EU food safety policy aims to protect human health and consumer interests, and foster the smooth operation of the single market. Recent developments have broadened food safety objectives to include the mitigation of crisis-induced food insecurity. The EU ensures that standards are adhered to in the areas of feed and food-product hygiene, animal health, plant health, food-borne zoonotic diseases and prevention of food contamination. The EU also regulates labelling for food and feed products.
The European Ombudsman conducts inquiries into cases of maladministration by European Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, acting on their own initiative or on the basis of complaints from EU citizens, or any natural or legal person residing or having their registered office in a Member State. The Ombudsman is elected by the European Parliament for the duration of the parliamentary term.
As the second pillar of the common agricultural policy (CAP), the EU’s rural development policy is designed to support its rural areas and meet the wide range of economic, environmental and societal challenges they face. Greater flexibility (in comparison with the first pillar) enables regional, national and local authorities to formulate their rural development support schemes based on a ‘menu’ of EU-wide measures. Unlike the first pillar, which is entirely financed by the EU, second-pillar programmes are co-financed by EU funds and regional or national funds.
Youth is a national policy area, so EU-level harmonisation is not possible. The EU therefore plays a supporting role, especially when it comes to mobility and opportunities across the EU. For instance, Key Action 1 of the Erasmus+ programme about mobility for individuals encourages exchanges of young people within the EU and with third countries. Over the past few years, the European Union has strengthened its policies towards young people, as illustrated by the European Solidarity Corps programme and the DiscoverEU project.
Information and communication technologies (ICTs), as well as data services, now surpass traditional telephone services in importance for both consumers and businesses. With the surge in on-demand content and 4G/5G growth, the EU has introduced a telecommunications regulatory framework. This encompasses all types of telecommunications, including broadcasting. Research indicates that telecommunications services, network equipment, content and applications contribute up to EUR 1 trillion to the EU’s GDP annually, representing about 4.7% of the EU’s GDP.
Effective consumer protection policy ensures that the single market functions properly. It safeguards consumers’ rights against merchants and provides extra protection for vulnerable consumers. Consumer protection rules can boost market outcomes overall. They promote fairer markets and, with better consumer information, foster greener, more social outcomes. Empowering consumers and safeguarding their interests are key EU policy goals.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Maher, Lecturer in Politics, Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney
A no-holds-barred and very public blow-up between the world’s richest man and the president of the United States has had social media agog in recent days, with each making serious accusations against the other.
And while tech billionaire Elon Musk appears to have cooled the spat somewhat – deleting some of his more incendiary social media posts about Donald Trump – the president still appears to be in no mood to make up, warning Musk of “very serious consequences” if he backs Democrats at the mid-term elections in 2026.
Tensions erupted over Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB). The OBBB proposes extensive tax cuts which could add roughly US$3 trillion (A$4.62 trillion) to the US national debt.
After stepping down from his role as advisor to Trump, Musk criticised the OBBB as “disgusting abomination” that would “burden America [sic] citizens with crushing unsustainable debt”. Trump returned fire, suggesting “Elon was ‘wearing thin’, I asked him to leave […] and he just went CRAZY!”.
In a dramatic escalation, Musk responded by calling for Trump’s impeachment. Musk also tweeted allegations that Trump was implicated in the Epstein files related to child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He has since deleted those tweets.
Why has the much-hyped “bromance” between Musk and Trump suddenly ended? And what was the basis of their alliance in the first place?
Musk in politics
Like many billionaires, Musk had previously been hesitant to get involved in frontline politics. He says he voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020, but claimed in 2021 “I would prefer to stay out of politics”.
In early 2024, Musk was still claiming to be politically non-aligned, suggesting he would not donate to either presidential campaign.
This apparent neutrality ended following the attempted assassination of Trump at a July 2024 campaign rally, with Musk immediately endorsing Trump.
In reality, Musk’s conversion to the MAGA movement long predated the assassination attempt. Musk’s hyperactive Twitter/X account shows a steady radicalisation.
Across 2020-2024, Musk engaged with accounts sharing MAGA and far-right conspiracy theories. These include the antisemitic Great Replacement Theory, and the related South African white genocide conspiracy. Musk’s posts also show the obsession with opposing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies characteristic of the MAGA movement.
After endorsing Trump, Musk spent US$288 million (A$444 million) supporting Trump’s election and appeared at campaign events around the country.
Musk’s support for Trump was both ideological and pragmatic.
From tax cuts to immigration restrictions to opposing DEI, there were clearly many ideological commonalities between Musk and Trump.
There were also clear practical benefits for both men. Trump gained the financial backing of the world’s wealthiest man. Musk gained not only unparalleled access to the US president, but also a role leading the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
DOGE: success and failure
Early reporting on the second Trump presidency noted the omnipresence of Musk, who at one point moved into Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to be close to the president.
However, observers were sceptical about the potential effectiveness of DOGE, and Musk’s claim it would save the government US$2 trillion (A$3.02 trillion).
In the early months of the Trump administration, Musk cut government programs and employees at a remarkable rate. The USAID program was particularly hard hit, as were the Department of Education and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
As the spending cuts picked up pace, Musk began to attract more controversy. Critics questioned the apparent power wielded by the unelected billionaire. Musk’s ties to the far right were also in the spotlight after he appeared to perform two “Roman salutes”, which many observers believed to be a Nazi salute.
Trump clips Musk’s wings
Musk’s apparent rampage through government did not last long. As Trump’s executive appointees assumed control of their departments, Musk and DOGE experienced increasing resistance. After a series of fractious cabinet meetings, Trump reportedly reduced the power of DOGE in March.
Political attention was also clearly affecting Musk’s businesses. The negative publicity has significantly damaged the Tesla brand, leading to declining sales around the world and repeated falls in Telsa’s share price.
On May 1, Musk announced he would be leaving DOGE, claiming the department had saved the government US$180 billion (A$277 billion) in spending. This number is likely an exaggeration, but still falls well short of his original target.
Musk has learned a harsh lesson in politics – that the complexities of government resist simple reform and cannot be easily rolled back in the way a CEO might slim down a company.
For Trump, his manoeuvring of Musk appears to be another smart political move. As the public face of DOGE, Musk bore the negative wrap for early government cuts and chaos. Having used his money and reputation, Trump dispensed with Musk as he has with so many advisers and appointees before.
