must be acquired through staking TRX or using external rental platforms — both of which require manual setup and present price fluctuations. Bitget Wallet’s integration abstracts this away by sourcing energy within the app and applying subsidies through GetGas, creating a seamless and reliable onchain experience. By eliminating the need to manually manage TRX or energy, GetGas brings the usability of self-custodial wallets closer to the convenience typically seen in centralized platforms while preserving full user control and decentralization.
TRON has emerged as the dominant network for USDT transfers, processing more than 2.4 million transactions daily and hosting over $80 billion in circulating USDT. Daily volume ranges from $20 to $30 billion, primarily driven by remittances, micro-payments, and trading flows. According to onchain data, activity is concentrated in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America — regions where stablecoins are widely used for cross-border transactions. By integrating TRON energy handling directly into GetGas, Bitget Wallet aims to support these user segments with more predictable and accessible transaction costs.
“Our vision is tomake Web3 as seamless as Web2,” said Jamie Elkaleh, CMO of Bitget Wallet. “TRON USDT transfers have long been efficient in theory but frustrating in practice due to inconsistent gas mechanics. GetGas solves that by handling the complexity behind the scenes and delivering a reliable, cost-effective experience that users can trust.”
This upgrade aligns with Bitget Wallet’s broader strategy to reduce friction in decentralized finance. The wallet already offers smart routing for multi-chain swaps, gasless top-ups, curated discovery tools, and a growing suite of payment features. With more than 80 million users and support for over 130 blockchains, Bitget Wallet continues to expand its infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of the global crypto community.
About Bitget Wallet Bitget Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet designed to make crypto simple and secure for everyone. With over 80 million users, it brings together a full suite of crypto services, including swaps, market insights, staking, rewards, DApp exploration, and payment solutions. Supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges. Backed by a $300+ million user protection fund, it ensures the highest level of security for users’ assets. Its vision is Crypto for Everyone — to make crypto simpler, safer, and part of everyday life for a billion people. For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook For media inquiries, contact media.web3@bitget.com
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, the leading non-custodial crypto wallet, has introduced a major upgrade to its gas abstraction feature, GetGas, reducing onchain TRON USDT transfer fees by 50%. The feature now offers users a gas-free first transfer and subsidized rates on all subsequent USDT transfers conducted via TRON. With this update, Bitget Wallet becomes the most cost-efficient option among mainstream wallets for onchain USDT transactions on TRON.
GetGas is Bitget Wallet’s native gas payment abstraction system, enabling users to deposit USDT, USDC, ETH, or BGB into a unified balance to cover gas fees across 10 supported blockchains, including, TRON, Ethereum, Solana, BNB Chain, Polygon, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, TON, and Morph Chain. Whether conducting transfers, swaps, or interacting with dApps, users can pay gas directly from their GetGas balance without needing to hold the native token of each chain. On TRON, this means users can send USDT without holding TRX, with GetGas automatically sourcing and applying energy subsidies to reduce costs.
While TRON remains one of the most liquid and high-throughput stablecoin networks, gas management onchain can be complex for average users. Its resource model is based on “energy,” which must be acquired through staking TRX or using external rental platforms — both of which require manual setup and present price fluctuations. Bitget Wallet’s integration abstracts this away by sourcing energy within the app and applying subsidies through GetGas, creating a seamless and reliable onchain experience. By eliminating the need to manually manage TRX or energy, GetGas brings the usability of self-custodial wallets closer to the convenience typically seen in centralized platforms while preserving full user control and decentralization.
TRON has emerged as the dominant network for USDT transfers, processing more than 2.4 million transactions daily and hosting over $80 billion in circulating USDT. Daily volume ranges from $20 to $30 billion, primarily driven by remittances, micro-payments, and trading flows. According to onchain data, activity is concentrated in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America — regions where stablecoins are widely used for cross-border transactions. By integrating TRON energy handling directly into GetGas, Bitget Wallet aims to support these user segments with more predictable and accessible transaction costs.
“Our vision is tomake Web3 as seamless as Web2,” said Jamie Elkaleh, CMO of Bitget Wallet. “TRON USDT transfers have long been efficient in theory but frustrating in practice due to inconsistent gas mechanics. GetGas solves that by handling the complexity behind the scenes and delivering a reliable, cost-effective experience that users can trust.”
This upgrade aligns with Bitget Wallet’s broader strategy to reduce friction in decentralized finance. The wallet already offers smart routing for multi-chain swaps, gasless top-ups, curated discovery tools, and a growing suite of payment features. With more than 80 million users and support for over 130 blockchains, Bitget Wallet continues to expand its infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of the global crypto community.
About Bitget Wallet Bitget Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet designed to make crypto simple and secure for everyone. With over 80 million users, it brings together a full suite of crypto services, including swaps, market insights, staking, rewards, DApp exploration, and payment solutions. Supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges. Backed by a $300+ million user protection fund, it ensures the highest level of security for users’ assets. Its vision is Crypto for Everyone — to make crypto simpler, safer, and part of everyday life for a billion people. For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook For media inquiries, contact media.web3@bitget.com
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
03 July 2025
Minister Lamola to deliver DIRCO Budget Vote Speech, which is to be preceded by a media briefing
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, will deliver the Budget Vote Speech of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on Thursday, 03 July 2025, in Parliament, Cape Town.
Minister Lamola will use the occasion to outline South Africa’s foreign policy priorities for the financial year 2025-2026, focussing on programmes and activities aligned to the attainment of the priorities of the Seventh Administration.
Deputy Ministers Mr Alvin Botes and Ms Thandi Moraka will also deliver remarks during the debate on the Budget Vote Speech, focusing on South Africa’s relations with Europe and the Americas as well as Asia and Middle East regions, respectively.
Ahead of the Budget Vote Speech, Minister Lamola is scheduled to hold a media briefing.
The media briefing will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, 03 July 2025
Time: 15:00
Venue: Imbizo Media Centre, Parliament, Cape Town
The DIRCO Budget Vote Speech is scheduled for 16h30, Good Hope Chamber.
