Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 11 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang returned to Beijing on Friday aboard a chartered plane after concluding an official visit to Egypt.
Li was seen off from the airport by the Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib and Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 11 — Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on people working in the country’s film industry to create more fine cinematic works that reflect the spirit of the times and express the people’s aspirations.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a recent reply letter to eight veteran Chinese film artists, including 97-year-old famed actress Tian Hua.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
South Korea, Japan and the United States conducted a joint air drill on Friday involving a U.S. B-52 strategic bomber and fighter jets of the two U.S. allies over international waters, the South’s defence ministry said.
It was the first time this year that a U.S. B-52H strategic bomber was deployed to the Korean Peninsula for a drill, conducted to improve deterrence against North Korea’s increasing nuclear and missile threats, it said.
The three countries’ defence chiefs also held an annual meeting in Seoul on Friday, where they recognised the importance of close trilateral cooperation in addressing security challenges posed by North Korea, in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, the defence ministry said in a statement.
“We’re illuminating a future path together, a path where partnerships can evolve through persistent and regular engagement from building capacity to really sharing responsibility,” U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine said in opening remarks before the meeting.
“(North Korea) and China are undergoing an unprecedented military build up with a clear and unambiguous intent to move forward with their own agendas. We need to be mindful of that,” Caine said.
(Reuters)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), is expected to begin his journey back to Earth on July 14, Axiom Space announced on Friday.
Shukla, along with three other crew members — Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu — will undock from the Harmony module’s space-facing port inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for their return to Earth.
“The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to undock from the @Space_Station no earlier than Monday, July 14, at 7:05 a.m. ET (4:35 pm IST),” Axiom Space said in a post on social media platform X.
A splashdown is expected several hours after undocking, near the coast of California in the Pacific Ocean.
“We are working with the station programme, watching the Axiom-4 progress carefully. I think we need to undock that mission, and the current target to undock is July 14,” Steve Stitch, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said at a press conference.
IAF Group Captain Shukla is on a 14-day mission to the ISS. He is the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian astronaut in space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew in 1984.
During his time aboard the orbital outpost, Shukla carried out seven India-specific experiments, marking an important step for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. His experiments focused on topics such as decoding muscle loss in microgravity, developing a brain-computer interface, and sprouting green gram and fenugreek seeds in space.
Shukla also interacted with students from Kerala and Lucknow via video conferencing from the ISS. The students asked him about life in space — from what astronauts eat and how they sleep, to what happens if someone falls sick.
They also wanted to know about the benefits of India’s space programme and which part of the mission he found most enjoyable.
Describing the launch experience of Axiom Mission 4, Shukla told the students it was “amazing” and “dynamic”.
“It is fun actually, because in space there is no floor and no ceiling. So if you were to visit the station, you would find someone sleeping on the walls and someone on the ceiling,” he told them with a smile.
—IANS
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Over 1.45 lakh devotees have undertaken the Amarnath Yatra in the first eight days, with another batch of 6,482 pilgrims leaving for the Kashmir Valley from Jammu on Friday.
According to officials, more than 1.45 lakh pilgrims have had ‘darshan’ at the holy cave shrine.
“Another batch of 6,482 Yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys for the Valley today. The first convoy, comprising 107 vehicles and carrying 2,353 Yatris, departed at 3:20 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, consisting of 161 vehicles and carrying 4,129 Yatris, left at 4:04 a.m. for the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp,” officials said.
The Bhumi Pujan of the ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace) was performed at Pahalgam on Thursday.
The Chhari Mubarak was brought to Pahalgam by a group of sadhus led by its sole custodian, Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, from its traditional seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar.
In Pahalgam, the Chhari Mubarak was first taken to the Gauri Shankar Temple, where the Bhumi Pujan was performed. It was then carried to the Martand Sun Temple, where another puja was held, followed by a ceremonial dip in the holy spring at the temple.
The Chhari Mubarak will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9, marking the official conclusion of this year’s Yatra.
In addition to those arriving at the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu, many pilgrims are also reporting directly at the Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camps for on-the-spot registration.
Authorities have made extensive multi-tiered security arrangements for this year’s Amarnath Yatra, especially in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
To ensure safety, an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed to strengthen the presence of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.
All transit camps en route to the two base camps, as well as the entire stretch from Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu to the holy cave shrine, are under strict security coverage.
This year, the Yatra began on July 3 and will conclude after 38 days on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
(With inputs from IANS)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Planned parenthood is essential for achieving better maternal and child health outcomes, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said on Friday, marking World Population Day.
Observed every year on July 11, World Population Day aims to raise awareness about population-related issues. This year’s theme is “Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancy for the Health and Well-being of Mother and Child.”
“World Population Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about family planning and renew our commitment to addressing population-related challenges,” Nadda said in a post on X.
“This year’s theme highlights the importance of planned parenthood for healthy outcomes for mothers and children,” he added.
Nadda also underlined this year’s slogan: “माँ बनने की उम्र वही, जब तन और मन की तैयारी सही,” which translates to “The right age to become a mother is when both mind and body are ready.”
He said the message underscores the need for informed and empowered decisions about parenthood, with adequate physical and emotional readiness.
Highlighting government efforts, the Minister said that through public health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, the Centre is delivering essential family planning services nationwide.
“These centres are empowering families and paving the way for a healthier India,” he said.
With a population of over 1.46 billion, India is now the world’s most populous country, surpassing China.
Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, told IANS that the conversation must shift from numbers to women’s empowerment.
“India’s population story is not one of crisis, but of possibility—if we invest in women, young people, and address the needs of our growing elderly population,” Muttreja said.
