The Government announced today that the sitting of the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) has been tentatively scheduled for September 27.
The CRE application process will open tomorrow and close at 11.59pm on August 1. Prospective applicants for civil service posts at the degree or professional level can apply.
The next round of recruitment exercises for the posts of Administrative Officer (AO), Executive Officer II (EOII), Assistant Labour Officer II (ALOII), Assistant Trade Officer II (ATOII) and Management Services Officer II (MSOII) will begin in September.
The Civil Service Bureau iterated that those who plan to apply for civil service posts at the degree or professional level in the near future must have the requisite CRE results and are advised to take part in this round of examination.
The pool of eligible candidates for civil service jobs requiring an undergraduate degree has been expanded to students in their third year of undergraduate studies in a four-year curriculum.
This means that those eligible to sit the examination include holders of a degree, or a professional qualification meeting the entry requirements of the posts, and university students graduating in the 2025-26 or 2026-27 academic year.
Details about the upcoming CRE will be uploaded to the bureau’s webpage tomorrow.
Candidates who are interested in applying for the above vacancies but have not attained a pass result in the Basic Law & National Security Law Test (BLNST) must separately apply and obtain a pass result before the specified date, ie November 29, in order to be considered for appointment.
Additionally, for the convenience of those studying or residing outside Hong Kong, the CRE and the paper-based BLNST are tentatively scheduled to be held on November 29 in Beijing, Shanghai, London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney. Applications will open later this year.
Call the Civil Service Examinations Unit at 2537 6429 or email it for enquiries.
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
SPC AC 180539
Day 2 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1239 AM CDT Fri Jul 18 2025
Valid 191200Z – 201200Z
…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS SATURDAY INTO SATURDAY NIGHT ACROSS PARTS OF EASTERN IOWA…SOUTHERN WISCONSIN…NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND INDIANA…CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LOWER MICHIGAN…NORTHERN AND WESTERN OHIO…PARTS OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND WESTERN NEW YORK STATE…
…SUMMARY… Strong thunderstorms, including one or two organizing clusters, are possible across southern portions of the Great Lakes region and adjacent portions of the Ohio Valley Saturday into Saturday night, with more widely scattered strong thunderstorm development across the northern Rockies into adjacent high plains.
…Discussion… Models indicate that at least some amplification to the mid/upper flow across the northern tier of the U.S. is probable during this period. It appears that this will include digging troughing across the Pacific Northwest through northern Rockies, downstream of increasingly prominent ridging building across the northeastern Pacific. Farther east, troughing is forecast to dig across and to the east of the Great Lakes, in advance of significant troughing within a separate branch of westerlies, pivoting southeast of Hudson Bay.
In lower levels, the better defined remnants of an ongoing cold frontal intrusion to the lee of the Rockies, perhaps aided by stronger differential surface heating during the day Saturday, may shift east of the middle Mississippi through the lower Ohio Valley. At the same time, a reinforcing intrusion of cooler and drier air is forecast to advance across and south of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, probably in the wake of a weak eastward migrating surface low.
…Midwest through Great Lakes/Ohio Valley… Model depictions concerning synoptic and sub-synoptic features, including potential convective evolution remain rather varied. In general, it appears that low-level moistening ahead of the reinforcing cold front will contribute to moderate destabilization as far north as the southern Great Lakes during the day Saturday. On the southern fringe of the stronger westerlies, 30-50 kt flow in the 850-500 mb layer across southern Wisconsin and Lower Michigan into the lower Great Lakes will contribute to potential for organized convective development. This may include a couple of supercells and perhaps an upscale growing cluster. Although mid-level lapse rates may be modest, this may be accompanied by some risk for hail, in addition to strong to severe surface gusts and perhaps a tornado or two.
Southwestward toward the middle Mississippi into Ohio Valleys, deep-layer mean wind fields are likely to be weaker, but shear beneath west-northwesterly mid-level flow may still support potential for organized thunderstorm development, in the presence of a seasonably moist boundary-layer becoming characterized by sizable CAPE with daytime heating. Forcing for this activity remains unclear, and probably will hinge on convectively generated or augmented perturbations migrating around the northern periphery of mid/upper ridging encompassing much of the central and southern tier of the U.S. to the east of the Rockies.
…Lee of the northern Rockies… Downstream of the digging mid/upper troughing across the Northwest, moisture return to deepening lee surface troughing is forecast to contribute to at least a narrow corridor of moderate to large mixed-layer CAPE, in the presence of steep lower/mid-tropospheric lapse rates. Veering of winds with height probably will contribute to sufficient shear for organized thunderstorm development, including supercells, as widely scattered to scattered thunderstorms develop off the higher terrain into the high plains late Saturday afternoon and evening. It is possible that severe weather probabilities could still be increased in later outlooks for this period.
..Kerr.. 07/18/2025
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Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Jul 18, 2025 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook
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Updated: Fri Jul 18 05:45:27 UTC 2025 (Print Version | | )
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SPC AC 180545
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1245 AM CDT Fri Jul 18 2025
Valid 181200Z – 191200Z
…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN PARTS OF VA/NC AND NE/SD/MN/IA…
…SUMMARY… Scattered severe thunderstorms with large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes are possible across parts of the Corn Belt in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota this evening into tonight. Scattered damaging winds are possible across parts of Virginia and northern North Carolina this afternoon.
…SD/MN/IA/NE… A low-amplitude shortwave impulse along the international border over the northern Great Plains will progress across the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes and ON. A belt of seasonably strong mid-level westerlies should be centered this afternoon from central MN to Lake Huron. Elevated convection is expected to be ongoing at 12Z across parts of the eastern Dakotas into northern MN ahead of the mid-level impulse, amid a low-level warm theta-e advection regime. As this overspreads a preceding cool/dry surface airmass over the Upper Midwest, pronounced differential diabatic surface heating will strengthen a baroclinic zone across southeast SD bisecting IA to the southeast by late afternoon. Thunderstorm development in this time frame should be confined to along/northeast of the surface warm front across far eastern SD and southern MN. Large-scale ascent appears nebulous, but a strengthening low-level jet should aid in convection flanking to the southwest across the Mid-MO Valley during the evening. This may merge with high-based convection shifting east from western NE.
Deep-layer shear will be sufficient for initial supercells that will probably grow upscale into multiple clusters and/or an MCS tonight. The latter may accelerate east-southeast for a time in the western IA vicinity before weakening during the early morning. A mix of all severe hazards are possible in this setup with hail being favored early and wind later. Moderately enlarged low-level hodographs should also support a tornado threat with any sustained supercell to QLCS evolution.