Media RSVP: Mpho Rakgakole, rakgakolem@dirco.gov.za
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Port of Spain on Thursday, marking the second stop of his ongoing five-nation tour. During his visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold high-level discussions with the top leadership of Trinidad and Tobago to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Historical ties rooted in migration
The bond between India and Trinidad and Tobago traces back to the mid-19th century, when the subcontinent contributed nearly 143,000 indentured workers to Trinidad between 1845 and 1917. The majority hailed from Northern India, particularly from present-day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Many descendants still take pride in identifying their ancestral villages, districts (Zila), and fiscal units (Pargana).
While these workers originally came for contractual labour lasting three to five years, most chose to stay, with approximately 134,183 Indians ultimately settling and shaping the country’s cultural and social fabric.
Over time, this community has moved beyond its origins in agriculture and indentured labour. Today, people of Indian descent- who make up about 42% of Trinidad and Tobago’s 1.4 million population- are active across sectors including business, law, politics, medicine, and academia. The transformation from indentureship to entrepreneurship reflects not only economic progress but also the enduring cultural and emotional ties with India.
In addition to this historic community, there are also around 500 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in Trinidad and Tobago, many of whom are engaged in business and teaching. Indian presence in the local economy is further strengthened by Indian enterprises like New India Assurance, which operates in the insurance sector. Regular trade fairs showcasing Indian garments, handicrafts, and furniture have also helped popularise Indian products.
The Indian diaspora remains the largest in the Caribbean, noted for its strong cultural identity and economic success. These close cultural and people-to-people ties continue to support the historical relationship between India and Trinidad and Tobago.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is observed every year on January 9 to acknowledge the contributions of the overseas Indian community in India’s growth story. Since 2015, the PBD Convention is organised every two years, along with theme-based regional conferences in between. These events provide a platform for the diaspora to connect with India through knowledge sharing, investments and collaborations.
The President of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo, was virtually the Chief Guest at the 18th PBD in Bhubaneswar and was conferred the PBSA during India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2025.
During the 17th PBD Convention in Indore in January 2023, High Court Justice Frank Seepersad from Trinidad and Tobago received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA)- India’s highest honour for overseas Indians. Over the years, prominent figures from Trinidad and Tobago like former Prime Ministers Basdeo Panday (2005) and Kamla Persad-Bissessar (2012), as well as former Ministers Winston Dookeran (2017) and Dr. Lenny Krishendath Saith (2010), have also been recipients of the PBSA. The National Council for Indian Culture was similarly honoured in 2008.
The Ministry of External Affairs continues to engage with overseas Indians through various programmes. Among these is the Overseas Citizenship of India scheme, which allows eligible foreign nationals of Indian origin to register for special status and privileges in India. The Know India Programme offers diaspora youth a three-week opportunity to connect with their ancestral homeland and learn about India’s history, culture, economy and scientific achievements through study tours and interactions with experts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Port of Spain on Thursday, marking the second stop of his ongoing five-nation tour. During his visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold high-level discussions with the top leadership of Trinidad and Tobago to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Historical ties rooted in migration
The bond between India and Trinidad and Tobago traces back to the mid-19th century, when the subcontinent contributed nearly 143,000 indentured workers to Trinidad between 1845 and 1917. The majority hailed from Northern India, particularly from present-day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Many descendants still take pride in identifying their ancestral villages, districts (Zila), and fiscal units (Pargana).
While these workers originally came for contractual labour lasting three to five years, most chose to stay, with approximately 134,183 Indians ultimately settling and shaping the country’s cultural and social fabric.
Over time, this community has moved beyond its origins in agriculture and indentured labour. Today, people of Indian descent- who make up about 42% of Trinidad and Tobago’s 1.4 million population- are active across sectors including business, law, politics, medicine, and academia. The transformation from indentureship to entrepreneurship reflects not only economic progress but also the enduring cultural and emotional ties with India.
In addition to this historic community, there are also around 500 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in Trinidad and Tobago, many of whom are engaged in business and teaching. Indian presence in the local economy is further strengthened by Indian enterprises like New India Assurance, which operates in the insurance sector. Regular trade fairs showcasing Indian garments, handicrafts, and furniture have also helped popularise Indian products.
The Indian diaspora remains the largest in the Caribbean, noted for its strong cultural identity and economic success. These close cultural and people-to-people ties continue to support the historical relationship between India and Trinidad and Tobago.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is observed every year on January 9 to acknowledge the contributions of the overseas Indian community in India’s growth story. Since 2015, the PBD Convention is organised every two years, along with theme-based regional conferences in between. These events provide a platform for the diaspora to connect with India through knowledge sharing, investments and collaborations.
The President of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo, was virtually the Chief Guest at the 18th PBD in Bhubaneswar and was conferred the PBSA during India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2025.
During the 17th PBD Convention in Indore in January 2023, High Court Justice Frank Seepersad from Trinidad and Tobago received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA)- India’s highest honour for overseas Indians. Over the years, prominent figures from Trinidad and Tobago like former Prime Ministers Basdeo Panday (2005) and Kamla Persad-Bissessar (2012), as well as former Ministers Winston Dookeran (2017) and Dr. Lenny Krishendath Saith (2010), have also been recipients of the PBSA. The National Council for Indian Culture was similarly honoured in 2008.
The Ministry of External Affairs continues to engage with overseas Indians through various programmes. Among these is the Overseas Citizenship of India scheme, which allows eligible foreign nationals of Indian origin to register for special status and privileges in India. The Know India Programme offers diaspora youth a three-week opportunity to connect with their ancestral homeland and learn about India’s history, culture, economy and scientific achievements through study tours and interactions with experts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, along with holy water from the Saryu river and the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj, during a dinner hosted by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Thursday, underscoring the enduring cultural and spiritual ties between India and the Caribbean nation.
“At the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, I presented a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and holy water from the Saryu river as well as from the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj. They symbolise the deep cultural and spiritual bonds between India and Trinidad & Tobago,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
“The dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had food served on a Sohari leaf, which is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special programmes,” he added.
At the dinner in Port of Spain, PM Modi met Rana Mohip, who had sung ‘Vaishnava Jana To’ when India marked the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi a few years ago, appreciating his passion towards Indian music and culture.
PM Modi also shared glimpses of the cultural and historical ties between Trinidad & Tobago and India upon his landmark two-day visit to the Caribbean nation.