Pointing to India’s declining fertility rate, she stressed the need to focus on quality healthcare, education, skills development, and job creation.
“True development and economic growth don’t come from forcibly influencing reproductive decisions, but from empowering individuals—especially women—to make informed choices about their bodies and lives,” she said.
Muttreja also called for shared responsibility, gender equality, and reproductive autonomy to be central in all population policies and programmes.
–IANS
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Tucked away in the quiet hills above Fuzhou in southeastern China’s Fujian province was a village called Kuliang. Once a tranquil summer retreat for foreign residents in China, it is now a powerful symbol of enduring friendship between the East and the West. At the heart of this transformation is Elyn MacInnis, a cultural researcher, educator, and tireless advocate for China-U.S. people-to-people ties.
For decades, MacInnis has devoted herself to uncovering and sharing the history of Kuliang, where diplomats, educators, doctors, and their families from the foreign community lived with the Chinese on the mountain as neighbors in the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Their children played together, families shared meals, and without realizing it, they built a cross-cultural bond that would resonate across generations, MacInnis said.
Elyn MacInnis (2nd L) attends a story-sharing session at the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo by Guo Shasha/China Pictorial]
At the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting in Beijing on Thursday, MacInnis recalled one of the most moving stories of the Kuliang community: Milton Gardner, an American who spent his childhood in Kuliang and kept the village in his mind throughout his life. In 1992, then-Fuzhou Party Secretary Xi Jinping invited Gardner’s widow to visit the village, transforming Milton’s memories into a shared story of friendship that now touches people around the world.
Over the years, MacInnis has collected more than 200 historical photographs, over 100,000 words of archival materials, and built the first English-language website dedicated to Kuliang. She also helped identify people in old photographs using AI technology, and reconnected descendants of families who once lived in the village — reviving a legacy of goodwill, cooperation, and shared humanity.
Guests pose for photos before attending the opening ceremony of Kuliang Families Story Museum in Kuliang, Fuzhou, southeastern China’s Fujian province, June 22, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
“There were doctors who turned their summer homes into clinics on the weekends for local villagers; there were educators who spent their vacations teaching the mountain children to read and write; and the local villagers of Kuliang helped their foreign friends build strong houses of stone and wood and provided them with food and warmly welcomed them,” recalled MacInnis.
“These are stories of respect, of care, of shared life together. That’s what the Kuliang spirit is. And it’s exactly what the Global Civilization Initiative calls for — friendship through understanding, and peace through people-to-people connection.”
Elyn MacInnis receives the Friendship Envoy Award of the 2025 Orchid Awards in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Poster designed by Song Xiucheng/China.org.cn]
In recognition of her contributions, MacInnis was honored with the Friendship Envoy Award of the 2025 Orchid Awards in Beijing on Thursday.
Upon receiving the award, she said, “I have spent much of my life building bridges of friendship between China and the United States. The bridges are not made of steel or stone — they are built from warm, kindhearted people, and the stories of their lives in China that I have had the privilege to share.”
“My joy and my passion is finding the small details in the stories of people from different cultures who’ve come to China over time and become deep, deep friends — some of whom have been friends for four or five generations,” MacInnis added.
Looking ahead, MacInnis said she sees the younger generation as the key to sustaining this spirit. “As we walk together along the road of friendship — the flowers will bloom,” she said, quoting Bing Xin, a prominent writer from Fuzhou.
Through every story told, every photo restored, and every connection rebuilt, MacInnis said she hopes the “Kuliang spirit” will grow — like the centuries-old cypress tree atop the mountain in Kuliang — getting stronger with every story that is shared.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The Youth Salon on China Studies, held Thursday in Beijing, brought together 25 young media professionals and students from 14 countries to explore cultural connections, promote dialogue and share perspectives on modern China and common values.
The Youth Salon on China Studies is held in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Contemporary World magazine]
The event featured a range of sessions, including international media experts sharing their impressions of China, Chinese media professionals discussing how to tell China’s stories well, and a workshop on cooperation.
Elkana Kuhenga from Tanzania’s Daily News described China using the words “infrastructure,” “culture” and “business and technology.” He said bilateral collaboration in these areas — through large-scale projects, exchange programs and cost-effective trade — has led to a growing and mutually beneficial partnership.
Rustambekov Mirzaolim Mirzokhid Ugli of Uzbekistan’s MY5 TV highlighted “innovation,” “heritage” and “connectivity” in describing features of China, pointing to the country’s digital transformation and the widespread use of mobile payments as examples.
“From artificial intelligence to smart city infrastructure and renewable energy, innovation is reshaping industries and daily life,” he said. “This culture of progress and adaptation reflects a society determined to embrace the future.”
The Youth Salon on China Studies is held in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Contemporary World magazine]
During the cooperation workshop, participants highlighted shared values including sincerity, amity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. They illustrated these values using symbols such as bridges and phrases like “friendship is more precious than gold.” These contributions were placed on a collaborative display titled “A Tree of Youth Cooperation.”
Participants agreed that culture serves as a bridge between nations, dialogue among civilizations promotes global peace and development, and values such as friendship, inclusiveness and diversity are essential for international cooperation.
The event concluded with participants adding their research interests on China to the collaborative display titled “A Tree of Youth Cooperation,” with topics ranging from technological transformation to traditional myths and cultural heritage.
The Youth Salon on China Studies is held in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Contemporary World magazine]
The salon was organized by Contemporary World magazine, a publication of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a 35 percent tariff on imports from Canada starting Aug. 1.