…VA/NC… 00Z HREF guidance supports scattered to numerous thunderstorms this afternoon with transient organizational structures that should be sufficient for a scattered damaging wind threat. This appears to be largely in response to the eastward progression of an MCV currently near the IN/OH/KY border. A compact belt of enhanced mid-level westerlies should overspread the northern periphery of ample MLCAPE emanating from the South Atlantic Coastal Plain. Multicell clusters that can progress towards a warmer/deeper boundary layer across the Piedmont and Coastal Plain should produce strong to sporadic severe gusts through early evening.
..Grams/Wendt.. 07/18/2025
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Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday congratulated the people of Ahmedabad after the city was ranked the cleanest metropolis in the million-plus population category in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25.
In a post on X, Amit Shah said, “A moment of pride for Ahmedabadis as the city is ranked at the top among the cleanest big cities in India in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. This honor stands as a testimony to the success of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision behind Swachhta Abhiyan, pursuing the principle of cleanliness as the key to public health, and mirrors the shared commitment of the people to the cause.”
“Let this achievement be the cornerstone for achieving new heights in this arena by advancing the culture of cleanliness to new frontiers. My heartiest congratulations to the people of Ahmedabad and all the sanitation workers for their immense contributions,” he added.
Bhopal and Lucknow followed Ahmedabad in the rankings, while Indore, maintaining its clean city record for eight consecutive years, was elevated to the newly created Super Swachh League.
Expressing her happiness, Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain told IANS, “I am truly delighted. Ahmedabad, being declared the cleanest big city, is a result of the relentless efforts of the entire administration and the active participation of our citizens. I wholeheartedly thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their visionary leadership and constant encouragement.”
She added, “We worked tirelessly using the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3R). We also implemented a waste-to-energy plant, which played a major role in our success. I hope that every city in Gujarat rises to the top in the coming years.”
The awards were presented at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday.
Launched in 2016 under the Swachh Bharat Mission by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Swachh Survekshan has grown exponentially over the years. From just 73 cities in its inaugural edition, the 2024–25 survey covered an impressive 4,589 cities between April 2024 and March 2025.
This year, awards were presented across four key segments: Super Swachh League Cities, Top Three Clean Cities in Five Population Categories, Special Categories (including Ganga Towns, Cantonment Boards, SafaiMitra Suraksha, and Mahakumbh), and State-Level Awards recognizing the most promising clean cities.
For the first time, cities were classified into five population-based categories, including a newly introduced segment for very small cities with populations under 10 lakh.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday congratulated the people of Ahmedabad after the city was ranked the cleanest metropolis in the million-plus population category in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25.
In a post on X, Amit Shah said, “A moment of pride for Ahmedabadis as the city is ranked at the top among the cleanest big cities in India in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. This honor stands as a testimony to the success of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision behind Swachhta Abhiyan, pursuing the principle of cleanliness as the key to public health, and mirrors the shared commitment of the people to the cause.”
“Let this achievement be the cornerstone for achieving new heights in this arena by advancing the culture of cleanliness to new frontiers. My heartiest congratulations to the people of Ahmedabad and all the sanitation workers for their immense contributions,” he added.
Bhopal and Lucknow followed Ahmedabad in the rankings, while Indore, maintaining its clean city record for eight consecutive years, was elevated to the newly created Super Swachh League.
Expressing her happiness, Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain told IANS, “I am truly delighted. Ahmedabad, being declared the cleanest big city, is a result of the relentless efforts of the entire administration and the active participation of our citizens. I wholeheartedly thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their visionary leadership and constant encouragement.”
She added, “We worked tirelessly using the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3R). We also implemented a waste-to-energy plant, which played a major role in our success. I hope that every city in Gujarat rises to the top in the coming years.”
The awards were presented at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday.
Launched in 2016 under the Swachh Bharat Mission by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Swachh Survekshan has grown exponentially over the years. From just 73 cities in its inaugural edition, the 2024–25 survey covered an impressive 4,589 cities between April 2024 and March 2025.
This year, awards were presented across four key segments: Super Swachh League Cities, Top Three Clean Cities in Five Population Categories, Special Categories (including Ganga Towns, Cantonment Boards, SafaiMitra Suraksha, and Mahakumbh), and State-Level Awards recognizing the most promising clean cities.
For the first time, cities were classified into five population-based categories, including a newly introduced segment for very small cities with populations under 10 lakh.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reinforced its support to Tanzania’s post-Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) recovery by handing over essential medical equipment worth over TZS 112 million to health authorities in Biharamulo District, one of the areas most affected by the outbreak.
The equipment package includes personal protective equipment (PPE), diagnostic tools, hospital beds, and emergency medical kits, critical to restoring routine health services and enhancing outbreak preparedness at the district level.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony, Dr. Galbert Fedjo, acting WHO Representative in Tanzania, reaffirmed WHO’s long-term support: “This handover is part of a broader commitment to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response capacities in Tanzania. We are proud to stand with the Government and the people of Tanzania on the road from recovery to resilience.”
The donation is part of a larger post-Marburg support package made possible through funding from the Government of the United Kingdom via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Beyond medical supplies, the support has also contributed to risk communication, psychosocial recovery, and training of health workers across affected regions.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the Government, The Director of Emergency at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Erasto Sylvanus, expressed appreciation to WHO and partners: “This support comes at a critical time as we continue to strengthen our health systems and ensure our frontline workers are equipped to handle future health emergencies. We thank WHO and the UK Government for standing with us.”
The Marburg Virus Disease outbreak was officially declared in March and successfully contained through rapid response efforts led by the Ministry of Health with support from WHO and partners. Today’s handover marks a significant step in the recovery phase and in enhancing Tanzania’s long-term public health emergency preparedness.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization – United Republic of Tanzania.
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that, beginning with the next cocoa season, Ghanaian cocoa farmers will receive no less than 70 per cent of the prevailing world market price for their produce.
Addressing a grand durbar of chiefs and residents in Juaboso on Tuesday, the President declared: “Let me be clear: we will honour our promise to pay our hardworking farmers 70 per cent of the world market price of cocoa. The sweat of our cocoa farmers deserves dignity and a fair reward.”
Key highlights
1. 70 % price guarantee: The new pricing formula will be reflected in the producer price set by the Producer Price Review Committee ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 crop year.
