Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China will explore new cooperation areas with South Asian countries in emerging fields such as energy transition, digital economy, low-carbon development, and smart manufacturing, and jointly safeguard the stability of industrial and supply chains, said Yan Dong, vice minister of commerce, on Friday at a press conference in Beijing.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MIRDC has received a prestigious Silver Award for creative groundbreaking innovation has been honored with a Silver Award at an international innovation competition for its groundbreaking development-the “AI-Optimized Smart EDM Equipment”. This advanced pioneering system integrates artificial intelligence (AI) with AIoT cloud-based management, adaptable parameters control (APC)introducing self-adaptive parameter tuning and real-time compensation mechanisms. The result is a comprehensive upgrade of traditional electrical discharge machining (EDM), significantly enhancing both process efficiency and machining precision, and propelling high-end manufacturing into the era of smart production.
EDM is an essential process in industries such as aerospace, especially for machine high-precision, complex materials. Traditionally, EDM operations relied on the manual expertise of skilled technicians to fine-tune dozens of parameters, resulting in unstable quality, prolonged processing times, and limited scalability. The AI-Optimized Smart EDM Equipment leverages AI to automatically assess machining conditions and make real-time adjustments to critical parameters. This eliminates the instability and inefficiency of manual operation, introducing predictive capabilities and highly stable process control.
Equipped with microsecond-level data acquisition technology, AI-Optimized Smart EDM Equipment can capture over one million pulse signals per second. It analyzes seven key machining features in real time-such as spark frequency, peak current, and gap voltage-and applies AI models to assess machining quality and optimize parameters. This dramatically reduces finishing time from 12 hours to less than 4 hours, while increasing machining precision from the conventional 10 microns to under 5 microns-and in some cases, with some applications achieving sub-micron precision (0.5 micrometre)- a benchmark suitable for aerospace-grade components.
In addition to hardware innovation, the technology further integrates an AIoT cloud-based architecture that enables comprehensive process data traceability, remote monitoring, and anomaly detection. Users can access the cloud platform to monitor real-time equipment status and machining quality across global operations, allowing rapid response to supply chain disruptions. This enhances manufacturing flexibility and operational efficiency, aligning perfectly with the smart manufacturing demands of high-end industries such as aerospace, electric vehicles, and semiconductors.
The technology has received eight domestic and international patents and has been successfully implemented by over ten companies-including OSCARMAX and YAWJET-in applications ranging from high-end EV connector terminal molds and critical aerospace engine components. The system has not only improved manufacturing efficiency and product yield but also helped partner companies secure major international contracts, generating substantial commercial returns.
The “AI-Optimized Smart EDM Equipment” is more than a technological upgrade- it represents a paradigm shift in manufacturing. It symbolizes Taiwan’s shift from traditional contract manufacturing to a position of global leadership in innovation-driven smart manufacturing. Looking forward, this technology is set to expand into additional high-precision sectors such as space, new energy vehicles, and medical devices, continuing to fuel industrial innovation and strengthen Taiwan’s presence on the global stage.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Hemorrhagic stroke is a sudden and life-threatening condition caused by bleeding within the brain due to a ruptured blood vessel. Each minute is critical for patient survival. Conventional treatment methods, such as craniotomy, often involve large incisions and repeated X-ray imaging to confirm instrument position, which increases surgical risk, prolongs procedure time, and exposes both patients and medical staff to significant radiation.
MIRDC has earned international acclaim with its award-winning innovation, the 3D Magnetic Tracking-Guided ICH Surgical Navigation System (3D MAGVIS-NAV ICH System). By incorporating real-time magnetic tracking and visual assistance, the system significantly shortens decision-making time and greatly improves positional accuracy, showcasing Taiwan’s capabilities in advanced medical technology. Leveraging 3D magnetic-guided multifunctional endoscopy, it provides surgeons with a penetrating, GPS-like multidimensional view, enabling precise targeting of intracranial hemorrhage within confined spaces and substantially enhancing both the safety and success rate of stroke surgeries.
3D MAGVIS-NAV ICH System integrates ultra-precise magnetic sensors with a flexible multifunctional endoscope, allowing dynamic tracking of surgical instruments within the brain. When combined with real-time medical imaging, it creates a 3D stereoscopic navigation environment. This enables accurate, single-attempt access to the bleeding site while avoiding repeated punctures and the risk of secondary hemorrhaging. Moreover, it reduces intraoperative radiation exposure by up to 80%. Clinically, the system has shown remarkable outcomes-reducing surgical mortality from 25% to 5% and significantly lowering postoperative rebleeding rates.
Designed with a modular architecture, the 3D MAGVIS-NAV ICH System is built into a compact medical cart, making it easily deployable across healthcare institutions. It is especially suited for use in remote or resource-limited regions for urgent and critical care, reinforcing Taiwan’s global impact in the domains of smart healthcare and medical equity.
Currently, MIRDC has strategically integrated the system with ClearMind Biomedical Inc. and is working with the Department of Neurosurgery at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital to offer safer and more effective clinical options. Moving forward, MIRDC will continue collaborating with medical device manufacturers and academic institutions to expand the system’s applications. With support for flexible endoscopy and puncture procedures, the platform can be extended to meet the precise navigation needs of the cardiac catheter positioning, lungs, liver, kidneys, breasts, bladder, sinuses, oral swallowing function and speech activity measurements and more-broadening its clinical value and medical impact.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
To overcome the welder shortage in large-scale steel constructing, the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC) has developed a groundbreaking innovation-the Compact and High-Performance Welding Cobot (CHPW), which has received the prestigious Silver Edison Award. This advanced robotic system acts like a welder’s “intelligent eyes,” equipped with real-time 3D laser scanning and AI-powered weld defect recognition to accurately capture and analyze the weld seam morphology. This enhance welding quality and bring digital transform large-scale welding industry, significantly reducing waste for rework time and labor cost, in advance to minimize human intervention.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 5) investigating a suspected case of mad honey poisoning, and reminded the public to buy honey from a reliable source or apiary.
A 51-year-old female developed dizziness around 30 minutes after consuming honey earlier today. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Pok Oi Hospital and was hospitalised for observation due to hypotension and bradycardia. The patient is now in stable condition. Her clinical diagnosis was suspected mad honey poisoning.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had consumed honey brought by her relative from Nepal. The poisoning might have been caused by grayanotoxin. The CHP’s investigation is ongoing.
Mad honey poisoning is caused by ingestion of honey containing grayanotoxins derived from plants belonging to the Ericaceae family, including rhododendrons. Grayanotoxins are neurotoxins which can affect nerves and muscles. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, weakness, excessive perspiration, hypersalivation and paraesthesia shortly after ingestion. In severe cases, hypotension, bradycardia or shock may occur.
Members of the public are reminded to take heed of the following preventive advice:
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) today held a training seminar for District Council (DC) members to enhance their communication with the media and promote good building management practices.
Speaking at the seminar held at the Central Government Offices, Under Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Clarence Leung said he hoped that the training could help DC members better discharge their duties so as to further improve the efficacy of district governance, thereby building a harmonious community together.
Today’s training seminar had two parts. In the first part, a guest speaker shared the latest media landscape and skills in engaging with the media.
The bureau said that DC members, by strengthening their communication with the media, could help citizens understand their work under the improved district governance system more effectively through the media.
Hence, they could better serve as the bridge between the Government and the people, Mr Leung added.
Before the second part of the seminar, Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak addressed DC members.
She quoted Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Director Zhou Ji, who described the DCs’ “the three district committees” – the Area, District Fight Crime and District Fire Safety committees – and the Care Teams as the troika after improvements to district governance were made.
Miss Mak also reiterated Mr Zhou’s reminder to DC members to strengthen collaboration with “the three district committees” and the Care Teams, to address and resolve people’s conflicts at an early stage.
She encouraged DC members to familiarise themselves with the building management legislation, so as to provide support and assistance to owners and residents in need, and to facilitate the smooth operation of building management.
Afterwards, the guest speaker shared with DC members information on the Building Management (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 due to take effect on July 13.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Taiwan’s Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC) has reached a major milestone in the field of smart mobility. Through the integration of advanced technologies and collaboration with local industry partners, ARTC has successfully developed the country’s first domestically produced electric bus with Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities. This innovation was internationally recognized with a Bronze Award at the 2025 Edison Awards, underscoring Taiwan’s growing influence in global intelligent transportation.