“A cultural connect like no other! Very happy to have witnessed a Bhojpuri Chautaal performance in Port of Spain. The connect between Trinidad & Tobago and India, especially parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is noteworthy,” PM Modi said.
Upon his arrival, PM Modi was also given a ceremonial welcome with people enthusiastically dancing to the beat of drums and showcasing traditional music and performances that reflected a blend of local and Indian culture.
This is the second visit of Prime Minister Modi to the Caribbean region in 8 months; previously, the PM visited Guyana in November 2024. It shows the immense importance that India accords to the Caribbean countries and reflects India’s growing partnership with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, along with holy water from the Saryu river and the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj, during a dinner hosted by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Thursday, underscoring the enduring cultural and spiritual ties between India and the Caribbean nation.
“At the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, I presented a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and holy water from the Saryu river as well as from the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj. They symbolise the deep cultural and spiritual bonds between India and Trinidad & Tobago,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
“The dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had food served on a Sohari leaf, which is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special programmes,” he added.
At the dinner in Port of Spain, PM Modi met Rana Mohip, who had sung ‘Vaishnava Jana To’ when India marked the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi a few years ago, appreciating his passion towards Indian music and culture.
PM Modi also shared glimpses of the cultural and historical ties between Trinidad & Tobago and India upon his landmark two-day visit to the Caribbean nation.
“A cultural connect like no other! Very happy to have witnessed a Bhojpuri Chautaal performance in Port of Spain. The connect between Trinidad & Tobago and India, especially parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is noteworthy,” PM Modi said.
Upon his arrival, PM Modi was also given a ceremonial welcome with people enthusiastically dancing to the beat of drums and showcasing traditional music and performances that reflected a blend of local and Indian culture.
This is the second visit of Prime Minister Modi to the Caribbean region in 8 months; previously, the PM visited Guyana in November 2024. It shows the immense importance that India accords to the Caribbean countries and reflects India’s growing partnership with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, along with holy water from the Saryu river and the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj, during a dinner hosted by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Thursday, underscoring the enduring cultural and spiritual ties between India and the Caribbean nation.
“At the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, I presented a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and holy water from the Saryu river as well as from the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj. They symbolise the deep cultural and spiritual bonds between India and Trinidad & Tobago,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
“The dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had food served on a Sohari leaf, which is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special programmes,” he added.
At the dinner in Port of Spain, PM Modi met Rana Mohip, who had sung ‘Vaishnava Jana To’ when India marked the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi a few years ago, appreciating his passion towards Indian music and culture.
PM Modi also shared glimpses of the cultural and historical ties between Trinidad & Tobago and India upon his landmark two-day visit to the Caribbean nation.
“A cultural connect like no other! Very happy to have witnessed a Bhojpuri Chautaal performance in Port of Spain. The connect between Trinidad & Tobago and India, especially parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is noteworthy,” PM Modi said.
Upon his arrival, PM Modi was also given a ceremonial welcome with people enthusiastically dancing to the beat of drums and showcasing traditional music and performances that reflected a blend of local and Indian culture.
This is the second visit of Prime Minister Modi to the Caribbean region in 8 months; previously, the PM visited Guyana in November 2024. It shows the immense importance that India accords to the Caribbean countries and reflects India’s growing partnership with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
The world’s biggest multilateral climate fund said it will make its largest ever series of investments and speed up dealmaking as it looks to help poorer nations respond to global warming.
The Green Climate Fund’s plan to release about $1.2 billion for 17 projects mostly in Asia and Africa follows approval by shareholders including the United States at a meeting this week, against a fractious political backdrop that has seen development aid slashed.
Official development assistance could fall 17% this year after a 9% drop in 2024, the OECD said in a June report, led by hefty cuts to U.S. aid by President Donald Trump.
“At a time when collective climate action is more needed than ever, GCF is stepping up to deliver on its mandate,” GCF Co-Chair Seyni Nafo said in a statement.
The GCF disbursement includes $227 million for an initiative to expand green bond markets in 10 countries. Green bond markets are where companies raise capital for projects that limit climate change or otherwise benefit the environment.
In South Asia, it will invest $200 million in the India Green Finance Facility to scale renewables and energy efficiency, while in East Africa it will invest $150 million in the food system to support nearly 18 million people.
All the projects will bring the GCF investment portfolio to $18 billion across 133 countries. So far, countries have pledged $29.9 billion to the GCF and paid in $21 billion.
As well as releasing more money, the GCF board also approved plans to speed up its work with partner organisations, which can include accredited entities like other multilateral lenders and so-called Direct Access Entities in developing countries.
From an average 30 months to accredit a DAE, the aim is to shorten the time to nine months or less by overhauling its procedures, including carrying out much of the due diligence at the project stage.
The world’s biggest multilateral climate fund said it will make its largest ever series of investments and speed up dealmaking as it looks to help poorer nations respond to global warming.
The Green Climate Fund’s plan to release about $1.2 billion for 17 projects mostly in Asia and Africa follows approval by shareholders including the United States at a meeting this week, against a fractious political backdrop that has seen development aid slashed.
Official development assistance could fall 17% this year after a 9% drop in 2024, the OECD said in a June report, led by hefty cuts to U.S. aid by President Donald Trump.
“At a time when collective climate action is more needed than ever, GCF is stepping up to deliver on its mandate,” GCF Co-Chair Seyni Nafo said in a statement.
The GCF disbursement includes $227 million for an initiative to expand green bond markets in 10 countries. Green bond markets are where companies raise capital for projects that limit climate change or otherwise benefit the environment.
In South Asia, it will invest $200 million in the India Green Finance Facility to scale renewables and energy efficiency, while in East Africa it will invest $150 million in the food system to support nearly 18 million people.
All the projects will bring the GCF investment portfolio to $18 billion across 133 countries. So far, countries have pledged $29.9 billion to the GCF and paid in $21 billion.
As well as releasing more money, the GCF board also approved plans to speed up its work with partner organisations, which can include accredited entities like other multilateral lenders and so-called Direct Access Entities in developing countries.
From an average 30 months to accredit a DAE, the aim is to shorten the time to nine months or less by overhauling its procedures, including carrying out much of the due diligence at the project stage.
The world’s biggest multilateral climate fund said it will make its largest ever series of investments and speed up dealmaking as it looks to help poorer nations respond to global warming.