2. President Mahama announced that construction works will commence this quarter on the Juaboso–Asawinso trunk road, along with 120 km of feeder roads that link farming communities to key buying centres.
3. Government will distribute five million hybrid seedlings and scale up fertiliser subsidies to increase yields and maintain Ghana’s position as the world’s leading cocoa producer.
An additional 10,000 young people are being enrolled in the Cocoa Rehabilitation & Youth Entrepreneurship Programme to rejuvenate aged farms and create decent jobs in the sector.
President Mahama described cocoa as “the lifeblood of our rural economy” and emphasised that sustaining farmers’ livelihoods is central to Ghana’s growth agenda. The chiefs commended the President for honouring his pledges and called for continued collaboration to improve health, education, and market access in cocoa-growing areas.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.
The World Bank Board of Directors approved the Second Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP2) which will strengthen the country’s social protection systems and scale up safety net support to twelve million citizens, including elderly, women, adolescents, children and other age specific vulnerable groups–while advancing human capital development and economic inclusion.
The KSEIP2, a successor to the recently completed Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP), will build on the success and lessons learned from the relevant interventions implemented to enhance delivery systems for inclusive access to social and economic inclusion. It is financed by a $127.5 million investment from the International Development Association (IDA).
“Inclusive growth and poverty reduction are realized when there are more and better jobs as well as more accessible jobs for the poorest and most vulnerable populations,” said Qimiao Fan, World Bank Division Director for Kenya. “The project’s innovative elements will prepare today’s children and adolescents for healthy and productive adulthoods, help poorer families with sustainable livelihood enhancement, and ensure that hard-won gains are not lost to food insecurity during the times of drought or other crises.”
The project will scale up cash-plus programs for targeted age groups, complementing the existing cash transfers provided under the government’s flagship National Safety Net Program (NSNP). KSEIP2 will promote inclusive and sustainable employment through the introduction of climate-resilient income-generating activities and by linking beneficiaries to government social insurance schemes for long-term savings and resilience.
Given Kenya’s vulnerability to recurrent droughts in the North and Northeastern Counties, the project will also strengthen the efficacy of social protection system through investments in modernization and provision of emergency social assistance as temporary support to offset the adverse impact of such crisis.
“The Government of Kenya is committed to supporting opportunities for every Kenyan family to sustainably exit poverty and vulnerability. The KSEIP2 Project supports the government’s ambition on disrupting the vicious cycle of poverty by focusing on investments in children and adolescents, as well as households with productive capacity,” said Shubha Chakravarty, Senior Economist and the Task Team Leader, World Bank. “This objective will be achieved by working in synergy with other relevant government programs.”
The project is consistent with the FY23-FY28 World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework (CPF), particularly with the objectives of increasing household resilience, national preparedness for shocks response, and priorities around human capital development and jobs agenda. It is also in line with Kenya’s vision 2030 while supporting the constitutional commitment to “provide social security for all Kenyans who cannot support themselves”.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.
The Ministry for the Interior has unveiled groundbreaking initiatives aimed at reforming the Prison Service and strengthening the nation’s security architecture.
Speaking at the inaugural “Government Accountability Series” at the Presidency in Accra, Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, announced a pivotal shift for the Prison Service, transforming it into a key contributor to national production and inmate rehabilitation.
As part of the government’s strategic efforts to resource state institutions and foster meaningful rehabilitation, the Ministry for the Interior has initiated discussions with the Ministry of Education to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. This landmark agreement will empower the Prison Service to supply:
20% of sanitary pads for the nation’s Free Sanitary Initiative.
30% of all school furniture procured by the government.
30% of all school uniforms distributed nationwide.
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak, articulating the rationale behind the initiative, stated that the initiative is designed to engender reforms within the nation’s prisons, where inmates are mostly caged.
“We are moving beyond mere incarceration to equip inmates with valuable skills, foster productivity, and prepare them for successful reintegration into society.
The Minister stated that the Ghana Police Service plays a critical role in upholding public order and supporting the government’s economic agenda.
He lauded the Service’s unwavering commitment to public safety, highlighting its sustained efforts against illegal mining operations.
These robust efforts have significantly curbed illicit activities in forest reserves and along water bodies, effectively preventing foreign nationals from engaging in small-scale mining and safeguarding the nation’s natural resources.
In response to the government’s 24-Hour Economy programme, Mohammed-Mubarak announced the establishment of a dedicated 24-Hour Economy Secretariat at the Police Headquarters in Accra. This secretariat is designed to provide round-the-clock security for businesses, ensuring the safe movement of goods and people, and fostering unhindered economic growth across the country.
The Minister further detailed the Ghana Police Service’s impressive successes in crime combat.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.
President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday reaffirmed Ghana’s firm commitment to international trade and investment, outlining the wide-ranging reforms actively fostering economic transformation and better governance.
He was speaking during a courtesy call from the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan.
The President stated that these strategic reforms, begun just six months into his administration, are already showing tangible results.
He spoke about the renewed business confidence, the relative appreciation of the Cedi, and a decreasing inflation rate as important signs of economic stability and progress, especially after recent global challenges and inherited public debt burdens.
“We are striving to cultivate a new sense of thinking, a fresh approach to doing things, and to ensure that we effectively serve the people who elected us to lead,” President Mahama stated.
He elaborated on key government initiatives, including the ’24-Hour Economy’ policy, drawing inspiration from London, a city he described as “never sleeping.”
The President explained, “We’ve launched a 24-Hour Economy initiative to harness Ghana’s vibrant youthful population and address the challenges of rapid urbanisation by promoting continuous economic activity and opportunities.”
President Mahama further emphasised Ghana’s burgeoning digital landscape, indicating the country’s readiness to fully integrate into the global FinTech community with numerous digital services and innovative companies emerging across the country.
He also reiterated the government’s strong focus on agriculture and agribusiness as vital sectors for creating more opportunities, particularly for young people.
Discussions between the two leaders also delved into the deep historical and business ties connecting Accra and London.
President Mahama acknowledged Accra’s rapid growth and expressed Ghana’s keen interest in learning from London’s extensive expertise in urban planning, efficient transport systems, modern waste management solutions, and effective flood control strategies.
“For a city like London, the efficiency of your transport system, even with perceived challenges, is truly remarkable,” the President noted, adding, “We aspire to develop similar reliable systems where punctuality is the norm for our citizens.”
In his remarks, Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan congratulated President Mahama on his re-election and commended the positive signals his administration is sending to the international community regarding Ghana’s potential.