At the core of this achievement is a highly intelligent electric bus equipped with a suite of advanced sensors and control systems. The vehicle is capable of real-time monitoring of the driving environment, autonomous control, and seamless transitions between manual and autonomous driving modes when road conditions permit. These features are enabled by an integrated platform that combines perception, decision-making, and vehicle control technologies.
The autonomous system is designed to maintain lane discipline and avoid obstacles by analyzing road features. When the driver activates the turn signal, the system ensures that a safe gap in traffic is available before assisting in the maneuver. These capabilities not only enhance driving safety but also alleviate the driver’s workload-particularly in complex or congested driving environments.
In addition, the vehicle incorporates a driver monitoring system that uses facial and posture recognition to assess the driver’s readiness to take over control. If the environment becomes unmanageable and the driver is unresponsive-due to fatigue or distraction-the bus will automatically reduce speed and come to a safe stop or pull over. This significantly reduces the risk of accidents caused by human error or delayed reaction times.
Currently, most buses in Taiwan still rely heavily on manual driving, making driver fatigue a key safety concern. The implementation of Level 3 autonomous functions provides a practical solution for improving operational safety and passenger comfort. It also marks an important step toward more intelligent and sustainable forms of public transportation.
The project was made possible through ARTC’s partnership with Taiwanese bus manufacturer CHTC Motor. The resulting vehicle meets both domestic requirements and key international standards, including UNECE regulations UN R79 and UN R157. These cover features such as automated lane keeping, emergency steering, and lane change assistance-essential functions for Level 3 autonomy.
Being named a Bronze Winner at the 2025 Edison Awards-one of the world’s most prestigious accolades for innovation-demonstrates the global competitiveness and technical excellence of Taiwan’s smart mobility initiatives. The Edison Awards honor excellence across industries in technology development, product innovation, and applied science.
Looking ahead, ARTC will continue advancing next-generation intelligent transportation technologies through industry collaboration and applied research. The successful deployment of Taiwan’s first Level 3 autonomous electric bus is not only a technological achievement-it signals that Taiwan is ready to compete in the global race toward smart and sustainable transportation.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government will introduce on August 1 an International Organization for Standardization (IOS) standard microchip that contains the specific code of Hong Kong for identifying dogs.
The IOS microchip will also serve as evidence that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.
The Environment & Ecology Bureau said the Government will introduce an ISO microchip containing the city’s specific code, in addition to the existing AVID microchip.
Dogs in Hong Kong already implanted with the AVID microchip and dogs legally imported and implanted with the ISO microchip, do not need to additionally implant the ISO microchip containing the Hong Kong specific code.
As ISO microchip is commonly used in many countries and places, the new measure will further facilitate the movement of dogs into and out of Hong Kong while ensuring the source of the microchip could be traced.
Two notices about the introduction of the IOS microchip and the exemption measures respectively, were published in the Gazette today.
The Government has consulted the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety & Environmental Hygiene and stakeholders regarding the notices, and obtained general support for the new measures.
The Rabies Regulation (Amendment of Schedule 3) Notice 2025 and the Rabies (Transponders on Imported Dogs) (Exemption) Notice will be tabled before LegCo on June 11 for negative vetting, and will enter into force on August 1.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The 9th China-South Asia Exposition will be held in Kunming, capital city of southwestern China’s Yunnan province, from June 19 to 24. In 2024, the trade volume between China and South Asian countries reached nearly US$200 billion, doubling the amount from a decade ago, recording an average annual growth rate of around 6.3%.
Source: New Development Bank
The New Development Bank (NDB), Bank of China and Haitong Unitrust International Financial Leasing (HUIFL) have signed a syndicated loan agreement totalling RMB 1.2 billion to finance green leasing sub-projects that support China’s environmental goals and climate commitments.
The signed loan agreement supports China’s transition toward a new growth model centred on low-carbon development, climate resilience, and environmental protection. Despite progress in recent years, environmental protection and climate change mitigation continue to be considered national priorities, and this Project aligns directly with that policy direction.
Under the loan agreement, NDB will provide RMB 713.32 million, Bank of China will contribute RMB 500 million, and HUIFL will use the funds to acquire and lease equipment to lessees implementing sub-projects related to wastewater treatment, solid waste management, and metallurgical waste gas utilization for power generation. To promote balanced development, eligible sub-projects will be located outside China’s four Tier I cities, channelling investment into less-developed regions.
This is the first time NDB mobilizes private capital in a syndicated operation, marking a significant evolution in the Bank’s development financing approach. Since the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in 2015, multilateral development banks have increasingly prioritized the mobilisation of private capital to help bridge the significant financing gap required to achieve the 2030 Agenda. In line with this collective commitment, NDB is scaling up private capital mobilization, and this transaction represents a concrete step in implementing that strategy, positioning NDB as a project orchestrator within its member countries.
Aligned with NDB’s General Strategy for 2022–2026, this operation reinforces New Development Bank’s commitment to financing sustainable development projects using local currency instruments, while strengthening domestic financial markets and fostering private sector participation.
“NDB is proud to partner with Bank of China and Haitong Unitrust Financial Leasing to finance green sub-projects that promote sustainable development and support China’s environmental goals and climate commitments. This initiative addresses the need for climate resilience and environmental protection and contributes to increasing investment in less-developed regions in China,” said Mr. Vladimir Kazbekov, NDB Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. “In helping to address the infrastructure financing gap, New Development Bank is playing a catalytic role in mobilizing resources from diversified funding sources, particularly from the private sector, in line with its General Strategy.”
“The successful launch of this environmental protection syndicated loan represents not only a concrete initiative by Bank of China Shanghai Branch, NDB, and HUIFL to actively implement national strategies, but also an innovative collaboration among the three parties. Taking this opportunity, Bank of China Shanghai Branch will further leverage its global advantages and comprehensive strengths to provide more professional services to NDB and HUIFL, jointly injecting green and sustainable momentum into high-quality economic and social development,” said Mr. Xiao Wang, General Manager of Bank of China, Shanghai Branch.
“Taking this cooperation as a starting point, Guotai Haitong Securities and HUIFL will leverage the group’s global resources and partner with NDB and Bank of China to proactively serve the national strategies, actively increase support to areas of environmental protection and energy efficiency and jointly address issues in green development,” said Mr. Yuxing Mao, Vice-President of Guotai Haitong Securities Company.
Background Information
New Development Bank
NDB was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging market economies and developing countries, complementing the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development.
For more information on NDB, please visit www.ndb.int
Haitong Unitrust International Financial Leasing
Established in 2004 and headquartered in Shanghai, HUIFL is a leading financial leasing company in China, with operations across sectors including advanced manufacturing, energy and environmental protection, construction, urban utilities and transportation & logistics. HUIFL is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and has a strong track record in green leasing. In March 2025, the indirect controlling shareholder of HUIFL was changed to Guotai Haitong Securities Company, and the actual controller was Shanghai International Group.
For more information on HUIFL, please visit www.utfinancing.com
Bank of China
Bank of China was established in 1912 and is the oldest continuously operating state-owned commercial bank in China. In 2011, it became the first global systemically important bank from an emerging economy, with its international standing, competitiveness, and comprehensive strength ranking among the top tier of global banks. It operates branches across the Chinese mainland as well as in 64 countries and regions overseas.
For more information on Bank of China, please visit https://www.boc.cn/
Source: Reserve Bank of India
Ajit Prasad Press Release: 2025-2026/492 |
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Maritime navigation often faces challenges such as heavy fog and poor visibility at night. In such conditions, traditional radar and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) often struggle to provide real-time and intuitive navigational information. The “Artificial Intelligence Navigation Assistance System” addresses this pain point by integrating AI-based image recognition with thermal imaging and visible light camera technologies. Even in nighttime or adverse weather, the system can accurately identify surrounding vessels, significantly enhancing visual perception capabilities.
By fusing data from maritime radar and AIS, the system offers a real-time, intuitive visual navigation interface that enables quick awareness of surrounding vessel movements. Additionally, through AI-powered predictive analysis, it can recognize up to 17 vessel types under all weather conditions and effectively detect vessel activity within a 2-nautical-mile range, actively alerting users to potential navigation risks and helping to prevent collisions.