The falling out
Musk departed his role in a muted White House ceremony, where Trump thanked him for his service and presented him with a ceremonial “golden key” to the White House.
However, behind the public show of civility, tension was brewing over Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.
Trump and Musk had originally claimed that the US$2 trillion (A$3.02 trillion) in DOGE savings could be used to fund a substantial tax cut. With the efficiency savings not eventuating, Musk worried the OBBB would significantly increase US public debt.
Unable to convince Trump or other Republican legislators, Musk took to X, launching a “Kill the Bill” campaign that ultimately led to his incendiary showdown with Trump.
For his part, Trump has belittled Musk, suggesting Musk only opposed the OBBB because it cut subsidies for electric vehicles.
Though the subsidy cuts will affect Tesla, Musk has previously supported eliminating subsidies. Musk’s anger at the OBBB is more likely driven by the realisation he has been played by Trump.
What now?
Trump has used and discarded many other powerful figures in his chaotic political career. Musk has more power than most, and might be able to strike back at Trump.
Yet, with his public reputation and brands already tarnished, Musk would be ill-advised to pick further fights with Trump and his adoring MAGA movement.
Accordingly, Musk has indicated over the weekend he is open to a détente. Tesla investors will no doubt be relieved if Musk makes good on his pledge to step back from politics and return to his businesses.
More concerning are the prospects for democracy. With wealth and power continuing to concentrate in a handful of billionaires, voters appear reduced to the role of viewers forced to watch the reality TV drama unfold.
Though Trump appears to have won this round of billionaire battle royale, whatever happens next, democracy is the real loser.
Henry Maher 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.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HEFEI, June 8 (Xinhua) — China and other member states of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) discussed low-carbon development issues, from new energy vehicles (NEVs) to common ideas for a green future, at a recent dialogue in Hefei, capital of east China’s Anhui Province.
The dialogue focused on NEVs and advanced photovoltaic production and supply chains, and demonstrated the growing commitment of RCEP member countries to promote sustainable development.
The dialogue was held as part of the RCEP 2025 Huangshan Regional Government and Sister City Cooperation Forum, which was held from June 4 to 6 and brought together about 300 participants from 15 countries that have joined the RCEP. A total of 27 agreements were signed, covering areas such as trade, technology and sister city relations.
During the event, a number of joint projects were presented and signed, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable development and deepening regional cooperation.
As protectionism and unilateralism continue to challenge global supply chains, the NIE automotive industry faces growing uncertainty.
Against this backdrop, as the world’s largest free trade agreement in terms of population and trade volume, RCEP is becoming a stabilizing force that brings greater certainty to the global economy. This view was echoed by many forum participants.
Automotive cooperation in the NIE among RCEP member states is gaining momentum. In May, PT SGMW Motor Indonesia (Wuling) celebrated the production of its three millionth electric vehicle worldwide. Geely has started trial production of its EX5 model at its plant in Indonesia, with mass production set to begin in the third quarter of 2025.
Meanwhile, Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has begun construction of a passenger car plant in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone. The plant, which has a planned capacity of 10,000 units per year, is expected to begin operations by the end of this year.
Forum participants noted a clear shift in NIE automobile cooperation among RCEP member countries from early-stage automobile exports to deeper localization. This shift was marked by the establishment of regional manufacturing hubs and the development of full supply chains, including battery materials and key components.
For example, the SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile plant in Indonesia has implemented an integrated system covering both vehicle production and parts supply to support the modernization of the country’s automobile industry.
Major Chinese battery makers such as China Aviation Lithium Battery (CALB), Gotion High-Tech, and SVOLT Energy Technology have also expanded their operations in RCEP countries, building factories in Thailand, Vietnam, and elsewhere. Some have already begun local production, accelerating the regional growth of the EV ecosystem.
“ASEAN is a dynamic region with growing demand for mobility solutions, increasing environmental awareness and a young population that embraces change,” said Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines President Edmund Araga.
In recent years, RCEP members have set targets to reduce carbon emissions. Cambodia aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and increase the share of renewable energy to 70 percent by 2030. Thailand plans to increase the share of electric vehicles in its car production to 30 percent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
“RCEP has created a long-term cooperation mechanism for us,” said Malaysian Electric Vehicle Association President Dennis Chua, adding that battery development and waste recycling are expected to be key areas of long-term cooperation between Malaysia, China and other RCEP members.
In the first four months of 2025, China’s NIS auto output rose 48.3 percent year-on-year to nearly 4.43 million units, while sales jumped 46.2 percent to 4.3 million, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed. NIS vehicles accounted for 42.7 percent of the country’s total auto sales during the period.
“China has become a global leader in NEVs, not just in terms of manufacturing but also in research and development, battery innovation, infrastructure and scale,” said Edmund Araga. “Together, we can shape the future of mobility in Asia and around the world.” -0-
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Special traffic and transport arrangements for football match at Kai Tak Sports Park on June 10 and enhanced taxi pick-up/drop-off during dispersal
Location(from 4pm to 8pm)for special bus routes only(from 4pm to 8pm) Relevant bureaux/departments and the KTSP Limited have arranged site visit and meeting with and issued letters to the taxi trade to facilitate its familiarisation of the new arrangements and routes concerned. Additional signage will also be put up on site for identification. During dispersal, the expected waiting time will be longer amid an outflux of spectators and passengers’ patience is appreciated.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Xi, Myanmar leader exchange congratulations on 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties
BEIJING, June 8 — Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday exchanged congratulations on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
In his message, Xi said that over the past 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the “Paukphaw” (fraternal) friendship between China and Myanmar has stood the test of time and grown even stronger.
Upholding the jointly advocated Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit, the two countries have been committed to good neighborliness, deepened mutually beneficial cooperation, and firmly supported each other on issues regarding their respective core interests and major concerns, setting a fine example of friendly exchange between countries, he said.
Xi recalled his meeting with Min Aung Hlaing in Russia in May, when the two leaders reached important consensus on building the China-Myanmar community with a shared future.
