Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – “There can be no world peace without peace on the Korean Peninsula”. This is the slogan that young Koreans launched, who gathered in the Demilitarized Zone (a strip of land created in 1953 after the armistice of the Korean War, which serves as a buffer zone and border between the two nations, ed.) for the tenth “Peace Pilgrimage.”This year’s pilgrimage, organized by the Korea Reconciliation Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, brought together about 40 young people from the south and north of the peninsula, as well as from various other countries around the world.During the four-day pilgrimage, the young people visited several symbolic places that became places of prayer for a few moments. For example, the Odusan Unification Tower offers spectacular views of the Han and Imjin Rivers flowing into the Yellow Sea, and Hwanghae Province of North Korea in the distance.The young pilgrims also visited Imjingak Park on their way to the Jangsan Observatory near Chopyeongdo Island, famous as a migratory bird habitat and surrounded by barbed wire fences surrounding the military training ground. There, they recited St. Francis of Assisi’s “Prayer for Peace,” together, while the gunfire of soldiers training could be heard in the background.The pilgrims moved to Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, where the Cheorwon Peace Observatory is located above the civilian control line and about 2 km from the North Korean border. Then they headed to the “Ice Cream Plateau” also known as Sapseulbong Plateau. Intense fighting and fierce artillery exchanges between the North and South Korean forces happened on this hill during the Korean War. It earned its nickname “Ice Cream Plateau” because the mountain peak looks like a melting ice cream. Here, where the scars of war still linger, young people discussed how to move forward toward peace.The youth cycled to “Open the Moon Café”. Located at the northernmost point of South Korea, near a civilian control zone checkpoint, it is run by young people from the North and who lived in a group home. After the stop, the group headed to the crematorium for UN Troops in Yeoncheon and the military cemetery for North Korean soldiers.”I heard about this North Korean military cemetery, but it was hard to imagine that such a place actually existed. And of course, the people buried here also had parents, families, and a home,” said Joanna Hwang, a mother of three from the North, who was deeply moved that “even though they were enemies, someone took the time to bury and honor the North Korean soldiers.”On the third day of the pilgrimage, participants walked in silence along a 10-kilometer coastal fence path from Nanjeong Reservoir on Ganghwa Island to Gyodongdo Island Manghyangdae Observatory, praying the rosary.On the final day, the apostles of peace offered Sunday Mass with the intention of peace on the Korean Peninsula and around the world. Finally, the participants also shared their experience of the past four days. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
by Cosimo GrazianiRio de Janeiro (Agenzia Fides) – On July 6 and 7, the annual summit of the so-called BRICS countries took place in Rio de Janeiro. This forum of states was founded in 2009 and has grown in recent years to include eleven countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran. This year’s meeting was preceded by a series of events that affected its members and fueled expectations about its implementation, most notably the brief conflict between Israel and Iran, in which the United States intervened on the side of the Jewish state. However, expectations of a clear stance on this and other issues were dashed. The geopolitical actor that best took advantage of the international visibility associated with the summit was the host country, Brazil, which organized events such as the G20 summit last year, assumed the presidency of MERCOSUR, and will host the next UN climate conference. This series of events, which also included the organization of the BRICS Summit, enabled the Brazilian government to reaffirm its international stance in favor of multilateralism. Multilateralism was also the first topic addressed by Brazilian President Lula in his introductory speech. Luiz Inàcio Lula da Silva specifically criticized the threat to the progress made in recent years by organizations such as the United Nations. The Brazilian president explicitly mentioned the setbacks on issues such as climate and trade, in the latter case a not-so-disguised allusion to Donald Trump’s tariff policy.The topics of multilateralism and tariffs were mentioned in the summit’s final declaration, along with health, artificial intelligence, climate change, and the promotion of peace and security. Criticism was also directed at Israel’s actions in the Middle East and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. These accusations were also extended to the 5% increase in military spending ordered by NATO countries: Lula particularly criticized the lack of investment for peace. At the same time, little was said about the war in Ukraine. What caused a stir during the summit was the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping: the former likely to avoid embarrassing Brazil in connection with the international arrest warrant issued against the Russian president by the International Criminal Court; the latter officially had other concurrent commitments. Analysts’ eyes were on the summit because of its increasing importance for the so-called Global South. The organization now represents a large portion of the world’s population and an equally large share of global GDP—37% to be precise. The decisions of this group clarify whether and how the Global South will be able to exert a similar importance in global governance as the G7 countries, or even replace the G20 summit in its importance, the only forum that currently offers countries in this category the opportunity to gain visibility and significance in global scenarios. Compared to the G20, the BRICS forum is composed exclusively of countries that seek to relativize the influence of Western and developed countries. Whether this succeeds will depend on whether the member countries manage to negotiate common positions on key issues and achieve some form of political or economic integration. Regarding the latter, all BRICS members agree in proposing and advocating de-dollarization and the replacement of the US dollar with individual states’ currencies in trade transactions.The problem is that not everyone is ready for this transition, which would mean distancing themselves from Washington: countries like Russia and China are strongly in favor of it, while others like Saudi Arabia, due to their ongoing relations with Washington, do not accept such a prospect. It remains to be seen, therefore, whether US President Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on the group’s countries as they move away from the dollar will become reality. If so, the reactions of individual states to such a threat will be a true test of their loyalty to the group. Overall, it can be said that the results of the summit were mixed and that the only country that stood out somewhat more was Brazil as the organizer, because it was able to promote the main points of its foreign policy, starting with the call for multilateralism. It is premature to say that the group does not have what it takes to become an alternative to the West. However, many analysts believe that the overly diverse interests of its members will hinder the organization’s development. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the BRICS members have reached their 17th summit and that a “hard core” has emerged within the organization, in which Russia and China play a key role in finding an alternative approach to the world’s problems, different from that of the ruling groups in many Western countries. All these elements indicate that the path toward an organization of the Global South could gain weight in international relations and surpass the role played by the G20 so far. (Agenzia Fides, 16/7/2025)
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by Cosimo GrazianiRio de Janeiro (Agenzia Fides) – On July 6 and 7, the annual summit of the so-called BRICS countries took place in Rio de Janeiro. This forum of states was founded in 2009 and has grown in recent years to include eleven countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran. This year’s meeting was preceded by a series of events that affected its members and fueled expectations about its implementation, most notably the brief conflict between Israel and Iran, in which the United States intervened on the side of the Jewish state. However, expectations of a clear stance on this and other issues were dashed. The geopolitical actor that best took advantage of the international visibility associated with the summit was the host country, Brazil, which organized events such as the G20 summit last year, assumed the presidency of MERCOSUR, and will host the next UN climate conference. This series of events, which also included the organization of the BRICS Summit, enabled the Brazilian government to reaffirm its international stance in favor of multilateralism. Multilateralism was also the first topic addressed by Brazilian President Lula in his introductory speech. Luiz Inàcio Lula da Silva specifically criticized the threat to the progress made in recent years by organizations such as the United Nations. The Brazilian president explicitly mentioned the setbacks on issues such as climate and trade, in the latter case a not-so-disguised allusion to Donald Trump’s tariff policy.The topics of multilateralism and tariffs were mentioned in the summit’s final declaration, along with health, artificial intelligence, climate change, and the promotion of peace and security. Criticism was also directed at Israel’s actions in the Middle East and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. These accusations were also extended to the 5% increase in military spending ordered by NATO countries: Lula particularly criticized the lack of investment for peace. At the same time, little was said about the war in Ukraine. What caused a stir during the summit was the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping: the former likely to avoid embarrassing Brazil in connection with the international arrest warrant issued against the Russian president by the International Criminal Court; the latter officially had other concurrent commitments. Analysts’ eyes were on the summit because of its increasing importance for the so-called Global South. The organization now represents