Trump posted a letter addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on his social media platform Truth Social, criticizing Canada for retaliating against previous U.S. tariffs.
He pointed out that the new tariff is in part caused by the flow of fentanyl from Canada, as well as allegedly unfair trade practices, and that he would “consider an adjustment” to the tariffs if Canada cooperated with the United States to stop the flow of fentanyl.
Trump used basically the same wording in the letter as that in the more than 20 letters sent to leaders of other countries earlier this week, such as warning them not to retaliate, urging them to move companies to the United States and the rates may be adjustable if they cooperate.
According to an NBC News report, Trump said that blanket tariffs of 15-20 percent will be imposed on most trading partners.
“We’re just going to say all of the remaining countries are going to pay, whether it’s 20 percent or 15 percent. We’ll work that out now,” Trump told NBC News in a phone interview.
The Trump administration had previously imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods, but later exempted products covered under the U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade deal.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The WTT US Smash in Las Vegas delivered major shocks on Thursday as China’s top two seeds, Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu, were knocked out of the women’s singles competition.
Sun, the reigning world champion and world No. 1 for nearly three years, fell 3-1 to fellow Chinese player Chen Yi. Wang also exited in four sets against Zhu Yuling of Macao, China.
Chen, 20, played with patience and seized her chances with clinical precision. She even called a tactical timeout with match point in hand before sealing her 11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9 victory.
“I didn’t expect to beat Sister Sha,” said Chen. “I just pulled off my best game, and I am very delighted now.
“Against the world No. 1 player, I didn’t have a special strategy. I regarded myself as an underdog, a challenger, and tried to fight for every point. I played pretty well at clutch moments.”
Chen will face the winner of an all-Japanese clash between ninth seed Hina Hayata and sixth seed Miwa Harimoto in the quarterfinals.
Zhu Yuling, 30, who previously stepped away from China’s national team to recover from cancer, pursue her studies, and later become a professor at Tianjin University, joined the Macao team last year.
“This is my 38th game since I came out of retirement,” said Zhu following her 11-8, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5 win over world No. 2 Wang.
“I didn’t start well,” said the former World Cup champion. “But I kept reminding myself of hanging in here despite difficulties. I turned the tables midway in both the first two sets.”
Zhu will next take on either Japan’s eighth seed Satsuki Odo or South Korea’s 10th seed Shin Yu-bin in the quarterfinals.
China’s fifth seed Kuai Man also advanced to the last eight with a straight-sets win over Cheng I-Ching of Chinese Taipei.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States would supply weapons to Ukraine via NATO and that he would make a “major statement” on Russia on Monday.
In recent days, Trump has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the lack of progress towards ending the war sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“I think I’ll have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday,” Trump told NBC News, declining to elaborate.
Trump also told NBC News about what he called a new deal between the U.S., NATO allies and Ukraine over weapons shipment from the United States.
“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%. So what we’re doing is the weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is going to be giving those weapons (to Ukraine), and NATO is paying for those weapons,” Trump said.
“We send weapons to NATO, and NATO is going to reimburse the full cost of those weapons,” he added.
For the first time since returning to office, Trump will send weapons to Kyiv under a presidential power frequently used by his predecessor, two sources familiar with the decision said on Thursday.
Trump’s team will identify arms from U.S. stockpiles to send to Ukraine under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to draw from weapons stocks to help allies in an emergency, the sources said, with one saying they could be worth around $300 million.
Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. would send more weapons to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against intensifying Russian advances.
The package could include defensive Patriot missiles and offensive medium-range rockets, but a decision on the exact equipment has not been made, the sources said. One of the people said this would happen at a meeting on Thursday.
The Trump administration has so far only sent weapons authorized by former President Joe Biden, who was a staunch supporter of Kyiv. The Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump had pledged to swiftly end the war but months into his presidency, little progress has been made. The Republican president has sometimes criticized U.S. spending on Ukraine’s defence, spoken favorably of Russia and publicly clashed with Ukraine’s leader. However, sometimes he has also voiced support for Kyiv and expressed disappointment in the leadership of Russia.
$12 BILLION PLEDGED FOR UKRAINE
Russia unleashed heavy airstrikes on Ukraine on Thursday before a conference in Rome at which Kyiv won billions of dollars in aid pledges, and U.S.-Russian talks at which Washington voiced frustration with Moscow over the war.
Two people were killed, 26 were wounded, according to figures from the national emergency services, and there was damage in nearly every part of Kyiv from missile and drone attacks on the capital and other parts of Ukraine.
Addressing the Rome conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction after more than three years of war, Zelenskiy urged allies to “more actively” use Russian assets for rebuilding and called for weapons, joint defence production and investment.
Participants pledged over 10 billion euros ($12 billion) to help rebuild Ukraine, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said. The European Commission, the EU’s executive, announced 2.3 billion euros ($2.7 billion) in support.
At talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov while in Malaysia, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had reinforced the message that Moscow should show more flexibility.
“We need to see a roadmap moving forward about how this conflict can conclude,” Rubio said, adding that the Trump administration had been engaging with the U.S. Senate on what new sanctions on Russia might look like.
“It was a frank conversation. It was an important one,” Rubio said after the 50-minute talks in Kuala Lumpur. Moscow’s foreign ministry said they had shared “a substantive and frank exchange of views”.
‘NIGHTLY TERROR’
Zelenskiy said Thursday’s assault by Russia had involved around 400 drones and 18 missiles, primarily targeting the capital.
Explosions and anti-aircraft fire rattled the city. Windows were blown out, facades ravaged and cars burned to shells. In the city centre, an apartment in an eight-story building was engulfed in flames.