China attaches great importance to the development of its ties with Myanmar and stands ready to work with Myanmar to take the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to accelerate high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative and push for solid progress in building the China-Myanmar community with a shared future, so as to deliver more benefits to the two peoples, Xi stressed.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows the Gribo-Popoli Hydroelectric Power Plant in Soubre, Cote d’Ivoire. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)
As the rainy season settles over southwestern Cote d’Ivoire, the Sassandra River swells with renewed vigor. In the early morning mist, workers in uniforms and hard hats move with purpose through the Gribo-Popoli Hydroelectric Power Plant, inspecting spillways, monitoring water levels, and checking equipment.
Among them is 32-year-old Bassirou Konate, a quality inspector who began his career nearly a decade ago.
“When I first joined the Chinese-built hydropower project, I could barely read the blueprints,” Konate recalled. “But a Chinese mentor was assigned to me. Step by step, he taught me everything.”
Konate began his career in 2016 at the Soubre Hydroelectric Power Plant, a project also built by the Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina). Since then, he has contributed to several major infrastructure initiatives and become a key member of the team building the Gribo-Popoli hydropower plant.
“What I learned in school was theory,” he said. “It was these projects that gave me hands-on experience. Now, I can support my family. I see a future not only for myself but for my community.”
Situated on one of Cote d’Ivoire’s major rivers, the Gribo-Popoli station is part of a series of hydropower projects. The Sassandra River, with its abundant flow and favorable elevation gradients, holds vast potential for renewable energy. After completing the Soubre Hydroelectric Power Plant in 2017, PowerChina saw all three generating units at Gribo-Popoli come online by November 2024, unlocking even more hydropower capacity for the country.
Yet, the energy these projects generate extends beyond electricity — it is also empowering the growth of local talent.
Dozens of Ivorian workers who began their careers at Soubre, like Konate, have since stepped into critical roles at Gribo-Popoli as quality inspectors, technicians, and supervisors. Their growing expertise is powering a new chapter in national infrastructure, one driven not just by machines, but by the skilled hands of local professionals.
Hou Bing, chief engineer of the Gribo-Popoli Hydroelectric Power Plant, said the project created roughly 2,000 direct jobs during its construction phase and supported an additional 1,000 through related industries.
“These projects are more than worksites. They are schools, places where Ivorian workers gain skill and confidence,” Hou noted. “Knowledge is passed on along with the trust between our peoples. Together, we are building not only dams but bridges of friendship.”
Yao Michel N’Guessan’s story mirrors that of Konate. Fresh out of school when he joined the Soubre project, N’Guessan began with little more than textbook knowledge. “Chinese engineers taught me how to install and maintain electrical systems,” he said.
Through on-the-job training, he steadily mastered the complexities of construction. Today, he leads a construction team at Gribo-Popoli.
“What I gained from my Chinese mentors wasn’t just skills,” he said. “They taught me discipline, responsibility, and precision. We’re not just workers anymore. We’re nation-builders.”
As night falls, lights flicker on across the Gribo-Popoli Hydroelectric Power Plant, casting a warm glow over the Sassandra River. The dam and power station stand not only as engineering feats but as enduring symbols of partnership between China and Cote d’Ivoire.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Colombian senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, who is running for the presidency in 2026, was shot and seriously wounded at a campaign rally in Bogota on Saturday, local authorities said.
Uribe Turbay was addressing a group of people when armed assailants shot him from behind, said Democratic Center, the senator’s party.
Images circulating on social media shows Uribe Turbay covered in blood, apparently with a head wound, as several people held him. Local media said he is in serious condition in hospital.
Colombia’s Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced the arrest of a suspect in the shooting of the senator, adding that an investigation is underway to determine whether others were involved.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
U.S. President Donald Trump is deploying National Guard troops in Los Angeles despite the governor’s objections as protests over immigration raids continue.
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided several locations in Los Angeles on Friday, sparking mass protests downtown.
Trump had signed a memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen “to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester,” the White House said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, objected to the president’s move, describing it as “purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions” in a post on X.
Trump federalized part of the state’s National Guard under what is known as Title 10 authority, which places him, not the governor, atop the chain of command, Newsom was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.
The impacts from volcanic eruptions threaten the lives of hundreds of millions of people and pose a multi-trillion-dollar risk to the global economy. Global Volcano Risk Alliance aims to change this by advocating for increased prioritisation of the risks, increasing the resilience of the most vulnerable communities, and working to enhance global volcano monitoring.
Geneva, Switzerland, 6 June 2025 – Recent analysis by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reveals significant gaps remain in early warning coverage globally, with many government alerts lacking clear instructions or multilingual accessibility. Risk communication serves as the bridge between detecting threats and taking protective action-when messages fail to resonate with audiences in a way that leads to action, even the most advanced early warning systems may not be effective.
“Countries must look beyond technology alone. We must strengthen the weakest links in the early warning chain – between systems and people, between warning and response, and between authority and trust” said Kamal Kishore.
This call to strengthen communication systems was echoed throughout the Global Platform sessions.
Risk Communication Gains Prominence
Recognition of communication’s essential role was evident throughout this year’s Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, which featured an increased focus on risk communication across multiple sessions and events. The conference included its first dedicated thematic session centered on risk communication, signaling the international community’s growing understanding that effective communication is fundamental to disaster risk reduction.
A key focus emerged around strengthening the Early Warnings for All initiative, which aims to ensure no one is left vulnerable during disasters. Sessions like, “Bridging the Gap: Critical Media’s Role in Strengthening Alerts and Enhancing Disaster Preparedness,” highlighted a stark reality: when disasters strike, people often rely on local radio, television, or community messaging groups like WhatsApp for information, rather than formal government alert systems alone. This recognition drove discussions about media’s role not merely as a projector of warnings, but as a trusted intermediary between experts and the public.
Sessions explored how to develop clear, accessible, and inclusive communication frameworks that address accessibility gaps and ensure technical systems reach last-mile communities. The focus on media partnerships reflects the urgent need to strengthen coordination between media, governments, and disaster risk reduction agencies for more effective messaging, while investing in inclusive communication approaches including sign language, Braille, and audio alerts.
“Media has an absolutely critical role in this whole process,” said Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. “This is not just a technical problem which scientists do. This is something which has to be conveyed to the general public in an easily understandable, usable, actionable way and that is something that media does much better than any scientist could do.”
Innovation on the Ignite Stage
Throughout the Global Platform, the Ignite Stage showcased cutting-edge approaches to risk communication that exemplified the shift toward more engaging, accessible, and community-centered messaging. These brief but impactful presentations demonstrated how creativity and technology can transform how disaster risk information reaches and resonates with diverse audiences.
