Storms in northern China have poured nearly a year’s rainfall on the city of Baoding, forcing more than 19,000 people out of their homes, the national forecaster said on Friday.
Rainfall in Yi, in the western part of Baoding, reached as much as 447.4 mm (17.6 inches) in the 24 hours to early Friday morning, and records were reset at a number of weather stations in Hebei province, which Baoding is part of.
Official records show that annual rainfall in Baoding averaged above 500 mm.
A total of 19,453 people from 6,171 households were evacuated, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said in a social media post.
The forecaster did not mention where the residents were moved to but shared a short clip showing two policemen in neon rain jackets boot-deep on a waterlogged street as the rain poured at night.
The forecaster compared the amount of precipitation to the exceptional rainfall brought by the powerful Typhoon Doksuri to the Hai River basin in 2023, which inundated the capital Beijing with rains unseen since records began 140 years ago.
The Hai River basin includes Beijing, Hebei province and the big port city of Tianjin.
Hebei recorded 640.3 mm in annual rainfall last year, 26.6% more than a decades-long average, according to CMA’s 2024 climate bulletin on the province.
The report said Hebei has been recording consecutive above-average annual precipitation since 2020.
Last summer, Baoding, together with neighbouring cities Zhangjiakou, Langfang, Xiongan and Cangzhou had 40% more than the usual seasonal precipitation, with some localised areas within Baoding recording 80% more rains, the report showed.
The intensifying rainfall forms part of the broader pattern of extreme weather across China due to the East Asian monsoon, which has caused disruptions in the world’s second-largest economy.
Baoding maintained a red alert for heavy rains on Friday morning while Hebei upgraded its emergency response preparedness.
Chinese authorities are watchful of extreme rainfall and severe flooding, which meteorologists link to climate change, as they challenge China’s ageing flood defences, threaten to displace millions and wreak havoc on a $2.8 trillion agricultural sector.
Samsung Electronics America today announced Installment payments will be available to Samsung Wallet users in select states 1 beginning July 25 with expansion to all states planned by the end of 2025. Building on the recent rollout of Tap to Transfer,2 the new feature offers greater flexibility and convenience when paying in-store with Samsung Wallet by allowing the customer to separate their purchase into smaller payments.
“Our phones go with us everywhere, so we’re making the Samsung Wallet experience as helpful as possible,” said Drew Blackard, Senior Vice President of Mobile Product Management at Samsung Electronics America. “As a comprehensive tool for all of your digital essentials, Wallet is all about flexibility and convenience, and with the addition of Installment payments, we’re making the payment experience even more versatile, providing users with options to make purchases on their own terms.”
Powered by a partnership with Splitit,3 there is no need to apply for a new account or undergo a credit check to use the new feature.4 When making a purchase using Samsung Wallet, simply tap the “Pay in installments” option that appears under any of your eligible credit cards.5
After completing the purchase in-store, select from four different installment plans6 to find an option that meets your budget and preferred timeline. After the transaction is complete, you can keep tabs on all payments directly in Samsung Wallet.
Samsung Wallet is just a swipe away on millions of Galaxy smartphones offering convenient access to your digital essentials — from IDs and memberships to digital keys, payment cards and more — directly on your mobile device.
To learn more about Samsung Wallet features and device compatibility, visit https://www.samsung.com.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The theme of the plenary session is “Environmental challenges: towards sustainable development”.
Joint photo session of the heads of delegations of the International Environmental Conference
July 25, 2025
Heads of Delegations of the International Environmental Conference
July 25, 2025
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Joint photo session of the heads of delegations of the International Environmental Conference
The International Environmental Conference is taking place on July 25 in the Altai Republic on the territory of the Manzherok resort. Eight countries are participating in it: the Russian Federation, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. All states are long-standing partners and interact on environmental issues both bilaterally and within the framework of international associations.
The international conference will open with a plenary session entitled “Environmental Challenges: Towards Sustainable Development,” in which the prime ministers of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will talk about the environmental and ecological agendas of their countries.
Ministers of natural resources, ecology and the environment will speak at the expert session “How to maintain the global water balance?”. The heads of departments will discuss how climate change affects water resources and what measures need to be taken now to minimize the consequences.
Drive
The thematic session “Ecological tourism: the calling card of the state” is devoted to issues of regulating anthropogenic load on natural complexes, the role of ecotourism in economic development, issues of developing and equipping ecological routes and the functioning of transboundary reserves and national parks, and joint projects.
The conference will also discuss the development of transboundary ecotourism, protection of specially protected natural areas and conservation of biodiversity. For example, the joint efforts of five countries to restore the snow leopard population: the rare cat lives only in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
India’s benchmark indices declined in early trade on Friday, weighed down by sustained selling by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) and weak global cues.
The Nifty fell 110 points, or 0.44 per cent, to 24,943, while the Sensex shed 290 points, or 0.35 per cent, to 82,065.76.
Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert, said, “Indian markets are pointing to a continued negative outlook as per the traded futures. FPIs remain sellers while DIIs are absorbing the selling. Key support levels are being tested, making today’s price action crucial for the market’s health.”
He added, “Earnings have largely remained weak, and with no India–US trade deal expected before the August 1 deadline, markets are entering a zone of concern. Fasten seat belts—we are seeing key support holding mainly due to resilient Indian retail investors, who continue to buy on dips and maintain faith in domestic management and the economy.”
Broad market indices were also under pressure, with the Nifty 100 down 0.53 per cent, the Nifty Midcap 100 slipping 0.34 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 losing 0.56 per cent.
Among sectors, only Nifty Pharma stayed in the green, up 0.26 per cent. Others posted losses: Nifty Auto fell 0.66 per cent, Nifty IT 0.19 per cent, Nifty Media 0.40 per cent, and Nifty Metal 0.46 per cent.
Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities, said, “The Nifty erased all its Wednesday gains on Thursday, dropping 159 points to close at 25,062. Yesterday’s candle formed another bearish engulfing: two in quick succession, which is rare. The key levels now are 25,000 as vital support and 25,245 as resistance. Bears will retain control unless we see a close above 25,340.”
On the earnings front, several major companies are scheduled to report their quarterly results today, including Bajaj Finserv, Bank of Baroda, Cipla, Shriram Finance, SBI Cards, Schaeffler India, SAIL, Petronet LNG, Laurus Labs, Poonawalla Fincorp, Tata Chemicals, Aadhar Housing Finance, Grindwell Norton, and ACME Solar Holdings.
Meanwhile, global cues remained weak. Upcoming US–China trade talks in Sweden on Monday are expected to shape the tone for US–India trade negotiations, particularly amid discussions on Russian oil supplies.
With the RBI’s monetary policy meeting scheduled for August 6, investors are bracing for a potentially weak end to the week.
Across Asia, markets traded lower. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down 0.79 per cent, Singapore’s Straits Times slipped 0.48 per cent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 1.19 per cent, and Taiwan’s Weighted Index edged down 0.08 per cent. South Korea’s KOSPI was the lone gainer, rising 0.35 per cent.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Maldives on Friday following the conclusion of his UK visit. He was warmly received at Velana International Airport by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, along with the country’s Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, and Minister of Homeland Security.
The Prime Minister is visiting the island nation from July 25 to 26 at the invitation of President Muizzu.
During the visit, PM Modi will attend the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives as the Guest of Honour. His presence also commemorates the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi concluded a successful visit to the United Kingdom, where he met with his UK counterpart, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at Chequers, the official country residence of the British Prime Minister. Both leaders welcomed the signing of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which is expected to enhance bilateral trade, investment, and job creation.
The Indian Embassy in Thailand on Friday issued a travel advisory amid escalating tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border, urging Indian tourists to remain vigilant and stay updated through official Thai sources, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) newsroom.