The Green Climate Fund’s plan to release about $1.2 billion for 17 projects mostly in Asia and Africa follows approval by shareholders including the United States at a meeting this week, against a fractious political backdrop that has seen development aid slashed.
Official development assistance could fall 17% this year after a 9% drop in 2024, the OECD said in a June report, led by hefty cuts to U.S. aid by President Donald Trump.
“At a time when collective climate action is more needed than ever, GCF is stepping up to deliver on its mandate,” GCF Co-Chair Seyni Nafo said in a statement.
The GCF disbursement includes $227 million for an initiative to expand green bond markets in 10 countries. Green bond markets are where companies raise capital for projects that limit climate change or otherwise benefit the environment.
In South Asia, it will invest $200 million in the India Green Finance Facility to scale renewables and energy efficiency, while in East Africa it will invest $150 million in the food system to support nearly 18 million people.
All the projects will bring the GCF investment portfolio to $18 billion across 133 countries. So far, countries have pledged $29.9 billion to the GCF and paid in $21 billion.
As well as releasing more money, the GCF board also approved plans to speed up its work with partner organisations, which can include accredited entities like other multilateral lenders and so-called Direct Access Entities in developing countries.
From an average 30 months to accredit a DAE, the aim is to shorten the time to nine months or less by overhauling its procedures, including carrying out much of the due diligence at the project stage.
The domestic benchmark indices opened marginally higher on Friday amid mixed global cues, with early buying seen in the IT, PSU bank and financial services sectors.
At around 9:34 am, the Sensex was trading 32.52 points, or 0.04 per cent, higher at 83,271.99, while the Nifty added 3.45 points, or 0.01 per cent, to reach 25,408.75.
According to analysts, the Nifty 50 opened on a positive note but failed to sustain its momentum, breaching its intraday support at 25,450 and forming a bearish candlestick pattern on the daily chart.
“This development may signal a potential trend reversal; however, further confirmation is awaited. A sustained move above 25,600 could pave the way for a rally toward 25,750,” said Hardik Matalia, Derivative Analyst at Choice Broking.
On the downside, immediate support is seen at 25,222 and 25,120, which could act as potential entry levels for long positions, he added.
Nifty Bank was up 9.90 points, or 0.02 per cent, at 56,801.85 in early trade.
The Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 59,771.65 after gaining 88.40 points, or 0.15 per cent. The Nifty Smallcap 100 index stood at 19,051.80, up 24.75 points, or 0.13 per cent.
Analysts said investors should watch for possible changes in the earnings growth trajectory, indications of which will emerge with the Q1 results expected soon. Outperformance is likely to be company-specific rather than sector-specific.
Among Sensex constituents, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, BEL, HDFC Bank and Hindustan Unilever Limited were the top gainers. Trent, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra and Titan were among the top losers.
On the institutional front, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) extended their selling streak for the fourth consecutive day, offloading equities worth Rs 1,481.19 crore on July 3. In contrast, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) continued their buying activity, purchasing equities worth Rs 1,333.06 crore on the same day.
In Asian markets, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Japan, Seoul and Jakarta were trading in the red, while only China was trading in the green.
In the last trading session, the Dow Jones in the US closed at 44,828.53, up 344.11 points, or 0.77 per cent. The S&P 500 ended with a gain of 51.93 points, or 0.83 per cent, at 6,279.35, and the Nasdaq closed at 20,601.10, up 207.97 points, or 1.02 per cent.
Viram Shah, Founder and CEO of Vested Finance, said the US markets closed sharply higher on Thursday on the back of a stronger-than-expected jobs report, with 147,000 jobs added and unemployment dipping to 4.1 per cent. This helped push the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to record highs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, along with holy water from the Saryu river and the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj, during a dinner hosted by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Thursday, underscoring the enduring cultural and spiritual ties between India and the Caribbean nation.
“At the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, I presented a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and holy water from the Saryu river as well as from the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj. They symbolise the deep cultural and spiritual bonds between India and Trinidad & Tobago,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
“The dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had food served on a Sohari leaf, which is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special programmes,” he added.
At the dinner in Port of Spain, PM Modi met Rana Mohip, who had sung ‘Vaishnava Jana To’ when India marked the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi a few years ago, appreciating his passion towards Indian music and culture.
PM Modi also shared glimpses of the cultural and historical ties between Trinidad & Tobago and India upon his landmark two-day visit to the Caribbean nation.
“A cultural connect like no other! Very happy to have witnessed a Bhojpuri Chautaal performance in Port of Spain. The connect between Trinidad & Tobago and India, especially parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is noteworthy,” PM Modi said.
Upon his arrival, PM Modi was also given a ceremonial welcome with people enthusiastically dancing to the beat of drums and showcasing traditional music and performances that reflected a blend of local and Indian culture.
This is the second visit of Prime Minister Modi to the Caribbean region in 8 months; previously, the PM visited Guyana in November 2024. It shows the immense importance that India accords to the Caribbean countries and reflects India’s growing partnership with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, along with holy water from the Saryu river and the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj, during a dinner hosted by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Thursday, underscoring the enduring cultural and spiritual ties between India and the Caribbean nation.
“At the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, I presented a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and holy water from the Saryu river as well as from the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj. They symbolise the deep cultural and spiritual bonds between India and Trinidad & Tobago,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
“The dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had food served on a Sohari leaf, which is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special programmes,” he added.
At the dinner in Port of Spain, PM Modi met Rana Mohip, who had sung ‘Vaishnava Jana To’ when India marked the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi a few years ago, appreciating his passion towards Indian music and culture.
PM Modi also shared glimpses of the cultural and historical ties between Trinidad & Tobago and India upon his landmark two-day visit to the Caribbean nation.
“A cultural connect like no other! Very happy to have witnessed a Bhojpuri Chautaal performance in Port of Spain. The connect between Trinidad & Tobago and India, especially parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is noteworthy,” PM Modi said.
Upon his arrival, PM Modi was also given a ceremonial welcome with people enthusiastically dancing to the beat of drums and showcasing traditional music and performances that reflected a blend of local and Indian culture.
This is the second visit of Prime Minister Modi to the Caribbean region in 8 months; previously, the PM visited Guyana in November 2024. It shows the immense importance that India accords to the Caribbean countries and reflects India’s growing partnership with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a phone call earlier in the day with Vladimir Putin resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war in Ukraine, while a Kremlin aide said the Russian president reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes.”
