Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BRUSSELS, June 12 (Xinhua) — Senior officials from the European Union (EU), Spain and Britain, along with representatives from Gibraltar, reached agreement in Brussels on Wednesday on key aspects of a future EU-UK treaty on Gibraltar, aimed at removing border barriers and promoting regional prosperity.
“The future agreement is without prejudice to the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom regarding sovereignty and jurisdiction,” the joint statement said.
According to the statement, the aim of the future agreement is to ensure the prosperity of the region by removing all physical barriers, checks and controls on persons and goods moving between Spain and Gibraltar.
This will be done while maintaining the Schengen area, the EU single market and the customs union.
As for the movement of people, checks at the checkpoint between Gibraltar and La Linea in Spain will be abolished for those who cross the border daily for work. Double checks will be carried out at the port and airport of Gibraltar.
With regard to goods, close cooperation between both customs authorities and the abolition of checks on goods will lead to the creation of a customs union between the EU and Gibraltar.
The future agreement also covers areas such as state aid, taxation, labour relations, environment, trade and sustainable development, anti-money laundering, transport, environment, cohesion and employment. –0–
Have your say: Help shape the ATO Vulnerability Framework
We’ve developed the ATO Vulnerability Framework to better support taxpayers experiencing vulnerability so they can engage with the tax and super systems more easily and with the help they need.
This framework outlines our commitment to inclusive and respectful engagement. It includes:
6 guiding principles
Equity and Fairness
Accessibility and Inclusion
Empathy and Compassion
Transparency and Accountability
Privacy and Data Security
Continuous Improvement
4 core focus areas
Support
Services
Design
Staff
a clear approach to how we listen, communicate, and connect people with the right support.
While it doesn’t change your legal obligations, it helps shape how we design policies and processes to ensure more consistent and compassionate interactions.
Why your feedback matters
Your insights will help shape the framework to ensure it reflects the real needs and experiences of the people it’s designed to support.
Please share this opportunity with your SMSF members to help build a more inclusive tax and super system.
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Have your say: Help shape the ATO Vulnerability Framework
We’ve developed the ATO Vulnerability Framework to better support taxpayers experiencing vulnerability so they can engage with the tax and super systems more easily and with the help they need.
This framework outlines our commitment to inclusive and respectful engagement, it includes:
6 guiding principles
Equity and Fairness
Accessibility and Inclusion
Empathy and Compassion
Transparency and Accountability
Privacy and Data Security
Continuous Improvement
4 core focus areas
Support
Services
Design
Staff
a clear approach to how we listen, communicate, and connect people with the right support.
While it doesn’t change your legal obligations, it helps shape how we design policies and processes to ensure more consistent and compassionate interactions.
Why feedback matters
Your insights, and the insights of your members, will help shape the framework to ensure it reflects the real needs and experiences of the people it’s designed to support.
Public consultation helps us understand different perspectives, including lived experiences, identify gaps and strengthen transparency and accessibility.
We welcome feedback from individuals, advocates, professionals and organisations that support people affected by vulnerability.
Please share this opportunity with your members to help build a more inclusive tax and super system.
Looking for the latest news for Super funds? You can stay up to date by visiting our Super funds newsroom and subscribingExternal Link to our monthly Super funds newsletter and CRT alerts.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jadey O’Regan, Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Music, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney
The Beach Boys in 1962 in Los Angeles, California. Brian Wilson is on the left. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Brian Wilson, leader, songwriter and producer of the Beach Boys, has passed away at age 82.
He leaves behind a legacy of beautiful, joyous, bittersweet and enduring music, crafted over a career spanning six decades.
While this news isn’t unexpected – Wilson was diagnosed with dementia last year and entered a conservatorship after the loss of his wife, Melinda – his passing marks the end of a long and extraordinary chapter in musical history.
A life of music
Formed in the early 1960s in Hawthorne California, the Beach Boys were built on a foundation of family and community: brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine.
Growing up, the Wilson household was a turbulent place; their father, Murry Wilson, was strict and at times violent. Music was the one way in which the family could connect.
During these early years Brian discovered the sounds that would shape his musical identity: Gershwin, doo wop groups, early rock and roll, and, a particular favourite, the vocal group the Four Freshmen, whose tight-harmony singing style Wilson studied meticulously.
The Beach Boys in rehearsal in 1964; Brian Wilson sits at the piano . Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
It was an unexpected combination of influences for a pop band. Even from the Beach Boys’ earliest recordings – the surf, the cars, the girls – the stirrings of the complexity and musical adventurousness Wilson is known for is audible. Listen to the unexpected structure of The Lonely Sea (1962), the complex chords of The Warmth of the Sun (1963), or the subtle modulation in Don’t Worry Baby (1964).
These early innovations hinted at a growing creativity that would continue to evolve over the rest of the 1960s, and beyond.
A story of resilience
In later years, Brian Wilson often appeared publicly as a fragile figure. But what stands out most in his story is resilience.
His ability to produce such an expansive and diverse catalogue of work while navigating difficult family relationships, intense record label pressures, misdiagnosed and mistreated mental health conditions, addiction and much more, is extraordinary. Wilson not only survived, but continued to create music.
Brian Wilson on the piano and Al Jardine on guitar perform in Los Angeles in 2019. Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
He eventually did something few Beach Boys’ fans would have imagined – he returned to the stage.
Wilson’s unexpected return to public performance during the Pet Sounds and SMiLE tours in the early 2000s began a revival interest in the Beach Boys, and a critical reconsideration of their musical legacy. This continues with a consistent release of books, documentaries, movies and podcasts about Wilson and the legacy of the Beach Boys’ music.
The focus of a thesis
I grew up near Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Their early songs about an endless summer had a particular resonance to my hometown, even if, like Brian Wilson, I only admired the beach from afar.
I chose to study the Beach Boys’ music for my PhD thesis and spent the next few years charting the course of their musical development from their early days in the garage to creating Pet Sounds just five years later.
The Beach Boys perform onstage around 1963. Brian Wilson is on the left. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
I was fascinated by how a band could create such a groundbreaking volume of work and progress so quickly from the delightful, yet wobbly Surfin’ to the complex arrangements of God Only Knows.
To understand their music, I spent years listening to Beach Boys’ tracking sessions, take after take, to hear how their songs were so cleverly and delicately put together.
What struck me just as powerfully as the music itself was the sound of Brian Wilson’s voice in those recordings. Listening to Wilson leading hours of tracking sessions was to hear an artist at the top of their game – decisive, confident, funny, collaborative and deeply driven to make music that would express the magic he heard in his mind, and connect with an audience.
One of the more unexpected discoveries in my analysis of the Beach Boys’ music came from their lyrics. Using a word frequency tool to examine all 117 songs in my study, I found that the most common word was “now”.
The Beach Boys pose for a portrait around1964. Brian Wilson stands at the back. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
In many cases, it appears in a conversational sense – “Well, she got her Daddy’s car, and she cruised through the hamburger stand now” – but on a broader level, it perfectly encapsulates what Brian Wilson’s music offered so many listeners.
He created an endless present: a world where the sun could always be shining, where you could feel young forever, and you could visit that world any time you needed to.
Jadey O’Regan with Brian Wilson, Enmore Theatre, Sydney 2010. Jadey O’Regan
In 2010, I had the remarkable experience of meeting Brian Wilson in his dressing room before his performance at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. He was funny and kind. He sat at a small keyboard, taught me a harmony and for a moment, we sang Love and Mercy together.
It was one of the most magical moments of my life. It is also one of Wilson’s most enduring sentiments: “love and mercy, that’s what we need tonight”.
Farewell and thank you, Brian. Surf’s up.
Jadey O’Regan 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 Beach Boys in 1962 in Los Angeles, California. Brian Wilson is on the left. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Brian Wilson, leader, songwriter and producer of the Beach Boys, has passed away at age 82.
He leaves behind a legacy of beautiful, joyous, bittersweet and enduring music, crafted over a career spanning six decades.