He praised the invaluable contributions of Londoners of Ghanaian origin, who are enriching various sectors of the city’s economy and public life, from healthcare and transport to the arts.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Thursday deplored the killing of dozens of civilians by both parties amid ongoing hostilities in Sudan’s Kordofan region over the past week.
The UN Human Rights Office has verified the killing of least 60 civilians by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Kordofan’s Bara locality since 10 July. Civil society groups have reported that up to 300 people were killed.
At least 23 other civilians were reportedly killed and more than 30 others injured when airstrikes by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) hit two villages in West Kordofan from 10 to 14 July. In addition, on 17 July, at least 11 civilians – all members of a single family – were killed in a SAF airstrike in Bara locality.
“It is distressing that more than two years since the conflict began parties to the conflict in Sudan continue to demonstrate callous disregard for civilians’ lives and safety,” said Türk.
The latest civilian deaths come amid worrying reports that the RSF is mobilising for an offensive on El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state. The UN Human Rights Chief also expressed continued concern for the safety of civilians in El Fasher, North Darfur, following multiple RSF attacks on the besieged city in recent days, including a ground attack on 11 and 12 July, which reportedly resulted in civilian casualties.
“An escalation of hostilities in North Darfur and Kordofan will only further aggravate the already severe risks to civilians and the dire humanitarian situation in a conflict that has already wrought untold suffering on the Sudanese people,” said Türk. “I urge those with influence to act to prevent such an escalation, and to ensure that both parties uphold their obligations under international law, including on the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
The High Commissioner renewed his calls on the warring parties to ensure safe, sustained and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid, including through humanitarian pauses, and to prevent and repress violations of international law. “All alleged violations must be fully and independently investigated and those responsible brought to justice,” he said.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met on Thursday with HE Presidential Envoy and Senior Advisor for Africa at the US Department of State Massad Boulos, who is currently visiting the country.
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the close strategic relations between the State of Qatar and the United States and discussed ways to support and enhance them. They also discussed joint efforts to address the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with a number of issues of mutual interest.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.
A harmonized Made in Africa certification is set to boost the global visibility and competitiveness of African products. The framework, governance, and branding of the scheme was discussed in Nairobi, with the International Trade Centre (ITC) contributing technical insights and implementation support.
Despite growing opportunities for intra-Africa trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), many African producers face challenges in gaining visibility and market access. Consumers continue to lack trust in locally made products and services, often perceiving them as inferior to imports. Quality exists but consumers need confidence in that, so African firms can grow in local and regional markets while positioning themsleves globally.
The African Union established the Made in Africa (MiA) initiative to ensure African small businesses have a competitive edge and can scale in markets increasingly driven by standards, consumer trust, and brand reputation, through a harmonised continental certification system. This builds on earlier continental efforts to strengthen Africa’s industrial base and promote the continent’s products.
The initiative advanced another milestone at the Meeting of the Made in Africa Ad-hoc Committee in Nairobi, Kenya from 1 to 2 July 2025. The African Union Commission (AUC) and the Pan African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI) convened the meeting with technical assistance from ITC. Technical institutions, private sector and consumer representatives gathered with international partners such as Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) and World Customs Organisation (WCO). Together, they finalized the MiA implementation guide, defined governance and coordination structures, and agreed on the implementation framework.
Highlights included presentations of MiA branding concepts and governance options, drawing on a soon-to-be launched concept testing and benchmarking study of the AUC, PAQI and ITC.
Through the EU-funded Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Programme, ITC is supporting the African Union with technical input and analysis to help shape a credible and market-oriented brand for African products. ITC involvement builds on its broader mission to empower small businesses to compete, connect, and change lives.
The Nairobi meeting marks an important step in delivering a practical, African-led solution that will help producers build trust, meet quality expectations, and grow their share in regional and global markets. The finalization of the implementation framework and agreement on next steps bring the MiA scheme closer to launch, building on and consolidating national and regional level labels in Africa.
The MiA was adopted as part of the African Union’s Niamey Action Plan on Industrialisation and Economic Diversification, where it was identified as critical to realising the gains of the AfCFTA. The MiA Certification Scheme will be anchored on the AfCFTA Agreement’s rules of origin and intellectual property provisions and aligned with the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Annexes to ensure high standards and market compatibility.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.
PalmPay (www.PalmPay.com), a leading neobank and fintech platform focused on emerging markets, has been recognised in CNBC and Statista’s 2025 Top 300 Fintech Companies in the World list. This marks the second year in a row that PalmPay has earned a place among the world’s most innovative and impactful financial technology firms.
The selection is based on a rigorous evaluation of thousands of companies globally, assessing growth, innovation, market penetration, and impact. This year’s list includes a mix of global leaders – including Revolut, Nubank and Ant Group – alongside rising stars from high-growth markets, underscoring the growing influence of emerging-market fintechs like PalmPay.
PalmPay’s inclusion reflects its continued momentum as one of Africa’s leading fintech platforms. With over 35 million registered users and up to 15 million transactions processed daily, the company offers a comprehensive suite of digital financial services tailored to the needs of underserved communities.
In its main market, Nigeria, PalmPay operates as a full-service neobank, offering consumer financial services such as transfers, bill payments, credit, savings, and insurance – all accessible through its user-friendly app and supported by a nationwide network of over 1 million agents and merchant partners. The company also provides POS and API-driven B2B solutions tailored to the needs of merchants and enterprise clients.
“To be recognised as one of the world’s top fintech companies by CNBC and Statista is a powerful affirmation of our mission to build a more inclusive financial system,” said Sofia Zab, Founding Chief Marketing Officer at PalmPay. “Through cutting-edge technology, deep local distribution, and a customer-first mindset, we’ve built Nigeria’s leading neobank. As we scale PalmPay to more emerging markets, including Tanzania and Bangladesh, our focus remains on closing financial access gaps for everyday consumers and businesses, while expanding the partner ecosystem that fuels our reach and impact.”
As part of its broader expansion strategy, PalmPay recently launched in Tanzania and Bangladesh through a smartphone device financing model that serves as an entry point to digital financial services.
“PalmPay is building a neobanking platform tailored to the realities of emerging markets,” said Jiapei Yan, Group Chief Commercial Officer at PalmPay. “We are creating the infrastructure for a connected digital economy – where people and businesses can thrive through reliable, inclusive financial tools. This recognition from CNBC and Statista affirms our progress and also the scale of the opportunity ahead. As we expand across more emerging markets, we are committed to creating lasting value for our users, partners, and the communities we serve.”