“This is terror because it happens every night when people are asleep,” said Karyna Volf, a 25-year-old Kyiv resident who rushed out of her apartment moments before it was showered with shards of glass.
Air defences stopped all but a few dozen of the drones, authorities said, a day after Russia launched a record 728 drones at Ukraine.
(Reuters)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
In a major initiative to preserve and promote India’s vast manuscript wealth, the Ministry of Culture on Thursday announced the country’s first-ever global conference dedicated to manuscript heritage.
Titled ‘Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage’, the three-day international conference will be held from 11 to 13 September at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The announcement was made on the occasion of Guru Purnima, underlining India’s commitment to the guru–śiṣya tradition and its centuries-old knowledge systems.
The conference is being organised in respectful commemoration of Swami Vivekananda’s historic address at the Parliament of the World’s Religions on September 11, 1893. The date holds special significance as a reminder of India’s enduring vision for universal knowledge and peace.
India is home to more than 10 million manuscripts covering diverse subjects such as philosophy, science, medicine, mathematics, literature, rituals, and arts. These manuscripts are considered a vital link in sustaining the country’s intellectual and cultural legacy.
The conference will bring together over 500 delegates, including 75 distinguished scholars, thought leaders, and cultural custodians from India and abroad. Designed in a hybrid format, it will allow both in-person and virtual participation to ensure wider global engagement.
Thematic sessions will cover key areas such as conservation, digitisation, palaeography, metadata standards, AI-based archival practices, ethical custodianship, and the integration of manuscript knowledge into modern education. Rare manuscripts, including those listed under UNESCO’s Memory of the World register, will be showcased. The event will also feature live demonstrations of conservation techniques, workshops, cultural performances, and dedicated spaces for manuscript-focused startups.
One of the key outcomes of the conference will be the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on Manuscript Heritage. Expert working groups will be formed for decipherment, conservation, translation, and digital archiving. The Ministry also plans to launch the Manuscript Research Partner (MRP) programme to provide hands-on training and script labs for young scholars.
Researchers and scholars are invited to submit original research papers and case studies
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The NT Police Force are calling for information in relation to an assault that occurred at the intersection of Dick Ward Drive and Progress Drive yesterday evening.
About 10pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a female was allegedly physically and sexually assaulted by a male who then ran from the area.
Members of the public intervened and assisted police in locating the suspect, who was arrested a short time later. The 19-year-old male was taken into police custody and investigations are ongoing. The detail of any relationship between the parties forms part of the investigation.
The victim was conveyed to the Royal Darwin Hospital for medical assessment.
Detective Senior Sergeant Caragh Hen said, “This incident occurred in a very public place, in full view of pedestrians and motorists. The reported offending is abhorrent and brazen and has no place in our Community.”
Investigations remain ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and reference job number NTP2500070146. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
If you have CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident, it may be uploaded here: https://ntpol.au.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/ntp2500070146
The NT Police Force thanks the witnesses who intervened on this occasion to protect the victim and prevent further violence.
If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline (131 114).
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts today said China had made significant progress in further strengthening its regulation of nuclear safety, benefiting from the innovative use of digital tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the country continues to rapidly expand its nuclear energy programme.
Noting the importance of the regulatory body’s staffing levels keeping up with China’s fast-growing nuclear industry, the peer review team also encouraged additional improvements in regulations and guidelines in some areas, including nuclear safety inspections and emergency preparedness and response.
The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team concluded a 12-day mission to the People’s Republic of China on 11 July, a full-scope review covering all facilities, activities and exposure situations. The 24-member expert mission was conducted at the request of the Government and hosted by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (the National Nuclear Safety Administration), which regulates nuclear safety in China.
With the world’s second largest operating nuclear fleet after the United States, China is currently operating 59 units generating around 5% of its electricity. In addition, it is building 32 units and planning the construction of another 21 units. The previous IRRS mission to China – a follow-up review – was carried out in 2016, when it had 32 units in operation.
“Over the past decade, China has made impressive headway in establishing a capable and independent regulatory body and promoting a healthy nuclear safety culture. China has a strong, competent and trusted national regulator that works effectively to ensure the safety of the public and environment,” said IRRS team leader Mark Foy, former Chief Executive and Chief Nuclear Inspector of the United Kingdom’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
Using IAEA safety standards and taking advantage of international good practices, IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national regulatory infrastructure, while recognizing the responsibility of each country to ensure nuclear and radiation safety.
The IRRS team comprised 20 senior regulatory experts from 17 IAEA Member States: Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The mission team also included four IAEA staff members and an observer from Japan.
The team reviewed areas including: responsibilities and functions of the government and the regulatory body; the activities of the regulatory body including authorization, inspection and enforcement processes; development and content of regulations and guides; emergency preparedness and response; radiation sources; research reactors; nuclear power plants; fuel cycle facilities; radioactive waste management facilities; transport of radioactive material; decommissioning; occupational exposure; control of medical exposure and public exposure; and interfaces with nuclear security.
Two policy issues were discussed during the mission: the impact of the rapid development of AI on regulation and the shortage of human resources due to the surge in the number of operating reactor units in China.
“The fast growth in China’s nuclear power programme will require the recruitment and training of a significant number of additional nuclear professionals in the regulatory field in the coming years. Its use of technology to support the effectiveness of its national regulator is an exemplar for all of us to learn from,” Foy, the mission team leader, said.
During the mission, the team conducted interviews and discussions with staff of the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) and its leadership. Team members also met senior representatives from the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), which oversees the nuclear industry in the country, as well as the National Health Commission (NHC) and the China National Energy Authority (NEA).