While this news isn’t unexpected – Wilson was diagnosed with dementia last year and entered a conservatorship after the loss of his wife, Melinda – his passing marks the end of a long and extraordinary chapter in musical history.
A life of music
Formed in the early 1960s in Hawthorne California, the Beach Boys were built on a foundation of family and community: brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine.
Growing up, the Wilson household was a turbulent place; their father, Murry Wilson, was strict and at times violent. Music was the one way in which the family could connect.
During these early years Brian discovered the sounds that would shape his musical identity: Gershwin, doo wop groups, early rock and roll, and, a particular favourite, the vocal group the Four Freshmen, whose tight-harmony singing style Wilson studied meticulously.
The Beach Boys in rehearsal in 1964; Brian Wilson sits at the piano . Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
It was an unexpected combination of influences for a pop band. Even from the Beach Boys’ earliest recordings – the surf, the cars, the girls – the stirrings of the complexity and musical adventurousness Wilson is known for is audible. Listen to the unexpected structure of The Lonely Sea (1962), the complex chords of The Warmth of the Sun (1963), or the subtle modulation in Don’t Worry Baby (1964).
These early innovations hinted at a growing creativity that would continue to evolve over the rest of the 1960s, and beyond.
A story of resilience
In later years, Brian Wilson often appeared publicly as a fragile figure. But what stands out most in his story is resilience.
His ability to produce such an expansive and diverse catalogue of work while navigating difficult family relationships, intense record label pressures, misdiagnosed and mistreated mental health conditions, addiction and much more, is extraordinary. Wilson not only survived, but continued to create music.
Brian Wilson on the piano and Al Jardine on guitar perform in Los Angeles in 2019. Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
He eventually did something few Beach Boys’ fans would have imagined – he returned to the stage.
Wilson’s unexpected return to public performance during the Pet Sounds and SMiLE tours in the early 2000s began a revival interest in the Beach Boys, and a critical reconsideration of their musical legacy. This continues with a consistent release of books, documentaries, movies and podcasts about Wilson and the legacy of the Beach Boys’ music.
The focus of a thesis
I grew up near Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Their early songs about an endless summer had a particular resonance to my hometown, even if, like Brian Wilson, I only admired the beach from afar.
I chose to study the Beach Boys’ music for my PhD thesis and spent the next few years charting the course of their musical development from their early days in the garage to creating Pet Sounds just five years later.
The Beach Boys perform onstage around 1963. Brian Wilson is on the left. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
I was fascinated by how a band could create such a groundbreaking volume of work and progress so quickly from the delightful, yet wobbly Surfin’ to the complex arrangements of God Only Knows.
To understand their music, I spent years listening to Beach Boys’ tracking sessions, take after take, to hear how their songs were so cleverly and delicately put together.
What struck me just as powerfully as the music itself was the sound of Brian Wilson’s voice in those recordings. Listening to Wilson leading hours of tracking sessions was to hear an artist at the top of their game – decisive, confident, funny, collaborative and deeply driven to make music that would express the magic he heard in his mind, and connect with an audience.
One of the more unexpected discoveries in my analysis of the Beach Boys’ music came from their lyrics. Using a word frequency tool to examine all 117 songs in my study, I found that the most common word was “now”.
The Beach Boys pose for a portrait around1964. Brian Wilson stands at the back. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
In many cases, it appears in a conversational sense – “Well, she got her Daddy’s car, and she cruised through the hamburger stand now” – but on a broader level, it perfectly encapsulates what Brian Wilson’s music offered so many listeners.
He created an endless present: a world where the sun could always be shining, where you could feel young forever, and you could visit that world any time you needed to.
Jadey O’Regan with Brian Wilson, Enmore Theatre, Sydney 2010. Jadey O’Regan
In 2010, I had the remarkable experience of meeting Brian Wilson in his dressing room before his performance at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. He was funny and kind. He sat at a small keyboard, taught me a harmony and for a moment, we sang Love and Mercy together.
It was one of the most magical moments of my life. It is also one of Wilson’s most enduring sentiments: “love and mercy, that’s what we need tonight”.
Farewell and thank you, Brian. Surf’s up.
Jadey O’Regan 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.
After a blistering day under a relentless sun, Madhya Pradesh witnessed a dramatic shift in weather on Wednesday evening. Around 9 p.m., Bhopal was swept by gusty winds, followed by a refreshing spell of rain, providing much-needed relief to residents.
In Tikamgarh’s Mau Ghat, thunder cracked across the sky as rain lashed the area, accompanied by pea-sized hailstones, the report said.
Similar weather conditions were reported from Vidisha and Raisen, where skies opened up after a day of oppressive heat. The India Meteorological Department has issued a fresh alert for lightning, moderate thunder, and rainfall across Burhanpur, Khandwa, Harda, Vidisha, Raisen, and Barwani. Nighttime thunderstorms are also anticipated in Bhopal, Indore, Dewas, Sagar, Shajapur, Sehore, Rajgarh, Dhar, and Harda. The arrival of the monsoon is now imminent.
According to the Meteorological Department, monsoon activity has picked up pace and is likely to enter Madhya Pradesh between June 14 and 15, advancing from the eastern districts—Mandla, Seoni, Dindori, Balaghat, and Anuppur—where the heaviest rainfall is expected. The entire state is projected to be under monsoon cover by June 20. This year’s monsoon is ahead of schedule; in 2024, it arrived on June 21.
Meanwhile, the pre-monsoon heat has remained intense.
On Wednesday, six cities recorded temperatures exceeding 44 degrees C. Naugaon in Chhatarpur district was the hottest at 44.8 degrees C, followed by Guna at 44.5 degrees C, and Gwalior and Shajapur at 44.2 degrees C. Shivpuri and Tikamgarh also reached 44 degrees C. Major urban centres also experienced sweltering conditions, with Bhopal recording a temperature of 42.6 degrees C, Indore 41.6 degrees C, Ujjain 42.8 degrees C, and Jabalpur 40.6 degrees C. Khajuraho, Narmadapuram, and Narsinghpur hovered above 43 degrees C.
A heatwave alert remains in place for the Gwalior, Chambal, Ujjain, and Sagar divisions until June 12. Although showers are forecast from June 13 onward, heat will likely persist in districts that remain dry. May brought a string of meteorological surprises. For the first time in recorded history, Madhya Pradesh experienced storms or rain every single day of the month, weather experts said.
Fifty-three districts—including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, and Gwalior—received measurable rainfall. Ujjain set a new record for May rainfall with 111.8 mm.
“This unusual pattern is attributed to persistent cyclonic circulation, western disturbances, and active trough systems that influenced the state throughout May,” said a meteorologist. These systems are expected to continue shaping the weather into mid-June, with storm and rain alerts valid through June 12.
Looking ahead, while the advancing monsoon promises relief, forecasters warn of a final wave of intense heat. Historical patterns show pre-monsoon heatwaves are typical in early June, especially in Gwalior-Chambal and the western divisions. However, night temperatures are expected to drop by 8 to 10 degrees once the rains arrive. In Bhopal, temperatures are expected to remain high until June 15, the weather department said.
Over the past decade, the capital has seen temperatures exceed 45 degrees C in early June, with night lows plunging to 17.4 degrees C. In 2020, the city recorded 16 inches of rain in June; last year, it saw 10.9 inches—five of them within a single day. In the last 24 hours, rainfall was recorded at isolated locations in the Indore, Jabalpur, and Shahdol divisions, while the rest of the state remained dry.
A heatwave prevailed across Bhopal, Ratlam, Chhindwara, Khajuraho, Nowgong, Sagar, Tikamgarh, Guna, and Pachmarhi, with severe conditions noted in Narmadapuram. No significant changes in maximum temperatures were observed across divisions. The forecast warns of thunderstorms with lightning and gusts reaching 40–50 kmph, along with heatwave conditions, in isolated areas of Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, and Narmadapuram.
Similar conditions are expected in parts of Betul, Harda, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Barwani, Dewas, Shajapur, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Mandla, Balaghat, and Pandhurna.