PalmPay’s inclusion follows another major recognition earlier this year: the company ranked #2 overall and #1 in the financial services sector on the Financial Times – Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2025 list. The ranking, based on revenue growth between 2020 and 2023, highlighted PalmPay’s rapid scale and market traction across Africa.
PalmPay currently operates in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh, and is expanding its presence across Africa and Asia through device financing, digital banking, and B2B payment services. Backed by a robust neobanking platform and a partnership-led approach, the company is committed to shaping the next chapter of inclusive financial growth.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PalmPay.
About PalmPay: PalmPay is a leading neobank and fintech platform driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved emerging markets. Through its secure, user-friendly, and inclusive suite of financial services, PalmPay empowers individuals and businesses with tools to manage and grow their money.
PalmPay offers a comprehensive range of products, including mobile payments, credit, savings and micro-insurance via its app and mobile money agent network.
Since launching in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has grown to over 35 million app users and processes up to 15 million transactions daily. PalmPay has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China has entered a critical period for flood control, with preparatory measures underway as the country readies for adverse weather conditions in the coming weeks, officials said on Wednesday.
Fu Jing, director of the Ministry of Water Resources’ information center, said forecasts indicate the country will face significant regional and periodic droughts and floods between late July and early August. The northern region, in particular, is expected to see more severe flooding, with frequent and intense rainstorms in some areas.
Major flooding may occur along the middle reaches of the Yellow River; the Daqing, Yongding and Beisan rivers in the Haihe River Basin; and the Liaohe, Huntai and Jilin sections of the Songhua River in the Songliao Basin, Fu said.
“Two to three typhoons are expected to make landfall in the country, with the possibility of strong ones impacting the northern region,” Fu said.
On Tuesday, Cai Qinbo, spokesperson for the Hainan provincial meteorological bureau, said the sixth typhoon of the year may form over the western Pacific Ocean within the next two days. It is expected to enter the South China Sea around Saturday and could bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to Hainan province from Monday to Tuesday.
Wang Baoen, vice-minister of water resources, said the ministry has appointed 2,792 flood control officials this year in coordination with other departments. The officials are responsible for major rivers, key large and medium-sized reservoirs, major flood detention areas and flood-prone cities.
“We will strengthen efforts in accountability, decision support, and command and dispatch,” Wang said.
So far, 23 provinces have established flood and drought disaster prevention centers. The ministry conducts rolling daily assessments and issues targeted early warnings to each province, reaching frontline personnel directly. Wang also emphasized the need to improve forecast accuracy and enhance evacuation measures.
Yao Wenguang, director of the ministry’s department of flood and drought disaster prevention, noted that the risk of mountain floods increases during the flood season and said the ministry will ensure that early warnings are promptly followed by emergency response actions. The ministry also plans to strengthen management of river-related operations during the flood season.
Zhang Wenjie, director of the ministry’s department of water project operation management, said the ministry plans to reinforce 2,177 reservoirs this year, including large and medium-sized ones. Reservoirs affected by extreme flooding, major earthquakes or abnormal safety issues will undergo prompt specialized safety assessments.
As some areas may also experience periodic droughts during the flood season, Yao emphasized the need to optimize irrigation, ensure efficient water use and secure the safety of rural drinking water supplies.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Aaron Bean Florida (4th District)
WASHINGTON—Today, DOGE Caucus founder and co-chair U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04), co-chair Blake Moore (UT-01), and co-chair Pete Sessions (TX-17) released the following statements after the House’s final passage of H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025, a major victory for fiscal responsibility and taxpayer advocacy:
“With the passage of this rescissions package, we’re taking one small step to cut wasteful spending and one giant leap toward fiscal sanity,” said Congressman Bean. “Thanks to the DOGE Caucus, we’ve eliminated $9 billion in wasteful spending—launching us toward stronger fiscal health and renewed trust in how government handles taxpayer dollars.”
“Today’s vote is another step in the right direction in reversing Washington’s spending culture. Our ballooning national debt and deficit will make it harder for the next generation to achieve the American Dream, and this effort keeps the momentum going in our work to ensure every taxpayer dollar is spent efficiently and responsibly,’ said Congressman Moore.
“I’m pleased to support this essential legislation to rescind $9 billion in funding for wasteful programs and lock in some of the commonsense DOGE spending cuts. The American people deserve and expect a government that respects their tax dollars. This is an important step toward restoring fiscal discipline in Washington,” said Congressman Sessions.
BACKGROUND
The DOGE Caucus has long advocated for Congress to enact the cuts identified by DOGE and continues to work with the White House on future rescissions.
The legislation passed 216-213. With the House and Senate now aligned, all eyes turn to the White House, where President Trump is expected to sign this landmark legislation into law.
July 18 2025 – The US has passed its first major national cryptocurrency legislation—the Genius Act—signaling the most aggressive shift yet in Washington’s approach to digital assets.
Backed by President Trump, the bill marks a landmark moment for the crypto sector and ignites what global financial advisory giant deVere Group calls a full-scale global digital arms race.
In response to the development, deVere today confirms it is doubling down on its $150,000 Bitcoin price prediction by the end of 2025, citing the legislation as a turning point in monetary and technological policy that will trigger rapid acceleration in adoption, capital flows, and international competition.
“This changes everything,” said Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group.
“For the first time, the US government is not just ‘tolerating’ crypto—it’s codifying it. The world’s largest economy is laying down the legal foundations for digital assets to thrive.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, continued her visit to Sichuan today (July 18). She first called on leaders of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, and visited the Shabanqiao community in Chengdu to learn about community governance.
In the morning, Miss Mak called on the Director of the HKMAO of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, Ms Zhang Tao. Miss Mak introduced the latest developments and work in youth development, district governance, and women’s development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and learned about Sichuan Province’s work experience in related areas. She expressed her hope for more opportunities to co-operate and exchange between the two places.
Miss Mak also visited the Shabanqiao community in Chengdu. The Shabanqiao community is committed to providing services that improve people’s livelihoods and focus on serving citizens. She also gained insights into their community governance experience.
Miss Mak concluded her visit and returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China’s Ministry of Education released an overseas study alert on Friday, urging students to assess security risks of studying in the Philippines and raise their awareness of precautions.
The ministry cited the Philippines’ recent deteriorating public security situation and increasing criminal activities against Chinese citizens as the reason for the alert.
The alert is the second of its kind issued in 2025 following an April one that warned students of risks of studying in certain U.S. states.