“In view of the situation near the Thailand-Cambodia border, all Indian travelers to Thailand are advised to check updates from Thai official sources, including the TAT Newsroom. As per the Tourism Authority of Thailand, places mentioned in the following link are not recommended for travel,” the Embassy of India in Thailand said in a post on X.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has announced that several attractions across seven provinces — Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat — are currently not recommended for visiting.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health said 14 Thais — including 13 civilians and one soldier — were killed and 46 others injured in clashes along the border. Cambodia has not released casualty figures.
The violence followed a landmine blast on Wednesday that wounded five Thai soldiers. Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new Russian-made mines, while Cambodia called the accusation “baseless,” blaming unexploded ordnance from past conflicts.
Fighting intensified on Thursday in at least six locations near the border, including around the Ta Muen Thom temple. The Thai air force launched strikes using F-16 jets in response to alleged Cambodian rocket attacks, which the Thai Foreign Ministry described as “an act of self-defence.”
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on the UN Security Council to convene an emergency meeting. Cambodia’s Defence Ministry said Thai airstrikes hit a road near the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and vowed legal action.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both countries to “exercise maximum restraint” and resolve the crisis through dialogue, according to deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply, with both sides expelling ambassadors earlier this week.
I Am Hope joins forces with Seventh Wonder for a nationwide partnership
Australian singer-songwriter Bloom, one of the country’s most powerful vocalists, is bringing her acclaimed show Seventh Wonder Performs Fleetwood Mac to New Zealand this September — and this time, it’s for a cause close to home.
Teaming up with mental health charity I Am Hope, the tour will raise funds and awareness for Gumboot Friday, the charity’s free youth counselling programme. Donation points will be available at all shows, with fundraising also happening online via Givealittle.
“We’re proud to be backing this tour — and even prouder of the heart behind it,” says Mike King, founder of I Am Hope. “Bloom isn’t just one of the best voices you’ll hear live — she’s someone who truly understands the power of using your platform for good. She’s showing up for our young people in a way that’s real, generous, and community-led. We hope Kiwis support her the same way she’s supporting us.”
Best known for her powerhouse tributes to Adele, Stevie Nicks and Amy Winehouse, Bloom has sold out theatres across Australia and earned the praise of Mick Fleetwood himself, who called her performance “spooky good.” Behind the music, Bloom uses her platform for good — having raised more than $30,000 for Parkinson’s disease and shining a light on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
“As an artist, I’ve seen how music can heal—and teaming up with I Am Hope lets us turn that connection into real support for young people who need it most.” Bloom, front woman of Seventh Wonder.
Managed by Dennis Dunstan, former co-manager of Fleetwood Mac, Bloom will perform a six-stop NZ tour with her band, Seventh Wonder, from 12–20 September. A special guest appearance from Mike King is also on the cards, with final show details to be announced soon.
Tasmania Police has today welcomed 30 new constables into its ranks, with recruit course 1/2025 officially graduating from the police academy. Commissioner Donna Adams and Education and Training Commander Damien George were among those in attendance at the police academy at Rokeby to congratulate the new constables – 18 men and 12 women – on their achievements. Recruits will be assigned to Bellerive, Bridgewater, Burnie, Devonport, Glenorchy, Hobart and Launceston stations. Constable Kyan Clay, of Hobart and Constable Bailey Jupp, of Penguin, have been awarded the dux of course and runner-up dux of course, respectively. Commander George said the 30 new officers had worked hard over a 28-week training course and were ready to begin serving the community. “Each one of these recruits should be extremely proud of what they have already achieved, and I look forward to seeing where their new career takes them,” he said. “They’re stepping into roles which are anything but ordinary, with each shift offering a new opportunity to serve and engage with our communities.” With ages spanning 18 to 51, the new police constables bring a range of past career and life experiences to their new roles. Dux of the course Constable Kyan Clay, 27, is starting his policing career after previously working as an electrical engineer with Powerlink in Queensland. Constable Clay said he was excited by the challenges and opportunities ahead. “Becoming a constable, that process has given me a lot of confidence. To me that role means being someone who is approachable, who can make people feel safe and can bring justice to the community. “I am really looking forward to being in the community and helping people.” Also graduating on Friday was former Launceston real estate agent Jayne Bayles who, at 51, is one of the more mature-aged recruits to pass the course. Friday’s ceremony marked the third graduating class of new constables in 2025, with 22 constables graduating in January and 15 constables in April. The next graduating class is in late September. Commander George said policing was a dynamic and rewarding career and encouraged people interested in being a Tasmania Police officer to take the next step. For more information about Tasmania Police recruitment, visit https://recruitment.police.tas.gov.au/
Efforts to end the relentless siege of Gaza have been set back by the abrupt end to peace talks in Qatar.
Both the United States and Israel have withdrawn their negotiating teams, accusing Hamas of a “lack of desire to reach a ceasefire”.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff says it would appear Hamas never wanted a deal:
While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people in Gaza
State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott reads Steve Witkoff’s statement on the collapse of the Gaza peace talks.
The disappointing development coincides with mounting fears of a widespread famine in Gaza and a historic decision by France to formally recognise a Palestinian state.
French President Emmanuel Macron says there is no alternative for the sake of security of the Middle East:
True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine
What will these developments mean for the conflict in Gaza and the broader security of the Middle East?
‘Humanitarian catastrophe’
The failure to reach a truce means there is no end in sight to the Israeli siege of Gaza which has devastated the territory for more than 21 months.
Amid mounting fears of mass starvation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Gaza is in the grip of a “humanitarian catastrophe”. He is urging Israel to comply immediately with its obligations under international law:
Israel’s denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food cannot be defended or ignored.
According to the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, more than 100 people – most of them children – have died of hunger. One in five children in Gaza City is malnourished, with the number of cases rising every day.
Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini says with little food aid entering Gaza, people are
neither dead nor alive, they are walking corpses […] most children our teams are seeing are emaciated, weak and at high risk of dying if they don’t get the treatment they urgently need.
The UN and more than 100 aid groups blame Israel’s blockade of almost all aid into the territory for the lack of food.
Lazzarini says UNRWA has 6,000 trucks of emergency supplies waiting in Jordan and Egypt. He is urging Israel – which continues to blame Hamas for cases of malnutrition – to allow the humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
It included a 60-day truce, during which time Hamas would release ten living Israeli hostages and the remains of 18 others. In exchange, Israel would release a number of Palestinian prisoners, and humanitarian aid to Gaza would be significantly increased.
During the ceasefire, both sides would engage in negotiations toward a lasting truce.
While specific details of the current sticking points remain unclear, previous statements from both parties suggest the disagreement centres on what would follow any temporary ceasefire.
Israel is reportedly seeking to maintain a permanent military presence in Gaza to allow for a rapid resumption of operations if needed. In contrast, Hamas is demanding a pathway toward a complete end to hostilities.
A lack of mutual trust has dramatically clouded the negotiations.
From Israel’s perspective, any ceasefire must not result in Hamas regaining control of Gaza, as this would allow the group to rebuild its power and potentially launch another cross-border attack.
However, Hamas has repeatedly said it is willing to hand over power to any other Palestinian group in pursuit of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. This could include the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), which governs the West Bank and has long recognised Israel.
Support for a Palestinian state
Israeli leaders have occasionally paid lip service to a Palestinian state. But they have described such an entity as “less than a state” or a “state-minus” – a formulation that falls short of both Palestinian aspirations and international legal standards.
In response to the worsening humanitarian situation, some Western countries have moved to fully recognise a Palestinian state, viewing it as a step toward a permanent resolution of one of the longest-running conflicts in the Middle East.
Macron’s announcement France will officially recognise a full Palestinian state in September is a major development.
France is now the most prominent Western power to take this position. It follows more than 140 countries – including more than a dozen in Europe – that have already recognised statehood.