After days of intense heat, a gradual respite in heatwave conditions is likely over northwest India beginning June 14, according to the forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Severe heatwave conditions were reported at a few places in west Rajasthan, with isolated areas experiencing extreme temperatures. According to the weather department, the highest maximum temperature reported over the plains of the country was Sri Ganganagar (Rajasthan) at 48.0 degrees Celsius.
Heat wave conditions also prevailed in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and isolated pockets of east Rajasthan, south Uttar Pradesh, and northwest Madhya Pradesh.
In its forecast for the maximum temperature, the IMD said that there was no significant change likely over Northwest and Central India during the next three days and predicted a gradual fall in mercury by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius thereafter.
“No significant change in maximum temperatures likely over East India during the next 24 hours and a gradual fall by 2-3°C thereafter for subsequent three days and no significant change thereafter. No significant change in maximum temperatures likely over rest parts of the country,” IMD shared on X.
On Tuesday, IMD official Radheshyam Sharma said that Western Rajasthan, particularly Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, and Bikaner, was experiencing a severe heat wave with temperatures above 47 degrees Celsius. The heat wave is expected to continue for three to four days.
“Strong south-west winds, carrying dust, will prevail in the region for two to three days. Eastern Rajasthan may experience thunderstorm activities from June 15-16, bringing possible relief from the heat. A drop in temperature is expected in eastern Rajasthan around June 18-20 due to thunderstorm activities”, Sharma added.
According to the weather department, the temperatures recorded on Wednesday across different districts of Rajasthan were 48.0 degrees Celsius in Sri Ganganagar, 45.1 degrees Celsius in Bikaner, 44.2 degrees Celsius in Barmer, 45.8 degrees Celsius in Churu, 45.8 degrees Celsius in Phalodi, 44.4 degrees Celsius in Jaipur, and 45.1 degrees Celsius in Kota.
On June 10, Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh issued orange alerts. Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli, and Dholpur issued yellow warnings.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued an orange alert for several ghat districts in Tamil Nadu, forecasting intense rainfall between June 13 and 16.
The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, and adjoining hilly regions are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rain, with isolated areas in the Nilgiris likely to witness extremely heavy downpours exceeding 204.4 mm on June 14 and 15.
Authorities have urged residents in these districts to remain alert and take necessary precautions against potential disruptions such as landslides, waterlogging, and reduced visibility.
According to the MeT department, an orange alert in weather forecasts signifies a potentially disruptive weather situation, often due to heavy rainfall, and requires people to be prepared for sudden changes in conditions.
Gusty winds ranging from 30-40 kmph are also expected to accompany the rains, heightening the risk in vulnerable zones.
The seven-day weather outlook suggests a gradual intensification of rainfall across the state.
From Tuesday, parts of North Tamil Nadu — including Cuddalore and Ariyalur — will begin to see an uptick in precipitation.
The ghat areas of Coimbatore and the Nilgiris will experience increased rainfall from June 12, leading up to the peak on June 14.
Southern districts such as Theni, Tenkasi, and Kanniyakumari are also likely to experience heavy rainfall throughout the week.
The meteorological department has advised district administrations to remain prepared with disaster response teams and emergency protocols in place.
In Chennai and its surrounding areas, the onset of rainfall over the past 24 hours has brought significant relief from the oppressive summer heat. Other parts of the city also experienced moderate showers during the day. By 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, the Nungambakkam weather station recorded 15.6 mm of rain, offering some respite as daytime temperatures had consistently hovered around 38 degrees Celsius in recent days.
The local forecast for Chennai over the next two days predicts partly cloudy skies with intermittent light to moderate showers, continuing the much-needed relief from the recent heatwave conditions.
China and Hong Kong stocks fell on Thursday, led by declines in the rare-earth and tech sectors, as markets struggled to sustain positive momentum from Sino-U.S. trade talks that provided few concrete details.
A deal getting the fragile truce in the U.S.-China trade war back on track was reached after negotiators from Washington and Beijing agreed on a framework covering tariff rates, U.S President Donald Trump said on Wednesday.
The deal removes Chinese export restrictions on rare-earths minerals and allows Chinese students access to U.S. universities, but many specifics and detailed terms were absent, leaving investors cautious.
China‘s blue-chip CSI300 Index .CSI300 fell 0.6% from a three-week high touched in the previous session. Hong Kong‘s benchmark Hang Seng index .HSI lost 0.7% to pull back from its highest level in nearly three months.
The CSI Rare Earth Index CSI930598 slipped 0.8% from a seven-month high, and the semiconductor sector subindex .CSI931865 slid more than 1%.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Tech Index .HSTECH lost 1.5% in early trades.
U.S. President Donald Trump was greeted with a high-volume mix of boos and cheers on Wednesday as he took his seat for his first production at the Kennedy Center, the performing arts facility he has subjected to a conservative takeover.
The mixed reception for Trump and his wife Melania as they arrived in the presidential box before a performance of “Les Miserables” reflected the heightened emotions that have been unleashed by his overhaul of the cultural center.
Trump has pushed out its former chairman,fired its longtime president and pledged to overhaul an institution that he criticized as too liberal. The center, a leading U.S. arts facility, had long enjoyed bipartisan support.
Ticket sales have fallen since and some shows, including the hit “Hamilton,” have canceled their appearances at the 2,300-capacity theater.
At Wednesday’s performance, several drag queens in full regalia sat in the audience, likely in response to Trump’s criticism of the venue for hosting drag shows.
One person shouted “Viva Los Angeles” as Trump stepped out of the presidential box at the intermission. Trump has sent military troops to quell protests against his immigration raids in that city.
Trump’s appearance was meant to boost fundraising for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and he said donors raised over $10 million.
“We’re going to make it incredible. We have all the funding. We raised a lot tonight, and we’ll put in a lot of money to bring it back to the highest level,” a tuxedo-clad Trump told reporters after other administration officials arrived on the red carpet.
SUBSCRIPTIONS DOWN
Still, overall year-on-year subscription revenue was down 36% to $2.8 million as of early June for next season, which begins in the autumn, according to a person briefed on the data. Theater subscriptions, normally a major revenue driver for the center, were down 82%.
A Kennedy Center official said the comparisons reflected in those subscription sales were not accurate because the center had launched its subscription renewal campaign later in 2025 than 2024.
“Our renewal campaign is just kicking off,” Kim Cooper, senior vice president of marketing, said in a statement. Cooper also noted the center had launched a new subscription option that allowed customers to “mix and match” genres and said more announcements of shows were coming.
The Kennedy Center depends on revenue from tickets and subscriptions as well as donations to operate. Ticket sales for “Les Miserables” have been robust, according to another Kennedy Center official.
Donors who pay $100,000 to $2 million got to attend a reception before the show, receive a photo with the president and be seated in good locations in the theater.
“We’ve raised a little more than $10 million for tonight, which is pretty remarkable, and it’s an organization that needs the money right now,” said Ric Grenell, a close Trump ally and former ambassador to Germany who now heads the Kennedy Center.
Under his leadership, the center has sought to add more conservative-leaning programming, including a show that Grenell has described as a celebration of the birth of Christ.
Trump said he particularly enjoyed “Les Miserables,” a musical about citizens rising up against their government. “I’ve seen it many times, it’s one of my favorites,” he said.
Along with the first lady, Vice President JD Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also attended.
Vance was likewise met with boos when he attended a Kennedy Center show with his wife earlier this year.
Trump has zeroed in on drag shows to argue that the Kennedy Center had lost its way before he took office. But multiple upcoming musicals on the Kennedy Center’s agenda include characters dressed in drag, such as “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Chicago.”
Other musicals have pulled out, according to a former Kennedy Center official.
The search is continuing for missing New Plymouth woman Jan, with Police, LandSAR and other volunteers out searching around the Thomason Road and Lake Mangamahoe areas today.
We’re asking anyone out along the mountain bike and walking tracks to keep an eye out for Jan.
In addition to this, if any farmers or residents in the surrounding areas of Alfred Road and Albert Road could check their paddocks, backyards, sheds, sleepouts and under anything where a person could seek shelter.