Presentations included virtual reality classrooms for disaster and climate education, offering immersive learning experiences that help students understand hazards in ways traditional textbooks cannot. Creative risk communication initiatives honored the legacy of Pablo Suarez, a pioneer in using games and creativity for disaster preparedness, while sessions on “serious fun” explored how to communicate risks through engaging formats.
These presentations reinforced that effective risk communication must move beyond technical messaging to content and formats that capture attention, engage emotions, and inspire action.
Shifting Communication Approaches
Panelists at the first dedicated thematic session on risk communication at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. Souce: Antoine Tardy/UNDRR
“You can’t logic people into preparedness. You have to move them. We’re losing people’s attention and in a disaster, attention is everything. So let’s get creative let’s use formats people already love,” said Barrise Griffin, Youth Delegate and DRR expert from the Bahamas.
A fundamental finding emerged: while new technologies offer greater opportunities for communities to connect and self-organize, the most vulnerable groups-young persons, persons with disabilities, migrants, displaced persons, and indigenous communities-are often forgotten in risk communication efforts.
Session panelists emphasized the need to move beyond one-way messaging toward genuine dialogue where communities become partners rather than passive recipients. Speakers showcased innovative approaches that prioritize human connection alongside technological advancement, from survivor storytelling projects that build awareness through lived experience to platforms that translate technical forecasts into local languages and cultural contexts.
Creating Trust Through Community Partnership
Youth advocates meet with Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. Source: Antoine Tardy/UNDRR
The various sessions revealed trust and localisation as fundamental infrastructure for effective risk communication-without them, even the most advanced warning systems can fail to motivate protective action. Trust must be built through consistent engagement with communities, using local messengers and voices that people can relate to and believe.
This insight connects directly to the challenge of misinformation and disinformation, which was identified as growing threats amplified by social media. Building resilience against misinformation and disinformation requires establishing trusted communication pathways before disasters strike, creating relationships that can withstand the information overload that often accompanies emergencies.
Rather than viewing populations as passive recipients of warnings, these sessions emphasized the need to position communities as active partners with valuable knowledge, experiences, and capabilities. When people feel heard and involved in risk conversations, they develop greater agency to assess their situations and take protective action.
Effective risk communication must go beyond translation to cultural adaptation, incorporating local culture, languages, music, and trusted community voices. This ensures that risk information not only reaches communities but resonates with their lived experiences and decision-making processes. Several examples demonstrated this principle in action: platforms that contextualize weather forecasts into local languages, child-centered preparedness programs that build lasting cultures of safety, and community-based approaches that integrate traditional knowledge with modern early warning systems.
The emphasis on localisation extends to involving communities in designing the systems themselves, particularly ensuring that persons with disabilities help create accessible early warning approaches that address their specific needs and experiences.
“Trust is the most powerful infrastructure in disaster preparedness because building the trust takes time, consistency and humility but without it even the best systems can fail,” said Dr. Nairwita Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Professor and Winner of WIN DRR Award 2024 from Haringhata Mahavidyalaya, India, during the thematic session on risk communication and education.
Building Resilient Communication Systems
As the Global Platform comes to an end, the focus on risk communication signals recognition of communication as critical infrastructure for disaster resilience. The discussions demonstrate that effective early warning requires not just detecting hazards and issuing alerts, but building the social foundation that enables communities to receive, understand, and act on risk information.
The path forward requires sustained investment in inclusive communication approaches that prioritize trust-building, community engagement, and accessible design. It demands moving beyond traditional top-down warning systems to embrace dialogue-based approaches that respect local knowledge while leveraging technological innovation responsibly.
When hazards threaten, everyone deserves clear, actionable information delivered through trusted channels in ways that resonate with them and empower their response. The Global Platform’s elevation of risk communication marks a crucial step toward making that vision reality.
Geneva, Switzerland, 6 June 2025 – The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025 placed inclusion at the center of building resilient communities, with an intentional focus on ensuring that disaster risk reduction strategies address the needs of women, persons with disabilities, and other most at-risk groups. Throughout the five-day gathering, delegates, practitioners, and community leaders demonstrated that resilience can only be achieved when no one is left behind.
The platform’s second key theme, “Prioritizing gender equality, accessibility and inclusion to leave no one behind,” resonated across preparatory days, formal sessions, learning labs, and side events, reinforcing that while disasters affect everyone, they disproportionately impact certain groups including women, persons with disabilities, and older persons, and when these groups are empowered to lead risk reduction efforts we all benefit.
Breaking Barriers and Building Commitment
The RISK Award Ceremony 2025 highlighted how inclusion drives innovation in disaster risk reduction. ChildFund International won the €100,000 award for empowering indigenous children and youths in Bolivia’s Chiquitano Nation to lead emergency preparedness by combining ancestral knowledge with modern technology.
“The Risk Award is an honour to ChildFund in Bolivia, its partners but, most importantly, to the Chuiquitano People, who will bridge their ancestral indigenous wisdom with new technologies to empower children to get on the frontline of Disaster Risk Reduction,” said Ms. Ximena Loza, Country Director for Bolivia.
The Global Platform’s Gender Pledge Wall became a powerful symbol of commitment, with 165 pledges from participants, including 34 from Governments, including the making concrete pledges to advance gender equality in their disaster risk reduction work. The pledges ranged from policy commitments to grassroots initiatives, creating a commitment of action spanning all levels of society.
“I strongly believe our solutions must be gender-responsive. If we listen, engage, and invest in what works for women, we can build solutions that work for everyone,” emphasized Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Inclusion Hub served as a central gathering space fostering dialogue between persons with disabilities, women leaders, and policymakers. With 147 persons with disabilities registered for the Global Platformand nearly 500 participants expressing interest in disability inclusion in disaster risk reduction, the event demonstrated significant engagement from the disability community and allies affiliated with the disability stakeholder group.
Inclusion Hub sessions covered critical areas including inclusive disaster risk governance for effective risk management, gender-responsive and socially inclusive understanding of disaster risk, risk-informed development approaches, and financing gender-responsive and socially inclusive resilience building. These discussions demonstrated the platform’s commitment to not just talking about inclusion but creating it in practice.