a large portion of the world’s population and an equally large share of global GDP—37% to be precise. The decisions of this group clarify whether and how the Global South will be able to exert a similar importance in global governance as the G7 countries, or even replace the G20 summit in its importance, the only forum that currently offers countries in this category the opportunity to gain visibility and significance in global scenarios. Compared to the G20, the BRICS forum is composed exclusively of countries that seek to relativize the influence of Western and developed countries. Whether this succeeds will depend on whether the member countries manage to negotiate common positions on key issues and achieve some form of political or economic integration. Regarding the latter, all BRICS members agree in proposing and advocating de-dollarization and the replacement of the US dollar with individual states’ currencies in trade transactions.The problem is that not everyone is ready for this transition, which would mean distancing themselves from Washington: countries like Russia and China are strongly in favor of it, while others like Saudi Arabia, due to their ongoing relations with Washington, do not accept such a prospect. It remains to be seen, therefore, whether US President Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on the group’s countries as they move away from the dollar will become reality. If so, the reactions of individual states to such a threat will be a true test of their loyalty to the group. Overall, it can be said that the results of the summit were mixed and that the only country that stood out somewhat more was Brazil as the organizer, because it was able to promote the main points of its foreign policy, starting with the call for multilateralism. It is premature to say that the group does not have what it takes to become an alternative to the West. However, many analysts believe that the overly diverse interests of its members will hinder the organization’s development. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the BRICS members have reached their 17th summit and that a “hard core” has emerged within the organization, in which Russia and China play a key role in finding an alternative approach to the world’s problems, different from that of the ruling groups in many Western countries. All these elements indicate that the path toward an organization of the Global South could gain weight in international relations and surpass the role played by the G20 so far. (Agenzia Fides, 16/7/2025)
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Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) – “I call on the presidential candidates to respect the dignity of their opponents; never to use violence, in any form, as a political method; to be an example of civic culture, generosity, and mutual respect for young people; and to promote ideas, not hatred,” said Cardinal Fernando Garib Chomalì, Archbishop of Santiago de Chile, in an appeal ahead of the upcoming presidential elections to be held in Chile in November.Chilean politics is in a transitional phase, and the 2025 elections are expected to be among the most polarized in Chilean history, with a sharp clash between a radical left and an ultra-conservative right. While on Sunday, July 13, the Republican Party (REP), the Christian Social Party (PSC), and the National Libertarian Party (PNL) sanctioned the birth of the “United Right,” for the first time in Chile’s history, a female candidate will win the left-wing primaries. This candidate is Jeannette Jara, who, however, represents less radical positions than her party.The massive immigration of the past ten years, which has exceeded one million people, combined with an unprecedented wave of violence in Chilean society, has transformed the political landscape. Just a few days ago, current President Gabriel Boric sounded the alarm, denouncing the infiltration of the armed forces by organized crime and the involvement of its members in drug trafficking networks using military resources and logistics.The first round of the presidential election is scheduled for November 16. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be held on December 14 between the two candidates with the most votes. The members of the National Congress and the president will be elected for the next four years. Boric will not be eligible to run again. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 16/7/2025)
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Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) – “I call on the presidential candidates to respect the dignity of their opponents; never to use violence, in any form, as a political method; to be an example of civic culture, generosity, and mutual respect for young people; and to promote ideas, not hatred,” said Cardinal Fernando Garib Chomalì, Archbishop of Santiago de Chile, in an appeal ahead of the upcoming presidential elections to be held in Chile in November.Chilean politics is in a transitional phase, and the 2025 elections are expected to be among the most polarized in Chilean history, with a sharp clash between a radical left and an ultra-conservative right. While on Sunday, July 13, the Republican Party (REP), the Christian Social Party (PSC), and the National Libertarian Party (PNL) sanctioned the birth of the “United Right,” for the first time in Chile’s history, a female candidate will win the left-wing primaries. This candidate is Jeannette Jara, who, however, represents less radical positions than her party.The massive immigration of the past ten years, which has exceeded one million people, combined with an unprecedented wave of violence in Chilean society, has transformed the political landscape. Just a few days ago, current President Gabriel Boric sounded the alarm, denouncing the infiltration of the armed forces by organized crime and the involvement of its members in drug trafficking networks using military resources and logistics.The first round of the presidential election is scheduled for November 16. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be held on December 14 between the two candidates with the most votes. The members of the National Congress and the president will be elected for the next four years. Boric will not be eligible to run again. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 16/7/2025)
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Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid) (www.Liquid.Tech), a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage, has announced a strategic partnership with DropByDrop Water Systems (DropByDrop), a global provider of smart water technologies. This collaboration, which combines Liquid’s extensive network and tailored technology solutions with DropByDrop’s cloud-based water management platform, will deliver smart water solutions to resolve non-revenue water challenges in the country.
“Water scarcity is a growing challenge across the continent, and managing this precious resource efficiently is more important than ever. Through our partnership with DropByDrop, we’re bringing Liquid’s advanced technology and data-driven solutions to Kenya’s water sector. By helping providers digitise their infrastructure and build smart water ecosystems, we’re empowering them to serve their communities better,” said Neeraj Pradhan, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Liquid Kenya.
Addressing non-revenue water challenges is a key focus of this partnership, with reports (http://apo-opa.co/4lzAoaX) indicating that approximately 47% of the water released for distribution in Kenya remains unaccounted for. By reducing these losses through improved leak detection, accurate metering, and real-time monitoring, water utilities can boost revenue collection and unlock greater funding opportunities for water infrastructure development.
Furthermore, smart water solutions play a crucial role in advancing broader societal and environmental objectives. The data generated supports environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, demonstrates progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and enables informed planning for urban development and infrastructure expansion.
Liquid’s existing Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure integrates with DropByDrop’s platform to provide reliable, efficient water delivery based on real-time data. SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) integration enables remote monitoring and control, while geo-asset management ensures that infrastructure is well-maintained. Additionally, remote valve control allows for quick shut-offs or adjustments. The platform’s multilingual design and compatibility with various networks mean more people benefit from accurate billing, usage monitoring, and leak detection alerts.
“Water is at the heart of life, yet millions still struggle to access it reliably. At DropByDrop, our mission is to harness the power of data and technology to make every drop count. Leveraging Liquid’s extensive infrastructure enables us to scale our advanced water management platform in Kenya. Together, we’re creating a future where water is managed sustainably, equitably, and intelligently,” said Sergey Khorolsky, International Projects Partner of DropByDrop.
Liquid’s collaboration with DropByDrop underscores the critical role technology plays in addressing everyday challenges. Bringing innovative digital solutions to water management not only enhances service stability but also ensures that users have reliable, data-powered access to this essential resource, while reducing non-revenue water wastage. It also reflects Liquid’s commitment to delivering end-to-end technology solutions that support Africa’s digital transformation journey.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.
About Liquid Intelligent Technologies: Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a business of Cassava Technologies (Cassava), a technology company of African heritage with operations in 40-plus markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, where the Cassava group companies operate. Liquid has firmly established itself as the leading provider of pan-African digital infrastructure with a 110,000 km-long fibre broadband network and satellite connectivity that provides high-speed access to the Internet anywhere in Africa. Liquid is also leveraging its digital network to provide Cloud and Cyber Security solutions through strategic partnerships with leading global players. Liquid is a comprehensive technology solutions group that provides customised digital solutions to public and private sector enterprises and SMEs across the continent.