Jan was last seen walking north along State Highway 3 near the intersection of Thomason Road, between Egmont Village and New Plymouth at around 11am on Tuesday 10 June.
She was last seen wearing long pants and a green jacket.
If you have seen Jan, or have any information that could help, please contact Police via our 105 service, either over the phone or online at 105.police.govt.nz.
12 June 2025 – “RBNZ was late in producing a response to some of the OIAs we received on Adrian Orr’s resignation. I regret that this delay occurred,” Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua Chair Neil Quigley says.
“The circumstances and the volume of information associated with the OIAs on Adrian Orr’s resignation were complex, and we needed to be sure that our consideration of relevant information was comprehensive.
“As well as our obligations under the Official Information Act, we needed to take into careful consideration the former Governor’s exit agreement and privacy law. For this reason, we extended consultation on the information and our response, including review by senior external counsel,” he said.
“On 5 March I was limited in what I could say about the former Governor’s resignation both by the terms of his exit agreement and the fact that we were still working through finalisation of the detail of the next Five-Year Funding Agreement (FYFA).
“We were conscious of the need to explain to staff of the RBNZ the potential implications for staffing levels of a lower level of funding and needed time to consider the details of that.
“We are taking into account the feedback that we have received on our management of these OIA requests and looking carefully at how we can improve our response times in the future,” Mr Quigley said.
An ongoing risk in the fight to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis has led to some new requirements for raw milk destined to be used as cattle feed.
Disease eradication agency OSPRI is alerting farmers to new legal requirements which apply from 1 July 2025 to keep records of the movement of raw milk on and off farm.
OSPRI’s national manager, Mycoplasma bovis, Mackenzie Nicol, says it’s known that M. bovis can spread between properties when raw milk is used for cattle feed, so, from 1 July, the new National Pest Management Plan for M.bovis requires anyone receiving raw milk on to a farm with the intention of feeding it to cattle, to accurately record it.
“Farmers and industry have worked so hard to eradicate M.bovis, what we are doing with this requirement is all about closing one of the last loops, where we know there is risk of disease spread. It makes good sense to be vigilant.
“We know this change will affect businesses transporting raw milk to be used for cattle feed, the farmers receiving it, and will rely on dairy processing operators offering up information about the milk they supply.
“Luckily most of this information is already recorded – so the requirement should fit with good farm biosecurity practices,” Mackenzie says.
To help with the record-keeping, OSPRI has created a template form which can be downloaded from its website.
“When you use our form, you’ll be noting down all the information we need to collect, like the date and time of delivery, where the raw milk came from, how it got to your farm and how much was delivered.
“It would also be worthwhile to make notes on sales invoices or receipts for raw milk purchases, the farm diary, or a driver’s logbook.
“We need to do the best we can to keep track of all the risks we know of when it comes to extremely tough diseases to fight, like M.bovis,” Mackenzie says.
Recording these movements could also play an important role in containing and limiting the spread of other infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease or bovine viral diarrhoea.
Covering period of Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th June – Thunderstorm activity is set to continue across parts of the North Island today (Thursday), bringing hail and heavy downpours in some areas. Meanwhile, a Heavy Rain Watch remains in place for North Otago until 5pm.
This region has seen persistent rain overnight and into this morning, with further rainfall expected that could reach warning thresholds, keep an eye on local severe weather information.
Looking ahead to Friday, Cloudy and wet for eastern parts of the South Island, while the rest of the island enjoys settled and sunny weather. The North Island’s unsettled spell continues, with more showers and thunderstorms expected throughout the day.
Weekend Outlook
MetService meteorologist Kgolofelo Dube says “The South Island is in for a treat this weekend, with plenty of sunshine, perfect for enjoying snow-capped views, getting outdoors, or hitting the ski fields across Canterbury, the Southern Lakes, and Central Otago.” While ski conditions are expected to be excellent, some valleys may experience thick fog at times.” Meanwhile, the North Island is likely to continue seeing periods of rain across several regions. Fieldays in Hamilton has so far experienced showery and windy conditions. The good news is that more settled weather is expected to arrive from late Friday into Saturday, a welcome change for event-goers.
By Sunday, a high-pressure system is expected to move in from the south, bringing more settled and sunny conditions to much of the country, though a few showers may linger in places.
Temperatures for the South Island will remain low, with overnight temperatures near or below freezing. This will keep snow on the mountain tops and frosty conditions in sheltered areas. A noticeable temperature drop is expected across the North Island early next week, something to keep an eye on as we head into the new week.
Stay up to date with the latest developments via the MetService website or weather app.
Federated Farmers says the launch of a new fertiliser spreading standard is a key step in efforts to improve nutrient management across New Zealand farms.
“Fertiliser is a significantly large spend for farmers,” Federated farmers board member Colin Hurst says.
“Having confidence that it’s being applied accurately and responsibly is essential – for productivity, profitability and for meeting environmental expectations.
“The launch of a modernised Spreadmark Assurance Programme at Fieldays is a milestone moment and we fully support it.”
Spreadmark, founded by Groundspread NZ and now managed by the Fertiliser Quality Council, is the national fertiliser spreading assurance programme.
The new Spreadmark Code introduces updated standards that will help farmers and contractors lift the bar even further when it comes to nutrient precision and environmental care.
Hurst says Federated Farmers was proud to host the official launch at its Rural Advocacy Hub at Fieldays.
“We’ve had a long-standing connection with the Fertiliser Quality Council, which was formed by Federated Farmers in 1992.
“It’s a partnership rooted in practical, farmer-driven solutions – so it’s fitting that we helped launch this next chapter at the heart of New Zealand’s farming community.
“It was also great to have National Party MP Barbara Kuriger there to launch the Code.”
Hurst says assurance programmes like Spreadmark will play an important role as new regulatory requirements come into effect.
“As farm planning and environmental standards become more embedded across the sector, programmes like Spreadmark will be essential.
“They’re not just tools for compliance-they’re tools for good farming.”
“We see this modernised Spreadmark Programme as a strong example of how the sector can lead from the front – delivering better outcomes for farmers, the environment, and the communities they support.
“We’re proud to be part of its continued evolution and success.”
More than half of the fatalities in house fires in the last five years were people over 60, Fire and Emergency New Zealand says.
Acting Deputy Chief Executive Nick Pyatt says the harm happening to older people from housefires is far too high, and all New Zealanders could do much more to protect them.
“Fifty-five per cent of house fire deaths in the last five years were people over 60,” he says.
Australia’s Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart and his New Zealand Army counterpart Major General Rose King have met with senior Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) leaders in Suva this week to kick-start a week-long tour of the Pacific.
On Tuesday and Wednesday the joint Australia-New Zealand delegation held a series of engagements, including with Commander Land Forces Brigadier General Onisivoro Covinisaqa and Commander RFMF Major General Jone Kalouniwai Logavatu.
The talks reinforced the shared commitment to the region’s security and stability, acknowledged a deepening of strategic dialogue between the three nations and cast an eye to future engagements and opportunities.
“We had great, insightful and honest discussions about our current landscape and what direction we’re all heading in. We were also able to discuss some of our common challenges and shared some lessons learned, which has been really valuable,” Lieutenant General Stuart said.
“We only have the ability to have such conversations because of the incredibly strong relationship we’ve built over an extended period of time between our three nations. You cannot build trust and relationships overnight when you need them – our commitments to each other, our comradeship and fri
Hagåtña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that John D. Walker, age 60, was sentenced by Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood in the District Court of Guam to 405 months imprisonment. On September 9, 2022, a jury returned guilty verdicts against Walker and his company, Hansen Helicopters, Inc., on 110 counts involving conspiracy to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”), aircraft parts fraud that caused serious bodily injury and death, employing a mechanic without a mechanic’s certificate, registration violations involving helicopters, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Walker was also ordered to pay a $250,000 fine, and a $9,900 special assessment fee. Walker forfeited $58,407,513, which represented the proceeds of aircraft parts fraud and wire fraud, in addition to $11,770,000, which represented the amount of money involved in the money laundering offenses.