ASB has declined a proposal by plaintiffs to settle the current class action case against the bank.
The proposal was announced to media the day before the Select Committee hearings on the CCCFA Amendment Bill. In ASB’s view this is an obvious attempt to influence and distract from this process by attempting to reassure Government about the potential risk to New Zealand banks under this piece of law.
ASB does not understand the basis for the figures presented in the proposal or consider that they operate as an effective cap on the size of the plaintiffs’ claim in the proceeding, including as the proposal is said to expire on 8 August 2025.
The settlement offer received provides no certainty to ASB or other banks which may become subject to similar class actions, or to the sector as a whole.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke on the House Floor in opposition to the reckless Republican rescissions package that cuts funding for public broadcasting and international assistance.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the distinguished gentleman, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, Mr. McGovern, for his leadership and for yielding. I thank all of the distinguished members of the Rules Committee for their steadfast and courageous, insightful participation in opposition to this rule and the substantive legislation that underlies this particular rule. I also want to thank Rosa DeLauro for her principled and strong opposition to this reckless Republican rescissions package, this effort by the Trump administration to once again hurt everyday Americans.
Mr. Speaker, it was just said on the House Floor that the American people are fed up with out-of-control, wasteful government spending. As Democrats, we’re committed to making sure that taxpayer dollars are spent in an effective, efficient and equitable manner. This bill that’s on the Floor right now has nothing to do with waste, fraud and abuse. It represents an attack on the public health of the American people, the national security of the American people, the public safety of the American people and the ability of the American people to actually get information, particularly in rural America, that they may need through public radio or public television in the face of an emergency.
Mr. Speaker, no one is buying the notion that Republicans are actually trying to improve wasteful spending, in the aftermath of this One Big Ugly Bill that just passed this chamber and has been signed into law that explodes the debt by more than $3 trillion, and then asks everyday Americans to pay for part of the expenses in the bill by ripping away healthcare for more than 17 million Americans. Hospitals will close, nursing homes will shut down, community-based health clinics will be unable to provide services to everyday Americans and as a result of the One Big Ugly Bill, people will die. It’s an all-out assault on healthcare, the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. It also rips food out of the mouths of hungry children, seniors and veterans. All of this being done to provide massive tax breaks to billionaires.
And then, Mr. Speaker, in this One Big Ugly Bill that now has been signed into law, the debt and the deficit will explode by trillions of dollars. How dare anyone from the other side of the aisle claim to be the party of fiscal responsibility? That’s fake, and that’s phony.
So when you look at this particular piece of legislation that’s in front of us right now, this reckless Republican rescissions package, it undermines American national security and American leadership in the world. This is not an America First bill, it’s a China First bill because of the void that’s being created all across the world. It’s in America’s interests, our national security interests, our leadership interests, to make sure that we’re investing in development and diplomacy and democracy all across the world.
Great leaders have recognized that throughout the American journey. It was Abraham Lincoln who came to the House chamber in the middle of the Civil War in the early 1860s, spoke to the Congress and talked about America being the last best hope on Earth. President Lincoln said that in the 1860s, visionary declaration of the role that America might one day play as the leader of the free world. And this legislation, this reckless Republican rescissions package, undermines our ability to keep our people safe here and to project America’s soft power all over the globe. Why would we undermine our ability to use diplomacy, democracy and development to protect our own national security?
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President—he promised that on day one, he was going to end the war in Ukraine. That’s now going on, and in this particular piece of legislation, we’re undermining the ability of Ukraine to continue to valiantly fight against Russian aggression. Russia’s not our friend. They’re our enemy. Vladimir Putin is a sworn enemy of the United States of America. Why is it, Mr. Speaker, that Republicans in this bill are undermining, once again, Ukraine? Ukraine stands on the side of democracy. Ukraine stands on the side of freedom. Ukraine stands on the side of truth. Russia stands on the side of autocracy and tyranny and propaganda. Why would we stand on the side of Russia? That’s inconsistent with American leadership. But this reckless Republican rescissions package, it does the exact opposite.
Mr. Speaker, we just saw tragedy unfold in the Texas Hill Country. More than two dozen children have died. Parents should never have to bury their children. More than 100 Texans died in the deadly floods. And there are a lot of questions that need to be asked about government failure, state government failure in Texas. The Governor of Texas, he’s got a lot of questions that need be answered. Instead, he’s trying to rig the Texas congressional map, in the middle of a search and rescue operation. He’s got to answer some questions. The Trump administration needs to answer some questions about the National Weather Service and the devastating cuts that have been inflicted on them. The Trump administration, Mr. Speaker, needs to answer some questions about the stated goal to defund FEMA.
So in the midst of this tragedy that we all need to collectively respond to in Texas, just like we need to respond to the tragedy that unfolded in California in the wildfires earlier this year, this reckless Republican rescissions package is going to undermine the ability of people in rural America and in small-town America to receive advance warning or necessary information when disaster strikes, when extreme weather strikes, when flooding strikes, when hurricanes strike. That’s what happens when you shut down public radio, when you shut down public television, which is what this reckless rescissions package will do.
It’s all extraordinary. Mr. Speaker, I don’t understand why Republicans continue to advance legislation on the Floor of the House of Representatives that hurt everyday Americans. Is it simply because the goal is always to reward billionaires, as was done with the One Big Ugly Bill, providing them with massive and unnecessary tax breaks?
Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of this Congress, we as House Democrats made clear that we will work with anyone in this town in order to make life better for the American people, to lower the high cost of living of the American people, to address the affordability crisis afflicting the American people. And we thought perhaps that we would have some partners in this necessary endeavor. Why? Because, Mr. Speaker, Donald Trump and House Republicans promised that you were going to lower costs. In fact, that costs were going go down on day one. Not my words, President Trump’s words. Costs haven’t gone down in the United States of America. Costs are going up. Inflation is on the way up. Life is getting more expensive for the American people. And nothing in this reckless rescissions package is going to make life more affordable for everyday Americans. It’s going to complicate their life even further, just like what happened with the One Big Ugly Bill. So, Mr. Speaker, we are strongly opposed to this legislation. Legislation that, apparently, Republicans don’t even want to actually debate on the House Floor. And once again, want to address an issue to be debated in this chamber under the cover of darkness.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, the challenge that we have with this legislation is that the appropriations process has historically and traditionally been bipartisan—Democrats and Republicans working to try to come together to reach a spending agreement that meets the needs of the American people in terms of their health, their safety and their economic well-being. And do it—House Democrats, Senate Democrats, House Republicans, Senate Republicans—a bipartisan appropriations process to try to reach an enlightened agreement. But what this rescissions package signals to us and the people that we represent, more importantly, what it signals to America, as the OMB director just said, Republicans, Mr. Speaker, aren’t interested in bipartisanship, aren’t interested in common-sense solutions to finding common ground anchored in Democrats and Republicans coming together. We know that’s the case because we’ve made clear our willingness to solve the challenges that the American people face and work with anyone in this town, particularly when it comes to lowering the high cost of living in the United States of America. Republicans continue to do nothing about that, not a damn thing, to make life more affordable for the American people.