The system has already been integrated with cameras from Merit Lilin Ent. Co. and Creative Sensor Inc., and deployed on vessels from Pier 22 Co. Yachts and Porrima. Future plans include expanding into unmanned vessel applications, further advancing AI capabilities in maritime operations.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, the non-custodial crypto wallet with over 80 million users, took center stage at Solana Summit 2025, joining a panel on “Programmable Capital: The Future of Paying, Financing, and Spending Onchain” alongside speakers from Tether, Venta, and Ripe. The discussion explored how wallets, stablecoins, and DeFi infrastructure are transforming payments, credit, and financial access across global markets.
Xavier Ow Yeong, Business Development Lead at Bitget Wallet Pay team, shared how the wallet is building infrastructure to make crypto spending as intuitive as fiat. He pointed to Bitget Wallet’s multi-pronged approach: supporting QR code payments with Solana Pay and national QR standards; expanding crypto card options in Asia and Europe; and enabling direct in-app purchases of hotel stays, gaming credits, and gift cards through thousands of merchant integrations — all within its full self-custodial wallet.
“The future of crypto payments lies in familiarity and simplicity,” said Xavier. “By embedding stablecoins into everyday behaviors like QR scanning and card tapping, we eliminate barriers and unlock true utility for users — especially in mobile-first markets. When users can scan, tap, and spend without worrying about gas fees or chains, stablecoins begin to look like a real alternative to cash. And wallets are becoming the next primary interface for onboarding users into Web3 — not just for holding tokens, but for everyday financial activity.” Bitget Wallet also shared updates on its Scan to Pay roadmap, including its recent integration of Solana Pay for instant USDC payments and its upcoming support for national QR systems in Southeast Asia and Latin America, aimed at enabling seamless crypto-to-fiat spending across millions of merchants.
The panel explored broader infrastructure trends enabling this shift, including the role of stablecoin adoption in cross-border finance and how decentralized credit models can serve digitally native businesses. Bitget Wallet emphasized that the wallet interface is central to making programmable capital usable. The team is focused on minimizing transaction friction through features like gas abstraction, real-time bridging, and integrated payment gateways. Beyond spending, the wallet is positioning itself as a commerce hub — where users can earn rewards, access credit tools, and interact with onchain services across networks.
Find out more on Bitget Wallet’s official channels.
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
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ac3f8b2f-9ddb-45bf-b701-0241688a37bc
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
NEW DELHI, INDIA, June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tredu.com announces the launch of a new global platform designed to transform trading education by connecting traders of all skill levels with verified educators from around the world. Built to bridge the gap between theory and real-market experience, Tredu.com aims to make high-quality trading education more accessible, reliable, and inclusive than ever before.
Addressing a Fragmented Market
In recent years, trading has seen unprecedented growth across all demographics. Yet, access to trustworthy, structured education remains inconsistent. Many aspiring traders struggle to distinguish between legitimate educational opportunities and low-value or even misleading content.
Tredu.com directly addresses this challenge. Through a curated marketplace, the platform enables users to discover, compare, and book trading educators across a wide spectrum of asset classes, including forex, crypto, stocks, commodities, and indices.
Traders today are overwhelmed by noise and misinformation, our platform was created to give learners a single, reliable destination where they can connect with real professionals offering real insights; not hype.
A Platform Built for Traders, by Educators
Tredu.com’s structure is designed with flexibility in mind. Traders can search for educators by language, specialization, experience level, or even trading style. The platform also supports both live one-on-one sessions and structured courses, depending on user preference.
Educators, on the other hand, gain access to an international audience of active learners. Each educator’s profile includes verified credentials, student reviews, and a transparent pricing model. Instructors can list offerings across multiple formats, from single masterclasses to long-term mentorship programs.
Quality Assurance and Transparency at the Core
Every educator on Tredu.com goes through a strict onboarding process that includes verification of qualifications and trading history. The platform also enforces rigorous quality controls, including periodic audits, feedback loops, and performance tracking.
Our goal is not just to connect traders and educators. It’s to elevate the standard of trading education worldwide. We believe that transparency, accountability, and quality assurance should be built into the system.
Global Reach, Local Impact
Today, educators and traders in more than 30 countries actively use the platform. With built-in multilingual support and payment systems that work smoothly across borders, Tredu makes it easy for users on nearly every continent, from Europe to Asia, Africa to the Americas, to connect without friction.
As more individuals turn to trading as a means of building financial autonomy, the need for reliable education has never been greater. Tredu.com steps into this space with a clear mission: to support a new generation of informed, skilled traders who can make confident decisions in the markets.
Tools That Support Real Growth
To make the learning journey more effective, Tredu.com equips users with a suite of practical tools. From real-time performance tracking to built-in video conferencing and smart analytics, these features help both educators and learners stay aligned and measure results over time. The focus is on progress that can be seen, tracked, and applied in real-market situations.
In upcoming development phases, Tredu.com plans to roll out certification pathways and partner with brokerages and financial institutions to offer verified learning tracks tied to real-world opportunities.
Industry Response
Early feedback from both independent educators and trading communities has been overwhelmingly positive. Many see Tredu.com as a needed evolution in a space where education has lagged behind innovation.
“Finding a mentor used to mean luck or years of networking,” said one beta tester from Madrid. “Now it’s as simple as opening an account and browsing a verified list of experts. This is a game-changer for anyone serious about trading.”
About Tredu.com
Tredu.com is a global marketplace for trading education, designed to connect learners with verified trading professionals worldwide. The platform supports personalized and course-based learning across all major financial instruments, combining transparency, flexibility, and high standards. Tredu.com operates with the mission of making credible, practical trading education accessible to all.
Media Contact
Brand: Tredu.com
Contact: Tredu PR Team
Email: marketing@tredu.com
Website: https://www.tredu.com
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, held a virtual workshop on Thursday to coordinate preparations for the International Day of Yoga (IDY), scheduled for June 21. The session was attended by more than 400 officials from various ministries and departments, and focused on inter-agency coordination and public outreach.
This year’s edition of the IDY is particularly significant as it marks a decade since the United Nations recognised yoga as a global practice in 2014 through a unanimous resolution. Following this, the first International Day of Yoga was celebrated on June 21, 2015.
The theme for IDY 2025, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” aims to reinforce India’s message of holistic well-being and sustainable living.
The workshop was chaired by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush. He said the event had evolved into a national movement and emphasised the need for a whole-of-government approach to ensure widespread participation.
Senior officials including C. Senthil Rajan, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Ayush, addressed the gathering. Discussions included strategies for media integration and coordinated planning.
Officials reviewed ongoing inter-ministerial efforts and discussed expanding outreach to rural, tribal, and urban areas using both digital and ground-level initiatives.
With less than a month to go, the government is gearing up for what could be the most expansive edition of IDY yet, reaffirming yoga’s role in global public health and India’s leadership in preventive healthcar
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The Reserve Bank of India has revised its inflation outlook for 2025-26 downwards from the earlier forecast of 4 per cent to 3.7 per cent, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Friday.
Taking all these factors into consideration, and assuming a normal monsoon, CPI inflation for the financial year 2025-26 is now projected at 3.7 per cent, with Q1 at 2.9 per cent, Q2 at 3.4 per cent, Q3 at 3.9 per cent, and Q4 at 4.4 per cent.
He pointed out that inflation has softened significantly over the last six months from above the tolerance band in October 2024 to well below the target, with signs of a broad-based moderation. The near-term and medium-term outlook now gives us the confidence of not only a durable alignment of headline inflation with the target of 4 per cent, as exuded in the last meeting, but also the belief that during the year, it is likely to undershoot the target at the margin.
While food inflation outlook remains soft, core inflation is expected to remain benign with easing of international commodity prices in line with the anticipated global growth slowdown, Malhotra explained.
He pointed out that CPI headline inflation continued its declining trajectory in March-April, with headline CPI inflation moderating to a nearly six-year low of 3.2 per cent (y-o-y) in April 2025. This was led mainly by food inflation, which recorded the sixth consecutive monthly decline.