While largely symbolic, the move adds diplomatic pressure on Israel amid the ongoing war and aid crisis in Gaza.
However, the announcement was immediately condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed recognition “rewards terror” and
risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it.
Annexing Gaza?
A Palestinian state is unacceptable to Israel.
Further evidence was recently presented in a revealing TV interview by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak who stated Netanyahu had deliberately empowered Hamas in order to block a two-state solution.
Instead there is mounting evidence Israel is seeking to annex the entirety of Palestinian land and relocate Palestinians to neighbouring countries.
Given the current uncertainty, it appears unlikely a new ceasefire will be reached in the near future, especially as it remains unclear whether the US withdrawal from the negotiations was a genuine policy shift or merely a strategic negotiating tactic.
Ali Mamouri does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The green-headed tanager (_Tangara seledon_) has a hidden layer of plumage that is white underneath the orange feathers and black underneath the blue and green feathers.Daniel Field
Birds are perhaps the most colourful group of animals, bringing a splash of colour to the natural world around us every day. Indeed, exclusively black and white birds – such as magpies – are in the minority.
However, new research by a team from Princeton University in the United States has revealed a surprising trick in which birds use those boring black and white feathers to make their colours even more vivid.
Male golden tanagers (Tangara arthus) have hidden layers of white which make their plumage brighter, while females have hidden layers of black which make their plumage darker. Daniel Field
In the study, published today in Science Advances, Rosalyn Price-Waldman and her colleagues discovered that if coloured feathers are placed over a layer of either white or black underlying feathers, their colours are enhanced.
A particularly striking discovery was that in some species the different colour of males and females wasn’t due to the colour the two sexes put into the feathers, but rather in the amount of white or black in the layer underneath.
Why birds are so bright – and how they do it
Typically, male birds have more vivid colours than females. As Charles Darwin first explained, the most colourful males are more likely to attract mates and produce more offspring than those that aren’t as vivid. This process of “sexual selection” is the evolutionary force that has resulted in most of the colours we see in birds today.
Evolution is a process that rewards clever solutions in the competition among males to stand out in the crowd. Depositing a layer of black underneath patches of bright blue feathers has enabled males to produce that extra vibrancy that helps them in the competition for mates.
The blue feathers of a red-necked tanager (Tangara cyanocephala) stand out against a black underlayer. Rosalyn Price-Waldman
The reason the black layer works so well is that it absorbs all the light that passes through the top layer of coloured feathers. The colour we see is blue because those top feathers have a fine structure that scatters light in a particular way, and reflects light in the blue part of the spectrum.
The feathers appear particularly vivid blue because the light in other wavelengths is absorbed by the under-layer. If the under-layer was paler, some of the light in the other parts of the light spectrum would bounce back and the blue would not “pop out” as much.
Different tricks for different colours
Interestingly, in the new study, the researchers found that for yellow feathers the opposite trick works. Yellow feathers contain yellow pigments – carotenoids – and in this case they are enhanced if they have a white under-layer.
The white layer reflects light that passes through the yellow feathers, and this increases the brightness of these yellow patches, making them more striking in contrast to surrounding patches of colour.
The red feather tips of a scarlet-rumped tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii) are enhanced by the white feathers beneath them. Rosalyn Price-Waldman
A surprisingly common technique
The authors focused most of their work on species of tanager, typically very colourful fruit-eating birds that are native to Central and South America.
However, once they had discovered what was happening in tanagers, they checked to see if it was occurring in other birds.
The vivid blue colouring of the Australian splendid fairy wren (Malurus splendens) is enhanced by an underlayer of colourless feathers. Robbie Goodall / Getty Images
This additional work revealed that the use of black and white underlying feathers to enhance colour is found in many other bird families, including the Australian fairy wrens which have such vivid blue colouration.
This widespread use of black and white across so many different species suggests birds have been enhancing the production of colour in this clever way for tens of millions of years, and that it is widely used across birds.
The color of the vibrant red crown of this red-capped manakin (Ceratopipra mentalis) is magnified by a hidden layer of white plumage. Daniel Field
The study is important because it helps us to understand how complex traits such as colour can evolve in nature. It may also help us to improve the production of vibrant colours in our own architecture, art and fashion.
Simon Griffith receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
In the village of Nagigi, Fiji, the ocean isn’t just a resource – it’s part of the community’s identity. But in recent years, villagers have seen the sea behave differently. Tides are pushing inland. Once abundant, fish are now harder to find. Sandy beaches and coconut trees have been washed away.
Like many coastal communities, including those across the Pacific Islands region, this village is now under real pressure from climate change and declining fish stocks. Methods of fishing are no longer guaranteed, while extreme weather and coastal erosion threaten homes and land. As one villager told us:
we can’t find fish easily, not compared to previous times […] some fish species we used to see before are no longer around.
When stories like this get publicity, they’re often framed as a story of loss. Pacific Islanders can be portrayed as passive victims of climate change.
But Nagigi’s experience isn’t just about vulnerability. As our new research shows, it’s about the actions people are taking to cope with the changes already here. In response to falling fish numbers and to diversify livelihoods, women leaders launched a new aquaculture project, and they have replanted mangroves to slow the advance of the sea.
Adaptation is uneven. Many people don’t want to or can’t leave their homes. But as climate change intensifies, change will be unavoidable. Nagigi’s experience points to the importance of communities working collectively to respond to threats.
Unwelcome change is here
The communities we focus on, Nagigi village (population 630) and Bia-I-Cake settlement (population 60), are located on Savusavu Bay in Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island. Fishing and marine resources are central to their livelihoods and food security.
In 2021 and 2023, we ran group discussions (known as talanoa) and interviews to find out about changes seen and adaptations made.
Nagigi residents have noticed unwelcome changes in recent years. As one woman told us:
sometimes the sea is coming further onto the land, so there’s a lot of sea intrusion into the plantations, flooding even on land where it never used to be
Tides are pushing ashore in Nagigi, threatening infrastructure. Celia McMichael, CC BY-NC-ND
In 2016, the devastating Tropical Cyclone Winston destroyed homes and forced some Nagigi residents to move inland to customary mataqali land owned by their clan.
As one resident said:
our relocation was smooth because […] we just moved to our own land, our mataqali land.
But some residents didn’t have access to this land, while others weren’t willing to move away from the coast. One man told us:
leave us here. I think if I don’t smell or hear the ocean for one day I would be devastated.
Adaptation is happening
One striking aspect of adaptation in Nagigi has been the leadership of women, particularly in the small Bia-I-Cake settlement.
In recent years, the Bia-I-Cake Women’s Cooperative has launched a small-scale aquaculture project to farm tilapia and carp to tackle falling fish stocks in the ocean, tackle rising food insecurity and create new livelihoods.
Women in the cooperative have built fish ponds, learned how to rear fish to a good size and began selling the fish, including by live streaming the sale. The project was supported by a small grant from the United Nations Development Programme and the Women’s Fund Fiji.
Recently, the cooperative’s women have moved into mangrove replanting to slow coastal erosion and built a greenhouse to farm new crops.
As one woman told us, these efforts show women “have the capacity to build a sustainable, secure and thriving community”.
The community’s responses draw on traditional social structures and values, such as respect for Vanua – the Fijian and Pacific concept of how land, sea, people, customs and spiritual beliefs are interconnected – as well as stewardship of natural resources and collective decision-making through clans and elders, both women and men.
Nagigi residents have moved to temporarily close some customary fishing grounds to give fish populations a chance to recover. The village is also considering declaring a locally-managed marine area (known as a tabu). This is a response to climate impacts as well as damage to reefs, pollution and overfishing.
For generations, village residents have protected local ecosystems which in turn support the village. But what is new is how these practices are being strengthened and formalised to respond to new challenges.