And that’s one of many reasons why we continue to be opposed to this reckless legislation that you bring to the House Floor that hurts everyday Americans, will hurt children, will hurt families, will hurt older Americans and will hurt people that Republicans represent in rural America, all while undermining American leadership in the world. And so, Mr. Speaker, once again, this is unfortunate. Once again, we see a Congress not functioning as a separate and co-equal branch of government, a Congress, given this Republican majority, not willing to serve as a check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch, but always willing to do the bidding of the executive branch, as if we work for the Article II branch of government. We don’t work for Donald Trump. We don’t work for JD Vance. We don’t work for the OMB director. We work for the American people, and that’s why we are a hard no against this reckless rescissions package. I yield back.
US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with “chronic venous insufficiency” after experiencing some mild swelling in his lower legs.
According to a letter the White House published from the president’s doctor, the condition is common and not harmful, and the 79-year-old “remains in excellent health”.
But what is chronic venous insufficiency? What causes it, and can it lead to other health problems? Let’s take a look.
When someone has this condition, it becomes more difficult for the blood to flow back to the heart. In other words, blood pools in the legs, rather than travelling up easily through the legs, pelvis and abdomen to the heart.
Blood pooling in the legs creates increased pressure in the veins in the legs and feet. This can cause swelling (called oedema), skin discolouration, varicose veins, and even skin ulcers (the skin stretches because of the increased pressure and becomes weak and can tear).
What causes chronic venous insufficiency?
There are several potential causes of chronic venous insufficiency, including damaged valves inside the veins in the legs.
When we’re standing, blood has to flow back to the heart from the legs against gravity. Veins have valves inside them which ensure this one-way flow and stop blood from running back the wrong way.
When valves in the veins – either the deeper veins or those closer to the skin’s surface – are damaged, this allows blood to flow backwards and pool in the legs.
Damage to the inside lining of the vein wall can also cause chronic venous insufficiency. When the lining is damaged, it becomes less smooth and blood cells can stick to the wall and build up. This can block the inside of the vein and impede the return of blood to the heart. Smoking is a major cause of this, though it also happens naturally with age.
Physical compression of a vein in the pelvis from the outside can also be a factor. Pregnancy, obesity or a tumour can push on a pelvic vein from the outside. This makes it harder for blood to flow through that vein, which causes back up of blood in the veins of the leg.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) also increases the risk of chronic venous insufficiency. This is where blood clots form in the deep veins, most commonly in the legs. It can block blood flow or damage the vein wall, and increase blood pooling further down the leg.
In a study I did with colleagues looking at people with chronic venous insufficiency, about 10% had a previous deep vein thrombosis. However, Trump’s doctor said there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis in his case.
Who gets it?
The data on how many people get chronic venous insufficiency vary, but it is relatively common. In the United States, an estimated 10% to 35% of adults have the condition.
A number of factors increase a person’s likelihood of developing chronic venous insufficiency. Smoking and having previously had a deep vein thrombosis are strongly linked to this condition. Other risk factors include older age, pregnancy, obesity, and prolonged periods of standing still.
Is it dangerous?
On its own, chronic venous insufficiency is not life-threatening, but it is a progressive condition. It increases the risk of other conditions which can be more serious.
Interestingly, while deep vein thrombosis increases the risk of chronic venous insufficiency, people with chronic venous insufficiency also have a higher risk of deep vein thrombosis. This is because pooled blood doesn’t move as much, so it can start to form a clot.
Deep vein thrombosis then increases the risk of pulmonary embolism, blood clots in the lungs, which are life threatening.
In the legs, the most serious consequence of chronic venous insufficiency is developing a venous ulcer. Venous ulcers can be painful, are prone to infection (such as cellulitis), and have a high rate of recurring.
Research has shown 4% of adults aged 65 and older in the US develop venous ulcers as a result of chronic venous insufficiency.
Can it be treated?
Whether and how chronic venous insufficiency can be treated depends somewhat on the cause.
Initial conservative treatment usually involves elevating the legs and wearing compression stockings. Elevating the legs higher than the body means gravity will help blood flow back to the heart. Compression stockings help to push blood from the leg veins towards the heart.
Exercise such as walking also helps because when the muscles in the legs contract, this moves more blood from the legs back to the heart. Exercise and diet changes may also be recommended to address any weight-related issues.
Overall, Trump has been diagnosed with a common condition for someone of his age, and his doctors have ruled out severe underlying disease. But this is a reminder of the importance of healthy veins and of the risk factors for venous disease.
Theresa Larkin 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 –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HUAIAN, Jiangsu Province, July 16 (Xinhua) — Ice and Snow World is an indoor ice and snow complex built by ice sculptors from Harbin for residents of Huai’an in a local forest park on Jinhu Lake. The 3,000-square-meter facility is especially popular with Huai’an residents during the hot summer months.
HUAIAN, Jiangsu Province, July 16 (Xinhua) — Ice and Snow World is an indoor ice and snow complex built by ice sculptors from Harbin for residents of Huai’an in a local forest park on Jinhu Lake. The 3,000-square-meter facility is especially popular with Huai’an residents during the hot summer months.
HUAIAN, Jiangsu Province, July 16 (Xinhua) — Ice and Snow World is an indoor ice and snow complex built by ice sculptors from Harbin for residents of Huai’an in a local forest park on Jinhu Lake. The 3,000-square-meter facility is especially popular with Huai’an residents during the hot summer months.
HUAIAN, Jiangsu Province, July 16 (Xinhua) — Ice and Snow World is an indoor ice and snow complex built by ice sculptors from Harbin for residents of Huai’an in a local forest park on Jinhu Lake. The 3,000-square-meter facility is especially popular with Huai’an residents during the hot summer months.