Hansen Helicopters, Inc., was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the FAA and NTSB, in addition to aircraft parts fraud that caused serious bodily injury and death. Hansen received a five-year term of probation, a $4,900,000 fine, and a $2,000 special assessment fee.
Walker subverted aviation laws and regulations, enforced by the FAA and NTSB, which protect public health and safety. Walker used at least 48 shell companies, most incorporated internationally, to operate an illicit helicopter/pilot/mechanic leasing business in Guam. By concealing that his aircraft were unregistered or illegally registered, unairworthy, and maintained and operated by uncertificated airmen, Walker entered fraudulent lease agreements with numerous tuna boat companies. He earned over $400 million dollars through his scheme. He concealed his crimes by forging documents, counterfeiting aircraft parts, and bribing aviation officials.
“The defendants built helicopters from an assortment of discarded frames and counterfeit parts,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “They blatantly disregarded aviation laws to build and operate aircraft that should never have left the ground. Fishing companies throughout the Pacific region relied on these aircraft for spotting tuna. Unfortunately, the defendants’ quest for money resulted in the deaths of many pilots. This was a difficult case to investigate and prosecute, but well worth federal resources. I commend our law enforcement partners on bringing these defendants to justice.”
“Unchecked greed and flagrant disregard for aviation safety create a recipe for disaster with catastrophic results,” said Special Agent in Charge Cory LeGars of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Western Region. “This sentencing epitomizes the criminal justice system’s commitment to holding individuals and companies accountable for egregious illicit conduct. I commend the relentless efforts of our special agents and the outstanding collaboration between our law enforcement, prosecutorial, and regulatory partners, whose collective efforts brought this complex and hazardous fraud scheme to justice.”
“How many times have we heard, ’It’s just money…’ when it comes to financial crime?” asked Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Seattle Field Office. “This case shows that all too often, innocent people suffer catastrophic harm because of someone else’s greed. Financial crime is not victimless, and IRS-CI will continue to protect our communities from people like Mr. Walker who put their greed above all else.”
“Over several years, Mr. Walker engaged in a multi-layered scheme to bribe public officials and defraud the government, significantly jeopardizing public safety in the process,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “The FBI remains steadfast and persistent in our efforts to investigate these schemes and bring bad actors to justice.”
This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and in partnership with the Customs and Quarantine Agency of Guam.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephen F. Leon Guerrero, Special Assistant United States Attorney Marie L. Miller, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha R. Miller prosecuted this case.
MELAKA, 12 June 2025 -The 4th Regional Policy Dialogue of ASEAN TVET Council on “TVET for Rural and Regional Advancement” was successfully convened on 11–12 June 2025 in Melaka, Malaysia. The Dialogue brought together approximately 220 participants both onsite and online from ASEAN Member States and partner organisations, representing ministries of labour, education, and economic planning, TVET institutions, industry leaders, and international development partners.
Hosted by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development of Malaysia with the support of the ASEAN Secretariat, Aus4ASEAN Digital Transformation and Future Skills Initiative (funded by the Government of Australia), and RECOTwin (funded by the Government of Germany), and the Dialogue provided a platform for participants to exchange strategies and good practices on how TVET can serve as a driver of inclusive, sustainable growth in rural and regional communities across ASEAN.
Key discussions focused on expanding access to TVET, fostering technopreneurship, promoting green and digital skills, and aligning curricula with the demands of high-growth, high-value sectors. The Dialogue concluded with actionable insights and recommendations to guide ASEAN’s collective efforts toward enhancing employability, productivity, and socio-economic resilience through skills development.
During the Dialogue, the Study Report on the Promotion of Business Engagement Models for Upskilling and Reskilling of the ASEAN Workforce was launched on 12 June 2025. Coordinated by the ASEAN Secretariat under the guidance of ASEAN Senior Labour Officials Meeting (SLOM) and with the support of the Aus4ASEAN Digital Transformation and Future Skills Initiative, the Study explores how ASEAN businesses are adapting to rapid changes in technology, Industry 4.0, and the green economy by investing in workforce upskilling and reskilling. It emphasises the importance of inclusive training and stronger engagement between governments, businesses, and TVET institutes. Find out more about the Study here.
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When it comes to domestic violence, cases involving catastrophic physical violence are the ones that most often make it into the media.
But our new research shows there are often signs of trouble long before such tragic outcomes – before couples move in together or get married.
We asked a large group of women about how domestic violence (also known as intimate partner violence) they’d experienced had started and escalated.
A general pattern emerged. First came psychological abuse, then physical abuse, then sexual abuse.
So if women, health workers and others can recognise the signs of psychological abuse early on, there’s a chance to intervene before abusive behaviour progresses.
How does this relate to coercive control?
The types of psychological abuse women told us about indicate they’d experienced coercive control.
Coercive control is defined as a pattern of restrictive, manipulative and dominating behaviours used to undermine a partner’s autonomy and freedom. While it can occur in any type of relationship, it is most commonly perpetrated by men against women partners and is underpinned by inequitable gender roles and misogynistic attitudes.
Another way of describing coercive control is a pattern of behaviours that aim to prevent a partner from being in charge of their life. For instance, this could mean controlling who a partner can see, what they can wear, or where they can go. Or it could mean questioning a partner’s sanity when they raise concerns about abusive behaviour.
There’s been growing awareness of the impact of coercive control and domestic violence more broadly on women’s health and wellbeing. There’s also growing awareness that coercive control can escalate to catastrophic abuse against women and children, including homicide.
We wanted to know more about the progression of domestic violence and if there were key stages to intervene to help prevent the worst harms.
So we surveyed a nationally representative sample of 815 Australian women who had experienced domestic violence in the past five years and asked them to create a timeline of their relationship.
Women started with the earliest warning signs that something was wrong and then added what happened around important life events, such as moving in together, having children, seeking help or leaving. Women could describe their experiences in their own words.
When we analysed all the timelines together, we created a summary of the general sequence of abuse over time.
First, there were attacks to a survivor’s mind, then her physical body, then her sexual self.
How behaviours escalated, from the earliest sign something was wrong. Author provided
Psychological abuse an early sign
Psychological abuse was present in almost all relationships early in the timeline. It usually emerged before moving in together or getting married.
The earliest indicator of abuse was being isolated from others, as one woman said:
He stopped me from talking to male colleagues.
Controlling a woman’s day-to-day activities happened next. One survivor told us how her money and car were used against her:
He kept my belongings from me […] to prevent me from leaving.
Then, as one woman said, there was other emotional abuse:
If I said anything he didn’t like, a brick wall would be erected […] I wouldn’t be spoken to for two to three days.
Another said:
He called me crazy when he had done something wrong.
On average, women told us physically abusive behaviours first appeared after a major life commitment, such as marriage or moving in together.
In general, sexual abuse by a partner first emerged after the psychological and physical abuse started.
For survivors who had a child during the relationship and whose partner was sexually abusive, the worst of that sexual violence generally came sometime after giving birth.
For many survivors, a growing concern about the impact of abuse on their children occurred around the same time as leaving their relationship and trying to get help.
What next?
This research sets out clear opportunities for prevention and early intervention.
We need to train health professionals to look for signs and ask about psychological abuse when their patients are contemplating life transitions. This includes raising awareness and targeted resources for staff working in pregnancy care.
Future research should see if these patterns of abuse apply in different diverse groups of survivors.
We also need better community education, particularly for young women, about the features of psychological abuse that occur early in relationships, before physical and sexual abuse.
As one participant told us:
More domestic violence campaigns should focus on emotional abuse. We focus so much on the physical, but I can feel immediately when I am hit. It takes longer to feel gaslighting, manipulation and other emotionally heavy abuse. It lingers with you. It alters the way you think and traps you far worse than the physical does.
Elizabeth McLindon received funding from Oak Foundation for this research. She is affiliated with The Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria, where she is the Deputy Director of the Centre for Family Violence Prevention.