A women’s cooperative have built aquaculture ponds to raise and sell fish. Celia McMichael, CC BY-NC-ND
Adaptation is uneven
While adaptation is producing some successes, it is unevenly spread. Not everyone has access to customary land for relocation and not every household can afford to rebuild damaged homes.
What Nagigi teaches us, though, is the importance of local adaptation. Villagers have demonstrated how a community can anticipate risks, respond to change and threats, recover from damage and take advantage of new opportunities.
Small communities are not just passive sites of loss. They are collectives of strength, agency and ingenuity. As adaptation efforts scale up across the Pacific, it is important to recognise and support local initiatives such as those in Nagigi.
Sharing effective adaptation methods can give ideas and hope to other communities under real pressure from climate change and other threats.
Many communities are doing their best to adapt often undertaking community-led adaptation, even despite the limited access Pacific nations have to global climate finance.
Nagigi’s example shows unwelcome climatic and environmental changes are already arriving. But it’s also about finding ways to live well amid uncertainty and escalating risk by using place, tradition and community.
The authors acknowledge the support of the people of Nagigi and Bia-I-Cake, and especially the Bia-I-Cake Women’s Cooperative, for sharing their time and insights.
Celia McMichael receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC).
Merewalesi Yee does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
We’re constantly being reminded by news articles and social media posts that we should be getting more sleep. You probably don’t need to hear it again – not sleeping enough is bad for your brain, heart and overall health, not to mention your skin and sex drive.
But what about sleeping “too much”? Recent reports that sleeping more than nine hours could be worse for your health than sleeping too little may have you throwing up your hands in despair.
It can be hard not to feel confused and worried. But how much sleep do we need? And what can sleeping a lot really tell us about our health? Let’s unpack the evidence.
Sleep is essential for our health
Along with nutrition and physical activity, sleep is an essential pillar of health.
During sleep, physiological processes occur that allow our bodies to function effectively when we are awake. These include processes involved in muscle recovery, memory consolidation and emotional regulation.
The Sleep Health Foundation – Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation that provides evidence-based information on sleep health – recommends adults get seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
Some people are naturally short sleepers and can function well with less than seven hours.
However, for most of us, sleeping less than seven hours will have negative effects. These may be short term; for example, the day after a poor night’s sleep you might have less energy, worse mood, feel more stressed and find it harder to concentrate at work.
So, it’s clear that not getting enough sleep is bad for us. But what about too much sleep?
Could too much sleep be bad?
In a recent study, researchers reviewed the results of 79 other studies that followed people for at least one year and measured how sleep duration impacts the risk of poor health or dying to see if there was an overall trend.
They found people who slept for short durations – less than seven hours a night – had a 14% higher risk of dying in the study period, compared to those who slept between seven and eight hours. This is not surprising given the established health risks of poor sleep.
However, the researchers also found those who slept a lot – which they defined as more than nine hours a night – had a greater risk of dying: 34% higher than people who slept seven to eight hours.
This supports similar research from 2018, which combined results from 74 previous studies that followed the sleep and health of participants across time, ranging from one to 30 years. It found sleeping more than nine hours was associated with a 14% increased risk of dying in the study period.
Research has also shown sleeping too long (meaning more than required for your age) is linked to health problems such as depression, chronic pain, weight gain and metabolic disorders.
This may sound alarming. But it’s crucial to remember these studies have only found a link between sleeping too long and poor health – this doesn’t mean sleeping too long is the cause of health problems or death.
Multiple factors may influence the relationship between sleeping a lot and having poor health.
It’s common for people with chronic health problems to consistently sleep for long periods. Their bodies may need additional rest to support recovery, or they may spend more time in bed due to symptoms or medication side effects.
People with chronic health problems may also not be getting high quality sleep, and may stay in bed for longer to try and get some extra sleep.
Additionally, we know risk factors for poor health, such as smoking and being overweight, are also associated with poor sleep.
This means people may be sleeping more because of existing health problems or lifestyle behaviours, not that sleeping more is causing the poor health.
Put simply, sleeping may be a symptom of poor health, not the cause.
What’s the ideal amount?
The reasons some people sleep a little and others sleep a lot depend on individual differences – and we don’t yet fully understand these.
Our sleep needs can be related to age. Teenagers often want to sleep more and may physically need to, with sleep recommendations for teens being slightly higher than adults at eight to ten hours. Teens may also go to bed and wake up later.
Older adults may want to spend more time in bed. However, unless they have a sleep disorder, the amount they need to sleep will be the same as when they were younger.
But most adults will require seven to nine hours, so this is the healthy window to aim for.
It’s not just about how much sleep you get. Good quality sleep and a consistent bed time and wake time are just as important – if not more so – for your overall health.
The bottom line
Given many Australian adults are not receiving the recommended amount of sleep, we should focus on how to make sure we get enough sleep, rather than worrying we are getting too much.
To give yourself the best chance of a good night’s sleep, get sunlight and stay active during the day, and try to keep a regular sleep and wake time. In the hour before bed, avoid screens, do something relaxing, and make sure your sleep space is quiet, dark, and comfortable.
If you notice you are regularly sleeping much longer than usual, it could be your body’s way of telling you something else is going on. If you’re struggling with sleep or are concerned, speak with your GP. You can also explore the resources on the Sleep Health Foundation website.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Never Let Me Go has been translated into over 50 languages. It has been adapted into a film, two stage plays, and a ten-part Japanese television series. A critical and commercial success, the novel has been reissued in an anniversary edition with a fresh introduction from the author.
A spate of reappraisals has accompanied this anniversary: “An impossibly sad novel […] it made me cry several times […] sadness spilled off every page.” “No matter how many times I read it,” one critic wrote, “Never Let Me Go breaks my heart all over again.”
These brief excerpts are clear: the novel pulls us into a morass of sadness that never lets us go. “I’ve usually been praised for producing stuff that makes people cry,” Ishiguro has said. “They gave me a Nobel prize for it.”
Strange and familiar
I want to reconsider the emotional charge of Never Let Me Go.
The deluge of tears attested to by critics hinges on the relationship Ishiguro meticulously crafts between narrator and reader. This is initiated in the novel’s first lines. Ishiguro places us in an alternative 1990s England. His opening gambit will be familiar to novel readers:
My name is Kathy H. I’m thirty-one years old, and I’ve been a carer now for over eleven years. That sounds long enough, I know, but actually they want me to go on for another eight months […] My donors have always tended to do much better than expected.
Within a few pages, the narration slips into Kathy’s recollections of her idyllic 1970s youth at a boarding school called Hailsham. We are immersed in a childhood world of friendship and exclusion, jealousy and love. This is a recognisable world. Ishiguro’s first-person narration affords the reader vicarious access to Kathy’s interior tangle of emotion, desire and reflection, such that we can recognise something of ourselves in her.
Yet something is amiss in her narration. Flat and rather affectless, it is a decidedly less curious, less passionate and more tempered mode of narration than we might expect. The threadbare texture frays the narrative world. What are we to make of the opaque references to “carer”, “they” and “donors”?
This uncanny tension between the strange and the familiar simmers until a third of the way through the novel, when a “guardian” at Hailsham reveals the students’ futures:
Your lives are set out for you. You’ll become adults, then before you’re old, before you’re even middle-aged, you’ll start to donate your vital organs. That’s what each of you was created to do.
Good liberals
Kathy is a clone, condemned to death so her organs can be harvested for “normals”. That this heartless system “reduces the most hardened critics to tears” comes as no surprise. After all, Ishiguro has evoked the familiar genre of the 19th-century boarding-school bildungsroman to encourage us to believe that this is a form of subjectivity we can share. This bildung – the German word for “formation” – is not an integration into society but rather a dismemberment by society.