About DropByDrop Water Systems: DropByDrop (DBD) is Hardware Vendor Neutral, Multi-protocol Compatible, Cloud-based Smart Water Management Internet of Things (IoT) Platform with Intelligent Billing, Alerts and Geo-Asset Management, SCADA integration and Big Data Analytics capabilities.
Two well-marked low-pressure areas – one over northwest Rajasthan and its neighbourhood and another over southwest Bihar and adjoining eastern Uttar Pradesh – are currently influencing weather conditions across large parts of India. These systems are likely to sustain heavy to very heavy rainfall over eastern and adjoining central India over the next two days, while persistent wet conditions are predicted for Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu over the next week.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy to extremely heavy rainfall (exceeding 21 cm) was recorded at isolated locations in Uttarakhand, Konkan, and the ghat areas of central Maharashtra.
Several other regions, including Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Meghalaya, witnessed very heavy rainfall (ranging between 7 and 20 cm).
Heavy rainfall was also observed in parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Odisha, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, western Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Kerala, Coastal and South Interior Karnataka, and Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Very heavy rainfall is likely to occur in isolated locations across North India on July 16, affecting Jammu & Kashmir, northern Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand. This very heavy rainfall trend is also expected to continue over Uttarakhand on July 17, and again from July 20 to 22.
Eastern Uttar Pradesh can also anticipate very heavy showers on July 16 and 17, with western Uttar Pradesh likely to receive similar rainfall conditions on July 17. Moving to the northern hilly region, the state of Himachal Pradesh is expected to receive heavy rainfall on July 21 and 22. In southern India, specifically Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, rainfall is predicted consistently from July 16 through July 22.
The weather in Delhi-NCR is currently being influenced by the monsoonal changes, leading to generally cloudy skies and intermittent rain. Looking at the forecast for the coming days, today, July 16, is expected to bring light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, with temperatures around the seasonal normal, ranging from 32°C to 34°C. Winds from the southeast will be under 15 kmph.
Forecast for the following day, July 17, suggests very light to light rain with thunderstorms. Temperatures are likely to be slightly below normal, with highs between 32°C and 34°C and lows between 24°C and 26°C. The wind pattern will remain similar, blowing from the southeast at speeds under 16 kmph.
On July 18, Delhi will continue to experience light rainfall and partly cloudy skies, with temperature ranges remaining consistent. Light northwesterly winds are expected to become dominant.
By July 19, the rain is likely to ease, giving way to partly cloudy skies. Daytime temperatures are expected to increase slightly to 34°C–36°C. The winds will shift from the southwest in the afternoon, returning to the northwest by evening, with gentle speeds remaining below 12 kmph.
UK reaffirms unwavering support for Ukraine and welcomes vital US contribution: UK Statement to the OSCE
UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, says the UK, alongside the US and international partners, remains committed to providing the economic, diplomatic, and military tools Ukraine needs to defend itself.
Madame Chair, the United Kingdom reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to defend its people and sovereignty against the Russian government’s escalating campaign of aggression. We remain resolute in our commitment to ensuring Ukraine has the tools and support it needs to prevail – diplomatically, economically, and militarily.
The urgency of this support was underscored by the most recent Russian attacks. On the night of 11-12 July, Russia launched 597 drones and 26 cruise missiles across Ukraine in a 10-hour assault. The attacks killed at least two civilians and injured over 20 others, with damage reported from Kharkiv to Lviv. Just days earlier, Kyiv endured a combined drone, ballistic, and cruise missile strike that damaged six districts and left multiple civilians injured.
These attacks mark a grim trend. Eight of the largest attacks of the war have been launched by Russia in the last two months. Russia launched ten times more missile and drone strikes in June 2025 than in June 2024. The impact on civilians has been appalling. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), June 2025 saw the highest civilian toll since the war began, with 232 killed and 1,343 injured, driven by a surge in long-range missile and drone strikes reaching far beyond the front lines. From December to May, the UN estimates that civilian casualties increased by 37% from the same period the previous year. Even more horrific is the alleged use of drones armed with enhanced warheads containing up to 90kg of metal shrapnel, designed to maximise civilian casualties. As President Zelenskiiy’s aide Andrii Yermak warned, the alleged use of these shrapnel-packed warheads marks an appalling new chapter in the war.
The growing frequency and intensity of these attacks underscore the urgent need for enhanced air defence support for Ukraine. We welcome President Trump’s decision to enable NATO Allies to purchase US military equipment vital for Ukraine to defend itself and protect civilians, including Patriot systems. The UK is pleased to be co-chairing, with Germany, a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting next week, to ensure that Ukraine gets the military support it needs to defend itself against Russia’s brutal attacks.
Finally, on 10 July, the United Kingdom was proud to co-chair the fourth meeting of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ alongside President Macron, bringing together representatives from 38 countries, including over 30 heads of state and government. This gathering was a powerful demonstration of unity and a clear signal to Moscow that our support for Ukraine is enduring, coordinated, and intensifying. We welcome the presence of a US delegation at the meeting for the first time, and President Trump’s announcement that the US will impose sanctions if a peace deal is not reached in 50 days. We call upon the Russian Federation to abandon their maximalist objectives in Ukraine, agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire as Ukraine did five months ago, and engage in meaningful peace talks. Together with our partners we will continue to ratchet up the pressure on Russia until a just and lasting peace is reached.
The UK will continue to stand firm with our Allies and Partners, to ensure Ukraine’s defence, uphold international law and secure a future of peace and stability in Europe – principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act, including the inviolability of frontiers, territorial integrity of states, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Thank you, Madame Chair.
On 30 June – 3 July, the UN’s 4th International Conference on Financing for Development is taking place in Seville. Sweden is participating with a broad delegation headed by State Secretary Diana Janse. The aim of the Conference is to agree on a new global framework for how sustainable development will be financed – the so-called Sevilla Commitment. The Conference is an important opportunity to strengthen the implementation of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, and to demonstrate that the countries of the world are able to address global challenges together through cooperation, despite a difficult geopolitical context.
Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MOFA response to NATO Secretary General Rutte’s statements in joint press conference with German Chancellor Merz on China’s military expansion
July 10, 2025
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte met with German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz on July 9. During the joint press conference following the meeting, Secretary General Rutte stated that the scale of the Chinese navy had already surpassed that of the United States and that China had over 1,000 nuclear warheads at its disposal. He indicated that China’s military expansion had clearly developed toward combat readiness and that China’s ambitions to get control over Taiwan were obvious.
He noted that if China decided to launch an attack against Taiwan, it would likely partner with Russia to create a parallel conflict in Europe, thereby keeping Europe preoccupied. Secretary General Rutte stressed that these developments had plainly demonstrated that transatlantic and Indo-Pacific security was increasingly intertwined. He added that faced with a potential joint threat from China and Russia, NATO must strengthen its collective military capabilities and deepen cooperation with allies in the Indo-Pacific region to effectively deter any possible military aggression. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes these statements concerning regional developments.
Since assuming office in October 2024, Secretary General Rutte has repeatedly called attention to the nature of China’s expansionist actions and its aggressive ambitions toward Taiwan. He has also actively urged people everywhere to pay heed to the challenges and risks that China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran pose to global peace and security.
Authoritarian countries are coordinating efforts to undermine regional peace and stability and the international order. In the face of this, Taiwan— a responsible democratic member of the global community—will continue to work with the Group of Seven, NATO, and other like-minded partners to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.
Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MOFA response to Czech President Pavel lauding successful Taiwan-Czech cooperation at Ukraine Recovery Conference
July 11, 2025
President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel on July 10 attended the fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, where he explained Czech contributions to Ukraine’s reconstruction in an address to a plenary session with heads of state and government. In his remarks, he highlighted a successful project undertaken by the Czech Republic and Taiwan to provide safe drinking water to 380,000 residents of Dnipropetrovsk in eastern Ukraine and deliver power generation equipment to Kharkiv to give local people access to electricity. He stressed that these endeavors were a model of cooperation between like-minded democracies.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes President Pavel’s public statement and reiterates that Taiwan and the Czech Republic are like-minded democratic partners. Taiwan will continue to work with the Czech Republic and other like-minded nations in Europe on providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, thereby underscoring staunch support for democracy, freedom, human rights, and peace.
Since the war between Russia and Ukraine began, the governments of Taiwan and the Czech Republic have signed three memoranda of understanding on cooperation. These address issues such as reconstructing basic infrastructure in Ukraine, including water and electricity, improving Ukraine’s primary healthcare capacity, and supporting the Ukrainian people in efforts to rebuild their country. Taiwan is also cooperating closely with other European nations to assist Ukraine.
Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MOFA response to UK-France leaders’ declaration reaffirming commitment to Taiwan Strait peace and stability
July 11, 2025
Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom and President Emmanuel Macron of France met in London on July 10 for the 37th UK-France summit. In a declaration issued after their meeting, the two leaders said that European security was inextricably linked to the Indo-Pacific and that they would strengthen their coordination and work together for a free, open, and sovereign Indo-Pacific. They also jointly reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, in the South and East China Seas, and in the Taiwan Strait, calling for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely welcomes and appreciates this declaration.
The fact that the leaders of the United Kingdom and France once again expressed their commitment to cross-strait peace and stability following a similar statement released after the G7 leaders’ summit in June demonstrates that maintaining Taiwan Strait peace and stability has become a matter of international consensus. As a responsible and democratic member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to work with democratic partners around the world to contribute to the freedom, openness, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and jointly defend the rules-based international order.
Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MOFA response to Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya reiterating importance of cross-strait peace and stability during bilateral meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Wang
July 11, 2025
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on July 10 met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Malaysia. Foreign Minister Iwaya stressed that cross-strait peace and stability were important to Japan and the international community. China’s large-scale military drills around Taiwan were incompatible with these goals, he said. He also reiterated opposition to any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion and stressed Japan’s serious concern over China’s expansion of naval and air activities near Japan and in the East China Sea, as these had contributed to a deteriorating regional situation.
China has repeatedly resorted to various pretexts to increase its threats and military intimidation of Taiwan, which has posed a serious challenge to security across the Taiwan Strait and in the region. This has elicited a great deal of international concern. In recent years, Japan has directly expressed its high level of concern over cross-strait and regional security during bilateral meetings with China. It has done so at the Japan-China summit meeting held alongside the ASEAN summit in Laos in October 2024, the Japan-China summit meeting held during the APEC summit in November 2024, as well as at the Japan-China foreign ministers’ meeting this March in Tokyo. This shows that Japan, in accordance with its staunch support for cross-strait peace and stability, has consistently conveyed its position to China.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses welcome at the international community’s continued use of concrete actions to uphold cross-strait security. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and cooperate closely with like-minded countries to uphold international democracy, peace, and prosperity.
High inflation must not be allowed to recur. Thanks to tight monetary policy, open communication and a strong koruna policy, the Czech National Bank (CNB) succeeded in taming double-digit inflation in 2022–2023 and returning it to the 2% target. It then undertook a monetary policy review to make itself better prepared for similar situations in the future. The CNB is now offering an inside look at the discussions behind the change in its approach to preparing key materials for the Bank Board’s monetary policy decision-making, the development of two new forecasting models and the strengthening of its research capacity. It has published on its website the Proceedings of the Czech National BankWorkshop on Monetary Policy: Inflation Targeting Frameworks Under Review, featuring a foreword by CNB Governor Aleš Michl.
Three years ago, in July 2022, inflation in the Czech Republic stood at 17.5%. The CNB’s forecasting model at the time was recommending further rate hikes above the then level of 7%, but the Bank Board, under the leadership of Governor Aleš Michl, opted for a different strategy. It decided to keep interest rates unchanged until it was confident that inflation was on track to return to the target, and communicated this intention openly to the public and markets. It also supported a strong koruna policy.
This approach resulted in the strongest exchange rate of the koruna against the euro in history and the tightest monetary conditions in 20 years in spring 2023. Inflation dropped sharply to near the 2% target in January 2024. The average inflation rate for 2024 as a whole was 2.4%, the lowest since 2018.
The CNB has now published the proceedings of the international Czech National Bank Workshop on Monetary Policy: Inflation Targeting Frameworks Under Review. This concludes the first phase of the external review of its monetary policy analytical and modelling framework. The Bank Board initiated this review in response to the turbulent inflation episode of 2022–2023.
In his foreword to the proceedings, Governor Aleš Michl presents the rationale behind the decision to openly review the CNB’s monetary policy analytical framework and summarises the Bank’s approach to tackling inflation. He provides a detailed account of the Bank Board’s strategy during the period when inflation neared 18%, noting that traditional macroeconomic models underestimated the impact of global shocks and often failed to forecast inflation accurately. For the first time in its history, the CNB commissioned three independent external reviews of its modelling framework. These focused on the forecasting performance of the core model, its suitability as a sole forecasting tool, and the interaction between monetary and fiscal policy. According to the Governor, a central bank must be able to learn from the past and adapt its tools to a new reality in which the economy is affected by unexpected and difficult-to-model factors. The review of the modelling framework is therefore a key step towards ensuring future price stability.
Based on the recommendations of the review teams, the CNB has decided to expand its modelling framework. It will develop two new alternative models to complement its existing tools, enabling the Bank to better manage forecast uncertainty and respond to hard-to-predict economic shocks. This aligns with the practice of many other central banks which routinely use multiple forecasting models. The first components are expected to be ready for internal testing in late 2025 and early 2026, with development of the new models continuing throughout 2026.
The reviewers also recommended strengthening the CNB’s research and data analytics capabilities. On 1 January 2025, the CNB established a new Research and Statistics Department, replacing the former Statistics and Data Support Department. An important task for the new department is to develop alternative macroeconomic models. It will also focus on enhancing the CNB’s data infrastructure and expanding the role of research beyond model development.
The final versions of all the external evaluations were published on the CNB website in November 2024. In April 2025, the CNB presented these evaluations in detail, along with the conclusions of the first phase of the monetary policy review, at the international Czech National Bank Workshop on Monetary Policy: Inflation Targeting Frameworks Under Review. The outputs of this conference are now available in the Proceedings of the Czech National Bank Workshop on Monetary Policy: Inflation Targeting Frameworks Under Review. In addition to contributions from domestic and international experts – including the former head of the BIS Monetary and Economic Department Claudio Borio and ESCB Monetary Policy Committee Chair Óscar Arce – the publication features a foreword by CNB Governor Aleš Michl summarising the CNB’s approach to monetary policy during the period of elevated inflation and the steps it took to bring inflation down.
MHRA CEO Lawrence Tallon welcomes Life Sciences Sector Plan
The Life Sciences Sector plan was released today (16 July 2025)
“I welcome the publication of the Life Sciences Sector Plan and fully support its ambition to make the UK a global leader in life sciences and a country where innovation delivers for everyone.
“It’s great to see the MHRA is recognised as a pivotal partner in delivering the plan’s vision – by supporting innovation, protecting public health, and making the UK a global destination for innovators to research, develop and launch cutting-edge medical products.
“Working with our partners across the sector, we will continue to enable safe and effective innovation that benefits patients, the public, and the economy.”
Communities across the country to benefit from ‘innovation squads’ to re-build public services
Working people across England are set to benefit from better public services, with ‘innovation squads’ sent in to back community ideas and work with the frontline as part of a £100 million ‘Test, Learn and Grow’ reform programme.