Kelsey Hegarty receives funding from Oak Foundation, Medical Research Futures Fund, and National Health and Medical Research Council.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China adds Indonesia to 240-hour visa-free transit program, expands list to 55 countries
BEIJING, June 12 — China has added Indonesia to its 240-hour visa-free transit program, bringing the total number of countries eligible for the policy to 55, immigration authorities announced on Thursday.
Effective Thursday, eligible Indonesian travelers can enter through any of the 60 ports across 24 provincial-level regions and stay up to 240 hours, or 10 days, without a visa before heading to a third destination, according to the National Immigration Administration.
The policy is part of China’s broader efforts to boost international travel and exchanges.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, June 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
CHANGSHA, June 11 — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday met respectively with some African counterparts who came to China for the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Changsha, capital of central China’s Hunan Province.
These African foreign ministers include the Republic of the Congo’s Jean-Claude Gakosso, South Africa’s Ronald Lamola, Djibouti’s Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, Ghana’s Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, Niger’s Bakary Yaou Sangare, Guinea-Bissau’s Carlos Pinto Pereira, Nigeria’s Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Burkina Faso’s Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, and Ethiopia’s Gedion Timothewos.
When meeting with Gakosso, Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China is willing to work with the Republic of the Congo to safeguard each other’s core interests and consolidate political mutual trust, promote the upgrading of economic and trade cooperation, and strengthen exchanges on state governance.
Gakosso said the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) brings hope for Africa to break free from the vicious cycle of poverty and backwardness and achieve independent development, and the Republic of the Congo will continue to actively participate in the BRI and firmly abide by the one-China principle.
When meeting with Lamola, Wang said China is willing to work with South Africa to consolidate political mutual trust, welcomes South Africa’s greater role on international and regional stages, supports South Africa’s fulfillment of duties under its Group of 20 presidency, and is ready to join hands with South Africa to safeguard common interests of the developing countries.
Lamola said the FOCAC has yielded fruitful achievements and contributed to the development of African countries over the 25 years since its establishment. South Africa looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in various fields, including economy and trade, energy, human resources training, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
When meeting with Omar, Wang said China stands ready to work with Djibouti to fully implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state, noting that China will continue to support Africa in strengthening solidarity and pursuing self-reliance, and in resolving African issues in the African way.
Omar said Djibouti highly values its strategic partnership with China, firmly supports multilateralism and opposes unilateralism, and will enhance coordination with China to jointly address challenges.
When meeting with Ablakwa, Wang said China and Ghana established a strategic partnership last year, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations. China stands ready to work with Ghana to deepen practical cooperation across various fields, advance the cause of China-Africa friendship, and uphold multilateralism in opposition to unilateralism.
Ablakwa said as China has become Ghana’s largest trading partner, Ghana looks forward to deepening cooperation with China in various fields, and will continue to adhere to the one-China principle and consolidate the strong partnership between the two countries.
When meeting with Wagner, Wang called on both sides to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, saying that China is willing to help the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in transforming its resource advantages into development advantages, and China’s super-large market will always be open to the DRC.
Wagner said that the DRC firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to deepen mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation with China, adding that the DRC actively supports the BRI and other global initiatives proposed by China.
When meeting with Sangare, Wang said that China-Niger relations are part of South-South cooperation, and China is willing to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries and enhance mutual trust. Wang expressed the hope that Niger will safeguard the security and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and citizens in Niger.
Sangare said Niger firmly adheres to the one-China policy, regards cooperation with China as a priority, attaches great importance to security issues, and is willing to enhance mutual trust and maintain dialogue in the spirit of mutual respect.
When meeting with Pereira, Wang said that Guinea-Bissau took reciprocal measures in the face of the U.S. tariff hikes, and the Global South should stand together, resist unilateralism and protectionism to safeguard international fairness and justice.
Pereira thanked China for its long-term assistance to Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Bissau will continue to work with China to expand practical cooperation and achieve win-win results in the spirit of mutual support.
When meeting with Tuggar, Wang said under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the relationship between China and Nigeria is increasingly of global importance, adding that China is willing to share development opportunities with Nigeria.
Tuggar hailed the productive Nigeria-China relationship, expressing willingness to further deepen cooperation with China across various fields to advance their comprehensive strategic partnership.
When meeting with Traore, Wang said facts have proven that the resumption of diplomatic ties between China and Burkina Faso fully serves the fundamental and long-term interests of Burkina Faso and its people. China is willing to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with Burkina Faso and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and establish businesses there, Wang said, expressing the belief that Burkina Faso will ensure the safety of Chinese companies and personnel.
Traore said Burkina Faso and China have elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership last year. Burkina Faso highly commends China for demonstrating leadership in supporting Africa’s development, thanks China for its support since the resumption of diplomatic ties, and is willing to deepen sincere and friendly cooperation with China, Traore said.
When meeting with Timothewos, Wang said China and Ethiopia have worked together to achieve early results in implementing the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, bringing more tangible benefits to the Ethiopian people. China is willing to strengthen strategic communication with Ethiopia, promote common development through mutually beneficial cooperation, and safeguard shared interests through solidarity and collaboration, he added.
Timothewos said Ethiopia and China have achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation, setting a model for the Global South. He expressed gratitude for China’s firm support of Ethiopia’s core interests and valuable assistance to Africa’s development, and reiterated Ethiopia’s adherence to the one-China principle.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Djibouti Abdoulkader Houssein Omar in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, June 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Foreign Minister of Ghana Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, June 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Congo Jean-Claude Gakosso in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, June 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Bissau-Guinean Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Communities Carlos Pinto Pereira in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, June 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Niger’s Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, June 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, June 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, June 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Burkinabe Minister of Foreign Affairs Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, June 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Therese Kayikwamba Wagner in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, June 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China-Africa economic, trade bonds growing with vibrancy
Updated: June 12, 2025 11:15Xinhua
Economic ties between China and Africa have been growing vibrantly across sectors, with China’s zero-tariff policy massively facilitating Africa’s trade. As African people say, “let’s do business” is what the Chinese model is.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
New Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has named a 34-player squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Alonso has included several players recovering from injury, such as Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rudiger and Eduardo Camavinga.
Kylian Mbappe (R) of Real Madrid vies with Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off second leg football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 19, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
The former Bayer Leverkusen manager has also called up new signings Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, along with 10 players from the club’s B-team.
Real Madrid also announced that Alexander-Arnold will be officially presented to the press on Thursday at the club’s Valdebebas training ground.
The team is set to fly to the U.S. on Thursday. Real Madrid opens the tournament against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal on June 18 in Miami, followed by matches against Mexico’s Pachuca on June 22 and Austria’s RB Salzburg on June 27.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Fran Gonzalez, Sergio Mestre.
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lucas Vazquez, Fran Garcia, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, Dean Huijsen, Youssef, Jacobo, Raul Asencio, Fortea, Diego Aguado.
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Dani Ceballos, Chema, Victor Munoz, Mario Martin.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
At a bustling restaurant in Tianjin’s Xiqing District, signs reading “Save Food” catch the eye. After lunch with her family, a woman surnamed Wang carefully packs up a half-eaten bowl of congee to take home.
“I want my child to learn the value of food from an early age,” she said, tucking the container into her bag, a small act echoing a nationwide push to reduce food waste.
From public awareness campaigns to industry overhauls, China is undergoing a green transformation in how it grows, prepares and consumes food.
Restaurant manager Guo Ke said the nationwide “Clear Your Plate” campaign has led to tangible change in diners’ behavior, while the food service industry is also improving its practices.
“We follow a purchase-on-demand model to avoid overstocking ingredients,” Guo said. “Scientific management in storage and food preparation helps us make the most of every item.”
The restaurant also offers half-size and small portions to encourage customers to order more reasonably, he added.
At the policy level, China has passed a landmark anti-food waste law, forming a robust legal framework to tackle waste from farm to chopsticks. Under the law, catering service providers are required to remind customers to avoid excessive ordering and can charge a disposal fee for large amounts of leftovers.
Additionally, a food security law, implemented in 2023, includes provisions to promote grain conservation, reinforcing the legal foundation for nationwide efforts against waste.
Authorities have also introduced national standards, such as the credit rating evaluation standard for the restaurant industry and the general principles for food waste reduction management in catering services.