Fuel group witnessed a reversal of deflationary conditions and recorded positive inflation prints during March and April, partly reflecting the hike in LPG prices. Core inflation remained largely steady and contained during March-April, despite the increase in gold prices exerting upward pressure, Malhotra said.
The outlook for inflation points towards benign prices across major constituents. The record wheat production and higher production of key pulses in the Rabi crop season should ensure an adequate supply of key food items. Going forward, the likely above normal monsoon along with its early onset augurs well for Kharif crop prospects.
Reflecting this, inflation expectations are showing a moderating trend, more so for the rural households. Most projections point towards continued moderation in the prices of key commodities, including crude oil, the RBI Governor said.
However, at the same time, Malhotra had a word of caution. “Notwithstanding these favourable prognoses, we need to remain watchful of weather-related uncertainties and still evolving tariff-related concerns with their attendant impact on global commodity prices,” he added.
(IANS)
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Details
2025-06-05
President Lai welcomes President Bernardo Arévalo of Republic of Guatemala with military honors
On the morning of June 5, President Lai Ching-te welcomed with full military honors President Bernardo Arévalo of the Republic of Guatemala and his wife, who are leading a delegation of cabinet members visiting Taiwan for the first time, demonstrating the deep and enduring alliance between our nations. In remarks, President Lai noted that over the past few years, bilateral cooperation between Taiwan and Guatemala has grown closer and more diverse, and said that moving forward, based on a foundation of mutual assistance for mutual benefit, we will continue to promote programs in line with international trends, spurring prosperity and development in both our nations. The military honors ceremony began at 10:30 a.m. in the Entrance Hall of the Presidential Office. After a 21-gun salute and the playing of the two countries’ national anthems, President Lai and President Arévalo each delivered remarks. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Today, President Arévalo and First Lady Lucrecia Peinado are leading a delegation of cabinet members visiting Taiwan for the first time, demonstrating the deep and enduring alliance between our nations. On behalf of the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I want to extend my sincerest welcome. Last year, our two countries celebrated the 90th anniversary of diplomatic ties, providing mutual support all along the way. Especially over the past few years, bilateral cooperation has grown closer and more diverse. We have a long record of remarkable results, whether in terms of medicine and public health, education and culture, technological cooperation, or economic and trade exchanges. Moving forward, based on a foundation of mutual assistance for mutual benefit, Taiwan and Guatemala will continue to promote programs in line with international trends. We will continue to strengthen exchange and cooperation for young people, as well as scholarship programs, and actively cultivate high-tech and information and communications technology industry talent, spurring prosperity and development in both our nations. Although separated by a great distance, the peoples of both countries are closely connected by their ideals and values. I am confident that with President Arévalo’s support, bilateral exchanges and cooperation will become closer and more diverse, beginning a very promising new chapter. I wish the visiting delegation a smooth and successful trip. President Arévalo then delivered remarks, saying that on behalf of the government and people of Guatemala, he is honored to visit the Republic of China (Taiwan), this beautiful nation, and to receive full military honors, which reflects the mutual respect between our two nations as well as our solid friendship. Especially as this state visit comes as we celebrate 90 years of formal diplomatic ties, he said, he has brought the foreign minister, economics minister, private secretary to the president, and social communication secretary as members of his delegation, in the hope of our ties embarking on a new chapter. President Arévalo said that Guatemala-Taiwan ties have in recent years been growing steadily on a foundation of mutual understanding and cooperation, making significant progress, and that our peoples have also cultivated sincere friendships and cooperative relationships across many fields. Our nations are especially promoting public health, education, agricultural technology, and infrastructure, he said, key fields which are conducive to economic and social development. He expressed his hope that on such good foundations of the past, we can further strengthen our bilateral ties for the future. President Arévalo stated that through this state visit they not only want to reaffirm the good bilateral ties between our nations, but that they also hope to define a trajectory for the future of our cooperation in the direction of expanding economic cooperation, building economic and trade alliances, and facilitating investment to foster a Taiwan-Guatemala relationship that benefits both peoples. He then expressed gratitude to the people of Taiwan for helping Guatemala over the past 90 years and reaffirmed the unwavering support of Guatemala for the Republic of China (Taiwan). On the occasion of this visit, he said, he hopes to extend a friendly hand to the people of Taiwan, adding that he looks forward to our nations continuing to take major steps forward on the road of mutual assistance and prosperity. Also in attendance at the welcome ceremony were Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Andrea Clare Bowman, and members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan.
Details
2025-06-03
President Lai confers decoration on President Hilda C. Heine of Republic of the Marshall Islands, hosts state banquet
At noon on June 3, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, conferred a decoration upon President Hilda C. Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and hosted a state banquet for President Heine and her husband at the Presidential Office. In remarks, President Lai thanked President Heine for her commitment to deepening the diplomatic partnership between our nations and speaking up for Taiwan in the international arena. He also expressed hope for Taiwan and the Marshall Islands to work together to address various challenges through an even greater diversity of exchanges, and that together, we can contribute even more to peace, stability, and development throughout the Pacific region. At the decoration ceremony, President Lai personally conferred the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon on President Heine before delivering remarks, a translation of which follows: The Marshall Islands was the first Pacific ally that I visited after taking office as president. When I arrived there, I was immediately drawn to its beautiful scenery. And I received a very warm welcome from the local people. This gesture showed the profound friendship between our two nations. I was truly touched. I also remember trying your nation’s special Bob Whisky for the first time. The flavor was as unique and impressive as the landscape of the Marshall Islands. In addition to welcoming our distinguished guests today, we also presented President Heine with the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I want to thank President Heine for her commitment to deepening the diplomatic partnership between our nations, and for staunchly speaking up for Taiwan in the international arena. Both I and the people of Taiwan are profoundly grateful to President Heine for her friendship and support. Over the past few years, cooperation between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands has grown ever closer. And this visit by our distinguished guests will allow our two countries to further expand areas of bilateral exchange. I have always believed that only through mutual assistance and trust can two countries build a longstanding and steadfast partnership. I once again convey my sincere aspiration that Taiwan and the Marshall Islands work together to address various challenges through an even greater diversity of exchanges. Together, we can contribute even more to peace, stability, and development throughout the Pacific region. In closing, I want to thank President Heine and First Gentleman Thomas Kijiner, Jr. for leading this delegation to Taiwan, which deepens the foundations of our bilateral relationship. May our two nations enjoy a long and enduring friendship. President Heine then delivered remarks, stating that she felt especially privileged to receive the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and humbly accepted the honor with the utmost gratitude, humility, and deep responsibility. This is a deep responsibility, she said, because she understands that since its inception in 1933, this order has been bestowed upon a select few. She then thanked President Lai for this great honor. President Heine stated that the banquet was not just a celebration of our bilateral friendship, but a true reflection of the generosity of the Taiwan spirit and a testament to the enduring ties between our nations, founded on shared values and aspirations, including a respect for the rule of law, the preservation of human dignity, and a deep commitment to democracy. President Heine stated that the Taiwan-Marshall Islands partnership continues to evolve through practical cooperation and mutual support. In recent years, she said, our countries have worked hand in hand across a range of vital sectors, including the recent opening of the Majuro Hospital AI and Telehealth Center and the ongoing and successful Taiwan Health Center, various technical training and scholarship programs, and various climate change adaptation projects in renewable energy, coastal resilience, and sustainable agriculture. President Heine emphasized that the Marshall Islands continues to be a proud and vocal supporter of Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the United Nations system and other international organizations. Taiwan’s exclusion from these platforms, she said, is not only unjust, but is bad for the world, and the global community needs Taiwan’s voice and expertise. President Heine also expressed sincere appreciation to all of the Taiwanese friends who have contributed their efforts to deepening bilateral relations, including government officials, healthcare workers, teachers, engineers, and volunteers. The people of the Marshall Islands, she said, deeply appreciate and value everyone’s efforts and service. President Heine said that as we celebrate our partnership, let us look to the future with hope and determination, continue to work together, learn from one another, and support one another to champion a world where all nations can chart their own course based on peace and international law. Also attending the state banquet were Marshall Islands Council of Iroij Chairman Lanny Kabua, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kalani R. Kaneko, Minister of Finance David Paul, Nitijela Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade Chairperson Joe Bejang, and Charge d’Affaires a.i. Anjanette Davis-Anjel of the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
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2025-06-03