10 communities across England will get ‘innovation squads’ as part of £100 million government reform programme to deliver the Plan for Change.
Flagship reform will end ‘Whitehall knows best’ and focus on testing solutions directly in local areas with frontline workers and communities who know best.
Policy officials, tech specialists and other experts will be deployed to directly test new ways of fixing some of the biggest local problems.
Working people across England are set to benefit from better public services, with ‘innovation squads’ sent in to back community ideas and work with the frontline as part of a £100 million ‘Test, Learn and Grow’ reform programme to deliver the Plan for Change.
The teams, deployed to the places from central government will work alongside local government and service users to tackle the biggest challenges directly affecting local communities and people.
Challenges the teams will look at will include increasing the uptake of Best Start Family Hubs to support parents and young children, establishing neighbourhood health services, better supporting children with special needs, getting more people into work, rolling out breakfast clubs, and tackling violence against women and girls.
The squads, working with tech specialists and other experts will have an explicit mandate to try new things and be creative, collaborating directly with frontline workers and people using services.
Cabinet Office Minister, Georgia Gould said:
For too long residents and frontline workers have had to navigate fragmented and underfunded public services, people feeling like they have to arm up to battle to get the support they need.
We are going to end this. The test, learn and grow programme will bring the centre of government out of Whitehall and into communities, working with those who deliver and use public services to solve problems together, as part of our Plan for Change. We will reform public services from the ground up so people always come first.
The programme is a flagship part of the government’s reform programme. Instead of trying to devise perfect solutions from Whitehall, the teams will work directly with affected communities to test out what works.
The ‘test and learn’ approach – outlined by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in December – will help tackle our biggest national challenges and make better policy across the board.
The approach has already been trialled successfully in four areas across England. Earlier this year, ‘innovation squads’ tested new ways to get more families through the door of local family hubs in Sheffield, resulting in many more local families using the hubs. In Liverpool they worked with the council to build an innovative data-led platform to manage temporary accommodation.
The news comes following the launch of a new partnership for the programme, working with external experts, academics and local authority networks to further enhance and spread learnings from the programme across the country.
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
ALMATY, July 16 (Xinhua) — Kazakhstan’s first national supercomputer was officially launched in Astana in July 2025, an ambitious project that aims to make the country a regional leader in high technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital sovereignty.
The idea of creating a supercomputer was born in early 2024. On February 12, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, the Samruk-Kazyna National Fund and the Emirati company Presight AI signed a strategic cooperation agreement.
The project was initiated as part of the digital agenda of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
According to the agreement, the project is being implemented in two stages. The first stage involved the integration of new computing capacities into the existing digital infrastructure of Kazakhstan, including the e-government platform eGov.
The second phase involves the construction of a Tier III data center and the deployment of a supercomputer cluster based on the latest NVIDIA H200 graphics processors.
In terms of technical characteristics, the Kazakh supercomputer is the largest in the region: it is capable of providing performance of up to 2 exaflops using the FP8 calculation method. This allows processing colossal amounts of information, providing a computing base for scientific research, AI development, modeling and data processing in real time.
On May 19, 2025, the supercomputer cluster arrived in Kazakhstan and was placed in a data center with the participation of Presight AI.
The official launch of the system took place on July 9, 2025, as part of a ceremonial event at the Alemcloud National Supercomputer Center in Astana. The event was attended by President K.-Zh. Tokayev, who emphasized that the supercomputer will allow Kazakhstan to achieve significant progress in the development of digital technologies.
Access to high-performance computing will be given to startups developing neural network solutions, universities, research centers, as well as public and private companies.
“The power of a supercomputer is like the entire world population, 8 billion people, doing mathematical calculations every second, but it would take them more than 4 days to do what a supercomputer does in a second,” said Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digitalization and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, on the day the system was launched.
The project pursues strategic goals. Firstly, it strengthens the country’s digital sovereignty by reducing dependence on foreign cloud solution providers.
Secondly, it creates conditions for the development of the domestic IT ecosystem: universities, research centers, public and private companies gain access to powerful computing resources.
Thirdly, this is an important step towards the formation of a full-fledged infrastructure for the development and implementation of AI-based solutions – from city management systems to working with large language models.
Thus, the launch of the national supercomputer has become not just a technological achievement, but also an important element of Kazakhstan’s new digital strategy. The country is demonstrating its readiness to take an active position on the high-tech map of Eurasia by investing in the infrastructure that determines the future. –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
BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) — Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman will visit China from July 20 to 22 at the invitation of Wang Yi, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister. -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
BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) — China has made steady progress in expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities, with the nationwide employment rate for such people increasing by 4.8 percentage points over the past three years, official data showed at a press conference on Wednesday.
The achievements were made under the country’s first three-year action plan to promote the employment of people with disabilities from 2022 to 2024. During this period, nearly 1.65 million new jobs for people with disabilities were created in both urban and rural areas, Li Dongmei, deputy chairwoman of the All-China Federation of Disabled Persons (ACFD), said at a press conference.
Also during the reporting period, nearly 1.43 million people with disabilities received verified vocational training, which significantly increased their work readiness and skill level, Li Dongmei noted.
Steady progress has also been made in higher education. For five years in a row, all disabled graduates who completed their studies at colleges in the country have been included in the employment support databases. Notably, the employment rate among those who want to work has exceeded 85 percent for five years in a row.
To build on this momentum, the General Office of the State Council of China has released a new three-year action plan (2025-2027), jointly developed by the VFI and 30 government departments. The plan outlines 10 targeted actions aimed at further improving the employment conditions of people with disabilities.
According to Ren Zhanbin, Director of the Department of Education and Employment at VFI, a more targeted and individual approach will be applied at the new stage.
“We aim to not only expand employment opportunities, but also ensure that these jobs match the abilities and needs of people with disabilities and guarantee longer-term stability,” Ren Zhanbin said.
According to the plan, relevant government agencies and local authorities will continue to improve public services, strengthen employment support, and help 85 million people with disabilities gain access to more and better job opportunities. -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
TIANJIN, July 16 (Xinhua) — China will continue to support Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and dignity, opposing power politics and bullying, upholding its legitimate rights and interests through political negotiations, and further improving and developing relations with its neighbors based on the principle of good-neighborliness and friendship, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday.
Wang Yi, also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who arrived in China to attend a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). -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
BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) — The number of round-trip border crossings by foreign nationals through China’s checkpoints totaled 38.05 million from January to June 2025, up 30.2 percent year on year, data from the National Immigration Administration (NIA) showed Wednesday.
According to the agency, during the reporting period, the number of foreigners who traveled to China under the visa-free regime increased to 13.64 million people, an increase of 53.9 percent year-on-year. In January-June of this year, their share in the total number of incoming trips by foreigners was 71.2 percent.
The total number of border crossings through Chinese checkpoints in the first six months of this year reached 333 million people, up 15.8 percent from a year earlier, according to data released at a departmental press conference.
In particular, during the specified period, residents of mainland China crossed the state border in both directions 159 million times, which is 15.9 percent more year-on-year. Meanwhile, the number of entries and exits through the country’s checkpoints among residents of the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as Taiwan Island, amounted to 136 million person-times, an increase of 12.2 percent year-on-year.
Border control agencies across the country are steadily increasing efforts to expand openness and improve service efficiency, the SUI noted.
As part of its visa-free policy adjustments, China recently added Indonesia to the list of 240-hour visa-free transit countries, bringing the total number of eligible countries to 55. The policy allows citizens of these countries to transit through China visa-free for a stay of up to 240 hours.