They observed regulatory oversight activities at: a nuclear power plant, a research reactor, a nuclear fuel cycle facility, a radiation sources facility, a radioactive waste management facility, a transport facility and a hospital.
They identified several good practices by the regulatory body, including:
Recommendations and suggestions for further improvement of the overall effectiveness of China’s regulatory system included:
The mission team viewed China’s invitation of an international peer review as part of the second IRRS cycle as a sign of openness and transparency.
“China has demonstrated a commendable commitment to continuous safety improvement by inviting this comprehensive full-scope IRRS mission,” said Karine Herviou, Deputy Director General and Head of the IAEA Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. “The team of senior regulatory experts recognized the Government’s unequivocal support to ensure a strong national safety regulator, including the provision of human and financial resources, while also proposing specific actions for further enhancements.”
Baotong Dong, MEE Vice Minister and NNSA Administrator, said the IRRS peer review team had positively acknowledged China’s nuclear and radiation safety regulatory framework and practices and stressed that these would be further enhanced in future.
“China has established a regulatory system that aligns with international standards while meeting national conditions. The Government will further enhance its regulatory capabilities, accelerate the development of a modern nuclear safety regulatory system, and promote a virtuous cycle of high-level nuclear safety and high-quality development in the nuclear sector,” Vice Minister Dong said. “China stands ready to contribute to strengthening global nuclear safety governance and elevating worldwide nuclear safety standards.”
The final mission report will be provided to the Government of the China in about three months. The Government plans to make the report public. China will consider inviting an IRRS follow-up mission at a later stage.
IAEA safety standards
The IAEA safety standards provide a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements and guidance to ensure safety. They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Mendelssohn, Honorary Senior Fellow, School of Culture and Communication, The University of Melbourne
Almost 60 years after former prime minister Harold Holt began to dismantle the White Australia Policy, The Neighbour at the Gate at Sydney’s National Art School Gallery presents a thoughtful examination of the consequences when good neighbours become good friends.
Street posters promoting the exhibition feature an image of a magpie. Advertising always distorts. Pardu (Tirritpa) by James Tylor, who has Kaurna and Mãori heritage, is a series of groupings of exquisite small bird daguerreotypes. Their shadowed silver surface gives the impression of antiquity, which is Tylor’s intention.
In Kaurna, the names of birds come from the songs they sing. This is also how birds are named in many Asian languages. Onomatopoeia makes a bridge between cultures. A QR code on the wall next to each grouped images of birds allows the viewer to hear blends of birdsong with human music.
The visitor enters the exhibition through Imaginary Homelands, Jacky Cheng’s installation in the shape of a traditional Chinese paifang (牌坊).
The 1,110 strips of paper, with fragments of Chinese characters, represent a poem she learnt as child in Kuala Lumpur. But some of the language has been lost by the distortions of time. She now lives on Yawuru country (Broome), an Australian town with close links to many South East Asian cultures.
In remembering her past, she grasps elements of her Malay Chinese heritage.
Dennis Golding’s Bingo is possibly as fragmented a memory as Cheng’s. Golding, a Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay man, has made a tribute to the community space his Nan and Aunty created in an abandoned terrace house in the Block at Redfern, where at night they would play bingo.
Each of the etchings scattered across the wall is the size of brick; each quotes small details of community life in Redfern before it was “discovered” by the gentrifiers. The exquisite etchings appear to be scattered at random, but a careful look will show the word “Bingo” in white in the spaces on the wall.
Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson’s God of War is a beautiful and sensual video on love, rage, reconciliation and the emotional journey of being a refugee.
Eshraghian-Haakansson is a second generation Iranian-Australian whose work is shaped in part by the experience of her mother and grandmother, whose Baha’i faith placed them in peril in 1979 after the Ayatollahs seized power. The different segments of this elegant video are deliberately broken by rough insertions, giving it a sense of a work reclaimed from history.
Jenna Mayilema Lee’s complex installation in three parts is both a universal statement on the integration that is the long-term consequence of the meeting of cultures, and a personal statement on her own circumstances.
Each component – the photographic mural, the video and the billabong sculpture – can be seen as an independent work, but when combined they form magic.
Lee is truly a modern Australian, descended from Gulumerridjin (Larrakia), Wardaman, KarraJarri people as well as having Japanese, Filipino, Chinese and Anglo ancestors.
The lotus sculptures in the billabong are constructed from copies of immigration documentation. Her Chinese ancestors were living in Australia well before the White Australia policy of 1901. When they needed to travel, bureaucracy demanded multiple forms.
She has layered the forms with a hand print from one of her Japanese ancestors which, much to her pleasure, she discovered is the same size as her own hand.
The billabongs of northern Australia, especially in Larrakia country, are filled with lotus plants. The ancestors of the lotus plants of northern Australia floated across the narrow seas from Asia many years ago, in much the same way as people.
Water does not always bring life. James Nguyen’s Homeopathies_where new trees grow, is a reminder of another consequence of colonisation.
As with many other Vietnamese Australians, his family lives near the Parramatta and Duck rivers, west of central Sydney. One of the horrors of the Vietnam war was the way Agent Orange, destroyed both the jungle and the lives of people who came into contact with it.
Agent Orange was made by Union Carbide, near the Parramatta River. When the factory closed the contaminated site was not properly sealed and the poison seeped into the river.
Nguyen’s giant floating textile is of made of raw cotton and silk strips, dyed with mud and weeds contaminated by dioxin and Agent Orange. The evil of contamination is countered by clay pinchpot incense holders which line the stairs and entrances to the exhibition.