That this does not provoke anger, in readers and characters alike, does come as a surprise. For if the proclamation of the students’ fates is not distressing enough, Ishiguro forces us to confront the clones’ response or, rather, the lack thereof. There are no incandescent flashes of fury or even mild expressions of dismay.
Instead, the clones are “pretty relieved” when the speech stops. Knowledge of their impending death passes them like a ship in the night, inciting “surprisingly little discussion”. In this disconcerting silence, the relation between reader and clone is mediated through another genre: science fiction.
The bildungsroman and science fiction, identification and misidentification, intimacy and estrangement – these are the tools of Ishiguro’s trade. He manipulates them, and us, with precision. There is intimacy as we recognise that the students’ everyday lives – reading novels, creating art, playing sport – are much like our own. There is estrangement as we realise that the clones are willingly cooperating in their own deaths. They will “donate” and “complete” in the narrative’s chilling terms.
In other words, we cry because the clones are just like us, but our anger towards the machinery of donation is blunted because the clones are not yet us, in that their complicity eerily lacks our instinct for self-preservation.
Confident that we will take ourselves as the measuring stick, Ishiguro compels us to adopt a position of superiority characterised by a paternalistic ethos of sympathy and care. In this way, he persuades us to read as good liberals. We acknowledge the humanity of the clones and embrace the diversity of our common condition. At the same time, we are complacent in the knowledge that we are almost the same, but not quite. We are insulated by a disavowed difference.
An abstract formal equality, evacuated of concrete historical content, is precisely what is expressed when the same critics who praise the novel’s melancholic tone claim that Ishiguro shows us “what it is to be human” or that he enlivens this otherwise “meaningless cliche”.
Is Ishiguro doing anything more than offering a banal endorsement of common humanity? It seems to me that he is, and in doing so he is summoning our liberal sentiments only to turn them against us.
The mechanism he uses is as old as the novel form itself: the romance plot. Romance leads to the happily-ever-after of marriage: a perfect union in which each person completes the other.
Not long after we learn that Kathy and her friends are clones destined to die, we become privy to a rumour: students who can prove they are “properly in love” are eligible for a “deferral” of their donations. To fast-forward through the novel’s tangled romance plot to the denouement, Kathy and Tommy – a fellow clone – track down Hailsham’s former administrator to plead their case. Not only is their request for deferral rejected, but the possibility of deferral is dispelled as a pernicious rumour.
The allure of romance has been a lure, a cold steel trap in the guise of a warm embrace. Ishiguro dangles the promise of romance only to expose its sinister echoes in the donation system.
The “completion” of romance is macabrely inverted. Completion through matrimonial union with an ideal other is transformed into the “donation” of organs, which completes an unknown “normal”, whose life can continue as a result of the clone’s death.
Cover of the first edition of Never Let Me Go (2005)
Ishiguro positions us so that we are unwittingly aligned with the “normal” population, whose “overwhelming concern was that their own children, their spouses, their parents, their friends, did not die from cancer, motor neuron disease, heart disease”.
What we want the clones to do (resist their fates) and the means of doing so (romance) are revealed as responsible for the donation system. If we want Kathy and Tommy to live because they love each other – and we do because Ishiguro has compelled us to care for them – then we are endorsing the logic that designates them as disposable in the first place.
The anger Ishiguro has deliberately blunted returns, redoubled. Our care is transformed into complicity. We, rather than the clones, are the targets of Ishiguro’s ire.
Translating this into political terms, Ishiguro is giving aesthetic form to neoliberalism’s eclipse of liberalism. It is no coincidence that Never Let Me Go takes place in England between the 1970s and 1990s, the exact period of neoliberalism’s emergence and consolidation.
But this is no simple transition. Never Let Me Go implies that liberalism is the ghost in the neoliberal machine. The novel is a representation of a vicious neoliberal class system, where those who can afford replacement parts can substantiate the fantasy of liberal individualism, while those who can’t serve as replacement parts.
In this sense, Ishiguro can be read as posing a series of incisive questions, not simply offering the platitude that we are all human. What are the costs of love? Why is there a trade-off between caring for those close to us and caring for those who are distant? How do our claims of shared humanity pave the way for domination? Why do we assume that our way of life is superior because it is predicated on liberal principles? How do we break from a callous system in which we too are complicit?
Twenty years on, these questions are as relevant as ever. To begin answering them, perhaps we have to wipe the tears from our eyes and turn to anger.
Matthew Taft does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Conspiracy theories are a widespread occurrence in today’s hyper connected and polarised world.
Events such as Brexit, the 2016 and 2020 United States presidential elections, and the COVID pandemic serve as potent reminders of how easily these narratives can infiltrate public discourse.
The consequences for society are significant, given a devotion to conspiracy theories can undermine key democratic norms and weaken citizens’ trust in critical institutions. As we know from the January 6 riot at the US Capitol, it can also motivate political violence.
But who is most likely to believe these conspiracies?
My new study with Daniel Stockemer of the University of Ottawa provides a clear and perhaps surprising answer. Published in Political Psychology, our research shows age is one of the most significant predictors of conspiracy beliefs, but not in the way many might assume.
People under 35 are consistently more likely to endorse conspiratorial ideas.
This conclusion is built on a solid foundation of evidence. First, we conducted a meta analysis, a “study of studies”, which synthesised the results of 191 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2024.
This massive dataset, which included over 374,000 participants, revealed a robust association between young age and belief in conspiracies.
To confirm this, we ran our own original multinational survey of more than 6,000 people across six diverse countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, the US and South Africa.
The results were the same. In fact, age proved to be a more powerful predictor of conspiracy beliefs than any other demographic factor we measured, including a person’s gender, income, or level of education.
Why are young people more conspiratorial?
Having established conspiracy beliefs are more prevalent among younger people, we set out to understand why.
Our project tested several potential factors and found three key reasons why younger generations are more susceptible to conspiracy theories.
1. Political alienation
One of the most powerful drivers we identified is a deep sense of political disaffection among young people.
A majority of young people feel alienated from political systems run by politicians who are two or three generations older than them.
This under representation can lead to frustration and the feeling democracy isn’t working for them. In this context, conspiracy theories provide a simple, compelling explanation for this disconnect: the system isn’t just failing, it’s being secretly controlled and manipulated by nefarious actors.
2. Activist style of participation
The way young people choose to take part in politics also plays a significant role.
While they may be less likely to engage in traditional practices such as voting, they are often highly engaged in unconventional forms of participation, such as protests, boycotts and online campaigns.
These activist environments, particularly online, can become fertile ground for conspiracy theories to germinate and spread. They often rely on similar “us versus them” narratives that pit a “righteous” in-group against a “corrupt” establishment.
3. Low self-esteem
Finally, our research confirmed a crucial psychological link to self-esteem.
For individuals with lower perceptions of self worth, believing in a conspiracy theory – blaming external, hidden forces for their problems – can be a way of coping with feelings of powerlessness.
Understanding these root causes is essential because it shows simply debunking false claims is not a sufficient solution.
To truly address the rise of conspiracy theories and limit their consequences, we must tackle the underlying issues that make these narratives so appealing in the first place.
Given the role played by political alienation, a critical step forward is to make our democracies more representative. This is best illustrated by the recent election of Labor Senator Charlotte Walker, who is barely 21.
By actively working to increase the presence of young people in our political institutions, we can help give them faith that the system can work for them, reducing the appeal of theories which claim it is hopelessly corrupt.
More inclusive democracy
This does not mean discouraging the passion of youth activism. Rather, it is about empowering young people with the tools to navigate today’s complex information landscape.
Promoting robust media and digital literacy education could help individuals critically evaluate the information they encounter in all circles, including online activist spaces.
The link to self-esteem also points to a broader societal responsibility.