A new regional visa-free policy was also introduced, allowing tourist groups from ASEAN countries to enter Xishuangbanna (Yunnan Province, southwest China) visa-free.
In addition, China expanded its visa-free agreements by signing new mutual visa waiver agreements with Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Azerbaijan, and introducing unilateral visa-free regimes for nine more countries, namely Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait. -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
KABUL, July 16 (Xinhua) — At least 11 people were killed and four others injured in a highway accident in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province, provincial police said in a statement on Wednesday.
The tragedy occurred in the Kariz area of Washir district, along the highway connecting Herat with the capital Kabul. A passenger bus collided head-on with another vehicle, killing 11 passengers on the spot and injuring four others.
A preliminary investigation has shown that the cause of the accident was careless driving. All the victims were taken to nearby medical centers, where medical personnel described their condition as critical. –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.
At 9.00 this morning, the Holy Father Leo XIV celebrated Holy Mass in the Chapel of the Castel Gandolfo Carabinieri Station.
At the end of Mass, the Holy Father visited the Monastery of the Poor Clares in Albano, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
The following is the homily delivered by the Pope during the Eucharistic Celebration, after the proclamation of the Gospel:
Homily of the Holy Father
Dear brothers and sisters,
The Gospel we have heard gives us the authentic Christian meaning of these two words. Brother and sister are names of relation, which we repeat often in the liturgy as a greeting, as a sign of closeness and affection. Jesus, the only-begotten Son of God, explains their meaning in relation to himself and to his Father, revealing a bond stronger than blood, since it involves all of us, uniting every man and every woman. Indeed, we are all truly brothers and sisters of Jesus when we do God’s will, that is, when we live loving each other,as God has loved us.
Every relationship that God lives, in himself and for us, thus becomes a gift: when his only Son becomes our brother, his Father beomes our Father, and the Holy Spirit, which joins the Father and the Son, comes to dwell in our hearts. God’s love is so great that Jesus does not keep even his mother for himself, giving Mary to us as our mother, in the hour of the cross (cf. Jn 19:27). Only those who live by such full dedication can affirm: “For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother” ( Mt 12:50). In particular, these words let us understand that Mary becomes the mother of Jesus because she listens to the word of God with love; she welcomes it into her own heart and lives it faithfully. Commenting the Gospel passage recalled just now, Saint Augustine therefore wrote that “Mary … is blessed, because she heard the word of God and kept it” ( Sermon 72/A, 7). The meaning of Mary’s life is enshrined in her faithfulness to the Word she received from God: the Word of life she received, carried in her womb and gave to the world.
Dear friends, the 75 th anniversary of the proclamation of the faithful Virgin, the Virgo fidelis , as Patroness of the Carabinieri Corps, was recently celebrated. Right here in Castel Gandolfo, in 1949 my venerable predecessor Pope Pius XII accepted this beautiful proposal from the general Command of the Corps. After the tragedy of the war, in a period of moral and material reconstruction, Mary’s fidelity to God thus became a model of the fidelity of every Carabiniere towards his homeland and the Italian people. This virtue expresses the devotion, purity, and constancy in commitment to the common good which the Carabinieri protect by guaranteeing public safety and defending the rights of all, especially those in dangerous conditions.
I therefore wish to express deep gratitude for the noble and demanding service that the Corps provides to Italy and her citizens, as well as to the Holy See and the faithful who visit Rome: I think in particular of the many pilgrims in this Jubilee year.
Devotion to the faithful Virgin also reflects the motto of the Carabinieri, Nei secoli fedele – faithful throughout the centuries – expressing the sense of duty and abnegation of every member of the Corps, to the point of self-sacrifice. I therefore thank the authorities present, both civil and military, for what you do in the fulfilment of your duties: in the face of injustice, which harms the social order, you do not give in to the termptation of thinking that evil may prevail. Especially in this time of wars and violence, you remain faithful to your oath: as servants of the State, you respond to crime with the force of the law and with honesty. This is how the Carabinieri Corps, the Benemerita , will always be worthy of the respect of the Italian people.
In this Eucharist, as we celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord, it is right and dutiful to remember the Carabinieri who have given their lives in the course of duty: I offer as an example to you the venerable Salvo D’Acquisto, awarded the gold medal for military valour, whose cause for beatification is underway. In every mission, may the Virgo fidelis accompany you, watching lovingly over each one of you, your families and your work.
The Authority has been notified that the Isle of Man Treasury, Customs and Immigration Division has recently published new and updated information regarding the above Sanction regimes.
News Releases advising details of the updates to the above Sanctions regimes can be read on the IOM Government website (www.gov.im/news) at:
Any queries regarding the above, or any Sanctions related matter should be addressed to the Isle of Man Treasury, Customs and Immigration Division, Sanctions Officer on telephone number +44 (0) 1624 648109 or by email to sanctions@gov.im
To receive regular updates about sanctions, including updates to the UK Sanctions List, you can subscribe to the RSS feed for sanctions & Excise news releases by copying and pasting this URL:
The UK Treasury operate an ‘alert’ system to provide email updates as and when changes to sanctions are introduced. Licenceholders may consider it very prudent to avail themselves of this service if they do not already have relevant notification processes in place.
The Authority has been notified that the Isle of Man Treasury, Customs and Immigration Division has recently published new and updated information regarding the above Sanction regimes.
News Releases advising details of the updates to the above Sanctions regimes can be read on the IOM Government website (www.gov.im/news) at:
Any queries regarding the above, or any Sanctions related matter should be addressed to the Isle of Man Treasury, Customs and Immigration Division, Sanctions Officer on telephone number +44 (0) 1624 648109 or by email to sanctions@gov.im
To receive regular updates about sanctions, including updates to the UK Sanctions List, you can subscribe to the RSS feed for sanctions & Excise news releases by copying and pasting this URL:
The UK Treasury operate an ‘alert’ system to provide email updates as and when changes to sanctions are introduced. Licenceholders may consider it very prudent to avail themselves of this service if they do not already have relevant notification processes in place.
He accused the coalition government of being “too timid” and “afraid of offending President Donald Trump” to make a stand on the nuclear issue.
However, a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand’s “overarching priority . . . is to work with Pacific partners to achieve a secure, stable, and prosperous region that preserves Pacific sovereignty and agency”.
The spokesperson said that through its foreign policy “reset”, New Zealand was committed to “comprehensive relationships” with Pacific Island countries.
“New Zealand’s identity, prosperity and security are intertwined with the Pacific through deep cultural, people, historical, security, and economic linkages.”
Pacific ‘increasingly contested’ The spokesperson said that the Pacific was becoming increasingly contested and complex.
“New Zealand has been clear with all of our partners that it is important that engagement in the Pacific takes place in a manner which advances Pacific priorities, is consistent with established regional practices, and supportive of Pacific regional institutions.”
They added that New Zealand’s main focus remained on the Pacific, “where we will be working with partners including the United States, Australia, Japan and in Europe to more intensively leverage greater support for the region.
“We will maintain the high tempo of political engagement across the Pacific to ensure alignment between our programme and New Zealand and partner priorities. And we will work more strategically with Pacific Governments to strengthen their systems, so they can better deliver the services their people need,” the spokesperson said.
The cover of the latest edition of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior. Image: Little Island Press
However, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark, writing in the prologue of Dr Robie’s book, said: “New Zealand needs to re-emphasise the principles and values which drove its nuclear-free legislation and its advocacy for a nuclear-free South Pacific and global nuclear disarmament.”
Dr Robie added that looking back 40 years to the 1980s, there was a strong sense of pride in being from Aotearoa, the small country which set an example around the world.
“We took on . . . the nuclear powers,” Dr Robie said.