The cleansing smoke of incense is another link between the cultures of Asia and those of Australia’s First Nations people.
The Neighbour at the Gate is a generous and inclusive exhibition, a reminder of a common humanity. Clothilde Bullen, who heads the curatorium with Micheal Do and Zali Morgan, sees art as a way of countering divisions in society.
She told me:
If we are to work as a society and if we are to work as a community then we have to call people in, and we have to be prepared to embrace that difference. And so that is really what this show is all about.
The Neighbour at the Gate is at the National Art School Galleries, Sydney, until October 18.
Joanna Mendelssohn has in the past received funding from the Australian Research Council
– ref. A new exhibition is a thoughtful examination of the lasting relationship between Asia and Australia – https://theconversation.com/a-new-exhibition-is-a-thoughtful-examination-of-the-lasting-relationship-between-asia-and-australia-259040
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts today said China had made significant progress in further strengthening its regulation of nuclear safety, benefiting from the innovative use of digital tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the country continues to rapidly expand its nuclear energy programme.
Noting the importance of the regulatory body’s staffing levels keeping up with China’s fast-growing nuclear industry, the peer review team also encouraged additional improvements in regulations and guidelines in some areas, including nuclear safety inspections and emergency preparedness and response.
The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team concluded a 12-day mission to the People’s Republic of China on 11 July, a full-scope review covering all facilities, activities and exposure situations. The 24-member expert mission was conducted at the request of the Government and hosted by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (the National Nuclear Safety Administration), which regulates nuclear safety in China.
With the world’s second largest operating nuclear fleet after the United States, China is currently operating 59 units generating around 5% of its electricity. In addition, it is building 32 units and planning the construction of another 21 units. The previous IRRS mission to China – a follow-up review – was carried out in 2016, when it had 32 units in operation.
“Over the past decade, China has made impressive headway in establishing a capable and independent regulatory body and promoting a healthy nuclear safety culture. China has a strong, competent and trusted national regulator that works effectively to ensure the safety of the public and environment,” said IRRS team leader Mark Foy, former Chief Executive and Chief Nuclear Inspector of the United Kingdom’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
Using IAEA safety standards and taking advantage of international good practices, IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national regulatory infrastructure, while recognizing the responsibility of each country to ensure nuclear and radiation safety.
The IRRS team comprised 20 senior regulatory experts from 17 IAEA Member States: Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The mission team also included four IAEA staff members and an observer from Japan.
The team reviewed areas including: responsibilities and functions of the government and the regulatory body; the activities of the regulatory body including authorization, inspection and enforcement processes; development and content of regulations and guides; emergency preparedness and response; radiation sources; research reactors; nuclear power plants; fuel cycle facilities; radioactive waste management facilities; transport of radioactive material; decommissioning; occupational exposure; control of medical exposure and public exposure; and interfaces with nuclear security.
Two policy issues were discussed during the mission: the impact of the rapid development of AI on regulation and the shortage of human resources due to the surge in the number of operating reactor units in China.
“The fast growth in China’s nuclear power programme will require the recruitment and training of a significant number of additional nuclear professionals in the regulatory field in the coming years. Its use of technology to support the effectiveness of its national regulator is an exemplar for all of us to learn from,” Foy, the mission team leader, said.
During the mission, the team conducted interviews and discussions with staff of the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) and its leadership. Team members also met senior representatives from the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), which oversees the nuclear industry in the country, as well as the National Health Commission (NHC) and the China National Energy Authority (NEA).
They observed regulatory oversight activities at: a nuclear power plant, a research reactor, a nuclear fuel cycle facility, a radiation sources facility, a radioactive waste management facility, a transport facility and a hospital.
They identified several good practices by the regulatory body, including:
Recommendations and suggestions for further improvement of the overall effectiveness of China’s regulatory system included:
The mission team viewed China’s invitation of an international peer review as part of the second IRRS cycle as a sign of openness and transparency.
“China has demonstrated a commendable commitment to continuous safety improvement by inviting this comprehensive full-scope IRRS mission,” said Karine Herviou, Deputy Director General and Head of the IAEA Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. “The team of senior regulatory experts recognized the Government’s unequivocal support to ensure a strong national safety regulator, including the provision of human and financial resources, while also proposing specific actions for further enhancements.”
Baotong Dong, MEE Vice Minister and NNSA Administrator, said the IRRS peer review team had positively acknowledged China’s nuclear and radiation safety regulatory framework and practices and stressed that these would be further enhanced in future.
“China has established a regulatory system that aligns with international standards while meeting national conditions. The Government will further enhance its regulatory capabilities, accelerate the development of a modern nuclear safety regulatory system, and promote a virtuous cycle of high-level nuclear safety and high-quality development in the nuclear sector,” Vice Minister Dong said. “China stands ready to contribute to strengthening global nuclear safety governance and elevating worldwide nuclear safety standards.”
The final mission report will be provided to the Government of the China in about three months. The Government plans to make the report public. China will consider inviting an IRRS follow-up mission at a later stage.
IAEA safety standards
The IAEA safety standards provide a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements and guidance to ensure safety. They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)
SAN ANGELO, TX — Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) announced that Tom Green and San Saba counties have officially been added to President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration for individual assistance support from FEMA. The list now includes Burnet, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson Counties for Individual Assistance. In addition, Kendall, Kimble, Menard, and San Saba Counties were added for Public Assistance, including direct Federal assistance.
You can read the amended declaration HERE.