President Lai and President Hilda C. Heine of Marshall Islands hold bilateral talks and witness signing of agreements
On the morning of June 3, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, held bilateral talks with President Hilda C. Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands at the Presidential Office following a welcome ceremony with military honors for her and her husband. The leaders also jointly witnessed the signing of a letter of intent for sports exchanges and a memorandum of understanding regarding the Presidents’ Scholarship Fund. President Lai then presided over a launch ceremony for a loan program to purchase aircraft. In remarks, President Lai thanked the government and the Nitijela (parliament) of the Marshall Islands for their longstanding support for Taiwan’s international participation and for voicing staunch support for Taiwan at numerous international venues. President Lai said that Taiwan looks forward to continuing to deepen its diplomatic partnership with the Marshall Islands and build an even closer cooperative relationship across a range of fields, engaging in mutual assistance for mutual benefits and helping each other achieve joint and prosperous development to yield even greater well-being for our peoples. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I once again warmly welcome President Heine, First Gentleman Thomas Kijiner, Jr., and our guests to Taiwan. During my visit to the Marshall Islands last year, I said that Taiwan and the Marshall Islands are truly a family. When Vice President Hsiao and I took office last year, President Heine led a delegation to Taiwan. It is now one year since our inauguration, and I am delighted to see President Heine once again, just as if I were seeing family arrive from afar. Through my visit to the Marshall Islands, I gained a profound sense of the friendship between the peoples of our two nations, well-demonstrated by bilateral exchanges in such areas as healthcare, agriculture, and education. And it is thanks to President Heine’s longstanding support for Taiwan that our countries have been able to further advance collaboration on even more issues, including women’s empowerment and climate change. In recent years, the geopolitical and economic landscape has changed rapidly. We look forward to Taiwan and the Marshall Islands continuing to deepen our partnership and build an even closer cooperative relationship. In just a few moments, President Heine and I will witness the signing of several documents, including a memorandum of understanding and a letter of intent, to expand bilateral cooperation in such fields as sports, education, and transportation. Taiwan will take concrete action to work with the Marshall Islands and advance mutual prosperity and development, writing a new chapter in our diplomatic partnership. I would also like to take this opportunity to express gratitude to the government and Nitijela of the Marshall Islands. In recent years, the Nitijela has passed annual resolutions backing Taiwan’s international participation, and President Heine and Marshallese cabinet members have been some of the strongest advocates for Taiwan’s international participation, voicing staunch support for Taiwan at numerous international venues. Building on the pillars of democracy, peace, and prosperity, Taiwan will continue to work with the Marshall Islands and other like-minded countries to deepen our partnerships, engage in mutual assistance for mutual benefits, and help one another achieve joint and prosperous development. I have every confidence that the combined efforts of our two nations will yield even greater well-being for our peoples and see us make even more contributions to the world. President Heine then delivered remarks, and began by conveying warm greetings of iokwe from the people and government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan). She said she was deeply honored to be in Taiwan for an official visit, and extended appreciation to President Lai and his government for their gracious invitation and warm welcome. President Heine stated that this year marks 27 years of diplomatic ties between our two nations, and that they are proud of this enduring friendship. This special and enduring relationship, she said, is grounded in our shared Austronesian heritage, and strengthened by mutual respect for each other’s democratic systems and our steadfast commitment to the core values of freedom, justice, and the rule of law. President Heine stated that Taiwan’s continued support has been invaluable to the people and national development of the Marshall Islands, particularly in the areas of health, education, agriculture, and climate change. She also expressed deep appreciation to Taiwan for providing Marshallese students with opportunities to study in Taiwan, and for the care extended to Marshallese who travel here for medical treatment. President Heine also announced that she would be presenting a copy of a resolution by the people and government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands reiterating their appreciation for the support provided by the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and calling on the United Nations to take immediate action to resolve the inappropriate exclusion of Taiwan’s 23 million people from the UN system. She added that she looked forward to the bilateral discussions later that day, and to continuing the important work that both countries carry out together. After the bilateral talks, President Lai and President Heine witnessed the signing of a letter of intent regarding sports exchanges and a memorandum of understanding regarding the Presidents’ Scholarship Fund by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and Marshallese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kalani R. Kaneko. President Lai then presided over a launch ceremony for a loan program to purchase aircraft, marking the formal beginning of Taiwan-Marshall Islands air transport cooperation. The visiting delegation also included Council of Iroij Chairman Lanny Kabua, Minister of Finance David Paul, and Nitijela Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade Chair Joe Bejang. They were accompanied to the Presidential Office by Charge d’Affaires a.i. Anjanette Davis-Anjel of the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
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2025-06-03
President Lai welcomes President Hilda C. Heine of Republic of the Marshall Islands with military honors
President Lai Ching-te welcomed President Hilda C. Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and her husband on the morning of June 3 with full military honors. In remarks, President Lai thanked President Heine and the people and government of the Marshall Islands for demonstrating such high regard for our nations’ diplomatic ties. The president said that over our 27 years of diplomatic relations, our cooperation in healthcare, agriculture, fisheries, education and training, and climate change has yielded many positive results. And moving ahead, he said, Taiwan will continue to deepen collaboration across all domains for mutual prosperity and growth. The welcome ceremony began at 10:30 a.m. in the plaza fronting the Presidential Office. President Lai and President Heine each delivered remarks after a 21-gun salute, the playing of the two countries’ national anthems, and a review of the military honor guard. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: On behalf of the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), it is a great pleasure to welcome President Heine, First Gentleman Thomas Kijiner, Jr., and their delegation with full military honors as they make this state visit to Taiwan. When I traveled to the Marshall Islands on a state visit last December, I was received with great warmth and courtesy. I once again thank President Heine and the people and government of the Marshall Islands for demonstrating such high regard for our nations’ diplomatic ties. Taiwan and the Marshall Islands share Austronesian cultural traditions, and we are like-minded friends. Throughout our 27 years of diplomatic relations, we have always engaged with each other in a spirit of reciprocal trust and mutual assistance. Our cooperation in healthcare, agriculture, fisheries, education and training, and climate change has yielded many positive results. This is President Heine’s first state visit to Taiwan since taking office for a second time. We look forward to engaging our esteemed guests in in-depth discussions on issues of common concern. And moving ahead, Taiwan will continue to deepen collaboration with the Marshall Islands across all domains for mutual prosperity and growth. In closing, I thank President Heine, First Gentleman Kijiner, and their entire delegation for visiting Taiwan. I wish you all a pleasant and successful trip. A transcript of President Heine’s remarks follows: Your Excellency President Lai Ching-te, Vice President [Bi-khim] Hsiao, honorable members of the cabinet, ambassadors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: It is my pleasure to extend warm greetings of iokwe on behalf of the people and the government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. I wish to also convey my appreciation to Your Excellency President Lai, for the hospitality and very warm welcome – kommol tata. This visit marks my seventh official state visit to this beautiful country. It’s a testament to my strong commitment to further deepening ties between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of China (Taiwan). During this visit, I look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions with Your Excellency President Lai to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between our two nations and our peoples. For over a quarter-century, Taiwan has been a strong ally and friend to the Marshall Islands. Our partnership has thrived across many sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development. Through Taiwan’s generous support and collaboration, we have made significant progress in improving the lives of our people, empowering our communities, and fostering sustainable growth. The Marshall Islands deeply values our partnership with Taiwan and appreciates Taiwan’s support over the years. Despite our small size and limited voice on the global stage, the Marshall Islands deeply cherishes our friendship with Taiwan, and to that end, I wish to reaffirm my government’s commitment to Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the United Nations system. Taiwan has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. In light of current constraints in global affairs, it is now more urgent than ever that the international community of nations recognize the fundamental rights of the 23 million Taiwanese people and recognize Taiwan’s aspiration to engage fully in global affairs. It is with this in mind that I wish to reiterate to Your Excellency President Lai, the Taiwanese people, and the world that under my government, Marshall Islands will continue to acknowledge Taiwan’s contribution on the global stage and urge like-minded countries to advocate for Taiwan’s meaningful engagement in the international arena. In closing, may I once again extend our sincere appreciation to Your Excellency President Lai, the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), for your warm welcome. Also in attendance at the welcome ceremony were Charge d’Affaires a.i. Anjanette Davis-Anjel of the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Andrea Clare Bowman, and members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan.