By investing in the mental health and wellbeing of young people, we can help boost the psychological resilience and sense of agency that makes them less vulnerable to the simplistic blame games offered by conspiracy theories.
Ultimately, building a society that is resistant to misinformation is not about finding fault with a particular generation.
It is about creating a stronger, more inclusive democracy where all citizens, especially the young, feel represented, empowered, and secure.
Jean-Nicolas Bordeleau receives funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Efforts to end the relentless siege of Gaza have been set back by the abrupt end to peace talks in Qatar.
Both the United States and Israel have withdrawn their negotiating teams, accusing Hamas of a “lack of desire to reach a ceasefire”.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff says it would appear Hamas never wanted a deal:
While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people in Gaza
State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott reads Steve Witkoff’s statement on the collapse of the Gaza peace talks.
The disappointing development coincides with mounting fears of a widespread famine in Gaza and a historic decision by France to formally recognise a Palestinian state.
French President Emmanuel Macron says there is no alternative for the sake of security of the Middle East:
True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine
What will these developments mean for the conflict in Gaza and the broader security of the Middle East?
‘Humanitarian catastrophe’
The failure to reach a truce means there is no end in sight to the Israeli siege of Gaza which has devastated the territory for more than 21 months.
Amid mounting fears of mass starvation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Gaza is in the grip of a “humanitarian catastrophe”. He is urging Israel to comply immediately with its obligations under international law:
Israel’s denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food cannot be defended or ignored.
According to the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, more than 100 people – most of them children – have died of hunger. One in five children in Gaza City is malnourished, with the number of cases rising every day.
Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini says with little food aid entering Gaza, people are
neither dead nor alive, they are walking corpses […] most children our teams are seeing are emaciated, weak and at high risk of dying if they don’t get the treatment they urgently need.
The UN and more than 100 aid groups blame Israel’s blockade of almost all aid into the territory for the lack of food.
Lazzarini says UNRWA has 6,000 trucks of emergency supplies waiting in Jordan and Egypt. He is urging Israel – which continues to blame Hamas for cases of malnutrition – to allow the humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
It included a 60-day truce, during which time Hamas would release ten living Israeli hostages and the remains of 18 others. In exchange, Israel would release a number of Palestinian prisoners, and humanitarian aid to Gaza would be significantly increased.
During the ceasefire, both sides would engage in negotiations toward a lasting truce.
While specific details of the current sticking points remain unclear, previous statements from both parties suggest the disagreement centres on what would follow any temporary ceasefire.
Israel is reportedly seeking to maintain a permanent military presence in Gaza to allow for a rapid resumption of operations if needed. In contrast, Hamas is demanding a pathway toward a complete end to hostilities.
A lack of mutual trust has dramatically clouded the negotiations.
From Israel’s perspective, any ceasefire must not result in Hamas regaining control of Gaza, as this would allow the group to rebuild its power and potentially launch another cross-border attack.
However, Hamas has repeatedly said it is willing to hand over power to any other Palestinian group in pursuit of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. This could include the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), which governs the West Bank and has long recognised Israel.
Support for a Palestinian state
Israeli leaders have occasionally paid lip service to a Palestinian state. But they have described such an entity as “less than a state” or a “state-minus” – a formulation that falls short of both Palestinian aspirations and international legal standards.
In response to the worsening humanitarian situation, some Western countries have moved to fully recognise a Palestinian state, viewing it as a step toward a permanent resolution of one of the longest-running conflicts in the Middle East.
Macron’s announcement France will officially recognise a full Palestinian state in September is a major development.
France is now the most prominent Western power to take this position. It follows more than 140 countries – including more than a dozen in Europe – that have already recognised statehood.
While largely symbolic, the move adds diplomatic pressure on Israel amid the ongoing war and aid crisis in Gaza.
However, the announcement was immediately condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed recognition “rewards terror” and
risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it.
Annexing Gaza?
A Palestinian state is unacceptable to Israel.
Further evidence was recently presented in a revealing TV interview by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak who stated Netanyahu had deliberately empowered Hamas in order to block a two-state solution.
Instead there is mounting evidence Israel is seeking to annex the entirety of Palestinian land and relocate Palestinians to neighbouring countries.
Given the current uncertainty, it appears unlikely a new ceasefire will be reached in the near future, especially as it remains unclear whether the US withdrawal from the negotiations was a genuine policy shift or merely a strategic negotiating tactic.
Ali Mamouri does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
In the underwriting auction conducted on July 25, 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:
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
UNITED NATIONS, July 24 (Xinhua) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Thailand and Cambodia to exercise maximum restraint, his deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said at a daily briefing on Thursday.
“The Secretary-General follows with concern reports of armed clashes along the border between Cambodia and Thailand. The Secretary-General urges both sides to exercise maximum restraint and to resolve any issues through dialogue and in a spirit of good neighbourliness with a view to finding a lasting solution to the dispute,” he said.
The situation on the Thai-Cambodian border escalated after skirmishes on Thursday. Following the escalation, the two sides traded accusations, with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet calling on the UN Security Council to convene an urgent meeting to discuss the issue. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ZHENGZHOU, July 25 (Xinhua) — The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with the Xinhua News Agency, on Friday released a report on China’s concept and practice of cultural heritage preservation.
The report, titled “Jointly Protecting the Treasures of Human Civilization: China’s Concept and Practice of Cultural Heritage Preservation in the New Era,” provides a detailed explanation of China’s vibrant and colorful practice of cultural heritage protection and inheritance. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to an alleged sexual assault that occurred this morning in Nightcliff.
Around 5:45am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) received a report that a woman had been sexually assaulted by a male who was unknown to her on Boetdoemba Street, near the intersection with Progress Drive.
The male fled the scene prior to police arrival and investigations are ongoing to identify and locate him. He is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, green camouflage print shorts and high-cut white socks.
Police are calling for any witnesses who may have information that can assist police in their enquiries to make contact on 131 444 and quote reference NTP2500074948. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Several key legislations and reports are likely to be discussed in the Lok Sabha on Friday, including statements from the Standing Committee on External Affairs on countering global terrorism.
As per the Business List of the Lower House, Arvind Ganpat Sawant and Arun Govil are scheduled to submit the statements of the Standing Committee on External Affairs.
These include – Statement showing action taken by the government on the observations/recommendations on the subject “India and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)- Contours of Cooperation”; Statement showing action taken by the government on the observations/recommendations on the subject “India’s Engagement with G20 Countries”; and Statement showing action taken by the government on the observations/recommendations on the subject “Countering Global Terrorism at Regional and International Levels”.
The Lower House will also see the tabling of various reports of the Public Accounts Committee (2025-26) by Dharmendra Yadav and Jai Parkash.
These include reports on “Failure of the CMPFO Management to take timely decision to redeem debentures of Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL) resulting in avoidable loss of Rs 315.35 crore; “Loss due to indecision of Railway Administration in the matter of Land Acquisition: East Central Railway”; “Grant of Concession without the support of Declaration in Form – F”; and “Evasion of Tax due to Suppression of Sales”.
Additionally, “The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024”, the motion for which was moved by Arjun Ram Meghwal on December 17, 2024, will be presented for consideration and passing.
The Bill enables “reservation of seats in accordance with Article 332 of the Constitution for effective democratic participation of members of Scheduled Tribes”. It provides for the “readjustment of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa, in so far as such readjustment is necessitated by the inclusion of certain communities in the list of the Scheduled Tribes in the State of Goa”.
Several key legislations and reports are likely to be discussed in the Lok Sabha on Friday, including statements from the Standing Committee on External Affairs on countering global terrorism.
As per the Business List of the Lower House, Arvind Ganpat Sawant and Arun Govil are scheduled to submit the statements of the Standing Committee on External Affairs.