“Texas has experienced unimaginable tragedy over the past week from these floods,” said Rep. Pfluger. “Several counties were hit especially hard, and while they face a long road to recovery, thankfully, they no longer have to face it alone. I am grateful that President Trump has officially added Tom Green and San Saba counties to the Major Disaster Declaration, allowing them to receive the critical assistance they need. My team and I have worked closely with local leaders and officials throughout the week to gather the necessary data to secure this support. I’m always proud to be a Texan—especially in moments like this, when I see our community come together in the moments that matter most.”
“I’m so grateful for President Trump including Tom Green County in his major disaster declaration,” said Tom Green County Judge Lane Carter. “All of our efforts in formulating the data needed from our citizens are finally coming to fruition. We owe a huge thanks to Congressman August Pfluger and his office for assisting with this and moving the ball down the field. With the declaration, our citizens will now have the possibility of applying for federal funds to aid in their recovery. Without the declaration, this wouldn’t be possible. We owe a tremendous amount of thanks to the volunteers who assisted our citizens in this effort. The recovery efforts are one step at a time, but at this rate, we will overcome! Tom Green County Strong!”
“San Saba County expresses its gratitude to President Trump and his administration, with a special thanks to US Rep. August Pfluger, for helping us through this disaster. It is a privilege to have a President who cares about our great state of Texas and even a small population county like San Saba,” said San Saba County Judge Jody Fauley.
“Citizens of San Angelo and Tom Green County, with this newly announced FEMA IA disaster declaration, the efforts of our citizens over the past six days have truly paid off,” said San Angelo Mayor Tom Thompson. “This means that residents of San Angelo may now be eligible to apply for individual assistance through FEMA. This IA declaration will also potentially open up additional federal recovery funding programs for our citizens & businesses. On behalf of the City, I want to sincerely thank every person who completed a disaster assessment and every volunteer who stepped up to help. This is a great step forward towards the road of recovery for our community. We will continue to share recovery program information updates as they become available. To every citizen of San Angelo—you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Thank you. A special thank you to President Trump, Rep. August Pfluger, Sen. Charles Perry, Rep. Drew Darby, Sen. Ted Cruz, and Sen. John Cornyn for their assistance in getting this designation for our community.”
If you have been impacted by the floods, please visit the FEMA website to request support: www.DisasterAssistance.gov
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The Indian equity market indices opened lower on Friday amid lingering uncertainty over US President Donald Trump’s trade policies, as he continues to threaten higher tariffs across various sectors and countries.
At 9:20 am, the Sensex was down 224 points, or 0.27 per cent, at 82,965, while the Nifty shed 65 points, or 0.26 per cent, to trade at 25,289.
Marginal buying was seen in midcap and smallcap stocks. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was up 60 points, or 0.10 per cent, at 59,220, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index rose 11 points, or 0.06 per cent, to 18,967.
According to analysts, given the current environment marked by uncertainty and heightened volatility, traders are advised to adopt a cautious “wait and watch” approach, especially with leveraged positions. Booking partial profits during rallies and using tight trailing stop-losses is recommended.
In the Sensex pack, HUL, Asian Paints, Axis Bank, NTPC, Power Grid, Tata Steel, SBI, Adani Ports, Sun Pharma, and ITC were among the major gainers. TCS, Infosys, M&M, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finserv, and Trent were the prominent losers.
On the sectoral front, PSU banks, financial services, pharma, FMCG, and metal stocks were trading in the green, while auto, IT, realty, and media sectors were in the red.
In Asia, stock markets traded mixed. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s KOSPI were trading flat, while China’s Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained over one per cent.
Overnight in the US, Wall Street’s major indices, the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite, closed at record highs. The Dow Jones climbed 0.43 per cent and the S&P 500 rose 0.27 per cent.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 221 crore on July 10, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) purchased shares worth Rs 591 crore on the same day.
President Trump has announced 35 per cent tariffs on Canada and warned of higher levies if Ottawa retaliates. These tariffs will come into effect on August 1. Recently, Trump also threatened to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian imports unless Brazil halts legal proceedings against former President Bolsonaro.
—IANS
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Heavy rain and strong winds lashed parts of New Zealand on Friday as a cold front moved east across the country, and authorities warned conditions could worsen over the next 24 hours, triggering floods and landslides.
The northern regions of both the South Island and North Island of the country could be severely affected by the wild weather, the country’s weather bureau said in its latest update.
New Zealand‘s MetService said the wind would pick up from Friday afternoon, with gusts of up to 120 kph (75 mph) forecast for some regions. There could be severe thunderstorms later on Friday, MetService’s Heather Keats said.
A state of local emergency has been declared for the Nelson Tasman region for the second time in as many months with officials warning that rivers could rise quickly because the ground remains wet following floods at the end of last month.
Motorists have been urged to stay off the roads, while the authorities have asked residents in the Nelson Tasman region to evacuate their homes if they feel unsafe.
“In these conditions, it’s just not worth the risk,” the Tasman District Council said in a post on social media.
“We have a number of roads already closed … and we’re expecting more closures to happen in the coming hours due to tree falls from heavy winds and significant surface flooding.”
(Reuters)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Armed men killed nine bus passengers after kidnapping them in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, officials said on Friday.
The passengers had been kidnapped from multiple buses on Thursday evening, said the provincial government spokesman Shahid Rind.
Their bodies with bullet wounds were found in mountains overnight, another government official Naveed Alam said.
No one has claimed responsibility.
Separatist Baloch militants have in the past been involved in such incidents, killing passengers after identifying them as coming from the eastern Punjab province.