“China now boasts one of the world’s most comprehensive anti-food waste systems,” said Wu Bo, associate professor at Tianjin University of Finance and Economics.
Under policy guidance, cities across the country are embracing the shift.
In Beijing, “food banks” have been piloted to give a second life to near-expiry groceries by redistributing them to communities in need. Meanwhile, in Shanghai, the “Clear Your Plate” campaign has taken root in the restaurant industry, helping slash kitchen waste by nearly 50 percent.
By the end of last year, Shanghai had certified 2,950 “green restaurants,” where food safety, low-carbon practices and ethical business standards are taken into consideration.
Beyond the “Clear Your Plate” campaign, efforts to curb food waste now stretch across the entire supply chain, from smarter farming to greener logistics.
At a modern agricultural farm in Tianjin, drones and transplanters work in sync with satellite data to manage rice fields more efficiently, where less grain is wasted during the production.
“A six-person team can manage over 1,300 hectares of rice fields, with yields improving year after year thanks to tailored, eco-friendly solutions,” said Dai Renqiang, farm manager.
Yet, on a macro level, challenges still remain. Data from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, shows 8 percent of China’s grain is lost in the process from production and harvesting to storage, transport and consumption.
To address such issues, China launched a national action plan in late 2024 to build a long-term mechanism for food saving. The plan aims to keep grain production, storage, transport and processing loss rates below the international average by 2027.
“Going beyond simple conservation, China’s green dining transformation reflects a deeper commitment to sustainability — and a vision for safeguarding the future of food and society,” Wu Bo believed.
The White House confirmed on Wednesday that former President Donald Trump has acknowledged an apology from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, suggesting a potential easing of recent tensions between the two high-profile figures.
In a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, “The President acknowledged the statement that Elon put out this morning and he is appreciative of it. We are continuing to focus on the business of the American people.”
Leavitt also clarified that, contrary to earlier speculation, there are currently no active efforts to review Musk’s government contracts. “Currently no efforts have been made on that front as far as I’m aware,” she said.
According to CNN, Musk personally called Trump on Monday night and later issued a public statement on Wednesday, expressing regret over comments made on social media that had sparked a public fallout.
The apology reportedly followed a private conversation on Friday involving Musk, Vice President JD Vance, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, during which the disagreement was discussed at length.
Sources cited by CNN said that several prominent Republican lawmakers and Trump allies have been encouraging Musk to reconcile with the former President. They are also urging him to support a key legislative proposal dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a major domestic policy initiative currently facing resistance in the Senate.
Musk, once considered one of Trump’s closest allies in the tech world, continues to maintain ties with members of the former President’s inner circle. In recent days, those relationships have been used to facilitate dialogue, with aides reportedly engaging Musk through phone calls and text messages to ease tensions.
While Musk is said to be receptive to reconciliation, he has reportedly expressed reservations about the bill’s lack of spending cuts—a concern he raised during conversations with Republican lawmakers.
Although the situation remains fluid, the mutual acknowledgment and continued communication suggest the potential for renewed cooperation between Trump and one of the country’s most influential tech leaders.
U.S. Marines will join National Guard troops on the streets of Los Angeles within two days, officials said on Wednesday, and would be authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration officers on raids or protesters who confront federal agents.
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the deployments over the objections of California Governor Gavin Newsom, sparking a national debate about the use of the military on U.S. soil and animating protests that have spread from Los Angeles to other major cities, including New York, Atlanta and Chicago.
Los Angeles on Wednesday endured a sixth day of protests that have been largely peaceful but occasionally punctuated by violence, mostly contained to a few blocks of the city’s downtown area.
The protests broke out last Friday in response to a series of immigration raids. Trump in turn called in the National Guard on Saturday, then summoned the Marines on Monday.
“If I didn’t act quickly on that, Los Angeles would be burning to the ground right now,” said Trump at an event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
State and local leaders dispute that, saying Trump has only escalated tensions with an unnecessary and illegal deployment of federal troops, while Democrats nationally have condemned his action as authoritarian.
Trump is carrying out a campaign promise to deport immigrants, employing forceful tactics consistent with the norm-breaking political style that got him elected twice.
“President Trump promised to carry out the largest mass deportation campaign in American history and left-wing riots will not deter him in that effort,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
The U.S. military said on Wednesday that a battalion of 700 Marines had concluded training specific to the L.A. mission, including de-escalation and crowd control. They would join National Guard under the authority of a federal law known as Title 10 within 48 hours, not to conduct civilian policing but to protect federal officers and property, the military said.
“Title 10 forces may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances such as to stop an assault, to prevent harm to others, or to prevent interference with federal personnel performing their duties,” the Northern Command said.
Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement: “If any rioters attack ICE law enforcement officers, military personnel have the authority to temporarily detain them until law enforcement makes the arrest.”
U.S. Army Major General Scott Sherman, who commands the task force of Marines and Guardsmen, told reporters the Marines will not carry live ammunition in their rifles, but they will carry live rounds.
Newsom and the state of California have sued Trump and the Defense Department to stop the deployment, maintaining that none of the Title 10 conditions were met to justify military deployment – such as a when the U.S. is under threat from a foreign invasion or rebellion.
California is also seeking a temporary restraining order to immediately stop the National Guard and Marines from participating in civilian law enforcement.
A hearing on that restraining order is scheduled for Thursday in San Francisco federal court.
The Trump administration argued in a court filing ahead of the hearing that the president has the discretion to determine whether a “rebellion or danger of a rebellion” requires a military response.
PROTESTS SPREAD NATIONWIDE
In downtown L.A., shortly before the second night of a curfew over a one square mile (2.5 square km) area, relative calm was broken.
Police said demonstrators at one location threw commercial grade fireworks and rocks at officers. Another group of nearly 1,000 demonstrators were peacefully marching through downtown when police suddenly opened fired with less lethal munitions in front of City Hall.
Marlene Lopez, 39, a Los Angeles native, was demonstrating as flash bangs exploded just a few meters away.
“I am out here because of the fact that our human rights are being violated every day. If we give up, it’s over. We have to stand our ground here in L.A. so that the nation will follow us,” Lopez said.
Other protests have also taken place in Santa Ana, a largely Mexican-American city about 30 miles (50 km) to the south, as well as major cities such as Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Seattle, Boston and Washington and San Antonio, Texas.
New York police said an unknown number of people had been taken into custody on Wednesday. On Tuesday New York police said they took 86 people into custody, of which 34 were arrested and charged, while the others received a criminal court summons.
The protests are set to expand on Saturday, when several activist groups have planned more than 1,800 anti-Trump demonstrations across the country. That day, tanks and other armored vehicles will rumble down the streets of Washington, D.C., in a military parade marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has said it is going to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to help protect federal property and personnel during the ongoing protests in the city.
Here is everything we know about the U.S. troops that are being deployed to Los Angeles:
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TROOPS SENT TO LA?
National guard troops usually belong to individual states and personnel in many cases are trained to help with emergencies that those states have to deal with, such as natural disasters.
Since they are the reserve force of the U.S. military, National Guard troops are usually part time, meaning that they have other jobs as well.
U.S. Marines on the other hand are active duty troops – it is a full time job.
Marines are trained for conflicts around the world – from the Middle East to Africa – and are used for rapid global deployments in case of emergencies, such as threats to U.S. embassies.
All those troops will come under a task force, known as Task Force 51.
HOW CAN TROOPS LEGALLY BE DEPLOYED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES?
Trump cited Title 10 of the U.S. Code, a federal law that outlines the role of the U.S. Armed Forces, in his June 7 order to call members of the California National Guard into federal service.
A provision of Title 10 – Section 12406- allows the president to deploy National Guard units into federal service if the U.S. is invaded, there is a “rebellion or danger of rebellion” or the president is “unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States.”
The president also has the authority to deploy active duty troops, like the Marines, within the United States in limited cases.
WHERE ARE THE TROOPS COMING FROM?