“And the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was symbolic of that struggle, in a way, but it was a struggle that most New Zealanders felt a part of, and we were very proud of that [anti-nuclear] role that we took.
“Over the years, it has sort of been forgotten”.
‘Look at history’ France conducted 193 nuclear tests over three decades until 1996 in French Polynesia.
Until 2009, France claimed that its tests were “clean” and caused no harm, but in 2010, under the stewardship of Defence Minister Herve Morin, a compensation law was passed.
From 1946 to 1962, 67 nuclear bombs were detonated in the Marshall Islands by the US.
The 1 March 1954 Bravo hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll, the largest nuclear weapon ever exploded by the United States, left a legacy of fallout and radiation contamination that continues to this day. Image: Marshall Islands Journal
In 2024, then-US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, while responding to a question from RNZ Pacific about America’s nuclear legacy, said: “Washington has attempted to address it constructively with massive resources and a sustained commitment.”
However, Dr Robie said that was not good enough and labelled the destruction left behind by the US, and France, as “outrageous”.
“It is political speak; politicians trying to cover their backs and so on. If you look at history, [the response] is nowhere near good enough, both by the US and the French.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
He accused the coalition government of being “too timid” and “afraid of offending President Donald Trump” to make a stand on the nuclear issue.
However, a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand’s “overarching priority . . . is to work with Pacific partners to achieve a secure, stable, and prosperous region that preserves Pacific sovereignty and agency”.
The spokesperson said that through its foreign policy “reset”, New Zealand was committed to “comprehensive relationships” with Pacific Island countries.
“New Zealand’s identity, prosperity and security are intertwined with the Pacific through deep cultural, people, historical, security, and economic linkages.”
Pacific ‘increasingly contested’ The spokesperson said that the Pacific was becoming increasingly contested and complex.
“New Zealand has been clear with all of our partners that it is important that engagement in the Pacific takes place in a manner which advances Pacific priorities, is consistent with established regional practices, and supportive of Pacific regional institutions.”
They added that New Zealand’s main focus remained on the Pacific, “where we will be working with partners including the United States, Australia, Japan and in Europe to more intensively leverage greater support for the region.
“We will maintain the high tempo of political engagement across the Pacific to ensure alignment between our programme and New Zealand and partner priorities. And we will work more strategically with Pacific Governments to strengthen their systems, so they can better deliver the services their people need,” the spokesperson said.
The cover of the latest edition of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior. Image: Little Island Press
However, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark, writing in the prologue of Dr Robie’s book, said: “New Zealand needs to re-emphasise the principles and values which drove its nuclear-free legislation and its advocacy for a nuclear-free South Pacific and global nuclear disarmament.”
Dr Robie added that looking back 40 years to the 1980s, there was a strong sense of pride in being from Aotearoa, the small country which set an example around the world.
“We took on . . . the nuclear powers,” Dr Robie said.
“And the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was symbolic of that struggle, in a way, but it was a struggle that most New Zealanders felt a part of, and we were very proud of that [anti-nuclear] role that we took.
“Over the years, it has sort of been forgotten”.
‘Look at history’ France conducted 193 nuclear tests over three decades until 1996 in French Polynesia.
Until 2009, France claimed that its tests were “clean” and caused no harm, but in 2010, under the stewardship of Defence Minister Herve Morin, a compensation law was passed.
From 1946 to 1962, 67 nuclear bombs were detonated in the Marshall Islands by the US.
The 1 March 1954 Bravo hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll, the largest nuclear weapon ever exploded by the United States, left a legacy of fallout and radiation contamination that continues to this day. Image: Marshall Islands Journal
In 2024, then-US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, while responding to a question from RNZ Pacific about America’s nuclear legacy, said: “Washington has attempted to address it constructively with massive resources and a sustained commitment.”
However, Dr Robie said that was not good enough and labelled the destruction left behind by the US, and France, as “outrageous”.
“It is political speak; politicians trying to cover their backs and so on. If you look at history, [the response] is nowhere near good enough, both by the US and the French.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry has warned Australia’s global environmental reputation is at risk if the Albanese government fails to reform nature laws this term.
In his speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Henry said reform was needed to restore nature and power the net zero economy.
Speaking as chair of the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation, Henry said with “glistening ambition”, Australia can “build an efficient, jobs-rich, globally competitive, high-productivity, low-emissions nature-rich economy”.
The speech comes at a crucial time for nature law reform in Australia. The new Environment Minister Murray Watt has committed to prioritise reform, after the Albanese government failed to achieve substantial changes to these laws in the last parliament.
On Wednesday, Henry condemned previous failed attempts to reform the laws. He described delays in improving environmental management as “a wilful act of intergenerational bastardry”.
In his speech on Wednesday, Henry agreed with this sentiment. He described the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act as “a misnomer, if ever there was one”.
Henry is both a former Treasury Secretary and former chair of National Australia Bank. He also wrote Australia’s most important white paper on tax reform.
Henry has previously said environmental law reform could be a template for other essential, difficult law reform, such as fixing Australia’s broken tax system.
He understands Australia’s broken environmental laws. In 2022-23, he led an independent review into nature laws in New South Wales. That review found the laws were failing and would never succeed in their current form.
At the start of his speech on Wednesday, Henry came close to tears when he acknowledged Greens Senator Sarah Hansen-Young’s support for those who look after injured and orphaned native animals.
But before building suburbs, wind farms, transmission lines, mines and roads, projects need to be assessed for their potential to harm the environment.
Henry on Wednesday called for sweeping changes, drawing on Graeme Samuel’s 2019-20 review of the EPBC Act. The changes include:
genuine cooperation across all levels of government, industry and the community
high-integrity evidence to inform decision making
clear, strong and enforceable standards applied nationwide
an independent and trusted decision-maker, in the form of a national Environment Protection Authority
a natural capital market, which – if well-designed – could provide a financial incentive for nature restoration and carbon storage in the form of tradable credits.
Without the reforms, Henry said, Australia would not “retain a shred of credibility” for two global commitments: reaching net zero emissions, and halting and reversing biodiversity loss.
The net zero commitment is at risk because existing laws are not sufficient to protect carbon sinks, such as forests. The roll out of renewable energy is also being slowed by inefficient approvals processes.
Henry said the concept of “ecologically sustainable development”, which seeks to balance economic, social, and economic goals, needs serious rethinking. This concept has been the foundation of environment policy in Australia, including the EPBC Act, for the past 30 years.
Henry wrote the first Intergenerational Report for the federal government in 2002. He has criticised governments for allowing environmental destruction that will leave future generations worse off.
He has variously described Australia’s failure to steward our natural resources as an intergenerational tragedy, as intergenerational theft, and a wilful act of intergenerational bastardry – claims he repeated on Wednesday.
Making money grow on trees
Henry grew up on the Mid North Coast of NSW where his father, a worker in the timber industry, helped log native forests.
The foundation Henry chairs advocates for the protection and restoration of Australia’s native forests. Henry has previously backed a plan to store carbon in native forests, which would mean trees were protected and not cut down.
In his Press Club address, Henry lamented ongoing land clearing, poor fire management in remnant forests, and logging of habitat for endangered species such as the koala and the greater glider. He also called for nature laws that enable projects to be delivered in a way that not only protects but also restores nature. For instance, he said carbon credits could help fund the Great Koala National Park proposed for NSW.
Henry on Wednesday acknowledged faster approvals were needed, saying:
We simply cannot afford slow, opaque, duplicative and contested environmental planning decisions based on poor information mired in administrative complexity.
But he said faster approvals should not come at a greater cost to nature. In his words:
with due acknowledgement of the genius of AC/DC, there is no point in building a faster highway to hell.