HUAIAN, Jiangsu Province, July 16 (Xinhua) — Ice and Snow World is an indoor ice and snow complex built by ice sculptors from Harbin for residents of Huai’an in a local forest park on Jinhu Lake. The 3,000-square-meter facility is especially popular with Huai’an residents during the hot summer months.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) — China’s online literature industry is expected to generate revenue of 49.55 billion yuan (about 6.9 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, up 29.37 percent year on year, showing strong resilience and promising prospects for the industry, according to a report from the China Audio, Video and Digital Publishers Association (CADPA).
A report released at the 8th China Online Literature Conference, which opened on Thursday, said there would be a total of 42.1 million online literary works in the country by the end of 2024, up 4.2 million from 2023. Meanwhile, the number of online literature users in the country reached 638 million last year, up 16 percent year on year.
In 2024, Chinese online literature has become a new form of mass cultural art and promoted the development of a diversified value system in the industry, and its integration with short dramas has opened up new paths for the transformation of the industry, said Zhang Yijun, first vice president of the association.
Last year, the number of adaptations of Chinese literature increased by 14.55 percent year-on-year to 83,250, making online literature an important means of promoting Chinese culture overseas. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
CHONGQING, July 18 (Xinhua) — The first conference of overseas Chinese and ethnic Chinese on cooperation and development under the Belt and Road Initiative opened in Chongqing, southwest China, on Thursday. The event aims to consolidate the strength of overseas Chinese to advance the joint construction of the Belt and Road.
During the conference, agreements worth a total of 43.79 billion yuan (about 6.13 billion U.S. dollars) were signed, covering 66 projects in the fields of green energy, cross-border trade, modern manufacturing and the digital economy.
In addition, the Belt and Road Network of Chinese Diaspora Business Organizations was launched, with organizations from 72 countries and regions of the world becoming its first members. The network aims to pool business resources and promote cooperation in trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural fields.
Conference participants were introduced to 10 best practices on the role of Chinese nationals in implementing the Belt and Road Initiative in areas such as new energy, manufacturing and humanitarian aid.
The conference, jointly organized by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and the governments of Chongqing and Sichuan Province, brought together more than 500 representatives of Chinese communities from more than 110 countries and regions. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
JERUSALEM, July 18 (Xinhua) — Israel “deeply regrets” the bombing of Gaza’s only Catholic church on Thursday that killed three people and wounded at least 10, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
According to him, the Church of the Holy Family was hit by a “stray shell.” “Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful,” the prime minister said.
On social media, the Israeli Foreign Ministry reported that the country’s army “is studying this incident, the circumstances of which are still unclear.” The results of the investigation will be published “transparently,” the ministry noted. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
UNITED NATIONS, July 18 (Xinhua) — China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Geng Shuang on Thursday condemned Israeli military strikes in Syria at an emergency meeting of the Security Council and demanded their immediate end.
While the situation in southern Syria remains volatile, Israel has recently carried out multiple airstrikes in As-Suwayda, Daraa and Damascus. China unequivocally condemns Israel’s actions, which seriously violate international law, infringe on Syria’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and pose new challenges to peace, stability and political transition in Syria, the diplomat said.
“We call on Israel to immediately stop military strikes on Syria and withdraw from Syrian territory as soon as possible,” he said.
The international community recognizes the Golan Heights as occupied Syrian territory. The sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria must be respected. The relevant Security Council resolutions must be implemented, and the 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria must be observed, the deputy permanent representative emphasized.
According to Geng Shuang, the ethnic tensions and subsequent violence in As-Suwayda have once again shown that the current situation in Syria remains complex and fragile. Achieving peace and stability still faces enormous challenges.
It is imperative to stabilize the security situation and restore public order as soon as possible. China has noted the reports that the Syrian interim authorities have reached a ceasefire agreement with the parties concerned. China calls on all parties to abide by the ceasefire agreement, remain calm and exercise restraint, stop hostilities, and promote early de-escalation of the situation, the diplomat said.
The Syrian interim authorities should continue to advance the participatory political process, address the concerns of all parties through inclusive dialogue, and effectively promote internal unity and reconciliation, Geng said.
The fight against terrorism is an important aspect of restoring peace and stability in Syria. The interim authorities of Syria must fulfill their anti-terrorist obligations and take effective measures to combat all terrorist groups included in the relevant list by the UN Security Council, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, he added.
At present, acute problems in the Middle East are emerging one after another, with new and old contradictions intertwined and overlapping. The situation is complex and unstable. Such a state of affairs does not serve the interests of any country in the Middle East or the international community, Geng Shuang said.
The Security Council, as the organ with the primary responsibility for international peace and security, should resolutely fulfill its responsibilities under the UN Charter and use all the tools at its disposal to end conflicts at an early date, restore peace and stability in relevant areas, and achieve lasting peace and stability in the entire region, the diplomat said, adding that China is willing to work with the international community to play a constructive role in this regard. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
MEXICO CITY, July 18 (Xinhua) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday criticized the U.S. decision not to open its border to Mexican cattle due to an outbreak of a parasitic disease caused by blowfly larvae, saying the measure lacks clear scientific basis and may be politically motivated.
The parasite was found in southern Mexico, more than 1,000 km from the northern cattle-raising states affected by the US restrictions, Sheinbaum said at a daily press conference, calling on Washington to clarify the health criteria justifying maintaining the ban.
“It seems to be more about politics. In some cases, it could be interpreted as a political attack on Mexico, but let’s not forget that there are elections in the United States in a year,” she said.
The president also criticized a number of American politicians for treating Mexico like a “piñata” during election campaigns and warned against exploiting bilateral issues for domestic political purposes.
K. Sheinbaum said that Mexican Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegué is in talks with his American counterpart Brooke Rollins to prevent further restrictions on cattle exports.
The president said the United States had agreed to invest $30 million to breed sterile flies, a key biological tool in the fight against the parasite, in Mexico. The facility is expected to be completed in less than a year. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Two people have been arrested following investigations into a violent assault at South Plympton yesterday afternoon.
Police and paramedics were called to Laurence Street, South Plympton at 4.45pm on Thursday 17 July by reports of an assault.
The victim, a 44-year-old South Plympton man, was confronted by a man and woman not known to him and assaulted.
He sustained serious head and facial injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance. His condition is not life-threatening.
A 26-year-old South Plympton man was arrested by Southern District CIB detectives last night and charged with aggravated assault cause harm. He was refused police bail and will appear in court today.
Following further investigations, a 26-year-old South Plympton woman, was arrested this morning and charged with aggravated assault cause harm. She was refused police bail and is expected to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday 21 July.
Anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au