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2025-05-29
President Lai attends 2025 Europe Day Dinner
On the evening of May 29, President Lai Ching-te attended the 2025 Europe Day Dinner. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan looks forward to further establishing institutionalized mechanisms with Europe for our trade and investment ties and hopes to take an innovative and diverse approach to sign an economic partnership agreement with the European Union, to provide a more transparent, stable, and predictable business environment for our enterprises. The president said that Taiwan will actively work alongside other democracies, including those in Europe, to jointly build resilient, promising non-red supply chains, and noted that Taiwan and Europe have endless potential for collaboration, whether it is in safeguarding freedom and democracy or advancing our economic and trade relationship. He expressed hope to further strengthen our partnership and work together toward global peace, stability, and prosperity. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: Chairman [Henry] Chang (張瀚書), thank you for the invitation, and congratulations on your second term. I’m confident that under your leadership, the ECCT [European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan] will build even more bridges for cooperation between Taiwan and Europe. I would also like to thank EETO [European Economic and Trade Office] Head [Lutz] Güllner and all the European country representatives stationed in Taiwan. Your hard work over the years has helped deepen Taiwan-Europe relations and brought about such fruitful cooperation. Thank you. This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. In 1950, then-French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed to create a European federation dedicated to preserving peace. The declaration symbolized a new flowering in the post-war era of democracy, unity, and cooperation. As we face the geopolitical challenges and drastic economic changes of today’s world, the Schuman Declaration still speaks to us profoundly. This year is also the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to advance cooperation with our democratic partners, and will join hands with Europe to build a partnership of even greater resilience and mutual trust. Europe is Taiwan’s third largest trading partner. It is also Taiwan’s largest source of foreign direct investment. Last year, bilateral trade between Taiwan and Europe totaled US$84.7 billion. This demonstrates our vibrant economic and trade ties and reflects the high levels of confidence our businesses have in each other’s markets and systems. We look forward to Taiwan and Europe further establishing institutionalized mechanisms for our trade and investment ties. And we hope to take an innovative and diverse approach to sign an economic partnership agreement with the EU, to provide a more transparent, stable, and predictable business environment for our enterprises. Today’s Taiwan has an internationally recognized democracy and a semiconductor industry vital to global security and prosperity. This enables us to play a key role in restructuring global democratic supply chains and the economic order. In particular, we see supply chains dominated by a new authoritarian bloc expanding their influence through non-market mechanisms, price subsidies, and monopolies on resources, as they seek global control of critical technologies and manufacturing capabilities. Their actions not only distort principles of market fairness, but also threaten the international community’s basic expectations for democracy, the rule of law, and corporate responsibility. In response, Taiwan will actively work alongside other democracies, including those in Europe, to jointly build resilient, promising non-red supply chains. We will also introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. This is more than a proposal for economic cooperation; it is an alliance of shared values and advanced technology. Security in the Taiwan Strait and regional peace and stability have always been issues of mutual interest for Taiwan and Europe. So here today, on behalf of all the people of Taiwan, I would like to thank the EU and European nations for continuing to take concrete actions in public support of peace and stability across the strait. Such actions are vital to regional security and prosperity. Taiwan will continue to bolster itself to achieve real peace through strength, and will work with democratic partners to safeguard freedom and democracy, thereby showing our determination for regional peace. At this critical time, Taiwan and Europe have endless potential for collaboration, whether it’s in safeguarding freedom and democracy or advancing our economic and trade relationship. I look forward to our joining hands at this strategic juncture to further strengthen our partnership and work together toward global peace, stability, and prosperity. Also in attendance at the event was British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones.
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2025-05-20
President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era. The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Japanese company ispace said it has not been able to establish communication with its uncrewed moon lander following its lunar touchdown attempt on Friday, two years after its failed inaugural mission.
Tokyo-based ispace has hoped to join U.S. firms Intuitive Machines and Firefly Aerospace, which have accomplished commercial landings amid an intensifying global race for the moon that includes state-run missions from China and India.
Resilience, ispace’s second lunar lander, targeted Mare Frigoris, a basaltic plain about 900 km (560 miles) from the moon’s north pole.
The company’s live-streamed flight data showed Resilience’s altitude suddenly falling to zero shortly before the planned touchdown time of 4:17 a.m. on Friday, Japanese time (1917 GMT on Thursday) following an hour-long descent from lunar orbit.
“We haven’t been able to confirm” communication, and control centre members will “continuously attempt to communicate with the lander,” the company said in the broadcast. Footage from the control room showed nervous faces of ispace engineers.
A room of more than 500 ispace employees, shareholders, sponsors and government officials abruptly grew silent during a public viewing event at mission partner Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp in the wee hours in Tokyo.
The status of Resilience remains unclear, and ispace CEO Takeshi Hakamada will hold a press conference about the outcome of the mission at 9 a.m. (0000 GMT), the company said.
In 2023, ispace’s first lander crashed into the moon’s surface due to inaccurate recognition of its altitude. Software remedies have been implemented, while the hardware design is mostly unchanged in Resilience, the company has said.
Resilience carried a four-wheeled rover built by ispace’s Luxembourg subsidiary and five external payloads worth a total of $16 million, including scientific instruments from Japanese firms and a Taiwanese university.
Following the landing, the 2.3-metre-high lander and the microwave-sized rover were scheduled to begin 14-day exploration activities until the arrival of a freezing-cold lunar night, including capturing images of regolith, the moon’s fine-grained surface material, on a contract with U.S. space agency NASA.
Shares of ispace more than doubled earlier this year on growing investor hopes for the second mission, before calming in recent days. As of Thursday, ispace had a market capitalisation of more than 110 billion yen ($766 million).
Resilience in January shared a SpaceX rocket launch with Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander, which took a faster trajectory to the moon and touched down successfully in March.
Intuitive Machines, which last year marked the world’s first touchdown of a commercial lunar lander, made its second attempt in March but the lander Athena ended on its side on the lunar surface just as in the first mission.
Japan last year became the world’s fifth country to achieve a soft lunar landing after the former Soviet Union, the U.S., China and India, when the national Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency achieved the touchdown of its SLIM lander, yet also in a toppled position.
Despite President Donald Trump’s proposed changes to the U.S. space policy, Japan remains committed to the American-led Artemis moon program, pledging the involvement of Japanese astronauts and technologies for future lunar missions.
Including one in 2027 as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services for the Artemis program, ispace plans seven more missions in the U.S. and Japan through 2029 to capture increasing demands for lunar transportation.
(REUTERS)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 6.5 per cent for 2025-26, with domestic economic activity showing resilience on the back of a strong agriculture sector, industry picking up, and the services sector expected to maintain momentum.
The quarterly growth rates projected for the financial year are: Q1 at 6.5, Q2 at 6.7, Q3 at 6.6 and Q4 at 6.3 per cent.
“The provisional estimates released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) placed India’s real GDP growth in 2024-25 at 6.5 per cent. During 2025-26 so far, domestic economic activity has exhibited resilience. The agriculture sector remains strong. With a very good harvest in both the kharif as well as rabi cropping seasons, the supply of major food crops is comfortable. The reservoir levels remain healthy. The highest procurement of wheat in the last four years provides a comforting stock position,” RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Friday.
Industrial activity is gradually increasing, even though the pace of recovery is uneven. The services sector is expected to maintain momentum. Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) services stood strong at 58.8 in May 2025, indicating robust expansion in activity, he pointed out.
The RBI Governor stated that on the demand side, private consumption, the mainstay of aggregate demand, remains healthy, with a gradual rise in discretionary spending. Rural demand remains steady, while urban demand is improving. Investment activity is reviving as reflected by high-frequency indicators.
Merchandise exports recorded a strong growth in April 2025 after a lacklustre performance in the recent past. Non-oil, non-gold imports posted a double-digit growth, reflecting buoyant domestic demand conditions. Services exports continue on a strong growth trajectory, he explained.
Malhotra further stated that going forward, the outlook for the agriculture sector and rural demand is expected to receive further impetus from the expected above-normal southwest monsoon rainfall. On the other hand, sustained buoyancy in services activity should nurture revival in urban consumption.