Integrating Inclusion Throughout the Platform
Inclusion was integrated throughout the Global Platform, from technical sessions on early warning systems to informal discussions on community preparedness. This represented a fundamental shift in how the disaster risk reduction community approaches resilience building, moving beyond treating inclusion as a separate topic to integrating it into every conversation.
Whether discussing early warning systems, risk communication, or preparedness planning, speakers consistently emphasized that effective solutions must be designed with and for the most marginalized. The platform revealed how inclusion manifests differently across various disaster risk reduction challenges. In early warning systems, it means ensuring alerts reach everyone through accessible formats and trusted community channels. In risk assessment, it requires disaggregated data that captures how different groups experience hazards. In preparedness planning, it demands meaningful participation from women, persons with disabilities, older persons, and indigenous communities as leaders and decision-makers, not merely as beneficiaries.
A key message is that communities who have been excluded from DRR governance possess critical knowledge and capabilities that benefit us all. Indigenous forecasting methods, women’s community networks, and disability advocates’ understanding of accessibility barriers emerged as essential resources for building resilient societies. Sessions highlighted successful examples where traditional wisdom enhanced modern early warning systems and where community-led initiatives achieved stronger outcomes.
The conversations also confronted persistent gaps honestly. Despite years of commitments, persons with disabilities continue to face significant barriers in accessing disaster services, women remain underrepresented in disaster risk reduction leadership, and intersectional vulnerabilities-such as those faced by adolescent girls with disabilities-often remain invisible to planners and responders.
A Special Session on Progress Implementing The Gender Action Plan to Support Implementation of the Sendai Framework (Sendai GAP) highlighted progress that has been made over the past year since the Sendai GAP was launched. Success stories highlighted the impact that gender-responsive disaster risk reduction has had across diverse stakeholders, from disaggregated data informing budget allocations in Burundi, to how the Sendai GAP implementation tools have supported Kiribati; how women leadership has expanded across Mali, to how the transgender community in Pakistan has worked with provincial government to ensure inclusive disaster risk reduction is inclusive of all.
Looking Ahead
As the Global Platform concluded, the message was clear: inclusion is not an add-on to disaster risk reduction-it is fundamental to its success. The path forward requires strengthening data collection to better understand how disasters affect different groups while scaling successful models like community-based early warning systems that integrate traditional knowledge and ensure accessibility for all.
Equally important is investing in leadership development for women, persons with disabilities, and most at-risk communities to take central roles in disaster risk reduction planning and implementation. This shift demands embedding inclusion requirements into national and local disaster risk reduction strategies with dedicated resources and accountability mechanisms, while leveraging innovation to develop accessible early warning systems and preparedness resources that serve everyone effectively.
The Global Platform 2025 demonstrated that when inclusion guides disaster risk reduction efforts, communities become stronger and more resilient. As climate change continues to intensify disaster risks, the imperative to leave no one behind has never been more urgent-or more achievable.
The outcomes from Global Platform 2025 will inform the midterm review of the Sendai Framework implementation, ensuring that inclusion remains central to global disaster risk reduction efforts through 2030 and beyond.
GENEVA – As more than a thousand global leaders gathered for the 2025 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025), a powerful force from a behind-the-scenes presence to taking a centre-stage role: the LAC Women’s Network (the Americas and the Caribbean Women’s Network for Disaster Risk Reduction) descended on Geneva not only to participate, but to transform. With over 1,500 members and four elected representatives, the network brings the voices and stories of women from an expansive region where disasters intersect with deep-rooted inequalities.
Keeping track of gender representation
Their centerpiece? The Gender Observatory.
Formed in 2023 at the VIII Regional Platform in Uruguay, this citizen-monitoring tool has quickly evolved from a regional experiment into a global accountability mechanism. The Gender Observatory tracks gender and intersectional representation across official sessions, going far beyond surface-level parity.
Observers record who speaks, how women are portrayed, and whether marginalized groups are represented at all. With more than 60 volunteers gathering data in six languages during GP2025, the preliminary results suggest women are often present – but still struggle to be heard. Mentions of inclusion often lean towards the symbolic, and representation remains uneven.
What isn’t measured, doesn’t change
“Observatories like this are crucial because what isn’t measured, doesn’t change,” said Cynthia Rodríguez, the Network’s Executive Secretary.
Rodríguez, who grew up near Ecuador’s Chimborazo volcano, knows firsthand how disaster risk multiplies along gender and class lines. At the Multi-Stakeholder Plenary, she shared a personal story of losing her mother to forced migration during Ecuador’s 1998 El Niño crisis – and of returning years later to co-found the country’s first private-sector DRR network.
By 6 June, the Gender Observatory had logged 92 observations from over 30 contributors at GP2025 – and counting. While data continues to come in, early figures offer a revealing snapshot of participation and representation:
A majority of observers (58.7%) followed proceedings online, with 38% on-site in Geneva.
Thematic and Preparatory Day sessions drew the most attention, followed by plenaries, dialogues, and special events.
Among moderators, nearly 71% were women, while 3.3% identified as gender-diverse – a sign of shifting norms, though still not parity.
Inclusive language appeared inconsistently: only a quarter of sessions used it throughout, while over half featured it sporadically.
Despite these gaps, over 70% of sessions received high quality ratings, a testament to growing awareness – and the work still to be done.
Advocating for Sendai GAP implementation across the board
But the Gender Observatory was not the Network’s only contribution. In a session titled Women’s Empowerment & Resilience: DRR Leadership Across Continents, the LAC Women’s Network joined forces with its Asia-Pacific counterpart (WIN DRR) and governments like Canada and Australia to advocate for the full implementation of the Sendai Framework’s Gender Action Plan.
Their message was simple: Women are not just vulnerable – they are leaders.
Elsewhere at GP2025, the Network hosted a Spanish-language showcase of good practices at the Inclusion Hub and participated in strategy dialogues with UNDRR leadership.
The Pledge Wall initiative – a colorful installation inviting attendees to commit publicly to inclusive DRR – served as a reminder that political will must be paired with visibility and accountability. The LAC Women’s Network was, of course, not only supporting it, but also making their own pledges.
Gender equality is not an add-on
The Network’s final declaration, signed by women across the region, demands more than applause. It calls for legal recognition of gender equality in disaster policy, direct funding for women-led initiatives, and the creation of a civil society-run regional Gender and DRR Observatory.