The two leaders did not discuss a recent pause in some U.S. weapons shipments to Kyiv during the nearly hour-long conversation, according to a readout provided by Putin aide Yuri Ushakov.
U.S. attempts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine through diplomacy have largely stalled, and Trump has faced growing calls – including from some Republicans – to increase pressure on Putin to negotiate in earnest.
Within hours of the call’s conclusion, an apparent Russian drone attack sparked a fire in an apartment building in a northern suburb of Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said, indicating little change in the trajectory of the conflict.
In Kyiv itself, witnesses reported explosions and sustained heavy machine-gun fire as air defense units battled drones over the capital, while Russian shelling killed five people in the eastern part of the country.
“I didn’t make any progress with him at all,” Trump told reporters in brief comments at an air base outside Washington, before departing for a campaign-style event in Iowa.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, meanwhile, told reporters in Denmark earlier in the day that he hopes to speak to Trump as soon as Friday about the ongoing pause in some weapons shipments, which was first disclosed earlier this week.
Trump, speaking to reporters as he left Washington for Iowa, said “we haven’t” completely paused the weapons flow but blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden, for sending so many weapons that it risked weakening U.S. defenses.
“We’re giving weapons, but we’ve given so many weapons. But we are giving weapons. And we’re working with them and trying to help them, but we haven’t. You know, Biden emptied out our whole country giving them weapons, and we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves,” he said.
The diplomatic back-and-forth comes as the U.S. has paused shipments of certain critical weapons to Ukraine due to low stockpiles, just as Ukraine faces a Russian summer offensive and increasingly frequent attacks on civilian targets.
Putin, for his part, has continued to assert he will stop his invasion only if the conflict’s “root causes” have been addressed – Russian shorthand for the issue of NATO enlargement and Western support for Ukraine, including the rejection of any notion of Ukraine joining the NATO alliance.
Russian leaders are also angling to establish greater control over political decisions made in Kyiv and other Eastern European capitals, NATO leaders have said.
The pause in U.S. weapons shipments caught Ukraine off-guard and has generated widespread confusion about Trump’s current views on the conflict, given his statement just last week that he would try to free up a Patriot missile defense system for use by Kyiv.
Ukrainian leaders called in the acting U.S. envoy to Kyiv on Wednesday to underline the importance of military aid from Washington, and caution that the pause in U.S. weapons shipments would weaken Ukraine’s ability to defend against intensifying Russian air strikes and battlefield advances.
The Pentagon’s move has meant a cut in deliveries of the Patriot defense missiles that Ukraine relies on to destroy fast-moving ballistic missiles, Reuters reported on Wednesday.
Ushakov, the Kremlin aide, said that while Russia was open to continuing to speak with the U.S., any peace negotiations needed to occur between Moscow and Kyiv.
That comment comes amid some indications that Moscow is trying to avoid a trilateral format for any potential peace negotiations. The Russians asked American diplomats to leave the room during such a meeting in Istanbul in early June, Ukrainian officials have said.
Trump and Putin did not talk about a face-to-face meeting, Ushakov said.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Kinetic Consultants Limited was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violating the requirements under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The company pleaded guilty at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (July 4) and was fined $54,000. The company was also ordered to pay an outstanding sum of about $107,000 to the employees concerned.
The company wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirements of the EO, failing to pay three employees’ wages within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods, totalling about $216,000.
“The ruling will disseminate a strong message to all employers that they have to pay wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO,” a spokesman for the LD said.
“The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees’ statutory rights,” the spokesman added.
Highlighting that the sixth generations of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago are set to receive their Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the former are not just connected by blood or surnames as India wholeheartedly welcomed them.
“Today, I am happy to announce that OCI cards will now be given to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad & Tobago. You are not just connected by blood or surname. You are connected by belonging. India looks out you, India welcomes you, and India embraces you,” Prime Minister Modi said, during his address to the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago.
He also mentioned that PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s ancestors were from Bihar’s Buxar region. “People consider her the daughter of Bihar… Bihar’s heritage is the pride of India and the world… Bihar has shown the way to the world in various fields for centuries. New opportunities will emerge from Bihar in the 21st century also,” he added.
The Prime Minister also welcomed the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya after 500 years with great joy and have deep faith and devotion towards Lord Ram. Speaking to the Indian diaspora, PM Modi said, “We remember you had sent holy water and Shilas for building the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.”
“I have also brought something here with a similar sense of devotion. I have also bought a replica of Ram Mandir and some holy water from River Sarayu,” he added.
PM Modi also said: “The Ram-Leelas in Sangre Grande and Dow Village are said to be truly unique. Shri Ram Charit Manas says, राम धामदा पुरी सुहावनि। लोक समस्त बिदित अति पावनि।। It means, the sacred city of Prabhu Shri Ram is so beautiful that its glory is spread across the world. I am sure you all welcomed the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya after 500 years with great joy.”
“Prabhu Shri Ram says that the glory of Ayodhya springs from the holy Sarayu. Whoever takes a dip in its water, finds eternal union with Shri Ram himself,” PM Modi said.
“You all know that earlier this year, the world’s largest spiritual gathering, the Maha Kumbh took place. I have the honour to carry water from the Maha Kumbh also with me. I request PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar ji to offer the holy waters of the Sarayu River and Maha Kumbh to the Ganga Dhara here. May these holy waters bless the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”
The Prime Minister also added: “I know the story of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is about courage. The circumstances your ancestors faced could have broken even the strongest of spirits. But they faced hardships with hope. They met problems with persistence. They left the Ganga and Yamuna behind but carried the Ramayan in their hearts. They left their soil, but not their soul. They were not just migrants. They were messengers of a timeless civilisation. Their contributions have benefitted this country — culturally, economically and spiritually. Just look at the impact that you have all had on this beautiful nation.” “Our bond goes beyond geography and generations,” PM Modi noted.
The Prime Minister also said: “Kamla Persad-Bissessar Ji — as the first woman Prime Minister of this country. Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo Ji – as the female President. Late Basdeo Pandey, the son of a farmer, rose to become Prime Minister and a respected global leader. Eminent math scholar Rudranath Capildeo, music icon Sundar Popo, cricketing talent Darren Ganga, and Sewdass Sadhu, whose devotion built the Temple in the Sea. The list of achievers goes on.”