The government’s continued thrust on capex, elevated capacity utilisation, improving business optimism, and easing financial conditions should help further revive investment activity, he observed.
Trade policy uncertainty, however, continues to weigh on merchandise exports prospects, while the conclusion of a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom and progress with other countries should provide a fillip to trade in goods and services, the RBI Governor pointed out.
He also said that spillovers emanating from protracted geopolitical tensions, global trade and weather-related uncertainties pose downside risks to growth.
(IANS)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The U.S. Supreme Court made it easier on Thursday for people from majority backgrounds such as white or straight individuals to pursue claims alleging workplace “reverse” discrimination, reviving an Ohio woman’s lawsuit claiming she was illegally denied a promotion and demoted because she is heterosexual.
The justices, in a 9-0 ruling authored by liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, threw out a lower court’s decision rejecting a civil rights lawsuit by the plaintiff, Marlean Ames, against her employer, Ohio’s Department of Youth Services. Ames said she had a gay supervisor when she was passed over for a promotion in favor of a gay woman and demoted, with a pay cut, in favor of a gay man.
Reverse discrimination lawsuits are increasing in the United States amid a backlash by conservatives and Republicans including President Donald Trump against initiatives in the public and private sectors to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the workforce.
The Ames case centered on how plaintiffs like her must try to prove a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, national origin and sex – including sexual orientation.
Thursday’s ruling will affect how cases are handled by courts in certain parts of the country where plaintiffs from majority groups must provide more evidence than minority plaintiffs to make an initial – or “prima facie” – claim of discrimination under a 1973 Supreme Court ruling that governs the multi-step process employed to resolve such cases.
These courts include the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled against Ames. They require majority-group plaintiffs to show “background circumstances” indicating that a defendant accused of workplace bias is “that unusual employer who discriminates against the majority.”
Jackson, writing for the Supreme Court, said that both the language of Title VII and the court’s precedents make clear that there can be no distinctions between majority-group and minority-group plaintiffs.
“By establishing the same protections for every ‘individual’ – without regard to that individual’s membership in a minority or majority group – Congress left no room for courts to impose special requirements on majority-group plaintiffs alone,” Jackson wrote.
Ames, 61, sued in 2020 seeking monetary damages. She argued that she was discriminated against in her department’s 2019 employment decisions because she is heterosexual in violation of Title VII and that she was more qualified than the two gay people given the job positions instead of her.
“I was straight and pushed aside for them,” Ames told Reuters in February.
“We are overjoyed that the court saw the case our way,” Edward Gilbert, an attorney for Ames, said after Thursday’s ruling.
The 6th Circuit said Ames could not satisfy the “background circumstances” requirement by showing that a gay person made the employment decisions in favor of gay people. The two people who had authority in those personnel decisions, the 6th Circuit noted, were straight.
Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office had defended the employment actions concerning Ames as part of a Department of Youth Services restructuring and said department leaders felt she lacked the vision and leadership skills needed for the newly created job for which she applied.
Department spokesperson Dominic Binkley said Ohio agrees that litigants should not be held to differing standards, but emphasized that lower courts must now address Ohio’s remaining arguments in the case.
“We look forward to fully pressing those arguments as the case moves forward because the Ohio Department of Youth Services did not engage in unlawful discrimination,” Binkley said.
WORKPLACE DIVERSITY POLICIES
On his first day back in office in January, Trump ordered the dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion policies in federal agencies and encouraged private companies to follow suit. Conservative groups including America First Legal, which has filed numerous legal actions claiming anti-white and anti-male bias, had urged the Supreme Court to rule in favor of Ames.
The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund and other civil rights groups told the Supreme Court in a legal filing that Ames was asking the justices “to interpret Title VII in a way that ignores the realities of this country’s persisting legacy of discrimination in evaluating disparate-treatment claims.”
These groups said the “background circumstances” inquiry lets courts account for the reality of historical and present-day discrimination “against certain minority groups like Black and/or LGBTQ people, and the virtual absence of widespread discrimination targeting certain majority groups like white people and straight people.”
The Supreme Court heard arguments in the case on February 26.
(Reuters)
Source: Reserve Bank of India
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In the underwriting auction conducted on June 06, 2025, for Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) of the undernoted Government securities, the Reserve Bank of India has set the cut-off rates for underwriting commission payable to Primary Dealers as given below:
Ajit Prasad Press Release: 2025-2026/491 |
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Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad reached Berlin on Thursday to convey India’s united and resolute stand against terrorism.
India’s Ambassador to Germany, Ajit Gupte, briefed the delegation on India-Germany relations, with a focus on the expanding strategic partnership and growing cooperation across various sectors.
During their visit to Germany from June 5 to 7, the delegation will engage with senior dignitaries from the German Parliament (Bundestag) and the Federal Foreign Office, along with key representatives from leading think tanks and the Indian community in Germany.
The visit is part of India’s ongoing diplomatic outreach under Operation Sindoor, underscoring its unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism.
Apart from Prasad, the delegation includes BJP MPs Daggubati Purandeswari, Samik Bhattacharya, and Ghulam Ali Khatana; Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi; AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai; Congress MP Amar Singh; former Union Minister M.J. Akbar; and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran.
(With inputs from IANS)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The Indian benchmark indices surged on Friday after Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced a jumbo 50-basis-point cut, from 6 per cent to 5.5 per cent, and a 100-basis-point reduction in the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) from 4 per cent to 3 per cent.
The impact was immediate. At about 10:46 a.m., the Sensex was 505.70 points, or 0.62 per cent, higher at 81,947.74, while the Nifty gained 168.40 points, or 0.68 per cent, to reach 24,919.30.
The Nifty Bank index advanced 682.95 points (1.22 per cent) to 56,443.80. The Nifty Midcap 100 climbed 363.20 points (0.62 per cent) to 58,666.20, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 added 48.25 points (0.26 per cent) to 18,480.85.
Among Sensex constituents, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, Maruti Suzuki, Kotak Mahindra Bank and IndusInd Bank led the gains. Sun Pharma, Infosys, Nestlé India and HCL Tech were the principal laggards.
“The change in monetary stance from accommodative to neutral also indicates that more rate cuts are unlikely unless the situation warrants. The credit growth that this rate cut will hopefully stimulate will compensate for the dip in margins,” said Dr VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Ltd.
Madhavi Arora, Chief Economist, Emkay Global, said that the RBI appears to have front-loaded all policy actions, be it higher-than-expected rate cuts or infusing durable albeit staggered liquidity via lower CRRs.
“All of that now implies that the ball is in the banks’ court to transmit easier financial conditions faster,” Arora mentioned.
Earlier in the session, the domestic indices had opened flat ahead of the Monetary Policy Committee decision, with selective buying in IT and PSU banking shares. The India VIX fell 4.21 per cent to 15.08, signalling that the market is pricing in lower near-term volatility.
(IANS)
Source: Interpol (news and events)
Suspects across 12 countries were identified thanks to Spanish online investigation
LYON, France – An international operation against the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, led by the Spanish National Police in collaboration with INTERPOL and Europol, has resulted in the arrest of 20 people across the Americas and Europe.
The operation was initiated by Spain in late 2024, when specialized officers carried out online patrols and identified instant messaging groups dedicated to the circulation of child sexual exploitation images.
As the investigation progressed, officers were able to fully identify the alleged perpetrators and alert authorities in the relevant countries through INTERPOL and Europol.
In December 2024, INTERPOL invited Spanish investigators to Chile to attend the Latin America Victim Identification Task Force meeting. There, they presented Operation Vibora to specialized officers from across Latin America, allowing them to exchange on cases, provide concrete leads and launch coordinated actions.
INTERPOL’s Crimes against Children unit facilitated follow-up sessions between authorities to align operational efforts with Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Paraguay. This included in-person meetings on the sidelines of the Specialists Group on Crimes Against Children conference in April 2025.
Arrests across 12 countries between March and May 2025
Spanish authorities arrested seven suspects, including a healthcare worker and a teacher. The healthcare worker allegedly paid minors from Eastern Europe for explicit images, while the teacher is accused of possessing and sharing child sexual abuse material via various online platforms.
Searches carried out during the operation resulted in the seizure of desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets and digital storage devices.