“Our network is working tirelessly to turn plans into action,” Rodríguez said. “But without resources and political support, we cannot scale the change our communities need.”
As the conference concludes, their data is being analyzed, their stories shared, and their message is unmistakable: Gender equality is not an add-on to disaster risk reduction. It is the foundation for resilience.
We believe geological research and practice can help to deliver all the SDGs. Many of them require improved management of natural resources (e.g., land, energy, water, minerals), or understanding of Earth processes to ensure people, jobs and infrastructure are resilient to environmental change or geological hazards.
.Uppsala University is the oldest Nordic university, founded in 1477. Today it is a comprehensive research university with a clear mission: to pursue top-quality research and education and to interact constructively with society, thus contributing to a better world.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SFST to visit the UK and Norway Mr Hui will return to Hong Kong on June 13. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury. Issued at HKT 12:00
Donald Trump said on Saturday his relationship with his billionaire donor Elon Musk is over and warned there would be “serious consequences” if Musk funds U.S. Democrats running against Republicans who vote for the president’s sweeping tax and spending bill.
In a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump declined to say what those consequences would be, and went on to add that he had not had discussions about whether to investigate Musk.
Asked if he thought his relationship with the Tesla and SpaceX CEO was over, Trump said, “I would assume so, yeah.”
“No,” Trump told NBC when asked if he had any desire to repair his relationship with Musk.
“I have no intention of speaking to him,” Trump said.
However, Trump said he had not thought about terminating U.S. government contracts with Musk’s StarLink satellite internet or SpaceX rocket launch companies.
Musk and Trump began exchanging insults this week, as Musk denounced Trump’s bill as a “disgusting abomination.” Musk’s opposition to the measure complicated efforts to pass the legislation in Congress, where Republicans hold only slim majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate.
The bill narrowly passed the House last month and is now before the Senate, where Trump’s fellow Republicans are considering making changes. Nonpartisan analysts estimate the measure would add $2.4 trillion to the $36.2 trillion U.S. debt over 10 years, which worries many lawmakers, including some Republicans who are fiscal hawks.
Musk also declared it was time for a new political party in the United States “to represent the 80% in the middle!”
Trump said on Saturday he is confident the bill would get passed by the U.S. July 4 Independence Day holiday.
“In fact, yeah, people that were, were going to vote for it are now enthusiastically going to vote for it, and we expect it to pass,” Trump told NBC.
Republicans have strongly backed Trump’s initiatives since he began his second term as president on January 20. While some Republican lawmakers have made comments to the news media expressing concern about some of Trump’s choices, they have yet to vote down any of his policies or nominations.
DELETED MUSK POSTS
Musk has deleted some social media posts critical of Trump, including one that signaled support for impeaching the president, appearing to seek a de-escalation of their public feud, which exploded on Thursday. During his first term as president, the House, then controlled by Democrats, twice voted to impeach Trump but the Senate both times acquitted him.
The White House and Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Saturday on the deleted posts.
People who have spoken to Musk said his anger has begun to recede and they thought he would want to repair his relationship with Trump.
One of the X posts that Musk appeared to have deleted was a response to another user posting: “President vs Elon. Who wins? My money’s on Elon. Trump should be impeached and (Vice President) JD Vance should replace him.” Musk had written “yes.”
On Theo Von’s “This Past Weekend” podcast – recorded on Thursday as the feud between Trump and Musk unfolded and released on Saturday – Vance called Musk’s criticism of Trump a “huge mistake.”
“I’m always going to be loyal to the president, and I hope that eventually Elon kind of comes back into the fold. Maybe that’s not possible now because he’s gone so nuclear. But I hope it is,” said Vance, describing Musk as an “incredible entrepreneur.”
Trump is due to attend an Ultimate Fighting Championship fight card on Saturday in New Jersey. Since his second election win, he has attended two previous UFC mixed martial arts fight cards with Musk. Musk is not expected to attend on Saturday.
Musk, the world’s richest man, bankrolled a large part of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, spending nearly $300 million in last year’s U.S. elections and taking credit for Republicans retaining a majority of seats in the House and retaking a majority in the Senate.
Trump named Musk to head an effort to downsize the federal workforce and slash spending, lauding him at the White House only about a week ago for his work as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk cut only about half of 1% of total spending, far short of his brash plans to axe $2 trillion from the federal budget.
Los Angeles, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement in response to speaking out peacefully on the federal government’s immigration actions:
The federal government is taking over the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 soldiers in Los Angeles — not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle.
Don’t give them one.
Never use violence. Speak out peacefully.
Governor Gavin Newsom
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Jun 7, 2025
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Jun 7, 2025
News Los Angeles, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement in response to the federal government’s immigration actions: As the federal government conducts chaotic immigration sweeps across the country, the state is deploying additional…
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The Green Party is calling out the Government’s parent boost changes that benefit a wealthier minority while doing nothing to help reunite thousands of migrant families.
“The Government is essentially telling thousands of migrant families that if your parents don’t have a quarter of a million in funds, they are not welcome here,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Immigration, Ricardo Menéndez March.
“Our migrant communities give so much to Aotearoa, they deserve to be treated with respect and provided with pathways that connect them with their families. Today’s announcement falls significantly short of this.
“The Government’s changes to the Parent Boost visa send a clear signal that they do not value the significant contribution of our migrant communities who National labelled as essential not long ago. This is not good enough.
“The requirements of the five-year parent category visa mean only those with significant wealth will be able to apply, leaving out the lower wage migrant workers National was calling “essential” not many years ago.
“The Greens support having genuine residency pathways for parents, because it makes no sense for families to be kept apart. Being wealthy should not be a prerequisite to having your parents with you in New Zealand. We will overhaul the parent residency scheme to ensure families are treated fairly,” says Ricardo Menéndez March.
More than 150 press freedom advocacy groups and international newsrooms have joined Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in issuing a public appeal demanding that Israel grant foreign journalists immediate, independent and unrestricted access to the Gaza Strip.
The organisations are also calling for the full protection of Palestinian journalists, nearly 200 — the Gaza Media Office says more than 230 — of whom have been killed by the Israeli military over the past 20 months.
For more than 20 months, Israeli authorities have barred foreign journalists from entering the Gaza Strip, says RSF in a media release.