Many of the 4,000 National Guard troops are coming from the California National Guard. So far, 2,100 soldiers from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, a unit of the California National Guard, are on the ground.
The Marines being deployed are from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. They are based out of Twentynine Palms, close to Los Angeles.
WHAT CAN TROOPS DO AND WHAT CAN THEY NOT DO?
Both National Guard troops and Marines will be carrying out the same tasks, according to U.S. Army Major General Scott Sherman, who is commanding the troops.
They are tasked with protecting federal property and federal personnel. This means that they will accompany ICE agents on raids, officials have said.
The troops are authorized to detain people who pose a threat to federal personnel or property, but only until police can arrest them. Military officials are not allowed to carry out arrests themselves.
The Posse Comitatus Act, generally forbids the U.S. military, including the National Guard, from taking part in civilian law enforcement.
Trump could take a more far-reaching step by invoking the Insurrection Act, which would allow troops to directly participate in civilian law enforcement.
WHAT TRAINING WILL THE TROOPS RECEIVE?
Troops receive varying levels of training in dealing with riots and crowd control.
Since National Guard troops are used domestically in many cases, they receive extensive training when it comes to crowd control and civil unrest.
While Marines may receive a basic level of crowd control training, it is not their expertise in domestic situations. The 700 Marines will receive two days of training focused on civil disturbance, crowd control and protection of facilities, before they are deployed to the streets of Los Angeles.
The Marines will also have added “legal and law enforcement expertise,” the military said.
WHAT WILL TROOPS BE ARMED WITH?
National Guard troops have been seen carrying shields, batons and rifles, along with regular protective equipment.
The Marines will also be armed with riot shields and batons, and Sherman said they will not have ammunition in their rifles, but they will carry it.
Headline: Panasonic develops a cooling water circulation pump for data centers – Promoting the strategic enhancement of the pump business
Osaka, Japan, June 12, 2025 – Panasonic Corporation (https://www.panasonic.com/global/home.html) today announced that its Living Appliances and Solutions Company (Panasonic) has marked the 70th anniversary of its pump business. The company’s pump business, which began with home pumps (well pumps) that supply water to homes, has consistently contributed to the realization of comfortable and affluent lifestyles through built-in pumps for water heaters, heating appliances, and bathroom equipment. This time, Panasonic will enter the cooling pump market for data centers, aiming to expand its business areas and contribute to customers.
In recent years, with the evolution of AI technology, the number of data centers has been increasing globally. In generative AI data centers, the heat generated per CPU or GPU chip is rapidly increasing due to advanced computational processes. Previously, air cooling using air conditioners and fans was the mainstream method. However, growing demand for more effective and efficient cooling has brought increased attention to liquid cooling, which has high cooling efficiency.
Panasonic has developed a next-generation cooling water circulation pump specifically for data center cooling, integrating its proprietary technology and system design capabilities refined over 70 years of its pump business. This product is designed for integration into CDUs (Coolant Distribution Units), the core components of cooling systems, and offers high efficiency, a compact form, and long service life. It meets the cooling needs of next-generation infrastructure by simultaneously reducing environmental impact and ensuring stable operation.
Starting with its entry into the data center market, Panasonic will contribute to cooling solutions for infrastructure-related heat countermeasures to expand its pump business, aiming for cumulative shipments of 100 million units by 2035. The company will continue to contribute to safe and comfortable lifestyles and industrial development through reliable technology, while earnestly responding to environmental changes and customer feedback.
New product features
1. High performance
By fully utilizing advanced simulation technologies, such as magnetic field analysis, fluid dynamics analysis, and flow analysis, Panasonic has achieved a 75% improvement in pump performance (from 40 to 70 L/min) while maintaining the same size as conventional pumps. This product contributes to improved energy efficiency across entire data center systems and simplifies cooling system design.
2. Compactness
A compact housing has been achieved by leveraging the company’s design expertise, honed through the development of built-in pumps for equipment. This feature enabled the circulation pump to be housed within CDUs that have limited space. The compact housing offers layout flexibility, significantly increasing the design freedom of CDUs.
3. Long life
The adoption of submersible sliding bearings and optimized structural design ensures long-term stable operation and reduces maintenance workload. This feature supports high reliability and cost optimization in data center operations.
Panasonic pump business – 70 years of progress
Panasonic’s pump business began with the launch of home pumps (well pumps) in 1955.
In 1980, the company began developing and selling built-in AC pumps for water heaters, contributing to enhanced product value (reheating function) provided by them. Since then, the company has been developing products that simultaneously deliver energy efficiency and environmental friendliness, including built-in DC pumps for equipment. In 2025, the pump business has marked its 70th anniversary, with cumulative shipments exceeding 53 million units.
The range of appliances incorporating these pumps extends beyond the company’s own products. Manufacturers in Japan and abroad have also adopted Panasonic pumps in their combustion-type water heaters and heating appliances as well as air-to-water heat pumps. Additionally, the new pump has been adopted in cooling equipment for data centers in the current fiscal year. Panasonic pumps are distributed globally from its Hikone Factory in Shiga Prefecture through customers’ equipment, contributing to comfortable lifestyles around the world.
Media Contact:
Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Panasonic CorporationPublic Relations, Corporate Policy Department, Corporate Planning CenterEmail: las-pr@gg.jp.panasonic.com
About Panasonic Corporation
Panasonic Corporation offers products and services for a variety of living environments, ranging from homes to stores to offices and cities. There are five businesses at the core of Panasonic Corporation: Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Heating & Ventilation A/C Company, Cold Chain Solutions Company, Electric Works Company and China and Northeast Asia Company. The operating company reported consolidated net sales of 3,584.2 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2025. Panasonic Corporation is committed to fulfilling the mission of Life Tech & Ideas: For the wellbeing of people, society and the planet, and embraces the vision of becoming the best partner of your life with human-centric technology and innovation. Learn more about Panasonic: https://www.panasonic.com/global/about.html
Indian benchmark indices opened on a flat note on Thursday as investors remained cautious ahead of key retail inflation data. Early trade witnessed selling pressure in the auto, IT, and PSU Bank sectors.
As of 9:28 a.m., the Sensex was trading 69.22 points, or 0.08 per cent higher, at 82,584.36, while the Nifty rose 23.65 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 25,165.05.
The Nifty Bank index was up 98.65 points, or 0.17 per cent, at 56,558.40. Meanwhile, the Nifty Midcap 100 was trading at 59,267.75, down 120.40 points or 0.20 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 stood at 18,772.35, having declined by 26.40 points or 0.14 per cent.
According to analysts, although the Nifty closed higher in the previous session, it retreated from its intra-day high. Technically, the candle formed was a doji with a slightly extended upper shadow, following the ‘upside-gap two crows’ pattern. Analysts suggest that the bulls now have the responsibility to defend the 25,029 level in the near term.
“If bears manage to push the index below the 24,987–25,029 zone, a test of the 24,800–24,863 range becomes highly probable,” said Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities.
Among Sensex constituents, Asian Paints, Sun Pharma, Bajaj Finserv, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finance, NTPC, and HDFC Bank emerged as the top gainers. In contrast, Infosys, Eternal, Tata Motors, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, Tata Steel, and IndusInd Bank were among the top losers.
In Asian markets, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Japan were trading in the red, while Seoul and China saw gains.
In the previous trading session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed marginally lower at 42,865.77, down 1.10 points, or 0.00 per cent. The S&P 500 fell 16.57 points, or 0.27 per cent, to 6,022.24, while the Nasdaq dropped 99.11 points, or 0.50 per cent, to close at 19,615.88.
Experts suggest the market’s recent flat trend is likely to persist in the near term due to a lack of clear positive triggers.
“There are reports of a potential agreement between the US and China, but no official confirmation has come from the Chinese side,” noted analysts.
“Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to send letters to trade partners within the next two weeks, outlining universal tariffs. Market participants are waiting for more clarity, as the tariff crisis is far from resolved,” said Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.
On the institutional front, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers, offloading equities worth ₹446.31 crore on June 11. Meanwhile, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers, purchasing equities worth ₹1,584.87 crore.