“You, the children of Girmitiyas, are not defined by struggle anymore. You are defined by your success, your service, and your values. Honestly, there must be something magical in the “doubles” and “dal poori” — because you have doubled the success of this great nation!” PM Modi said in his address to the Indian community here.
“When I last visited 25 years ago, we all admired the cover drives and pull shots of Lara. Today, it is Sunil Narine and Nicholas Pooran who ignite the same excitement in the hearts of our youth. Between then and now, our friendship has grown even stronger.”
“Benaras, Patna, Kolkata, Delhi may be cities in India. But they are also names of streets here. Navratra, Mahashivratri, Janmasthmi are celebrated here with joy, spirit and pride. Chowtal and Baithak Gana continue to thrive here.”
“I can see the warmth of many familiar faces. And I see curiosity in the bright eyes of a younger generation – keen to know and grow together. Truly, our bonds go well beyond geography and generations,” PM Modi said. (IANS)
The demise of one of Hong Kong’s last major pro-democracy parties, the League of Social Democrats, is the latest blow to the city’s crumbling democratic credentials.
The league is the third major opposition party to disband this year. The announcement coincides with the fifth anniversary this week of the national security law, which was imposed by Beijing to suppress pro-democracy activity.
The loss of this grassroots party, historically populated by bold and colourful characters, vividly illustrates the dying of the light in once-sparkling Hong Kong.
The city is now greyed and labouring under a repressive internal security regime that has crushed civil society’s freedoms and democratic ambitions.
Authoritarian crackdown
The world witnessed Hong Kong at its brightest during the 2014 Umbrella Movement, when hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy protesters camped out on city streets for several months.
We also saw the brutal sequel in 2019, when paramilitarised police sought to put down further civil unrest and protesters fought back.
Since then, “lawfare” has been the preferred strategy of China’s national government and its Hong Kong satellite. The new approach has included a vast security apparatus and aggressive prosecutions.
When Beijing intervened in July 2020, it was nominally about national security. In reality, the new law was designed and used to bring Hongkongers to heel.
Civil freedoms were further curtailed by a home-grown security law, introduced last year to fill the gaps.
International standards such as the Johannesburg Principles, endorsed by the United Nations, require national security laws to be compatible with democratic principles, not to be used to eliminate democratic activity.
Prison or exile
The League of Social Democrats occupied the populist left of the pro-democracy spectrum. It stood apart from contemporaries such as the Democratic Party and the Civic Party, which were dominated by professionals and elites, and have since been disbanded.
The League was most notably represented by the likes of “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung– known for his Che Guevara t-shirts and banana-throwing – and broadcaster and journalism academic Raymond Wong Yuk-man, also known as “Mad Dog”.
Despite their rambunctious styles, these men had real political credentials and were repeatedly elected to legislative office. But Leung is now imprisoned for subversion, while Wong has left for Taiwan.
Leung Kwok-hung was sentenced to subversion under the national security law. Edwin Kwok/Shutterstock
Party leaders such as Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit and Figo Chan Ho-wun were also prominent within the Civil Human Rights Front. It was responsible for the annual July 1 protest march that attracted hundreds of thousands of people every year. The front is yet another pro-democracy organisation that has dissolved.
Sham and Chan have been jailed for subversion and unlawful assembly under the colonial-era Public Order Ordinance, which has been used to prosecute hundreds of activists.
Zero tolerance
The demise of these diverse organisations are not natural occurrences, but the result of a deliberate authoritarian programme.
Under China, Hong Kong’s political system has been half democratic at best. But it now resembles something from the darkest days of colonialism, with pre-approved candidates, appointed legislators and zero tolerance for critical voices.
Activists and watchdogs are stymied by the national security law. It criminalises – among other things – engagement and lobbying with international organisations and foreign governments.
Then there are the millions of ordinary Hongkongers whose dreams of a liberal and self-governing region under mainland China’s umbrella – as promised in the lead up to the 1997 handover – have been shattered.
But countless ex-protesters remain in the city, where it is impermissible to speak critically of power, and where mandatory patriotic education may ensure new generations will never even think to speak up.
Much blame lies with the British, who failed to institute democratic elections until the last gasp of their rule in Hong Kong. This was despite the colony tolerating liberalism and habit-forming democratic activity over a longer period.
Now China, after almost three decades in charge, has responded to democratic challenges by defaulting to authoritarian control. Hong Kong can only be grateful it has been spared a Tiananmen-style incident. Nor has it experienced the full genocidal extent of the so-called “peripheries playbook” Beijing has used in Tibet and Xinjiang.
Turmoil and authoritarian swings in the United States and elsewhere give China an opportunity to present as a voice of reason on the international stage.
But we should not forget its commitment to repressive politics at home, nor what its support of belligerent regimes such as Putin’s Russia might mean for Taiwan, the region and the world.
Above all, we should not forget the people, in Hong Kong and elsewhere, who made it their life’s work to achieve democracy only to be rewarded with prison or exile.
Brendan Clift 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.
The demise of one of Hong Kong’s last major pro-democracy parties, the League of Social Democrats, is the latest blow to the city’s crumbling democratic credentials.
The league is the third major opposition party to disband this year. The announcement coincides with the fifth anniversary this week of the national security law, which was imposed by Beijing to suppress pro-democracy activity.
The loss of this grassroots party, historically populated by bold and colourful characters, vividly illustrates the dying of the light in once-sparkling Hong Kong.
The city is now greyed and labouring under a repressive internal security regime that has crushed civil society’s freedoms and democratic ambitions.
Authoritarian crackdown
The world witnessed Hong Kong at its brightest during the 2014 Umbrella Movement, when hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy protesters camped out on city streets for several months.
We also saw the brutal sequel in 2019, when paramilitarised police sought to put down further civil unrest and protesters fought back.
Since then, “lawfare” has been the preferred strategy of China’s national government and its Hong Kong satellite. The new approach has included a vast security apparatus and aggressive prosecutions.
When Beijing intervened in July 2020, it was nominally about national security. In reality, the new law was designed and used to bring Hongkongers to heel.