Henry said the current parliament has time to put the right policy settings in place. The remedies also enjoy broad stakeholder support. “We’ve had all the reviews we need,” he said. “All of us have had our say. It is now up to parliament. Let’s just get this done.”
Phillipa C. McCormack receives funding from the Australian Research Council, Natural Hazards Research Australia, the National Environmental Science Program, Green Adelaide and the ACT Government. She is a member of the National Environmental Law Association and affiliated with the Wildlife Crime Research Hub.
Former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry has warned Australia’s global environmental reputation is at risk if the Albanese government fails to reform nature laws this term.
In his speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Henry said reform was needed to restore nature and power the net zero economy.
Speaking as chair of the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation, Henry said with “glistening ambition”, Australia can “build an efficient, jobs-rich, globally competitive, high-productivity, low-emissions nature-rich economy”.
The speech comes at a crucial time for nature law reform in Australia. The new Environment Minister Murray Watt has committed to prioritise reform, after the Albanese government failed to achieve substantial changes to these laws in the last parliament.
On Wednesday, Henry condemned previous failed attempts to reform the laws. He described delays in improving environmental management as “a wilful act of intergenerational bastardry”.
In his speech on Wednesday, Henry agreed with this sentiment. He described the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act as “a misnomer, if ever there was one”.
Henry is both a former Treasury Secretary and former chair of National Australia Bank. He also wrote Australia’s most important white paper on tax reform.
Henry has previously said environmental law reform could be a template for other essential, difficult law reform, such as fixing Australia’s broken tax system.
He understands Australia’s broken environmental laws. In 2022-23, he led an independent review into nature laws in New South Wales. That review found the laws were failing and would never succeed in their current form.
At the start of his speech on Wednesday, Henry came close to tears when he acknowledged Greens Senator Sarah Hansen-Young’s support for those who look after injured and orphaned native animals.
But before building suburbs, wind farms, transmission lines, mines and roads, projects need to be assessed for their potential to harm the environment.
Henry on Wednesday called for sweeping changes, drawing on Graeme Samuel’s 2019-20 review of the EPBC Act. The changes include:
genuine cooperation across all levels of government, industry and the community
high-integrity evidence to inform decision making
clear, strong and enforceable standards applied nationwide
an independent and trusted decision-maker, in the form of a national Environment Protection Authority
a natural capital market, which – if well-designed – could provide a financial incentive for nature restoration and carbon storage in the form of tradable credits.
Without the reforms, Henry said, Australia would not “retain a shred of credibility” for two global commitments: reaching net zero emissions, and halting and reversing biodiversity loss.
The net zero commitment is at risk because existing laws are not sufficient to protect carbon sinks, such as forests. The roll out of renewable energy is also being slowed by inefficient approvals processes.
Henry said the concept of “ecologically sustainable development”, which seeks to balance economic, social, and economic goals, needs serious rethinking. This concept has been the foundation of environment policy in Australia, including the EPBC Act, for the past 30 years.
Henry wrote the first Intergenerational Report for the federal government in 2002. He has criticised governments for allowing environmental destruction that will leave future generations worse off.
He has variously described Australia’s failure to steward our natural resources as an intergenerational tragedy, as intergenerational theft, and a wilful act of intergenerational bastardry – claims he repeated on Wednesday.
Making money grow on trees
Henry grew up on the Mid North Coast of NSW where his father, a worker in the timber industry, helped log native forests.
The foundation Henry chairs advocates for the protection and restoration of Australia’s native forests. Henry has previously backed a plan to store carbon in native forests, which would mean trees were protected and not cut down.
In his Press Club address, Henry lamented ongoing land clearing, poor fire management in remnant forests, and logging of habitat for endangered species such as the koala and the greater glider. He also called for nature laws that enable projects to be delivered in a way that not only protects but also restores nature. For instance, he said carbon credits could help fund the Great Koala National Park proposed for NSW.
Henry on Wednesday acknowledged faster approvals were needed, saying:
We simply cannot afford slow, opaque, duplicative and contested environmental planning decisions based on poor information mired in administrative complexity.
But he said faster approvals should not come at a greater cost to nature. In his words:
with due acknowledgement of the genius of AC/DC, there is no point in building a faster highway to hell.
Henry said the current parliament has time to put the right policy settings in place. The remedies also enjoy broad stakeholder support. “We’ve had all the reviews we need,” he said. “All of us have had our say. It is now up to parliament. Let’s just get this done.”
Phillipa C. McCormack receives funding from the Australian Research Council, Natural Hazards Research Australia, the National Environmental Science Program, Green Adelaide and the ACT Government. She is a member of the National Environmental Law Association and affiliated with the Wildlife Crime Research Hub.
Claire wanted to support support families, children and loved ones of those with MS. Artwork by CHIP Collective.
A University of Aberdeen student has come up with a creative way to educate the public about the ‘invisible symptoms’ of a condition that affects more Scots than almost anywhere else in the world.
Postgraduate student, Claire Robertson, and a team of health professionals and comic artists designed a comic to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition that is estimated to affect more than 17,000 people in Scotland.
Inspired by her dad’s experience of living with the condition, Claire used the unique medium to describe the everyday struggles faced by people with MS.
The comic, titled ‘Through the MS Looking Glass: Navigating the Unseen’, highlights the ‘invisible’ or hidden symptoms of MS, told through an Alice in Wonderland-style narrative, where familiar characters represent different symptoms.
“I wanted to create a health comic on multiple sclerosis because my dad has MS and was diagnosed in 2011,” says Claire, a third year PhD student from the School of Psychology. “As my PhD project is all about how to make effective and engaging health information through the use of comics, I really wanted to be able to make my own health comic during the project process that can have a dual purpose – be used as an experimental material in my research but also can get people engaged with health information.”
Determined to support other families, children and loved ones of those with MS, Claire wanted to tell a story that would inform others about the hidden aspects of the condition.
She explains: “I was conscious that I didn’t just want to make the comic about my family’s experience with MS, so I reached out to MS charities to ask them which health topics they felt were either underrepresented or poorly communicated.
“One of the topics on the shortlist was ‘invisible’ symptoms of MS, and I felt as though a comic could do a really nice job of making these invisible symptoms concrete and visible through visual metaphors and raising awareness of the impact that these symptoms can have on daily life for people with MS.”
Invisible symptoms describe aspects of MS that people struggle with but aren’t immediately apparent to others. They include pain, fatigue, brain fog, bladder and bowel difficulties, dizziness and mental health challenges.
Following the Alice in Wonderland narrative, the invisible symptoms are embodied by characters akin to the ones from Wonderland.
“The reasoning for this is embedding unfamiliar concepts in a story that is likely familiar to the majority will hopefully make it slightly less daunting and ‘new’.”
Claire continues: “I am very aware that if someone hasn’t heard of MS before, the health information may seem quite abstract and confusing – like if you were picking up a leaflet about a health condition you didn’t really know about.
“So, throughout the comic, I have tried to use accessible language and avoid unnecessary jargon. I hope this will make it a bit easier for the reader to understand and enhance their engagement through storytelling and impactful visuals.”
Claire adds: “The comic’s main message is that everyone’s MS journey is unique and it is important to be supportive and understanding of the struggles people are going through.
“Even if you can’t visually see what symptoms someone is dealing with, it doesn’t mean they aren’t there and having a big impact on daily life.”
The comic is supported by the University of Aberdeen, University of Dundee, the MS Trust, and the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic at the University of Edinburgh. The artwork was created by Cat Laird and Ashling Larkin from CHIP Collective. You can download ‘Through the MS Looking Glass: Navigating the Unseen’ here.
Claire’s PhD is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