These include – Statement showing action taken by the government on the observations/recommendations on the subject “India and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)- Contours of Cooperation”; Statement showing action taken by the government on the observations/recommendations on the subject “India’s Engagement with G20 Countries”; and Statement showing action taken by the government on the observations/recommendations on the subject “Countering Global Terrorism at Regional and International Levels”.
The Lower House will also see the tabling of various reports of the Public Accounts Committee (2025-26) by Dharmendra Yadav and Jai Parkash.
These include reports on “Failure of the CMPFO Management to take timely decision to redeem debentures of Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL) resulting in avoidable loss of Rs 315.35 crore; “Loss due to indecision of Railway Administration in the matter of Land Acquisition: East Central Railway”; “Grant of Concession without the support of Declaration in Form – F”; and “Evasion of Tax due to Suppression of Sales”.
Additionally, “The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024”, the motion for which was moved by Arjun Ram Meghwal on December 17, 2024, will be presented for consideration and passing.
The Bill enables “reservation of seats in accordance with Article 332 of the Constitution for effective democratic participation of members of Scheduled Tribes”. It provides for the “readjustment of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa, in so far as such readjustment is necessitated by the inclusion of certain communities in the list of the Scheduled Tribes in the State of Goa”.
Regular practice of yoga may reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by as much as 40% among individuals at high risk, according to a new report titled ‘Yoga and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes’. The findings were presented on Thursday to the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, J.P. Nadda, in the presence of Union Minister for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh.
The report, based on evidence-backed research, was prepared by the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), one of India’s largest organizations of diabetes researchers and healthcare professionals. It was led by Dr. S.V. Madhu, former President of RSSDI and current head of the Department of Endocrinology at the University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi.
Unlike earlier studies that mainly focused on managing diabetes through yoga, this study emphasizes prevention. It assessed the impact of yoga on individuals with a predisposition to Type 2 diabetes—such as those with a family history or other risk factors—and found a significant 40% reduction in their risk when yoga was practiced regularly.
“This is one of the first scientific attempts to document yoga’s role in preventing Type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is also a noted diabetologist. He emphasized that the study provides a much-needed focus on preventive healthcare, aligning with India’s broader wellness goals.
The report also identified specific yoga asanas (postures) that may be particularly effective in lowering diabetes risk, although details on these asanas are yet to be elaborated for clinical recommendations.
While the current findings are based on non-clinical observations, further scrutiny and validation are underway. Additionally, the Department of Biotechnology is supporting similar studies to explore how traditional wellness practices like yoga can be integrated into modern preventive and therapeutic health strategies.
Calling the findings a “reaffirmation of India’s wellness heritage grounded in modern science,” Dr. Singh said, “This study shows how ancient practices like yoga, when subjected to scientific investigation, can yield real-world solutions for public health.”
Over 3.52 lakh devotees have undertaken the ongoing Amarnath Yatra till Thursday, as another batch of pilgrims departed for the Kashmir Valley on Friday, officials said.
“Another batch of 2,896 yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu on Friday in two escorted convoys, heading towards the two designated base camps,” officials stated.
The first convoy, comprising 42 vehicles and carrying 790 pilgrims, departed at 3:30 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, consisting of 75 vehicles and carrying 2,106 pilgrims, left at 4:18 a.m. for the Pahalgam base camp.
On Thursday, ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace) was taken to the historic Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar for the customary puja, performed on the occasion of ‘Haryali Amavasya’ (Shravan Amavasya) by a group of sadhus led by Mahant Deependra Giri. This ritual is a part of the age-old tradition associated with the annual pilgrimage.
Today, the Chhari Mubarak will be carried to the Sharika Bhawani Temple atop the Hari Parvat hillock in Srinagar for another round of traditional worship.
The Chhari Mubarak is scheduled to begin its final journey towards the Amarnath cave shrine from Dashnami Akhara Temple in Srinagar on August 4 and will reach the holy cave on August 9, marking the official conclusion of this year’s Yatra.
The Powell Center continues to host synthesis working groups this summer, with six groups scheduled over the next two months.
The number of required steps for setting up a working group have recently significantly increased. Approvals and travel arrangements are happening in parallel, and working groups may not hear about approval until the week before their meeting. We realize this is challenging for planning ahead, and we thank PIs and participants for their timely responses and flexibility.
Important synthesis science continues, recent publications can be viewed on our Publications page.
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
Cornyn Joined Pres. Trump at the White House for Signing Ceremony
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statements after their Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act, which codifies President Trump’s Executive Order renaming the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge near Houston, Texas, to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Refuge, was signed into law by President Trump. Sen. Cornyn joined him in the Oval Office for today’s signing ceremony.
“Last year, Jocelyn Nungaray’s life was stolen from her by dangerous illegal immigrants who were wrongfully let into the country by the Biden-Harris administration, and today we ensure her life and legacy are never forgotten,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I want to thank President Trump for swiftly signing my legislation to permanently rename of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Jocelyn’s honor and was proud to join today’s White House bill signing ceremony.”
“I’m deeply grateful to my colleagues in Congress and to President Trump for signing into law the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act,” said Sen. Cruz. “This bill will rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Jocelyn’s memory. Jocelyn was murdered by illegal aliens, an unspeakable crime that should have never occurred. We have a duty to commemorate her life alongside her family.”
Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) led this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Background:
On June 17, 2024, 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was brutally murdered in Houston, Texas. Two illegal aliens who were allegedly members of the Tren de Aragua gang have been charged with her murder. Jocelyn loved animals and, given the close proximity of her hometown of Houston, it is fitting that the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge be renamed in her honor.
Located along the Texas Gulf Coast, the 39,000-acre refuge is a sanctuary for migratory birds and diverse wildlife. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System and plays a vital role in coastal conservation, public recreation, and environmental education. Now, it will also stand as a solemn tribute to Jocelyn’s memory and a symbol of the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting American communities. On March 4, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14229 to officially change the name from Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge. On March 7, 2025, the refuge was officially renamed after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s implementation order was signed. This law will ensure that this renaming cannot be overturned by a future administration by codifying the refuge’s new name into law.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would not destroy Elon Musk’s companies by taking away federal subsidies and that he wants the billionaire tech entrepreneur’s businesses to thrive.
The remarks follow a public clash with his former close ally over his tax bill. In July, the space and automotive billionaire announced the formation of a new political party, saying Trump’s “big, beautiful” tax bill would bankrupt America.
“Everyone is stating that I will destroy Elon’s companies by taking away some, if not all, of the large scale subsidies he receives from the U.S. Government. This is not so!” Trump said in a social media post.
“I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE.”
In a post on X, Musk said the “subsidies” Trump was talking about simply do not exist.
SpaceX won the NASA contracts by doing a better job for less money, he added. “Moving those contracts to other aerospace companies would leave astronauts stranded and taxpayers on the hook for twice as much!”
The president’s social media post came on the heels of Musk’s warningto Tesla TSLA.O investors on Wednesday that U.S. government cuts in support for electric vehicle makers could lead to a “few rough quarters” for the company.
Though Musk has often said government subsidies should be eliminated, Tesla has historically benefited from billions of dollars in tax credits and other policy benefits because of its business in clean transportation and renewable energy.
Sweeping tax and budget legislation approved by Congress, and signed by Trump, will halt$7,500 tax credits for buying or leasing new electric vehicles on September 30, as well as a $4,000 used EV credit, that have helped spur their sales in recent years.
Before the relationship soured, Musk had spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help Trump win November’s presidential election and led the Department of Government Efficiency’s chaotic effort to slash the budget and cut the federal workforce.
The Tesla CEO left the administration in late May to refocus on his tech empire.