Civil freedoms were further curtailed by a home-grown security law, introduced last year to fill the gaps.
International standards such as the Johannesburg Principles, endorsed by the United Nations, require national security laws to be compatible with democratic principles, not to be used to eliminate democratic activity.
Prison or exile
The League of Social Democrats occupied the populist left of the pro-democracy spectrum. It stood apart from contemporaries such as the Democratic Party and the Civic Party, which were dominated by professionals and elites, and have since been disbanded.
The League was most notably represented by the likes of “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung– known for his Che Guevara t-shirts and banana-throwing – and broadcaster and journalism academic Raymond Wong Yuk-man, also known as “Mad Dog”.
Despite their rambunctious styles, these men had real political credentials and were repeatedly elected to legislative office. But Leung is now imprisoned for subversion, while Wong has left for Taiwan.
Leung Kwok-hung was sentenced to subversion under the national security law. Edwin Kwok/Shutterstock
Party leaders such as Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit and Figo Chan Ho-wun were also prominent within the Civil Human Rights Front. It was responsible for the annual July 1 protest march that attracted hundreds of thousands of people every year. The front is yet another pro-democracy organisation that has dissolved.
Sham and Chan have been jailed for subversion and unlawful assembly under the colonial-era Public Order Ordinance, which has been used to prosecute hundreds of activists.
Zero tolerance
The demise of these diverse organisations are not natural occurrences, but the result of a deliberate authoritarian programme.
Under China, Hong Kong’s political system has been half democratic at best. But it now resembles something from the darkest days of colonialism, with pre-approved candidates, appointed legislators and zero tolerance for critical voices.
Activists and watchdogs are stymied by the national security law. It criminalises – among other things – engagement and lobbying with international organisations and foreign governments.
Then there are the millions of ordinary Hongkongers whose dreams of a liberal and self-governing region under mainland China’s umbrella – as promised in the lead up to the 1997 handover – have been shattered.
But countless ex-protesters remain in the city, where it is impermissible to speak critically of power, and where mandatory patriotic education may ensure new generations will never even think to speak up.
Much blame lies with the British, who failed to institute democratic elections until the last gasp of their rule in Hong Kong. This was despite the colony tolerating liberalism and habit-forming democratic activity over a longer period.
Now China, after almost three decades in charge, has responded to democratic challenges by defaulting to authoritarian control. Hong Kong can only be grateful it has been spared a Tiananmen-style incident. Nor has it experienced the full genocidal extent of the so-called “peripheries playbook” Beijing has used in Tibet and Xinjiang.
Turmoil and authoritarian swings in the United States and elsewhere give China an opportunity to present as a voice of reason on the international stage.
But we should not forget its commitment to repressive politics at home, nor what its support of belligerent regimes such as Putin’s Russia might mean for Taiwan, the region and the world.
Above all, we should not forget the people, in Hong Kong and elsewhere, who made it their life’s work to achieve democracy only to be rewarded with prison or exile.
Brendan Clift 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.
The demise of one of Hong Kong’s last major pro-democracy parties, the League of Social Democrats, is the latest blow to the city’s crumbling democratic credentials.
The league is the third major opposition party to disband this year. The announcement coincides with the fifth anniversary this week of the national security law, which was imposed by Beijing to suppress pro-democracy activity.
The loss of this grassroots party, historically populated by bold and colourful characters, vividly illustrates the dying of the light in once-sparkling Hong Kong.
The city is now greyed and labouring under a repressive internal security regime that has crushed civil society’s freedoms and democratic ambitions.
Authoritarian crackdown
The world witnessed Hong Kong at its brightest during the 2014 Umbrella Movement, when hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy protesters camped out on city streets for several months.
We also saw the brutal sequel in 2019, when paramilitarised police sought to put down further civil unrest and protesters fought back.
Since then, “lawfare” has been the preferred strategy of China’s national government and its Hong Kong satellite. The new approach has included a vast security apparatus and aggressive prosecutions.
When Beijing intervened in July 2020, it was nominally about national security. In reality, the new law was designed and used to bring Hongkongers to heel.
Civil freedoms were further curtailed by a home-grown security law, introduced last year to fill the gaps.
International standards such as the Johannesburg Principles, endorsed by the United Nations, require national security laws to be compatible with democratic principles, not to be used to eliminate democratic activity.
Prison or exile
The League of Social Democrats occupied the populist left of the pro-democracy spectrum. It stood apart from contemporaries such as the Democratic Party and the Civic Party, which were dominated by professionals and elites, and have since been disbanded.
The League was most notably represented by the likes of “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung– known for his Che Guevara t-shirts and banana-throwing – and broadcaster and journalism academic Raymond Wong Yuk-man, also known as “Mad Dog”.
Despite their rambunctious styles, these men had real political credentials and were repeatedly elected to legislative office. But Leung is now imprisoned for subversion, while Wong has left for Taiwan.
Leung Kwok-hung was sentenced to subversion under the national security law. Edwin Kwok/Shutterstock
Party leaders such as Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit and Figo Chan Ho-wun were also prominent within the Civil Human Rights Front. It was responsible for the annual July 1 protest march that attracted hundreds of thousands of people every year. The front is yet another pro-democracy organisation that has dissolved.
Sham and Chan have been jailed for subversion and unlawful assembly under the colonial-era Public Order Ordinance, which has been used to prosecute hundreds of activists.
Zero tolerance
The demise of these diverse organisations are not natural occurrences, but the result of a deliberate authoritarian programme.
Under China, Hong Kong’s political system has been half democratic at best. But it now resembles something from the darkest days of colonialism, with pre-approved candidates, appointed legislators and zero tolerance for critical voices.
Activists and watchdogs are stymied by the national security law. It criminalises – among other things – engagement and lobbying with international organisations and foreign governments.
Then there are the millions of ordinary Hongkongers whose dreams of a liberal and self-governing region under mainland China’s umbrella – as promised in the lead up to the 1997 handover – have been shattered.
But countless ex-protesters remain in the city, where it is impermissible to speak critically of power, and where mandatory patriotic education may ensure new generations will never even think to speak up.
Much blame lies with the British, who failed to institute democratic elections until the last gasp of their rule in Hong Kong. This was despite the colony tolerating liberalism and habit-forming democratic activity over a longer period.