During the same period, the Israeli army killed nearly 200 Palestinian journalists in the blockaded territory, including at least 45 slain for their work.
Palestinian journalists who continue reporting — the only witnesses on the ground — are facing unbearable conditions, including forced displacement, famine, and constant threats to their lives.
This collective appeal, launched by RSF and CPJ, brings together prominent news outlets from every continent demanding the right to send correspondents into Gaza to report alongside Palestinian journalists.
“The media blockade imposed on Gaza, combined with the massacre of nearly 200 journalists by the Israeli army, is enabling the total destruction and erasure of the blockaded territory,” said RSF director-general Thibaut Bruttin.
“Israeli authorities are banning foreign journalists from entering and ruthlessly asserting their control over information.
“This is a methodical attempt to silence the facts, suppress the truth, and isolate the Palestinian press and population.
Asia Pacific Report . . . one of the signatories to the Gaza plea. Image: APR
“We call on governments, international institutions and heads of state to end their complicit silence, enforce the immediate opening of Gaza to foreign media, and uphold a principle that is frequently trampled — under international humanitarian law, killing a journalist is a war crime.
“This principle has been violated far too often and must now be enforced.”
RSF director-general Thibaut Bruttin speaking at the reception celebrating seven years of Taipei’s Asia Pacific office in October 2024. Image: Pacific Media Watch
The media blockade on Gaza persists despite repeated calls from RSF to guarantee foreign journalists independent access to the Strip, and legal actions such as the Foreign Press Association’s (FPA) petition to the Israeli Supreme Court.
Palestinian journalists, meanwhile, are trapped, displaced, starved, defamed and targeted due to their work.
Those who have survived this unprecedented massacre of journalists now find themselves without shelter, equipment, medical care or even food, according to a CPJ report. They face the risk of being killed at any moment.
To end the enduring impunity that allows these crimes to continue, RSF has repeatedly referred cases to the International Criminal Court (ICC), urging it to investigate alleged war crimes committed against journalists in Gaza by the Israeli army.
RSF also provides aid to Palestinian journalists on the ground — particularly in Gaza — through partnerships with local organisations such as ARIJ (Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism).
This partnership provides Palestinian journalists with psychological and professional support, ensuring the continued publication of high-quality reporting despite the blockade and the risks.
Through this cooperation, RSF reaffirms its commitment to defending independent, rigorous journalism — even under the most extreme conditions.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) — As China’s annual national college entrance examination, also known as the “gaokao,” kicked off on Saturday morning, a volunteer in Shenyang helped wheelchair-bound examinee Wang Zhenyu safely into the exam room by coordinating with police to open a “green corridor” – a small gesture that reflects nationwide efforts to support examinees.
While students are trying their best, authorities are working hard to ensure the exam is safe and fair for the 13.35 million examinees across the country. In many places, artificial intelligence (AI) technology is being deployed for this purpose.
In Benxi City, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, every gaokao exam hall is monitored by a real-time intelligent surveillance system that automatically detects behavioral irregularities – from whispering and frequent glances between students to inattentiveness of proctors – to strengthen discipline and fairness during exams.
AI-powered monitoring systems have also been implemented in other provinces, including Jiangxi, Hubei and Guangdong, enabling real-time monitoring, behavioral analysis and early warning. By accurately identifying behavioral violations without human intervention, the advanced technology eases the burden on examination staff and enhances the fairness and integrity of the examination itself.
These advanced measures play an important role in supporting this year’s gaokao. Authorities and communities across the country have implemented a wide range of initiatives to ensure the safe and fair administration of the exam, addressing concerns related to technological risks and environmental conditions, as well as the physical and mental well-being of students.
TECHNOLOGIES THAT ENSURE FAIRNESS
On May 28, China’s Ministry of Education announced that it would strengthen security measures for this year’s exams, with a particular focus on technological safeguards. The upgrades include stricter entry controls, increased screening of devices such as phones and smartwatches, radio signal blocking at all exam sites, and greater use of intelligent surveillance and screening systems to strengthen the exam’s security network.
Upgraded security gates at entrances have become a key component in ensuring fair examination conditions in Liaoning Province. At each examination site, students must pass through two intelligent security gates that can detect small metal objects, including mobile phones, smart watches, smart glasses, hidden earphones and other high-tech cheating devices. If the alarms are triggered, teachers conduct a check with hand-held metal detectors.
“Cheating technology is evolving every year, so this year the screening procedure at school entrance is stricter than ever,” said Liu Yang, principal of Benxi City High School. “At the school gate, students are reminded not to bring in prohibited devices, and lockers are provided for safe storage. On exam days, dedicated staff also inspect key areas such as walls, toilets and trash cans to prevent any form of information transfer from outside.”
Biometric verification has also become a standard part of exam security. At the entrance, examinees undergo facial recognition, fingerprint or iris scanning to prevent people from impersonating exam candidates. Identity checks are carried out several times before, during and after exams, and each time takes only a few seconds.
In parallel, national radio services actively monitor exam centres and surrounding areas for suspicious signals. By identifying and blocking unauthorised wireless communications, they help prevent fraud using electronic devices.
SOCIAL SUPPORT
In addition to technical precautions, many regions have taken additional steps to create a calm and favourable environment for exams. These include postponing performances, temporarily closing libraries, cultural centres, museums and sports facilities, and changing the working hours of government agencies and businesses.
In east China’s Anhui Province, the Anhui Huangmei Opera House suspended all performances from June 5 to 9 to minimize noise near exam venues. Similarly, cultural institutions in Jiangsu, Fujian and Henan provinces have postponed street performances, traditional lion dances and puppet shows to ensure a quiet atmosphere for students.
To ease traffic congestion and ensure timely arrival at exam sites, many cities have taken special measures such as postponing office opening times and encouraging carpooling or public transportation. Traffic police have designated priority lanes and are ready to escort examinees caught in traffic jams, ensuring that everyone gets to the exam site on time. In Benxi City, students can even order taxis with “gaokao free ride” stickers by phone or hail them on the street and show their pass to take the exam.
To protect students from adverse weather conditions, Beijing 101 Middle School set up rain and sun shelters, provided them with more than 200 umbrellas, and provided first aid by medical personnel on site. In the exam rooms, silent fans and purified drinking water created a comfortable environment.