Trump and Musk fell out shortly afterward when Musk openly denounced the Republican president’s tax-cut and spending bill, leading to threats by Trump to cancel billions of dollars worth of federal government contracts with Musk’s companies.
A week after the June spat, Reuters reported the White House had directed the Defense Department and NASA to gather details on billions of dollars in SpaceX contracts to ready possible retaliation against the businessman and his companies.
Musk’s SpaceX had been considered a frontrunner to build out Trump’s $175-billion Golden Dome missile defense shield and remains a natural choice for key elements of the project.
But sources familiar with the matter told Reuters this week that the administration is expanding its search for partners to build Golden Dome as tension with Musk threatens SpaceX’s dominance in the program.
France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday in hopes of bringing peace to the region, but the plan drew angry rebukes from Israel and the United States.
Macron, who unveiled the decision on X, published a letter sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming France’s intention to press ahead with Palestinian recognition and work to convincing other partners to follow suit.
“True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the state of Palestine,” Macron said.
“I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September.”
Home to Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities, France will become the first major Western country to recognise a Palestinian state, potentially fuelling a movement so far dominated by smaller nations generally more critical of Israel.
The news sparked anger in Israel and Washington.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the decision by one of Israel’s closest allies and a G7 member, saying such a move “rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy.”
In a post on X, he added, “A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it.
“Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel.”
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the move as “a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism,” adding that Israel would not allow the establishment of a “Palestinian entity that would harm our security, endanger our existence.”
In response, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States “strongly rejects (Macron’s) plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly.”
In a post on X, he said, “This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.”
Earlier, Canada also pressed Israel to seek peace, with Prime Minister Mark Carney condemning its “failure to prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza” and reiterating support for a two-state solution.
Carney also accused Israel of violating international law over the blocking of Canadian-funded aid to civilians in the war-torn Palestinian enclave.
“Canada calls on all sides to negotiate an immediate ceasefire in good faith,” he added.
“We reiterate our calls for Hamas to immediately release all the hostages, and for the Israeli government to respect the territorial integrity of the West Bank and Gaza.”
In a diplomatic cable in June, the United States said it opposed steps to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state, even saying it could go against U.S. foreign policy interests and draw consequences.
In June, Washington’s ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said he did not think an independent Palestinian state remained a U.S. foreign policy goal.
President Donald Trump has himself expressed doubts about a two-state solution, proposing a U.S. takeover of Gaza in February, that was condemned by rights groups, Arab states, Palestinians and the U.N. as a proposal of “ethnic cleansing”.
Macron had been leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state for months as part of a bid to keep the idea of a two-state solution alive, despite the pressure not to do so.
French officials initially weighed up the move ahead of a United Nations conference, which France and Saudi Arabia had planned to co-host in June to lay out parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel’s security.
The conference was postponed under U.S. pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which the closure of regional airspace made it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend.
It was rescheduled and downgraded to a ministerial event on July 28 and July 29, with a second event taking place with heads of state and government on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September.
CREATING MOMENTUM
The decision to make the announcement ahead of next week’s conference aimed to give the French team at the United Nations a framework to work with other countries that are also considering recognising a Palestinian state or have misgivings in doing so.
Diplomats say Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state. About 40 foreign ministers will be in New York next week.
Israeli officials have spent months lobbying to prevent what some have called “a nuclear bomb” for bilateral ties.
Sources familiar with the matter say Israel’s warnings to France have ranged from scaling back intelligence sharing to complicating Paris’ regional initiatives – even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank.
Israel has been waging a devastating war in Gaza since the Palestinian militant group Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel in October 2023 and says recognising a Palestinian state now would be equivalent to rewarding Hamas.
Thanking France, the Palestinian Authority’s Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh said on X that Macron’s decision reflected “France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state.”
Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, despite calls from the region and beyond for an immediate ceasefire in an escalating border conflict that has killed at least 16 people.
Thailand’s military reported clashes from before dawn in the Ubon Ratchathani and Surin provinces and said Cambodia had used artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket systems. Authorities said 100,000 people had been evacuated from conflict areas on the Thai side.
“Cambodian forces have conducted sustained bombardment utilising heavy weapons, field artillery and BM-21 rocket systems,” the Thai military said in a statement.
“Thai forces have responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation.”
Both sides blamed each other for starting the conflict on Thursday at a disputed border area, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling in at least six locations 209 km (130 miles) apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century.
Reuters journalists in Surin province reported hearing intermittent bursts of explosions on Friday, amid a heavy presence of armed Thai soldiers along roads and gas stations in the largely agrarian area.
A Thai military convoy, including around a dozen trucks, armoured vehicles and tanks, cut across provincial roads ringed by paddy fields and moved toward the border.
The fighting erupted on Thursday just hours after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh the previous night and expelled Cambodia’s envoy, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops. Cambodia has dismissed that as baseless.
DEATH TOLL RISES
The Thai death toll rose to 15 as of early Friday, 14 of them civilians, according to the health ministry. It said 46 people were wounded, including 15 soldiers.
Cambodia’s national government has not provided details of any casualties or evacuations of civilians. A government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest clashes.
Meth Meas Pheakdey, spokesperson for the provincial administration of Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, said one civilian had been killed and five were wounded, with 1,500 families evacuated.
Thailand had positioned six F-16 fighter jets on Thursday in a rare combat deployment, one of which was mobilised to strike a Cambodian military target, among measures Cambodia called “reckless and brutal military aggression”.
Thailand’s use of an F-16 underlines its military advantage over Cambodia, which has no fighter aircraft and significantly less defence hardware and personnel, according to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies
The United States, a long-time treaty ally of Thailand, called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Thailand and Cambodia are members, said he had spoken to leaders of both countries and urged them to find a peaceful way out.
“I welcome the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward. Malaysia stands ready to assist and facilitate this process in the spirit of ASEAN unity and shared responsibility,” he said in a social media post late on Thursday.
Source: Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa – Centre for Pacific and Global Health
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling welcomed by Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa – Centre for Pacific and Global Health.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that countries can be held legally accountable for greenhouse gas emissions has been welcomed by Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa – Centre for Pacific and Global Health.
Co-Director Li’amanaia Dr Roannie Ng Shiu commended Pacific youth and Pacific communities for their leadership and perseverance over six years of advocacy. She says their leadership demonstrated the power of young Pacific voices to shape international systems and call the world to account.
“We extend our congratulations to the Pacific youth, student leaders and our Pacific communities in the region whose courageous advocacy and strategic vision led to this moment.” “Their tireless efforts – supported by a coalition of Pacific governments, civil society, and legal experts – have resulted in a global legal affirmation that states have clear obligations to act on climate change.”
The legal campaign, led by Vanuatu, was initiated by the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC). Its president, Cynthia Houniuhi, visited the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika two years ago as a guest panelist for Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa’s Pacific Transnational Leadership Panel, where she joined regional leaders in discussing the future of Pacific cooperation.
Dr Ng Shiu praised the leadership of Houniuhi and the cultural integrity of the campaign.
“This opinion stems from a journey led by Pacific students and communities, speaking from lived experience – rising sea levels, disrupted ecosystems, and the health and social impacts already affecting their families.”
That journey has now yielded a decision that will influence global climate action for years to come, says Ng Shiu.
“As a young Pacific female and student, she epitomizes what it means to make the impossible possible and to redefine leadership. She’s quiet and humble, but when she speaks, it’s deeply impactful. In a world that often celebrates loud and assertive voices, Cynthia’s thoughtful approach stands out.
“Her leadership, and the way the ICJ campaign was conducted, reflects not just climate justice but also cultural ethics. The integration of storytelling and community engagement ensures that people hear, understand, and embrace the message. This is promising for Indigenous and Pacific peoples – our ways of knowing and being are being valued by institutions like the ICJ.
“This ruling is not just about empowerment, but also accountability. It s