In Latin America, through INTERPOL’s support, authorities arrested 10 suspects across the seven target Latin American countries, including three in El Salvador and a teacher in Panama.
The remaining suspects were arrested elsewhere in Europe and the United States.
To date, 68 additional suspects have been identified and further investigations are underway globally. Information gathered during the operation has been shared with law enforcement authorities in 28 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping confronted weeks of brewing trade tensions and a battle over critical minerals in a rare leader-to-leader call on Thursday that left key issues to further talks.
During the more than one-hour-long call, Xi told Trump to back down from trade measures that roiled the global economy and warned him against threatening steps on Taiwan, according to a Chinese government summary.
But Trump said on social media that the talks focused primarily on trade led to “a very positive conclusion,” announcing further lower-level U.S.-China discussions, and that “there should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products.”
He later told reporters: “We’re in very good shape with China and the trade deal.”
The leaders also invited each other to visit their respective countries.
The highly anticipated call came in the middle of a dispute between Washington and Beijing in recent weeks over “rare earths” minerals that threatened to tear up a fragile truce in the trade war between the two biggest economies. It was not clear from either countries’ statements that the issue had been resolved.
A U.S. delegation led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet with their Chinese counterparts “shortly at a location to be determined,” Trump said on social media.
The countries struck a 90-day deal on May 12 to roll back some of the triple-digit, tit-for-tat tariffs they had placed on each other since Trump’s January inauguration.
Though stocks rallied, the temporary deal did not address broader concerns that strain the bilateral relationship, from the illicit fentanyl trade to the status of democratically governed Taiwan and U.S. complaints about China’s state-dominated, export-driven economic model.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has repeatedly threatened an array of punitive measures on trading partners, only to revoke some of them at the last minute. The on-again, off-again approach has baffled world leaders and spooked business executives.
China’s decision in April to suspend exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets continues to disrupt supplies needed by automakers, computer chip manufacturers and military contractors around the world.
Beijing sees mineral exports as a source of leverage – halting those exports could put domestic political pressure on the Republican U.S. president if economic growth sags because companies cannot make mineral-powered products.
The 90-day deal to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions is tenuous. Trump has accused China of violating the agreement and has ordered curbs on chip-design software and other shipments to China. Beijing rejected the claim and threatened counter-measures.
“The U.S. side should take a realistic view of the progress made and withdraw the negative measures imposed on China,” the Chinese government said in a statement summarizing Xi’s call with Trump published by the state-run Xinhua news agency. “Xi Jinping emphasized that the United States should handle the Taiwan issue prudently.”
TOP RIVALS
In recent years, the United States has identified China as its top geopolitical rival and the only country in the world able to challenge the U.S. economically and militarily.
Despite this and repeated tariff announcements, Trump has spoken admiringly of Xi, including of the Chinese leader’s toughness and ability to stay in power without the term limits imposed on U.S. presidents.
Trump has long pushed for a call or a meeting with Xi, but China has rejected that as not in keeping with its traditional approach of working out agreement details before the leaders talk.
The U.S. president and his aides see leader-to-leader talks as vital to sort through log-jams that have vexed lower-level officials in difficult negotiations.
Thursday’s call came at Trump’s request, China said.
It’s not clear when the two men last spoke.
Both sides said they spoke on Jan. 17, days before Trump’s inauguration and Trump has repeatedly said that he had spoken to Xi since taking office on Jan. 20. He has declined to say when any call took place or to give details of their conversation. China had said that the two leaders had not had any recent phone calls.
The talks are being closely watched by investors worried that a chaotic trade war could disrupt supply chains in the key months before the Christmas holiday shopping season. Trump’s tariffs are the subject of ongoing litigation in U.S. courts.
Trump has met Xi on several occasions, including exchange visits in 2017, but they have not met face to face since 2019 talks in Osaka, Japan.
Xi last traveled to the U.S. in November 2023, for a summit with then-President Joe Biden, resulting in agreements to resume military-to-military communications and curb fentanyl production.
(Reuters)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court, an unprecedented retaliation over the war tribunal’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a past decision to open a case into alleged war crimes by U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Washington designated Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin and Beti Hohler of Slovenia, according to a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“As ICC judges, these four individuals have actively engaged in the ICC’s illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America or our close ally, Israel. The ICC is politicized and falsely claims unfettered discretion to investigate, charge, and prosecute nationals of the United States and our allies,” Rubio said.
The ICC slammed the move, saying it was an attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution that provides hope and justice to millions of victims of “unimaginable atrocities.”
Both judges Bossa and Ibanez Carranza have been on the ICC bench since 2018. In 2020 they were involved in an appeals chamber decision that allowed the ICC prosecutor to open a formal investigation into alleged war crimes by American troops in Afghanistan.
Since 2021, the court had deprioritized the investigation into American troops in Afghanistan and focused on alleged crimes committed by the Afghan government and the Taliban forces.
ICC judges also issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, former Israeli defense chief Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri last November for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict. Alapini Gansou and Hohler ruled to authorize the arrest warrant against Netanyahu and Gallant, Rubio said.
The move deepens the administration’s animosity toward the court. During the first Trump administration in 2020, Washington imposed sanctions on then-prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and one of her top aides over the court’s work on Afghanistan.
The measures also follow a January vote at the U.S. House of Representatives to punish the ICC in protest over its Netanyahu arrest warrant. The move underscored strong support among Trump’s fellow Republicans for Israel’s government.
DIFFICULT TIME FOR ICC
The measures triggered uproar among human-rights advocates. Liz Evenson, international justice director at Human Rights Watch, said the punitive measures were a “flagrant attack on the rule of law at the same time as President Trump is working to undercut it at home.”
Sanctions severely hamper individuals’ abilities to carry out even routine financial transactions as any banks with ties to the United States, or that conduct transactions in dollars, are expected to have to comply with the restrictions.
But the Treasury Department also issued general licenses, including one allowing the wind-down of any existing transactions involving those targeted on Thursday until July 8, as long as any payment to them is made to a blocked, interest-bearing account located in the U.S.
The new sanctions come at a difficult time for the ICC, which is already reeling from earlier U.S. sanctions against its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, who last month stepped aside temporarily amid a United Nations investigation into his alleged sexual misconduct.
The ICC, which was established in 2002, has international jurisdiction to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in member states or if a situation is referred by the U.N. Security Council. The United States, China, Russia and Israel are not members.
It has high-profile war crimes investigations under way into the Israel-Hamas conflict and Russia’s war in Ukraine as well as in Sudan, Myanmar, the Philippines, Venezuela and Afghanistan.
The ICC has issued arrest warrants for President Vladimir Putin on suspicion of deporting children from Ukraine, and for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Neither country is a member of the court and both deny the accusations and reject ICC jurisdiction.
(Reuters)
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
VIRAC, Philippines (June 2, 2025) – U.S. Navy Cmdr. Robert Reyes, gives opening remarks to Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, local emergency responders, and civilian authorities before an Incident Command Systems training in Virac, Philippines, June 2, 2025. This effort is part of a two-week urban rescue training exercise supporting the humanitarian assistance and disaster response objectives of Pacific Partnership 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings)
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.03.2025 20:23 |
| Photo ID: | 9081877 |
| VIRIN: | 250602-N-YV347-1086 |
| Resolution: | 7494×4996 |
| Size: | 22.63 MB |
| Location: | VIRAC, PH |
| Web Views: | 25 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
This work, Pacific Partnership 2025 Kicks off with urban rescue training in Virac, Philippines, June 2, 2025 [Image 9 of 9], by PO2 Jordan Jennings, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
VIRAC, Philippines (June 4, 2025) – Hawaii National Guardsmen and personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines instruct local emergency responders and civilian authorities on how to perform a controlled descent in Virac, Philippines, June 4, 2025. This effort is part of a two-week urban rescue training exercise supporting the humanitarian assistance and disaster response objectives of Pacific Partnership 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings)
| Date Taken: | 06.04.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2025 02:23 |
| Photo ID: | 9088372 |
| VIRIN: | 250604-N-YV347-2048 |
| Resolution: | 7698×5132 |
| Size: | 18.77 MB |
| Location: | VIRAC, PH |
| Web Views: | 4 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Philippines, June 2025, by PO2 Jordan Jennings, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.