Beijing has also introduced customized support measures for students with special needs, including providing exam papers in Braille and large print, as well as separate testing rooms, so that every examinee can take the exam with dignity and confidence.
The Anhui Communist Youth League has launched a nationwide campaign to support students’ mental health, sending counselors to schools to give talks on stress relief and offering online counseling to reduce test anxiety.
This nationwide effort reflects not only the scale of the gaokao’s facilities, but also the deep social significance attached to it. Behind every quiet exam room or smooth ride to the testing center is a collective commitment to ensuring fairness, opportunity, and hope for the future.
Since its re-establishment in 1977, the gaokao has become one of the most powerful tools for promoting educational equality and social mobility in China. Based on merit-based selection principles, the exam allows students from all backgrounds to participate in a fair “competition.” This standardized system provides transparency and accountability in university admissions for a population of more than 1.4 billion people.
For many, the gaokao is a turning point in life, the only chance to change their future through determination and hard work. It has become a symbol of fairness, opportunity, and the belief that personal effort can change a person’s destiny. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
MINSK, June 8 (Xinhua) — China’s U-22 men’s youth team played a 1-1 draw with Belarus’ U-21 team in a friendly match on Saturday. The game was held at the new National Football Stadium of Belarus, built with China’s support. The football arena, which can accommodate 33,000 spectators, was almost full, with fans actively supporting both teams.
At the beginning of the match, the Belarusian team, using the home advantage, actively attacked. Already in the first 10 minutes, they earned several corners, but were unable to convert them into goals. In the 13th minute, the Chinese team carried out a counterattack: midfielder Mutellip Iminkari went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the ball hit the post.
The Belarusians relied on aerial play, using their height, and the Chinese responded with quick attacks, creating several dangerous moments. However, the first half ended goalless.
In the second half, already in the 1st minute, a Chinese defender committed a foul in his penalty area, and the referee awarded a penalty. Player number 22 from the Belarusian team, Nikita Baranov, confidently converted the kick, opening the score – 1:0.
The Chinese did not give up and continued to attack. In the 65th minute, the coaching staff made substitutions, and in the 74th minute, M. Iminkari effectively finished off a corner kick, leveling the score – 1:1.
The Belarusians actively pressed until the end of the match, but the Chinese defense held out, and the game ended in a draw.
China U-22 goalkeeper Li Hao noted after the match that “even though it was a friendly match, the atmosphere at the new stadium felt like a serious tournament. The Belarusians created a lot of problems for us, but we showed a decent level.”
Arseny Skopets, goalkeeper for the Belarus U-21 team, said he was generally pleased with his performance. “China is a strong opponent. I hope we will have more matches like this,” he said.
According to the China Football Association, the U-22 team is holding a training camp in Dalian, Liaoning Province, from May 23 to June 10 to prepare for the 2026 U-23 AFC Asian Cup and the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games. As part of the preparation, the team traveled to Belarus to play friendly matches. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Both Cambodia and Thailand expressed hopes for a peaceful settlement of the border dispute after a brief exchange of gunfire in a disputed border area on May 28.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Saturday that he hopes to resolve the border issue with Thailand peacefully.
“Cambodia adheres to the principles of maintaining peace, friendship and good cooperation with Thailand,” Hun Manet posted on his Facebook page, saying Cambodia has decided to refer the dispute to the International Court of Justice.
“The decision is to seek a peaceful and permanent solution to the border problems in those areas, rather than leaving the problem to remain ambiguous for a long time, which could lead to a new armed conflict,” he added.
Hun Manet said Cambodia would continue to collaborate with Thai parties to promote the measurement of the border and establish the remaining border using the Cambodia-Thai Joint Boundary Commission mechanism.
Speaking at a press conference, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura called on the Cambodian side to “reduce the level of tension along the border to prevent the situation from escalating unnecessarily.”
Following the late-May military skirmish, Thailand has exercised “the utmost restraint” and focused on resolving the situation peacefully by pursuing all diplomatic channels to de-escalate tensions, Nikorndej said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2025, posted on X on Friday that he has “engaged with the Prime Ministers of Thailand and Cambodia” regarding the ongoing border issues.
“I urge Thailand and Cambodia to continue exercising restraint, take measures to de-escalate tensions, and work towards a peaceful and comprehensive resolution,” Anwar said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided several locations in Los Angeles on Friday, sparking mass protests downtown.
As immigration crackdowns continue across Southern California and the nation, the raids have resulted in at least 44 individuals being detained, igniting widespread protests, confrontations and chaos in the second-largest U.S. city.
As videos posted online showed, about a hundred protesters were in a standoff with immigration agents on Friday noon, when several workers were taken into custody in handcuffs at a clothing store in the Fashion District.
The Service Employees International Union California issued a statement saying the union’s president, David Huerta, was “injured and detained” during the raid.
Huerta was arrested for “interfering with federal officers” as he “deliberately obstructed their access by blocking their vehicle,” said United States Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli in an X post.
Essayli also said federal agents were serving a search warrant in the Fashion District for alleged fictitious employee documents. He said there’s reason to believe an employer was using fictitious documents for some of its workers.
In the evening, about 500 people gathered in downtown Los Angeles to protest the raids. Large crowds walked through the area holding signs and chanting “ICE out of LA”.
Videos from the scene showed protesters clashing with policemen as tear gas and pepper spray were used. Some protesters used hammers to break concrete columns and throw large broken concrete at the officers.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Jim McDonnell issued a statement Friday, saying LAPD was not involved in civil immigration enforcement during the daytime. However, the LAPD declared the protest in the evening as an unlawful assembly and later issued a City Wide Tactical Alert, requesting all officers to remain on duty.
“I’m aware that these actions cause anxiety for many Angelenos,” McDonnell said in the statement, “I want everyone, including our immigrant community, to feel safe calling the police in their time of need and know that the LAPD will be there for you without regard to one’s immigration status.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released a statement Friday night, saying that she was “deeply angered” by the federal immigration enforcement actions in the city.
“These tactics sow terror in our communities and distrust basic principles of safety in our city. My office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations. We will not stand for this,” said the statement.
Local community organizations held a press conference in the evening denouncing the raids.
“They were random sweeps, and they were picking up our community in random sweeps. They were racially profiling our community,” said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights, at the conference.