Now China, after almost three decades in charge, has responded to democratic challenges by defaulting to authoritarian control. Hong Kong can only be grateful it has been spared a Tiananmen-style incident. Nor has it experienced the full genocidal extent of the so-called “peripheries playbook” Beijing has used in Tibet and Xinjiang.
Turmoil and authoritarian swings in the United States and elsewhere give China an opportunity to present as a voice of reason on the international stage.
But we should not forget its commitment to repressive politics at home, nor what its support of belligerent regimes such as Putin’s Russia might mean for Taiwan, the region and the world.
Above all, we should not forget the people, in Hong Kong and elsewhere, who made it their life’s work to achieve democracy only to be rewarded with prison or exile.
Brendan Clift 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.
Tariffs and geopolitical conflicts have created uncertainty around the world. But how does the new trade environment affect inflation and the economy? How can central banks adapt? And what is the potential impact on the dominance of the US dollar ?
In the third episode of our special Sintra series of the ECB Podcast, our host Paul Gordon talks to London School of Economics Professor Silvana Tenreyro.
The views expressed are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the European Central Bank.
Published on 4 July 2025 and recorded on 1 July 2025.
In this episode:
01:30 How is the world economy doing?
What developments are having an impact on our economy today? And what uncertainties are arising from tariffs, trade fragmentation and armed conflicts in different parts of the world?
03:30 Tariffs, trade fragmentation and the economy
How can trade tariffs and fragmentation affect economic growth and inflation in the euro area and beyond?
06:25 How are prices changing?
How are prices changing in different countries? Will tariffs cause prices in the United States to rise, and those in Asia and Europe to fall? And why?
07:55 Lessons for central banks
Given the extremely high level of uncertainty, what lessons from past shocks can central banks apply in the future? Why do we need clearly defined frameworks? And what role do governments play?
09:55 How can governments prepare for potential shocks?
Investing in technologies that are difficult to substitute, diversifying energy sources and creating buffers for critical inputs – why it’s crucial that governments have a strategy to withstand various shocks.
12:05 What is a dominant currency?
When is a currency considered internationally “dominant”? And what dominant currencies have there been in the past?
13:40 Dollar dominance and monetary policy transmission
Does dollar dominance in international trade transactions reduce the effectiveness of monetary policy?
17:30 The future of dollar dominance
How will the dominance of the US dollar develop in the future? Is its role as a primary reserve currency at risk due to the Trump Administration’s policies?
19:10 What keeps you up at night?
What happens to our economy if there is a sudden shortage of a certain input? What impact will AI have if it remains largely unregulated? And what do stablecoins and digital currencies mean for our economy?
21:00 Our guest’s hot tip
Silvana shares her hot tip with our listeners.
Further readings:
Michael McLeay and Silvana Tenreyro: Dollar dominance and the transmission of monetary policy
Sintra Series episode 1/4: Price stability in times of change
Sintra Series episode 2/4: Adapting to change: Ensuring price stability in a new geopolitical era
Silvana’s hot tip: I’m still here/Ainda estou aqui
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
XI’AN, July 4 (Xinhua) — A direct flight service between Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, and Shymkent in Kazakhstan was launched on Thursday. The first flight departed Xi’an at 2:47 a.m. Beijing time and arrived in Shymkent at 4:50 a.m. local time. The flight was operated by Kazakhstan’s Scat Airlines.
Xi’an Airport reports a significant increase in passenger traffic to and from Central Asia this year. In the first half of the year alone, over 78,000 passengers and 700 flights were handled, up 40 percent and 19 percent, respectively, compared to the same period last year.
The launch of a direct flight will reduce travel time from 12 to 5 hours between Xi’an and Shymkent, two cities linked by historical relations and active trade and economic exchanges and serving as important hubs within the Belt and Road initiative.
Thus, Xi’an Airport also strengthens its position as a regional aviation hub and contributes to the expansion of the “air bridge” between China and Central Asia. Currently, the airport serves 58 international passenger routes, including 18 weekly flights to Central Asian countries. -0-
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Selection completed for fourth cohort of School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme A total of 814 valid SNDAS nominations were received from 420 secondary schools for the fourth cohort. In the past few months, the eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities participating in the Scheme arranged interviews for the nominated students and carefully considered their individual merits. Firm offers were eventually made to 342 nominees prior to the release of the 2025 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination results, of which 335 have accepted the offers and will commence study on their chosen UGC-funded undergraduate programmes in September 2025 in a wide spectrum of disciplines including architecture, surveying and town planning, arts and humanities, business, computing and engineering, environmental studies, design, fine arts, language, law, medicine and health, music, sciences and social sciences. A breakdown by study discipline is provided in the Annex.
The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, was pleased to note the encouraging results of the fourth cohort of the SNDAS, in particular the continuing increase in the number of offers made to successful nominees.
“Talent in diversified skills and knowledge is the key to Hong Kong’s future development. The Government has always placed great emphasis on nurturing young people, striving to enhance the education system and creating diverse opportunities for students to reach their full potential in different areas. I am deeply grateful for the support from secondary schools and universities for the SNDAS, as well as their recognition of students’ multifaceted talents, and for cultivating more future talent for Hong Kong,” Dr Choi said.
To promote a culture of multifaceted excellence, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau has launched the Multi-talent Development Scholarship (MDS) in the 2025/26 academic year, funded by the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries, for admittees of the SNDAS demonstrating outstanding achievements in arts, sports and/or community service on top of the firm offers made under the SNDAS. The SNDAS was introduced in 2021 as part of EDB’s response to the recommendations made by the Task Force on Review of School Curriculum, which included enhancing flexibility in university admissions. The eight UGC-funded universities had designated around 300 publicly funded undergraduate programmes for the fourth cohort of the SNDAS and set admission criteria that are not based on HKDSE Examination results for individual programmes. Issued at HKT 11:00
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Six people were confirmed dead, 24 remain missing and 35 others have survived after a passenger ship sank in Indonesia’s Bali Strait on Wednesday night, according to Gusti Ayu Ketut Wijayanti, spokesperson for the Search and Rescue Office in Bali.
Search and rescue operations were suspended on Thursday evening due to nightfall and will resume on Friday, Wijayanti said.
All recovered victims have been transported to a hospital in Jembrana Regency, Bali.