The Baloch Liberation Army is the strongest of a number of insurgent groups long operating in the area bordering Afghanistan and Iran, a mineral-rich region.
The ethnic Baloch militants blame authorities in Pakistan for stealing their regional resources to fund spending in Punjab province.
(Reuters)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), is expected to begin his journey back to Earth on July 14, Axiom Space announced on Friday.
Shukla, along with three other crew members — Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu — will undock from the Harmony module’s space-facing port inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for their return to Earth.
“The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to undock from the @Space_Station no earlier than Monday, July 14, at 7:05 a.m. ET (4:35 pm IST),” Axiom Space said in a post on social media platform X.
A splashdown is expected several hours after undocking, near the coast of California in the Pacific Ocean.
“We are working with the station programme, watching the Axiom-4 progress carefully. I think we need to undock that mission, and the current target to undock is July 14,” Steve Stitch, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said at a press conference.
IAF Group Captain Shukla is on a 14-day mission to the ISS. He is the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian astronaut in space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew in 1984.
During his time aboard the orbital outpost, Shukla carried out seven India-specific experiments, marking an important step for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. His experiments focused on topics such as decoding muscle loss in microgravity, developing a brain-computer interface, and sprouting green gram and fenugreek seeds in space.
Shukla also interacted with students from Kerala and Lucknow via video conferencing from the ISS. The students asked him about life in space — from what astronauts eat and how they sleep, to what happens if someone falls sick.
They also wanted to know about the benefits of India’s space programme and which part of the mission he found most enjoyable.
Describing the launch experience of Axiom Mission 4, Shukla told the students it was “amazing” and “dynamic”.
“It is fun actually, because in space there is no floor and no ceiling. So if you were to visit the station, you would find someone sleeping on the walls and someone on the ceiling,” he told them with a smile.
—IANS
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
NSU Startup Studio developed a board game “Startup Race”, which simulates the actions of a startup in a real market. The game includes all stages of a startup’s life – from developing an idea to exiting the project. It allows you to show students and anyone interested in and planning to engage in entrepreneurship in a simple form what awaits them in the market. The game is implemented in a rare genre of “strategic puzzle”, at the moment there are no analogues on the market. In the near future, a boxed version of the game will appear, which will be available for pre-order. Anyone can buy it.
The game is structured as follows: participants roll dice in accordance with the stage of the startup’s life, which is announced in advance by the game host. They draw cards from the deck, presented as Tetris figures. The figures build a line, which, in essence, reflects the entire life cycle of the project. Cards or figures are opportunities (for example, fundraising) or risks.
The first stage of startup development is the idea, when the project is just emerging. It is the easiest for players, since at the very beginning, participants have the most cards and it is easiest to lay the foundation for further development of the project. The next stage is MVP (Minimum Viable Product), that is, the creation of a minimum viable product. At this stage, some obstacles to the development of the project appear, for example, the idea has not come true or the participant cannot achieve certain technical indicators. The number of figures decreases.
The next stage is Product-Market Fit (PMF), i.e. checking the product’s compliance with the market. At this stage, players develop a concept taking into account the real market situation, a marketing plan, and the project gets its first real clients. At the same time, risks arise that can destroy the project.
Next comes the scaling stage, when the project can already attract fundraising funds, which is also reflected in the game. Fundraising funds are special cards that provide a significant boost to the further development of the project. The last stage is exiting the project, which is associated with the greatest risks for the creator. Investments can also be attracted at this stage, but the opportunities for scaling are limited. This is one of the longest stages for the project and its founder. Possible exit strategies include selling the business, shares, public offering of shares (IPO), etc.
— A player can develop several projects simultaneously and build different strategies on several markets — tracks. It is very important that your main project, on which you place a high bet, has repeating figures. There are risks — these are cards that can remove one of the figures within the entire chain, which can lead to the collapse of the project. There are specialized cards — fundraising, which, on the contrary, give you additional opportunities. In terms of Tetris, these are the most “favorable” figures — for example, a long straight line. You can simultaneously invest in several projects or develop only one, but in any case, your task is to successfully develop the project, go through all the stages and bring the startup to the final stage as quickly as possible, — explained Konstantin Kravtsov, an employee of the NSU Startup Studio.
The game simulates market competition, so within its framework you can hinder or, conversely, help your rivals. Also here are such mandatory elements of entrepreneurial activity as risk assessment and diversification, choice of development strategy – conservative or risky. Thus, the game in a simplified mechanical form simulates the actions of a person who develops his startup on the market.
The game is designed for different groups of people, including those who are not very knowledgeable about the startup market; children also actively play it.
— The Startup Race is not just entertainment, but a tool for involving the general public in entrepreneurship. It helps to understand that a startup is not just a “cafe”, but an innovative, fast-growing business that scales. The NSU Startup Studio team plans to replicate the game. At first, it will be packaged in a boxed version, and then it will be available for pre-order. The possibility of creating an elite version of the game, which can be used as representative gifts, is also being considered, — emphasized Alexey Starostin, a representative of the NSU Startup Studio.
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.
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Source:
Statement by Steve Knott AM, Chief Executive
Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA)
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has today granted “same job same pay” orders covering Operations Services (OS) employees working at three BHP Queensland coal mines, finding OS employees were supplied to BHP Coal for their labour rather than to provide services.
The decision is considered an important test case of the same job same pay laws, marking the first time an employer has sought to rely upon provisions that prevent the FWC from making orders where arrangements are for the provision of services rather than the supply of labour.
Known as the “service contractor exemption”, these provisions were negotiated into the same job same pay laws by AREEA when it became clear in late 2023 that the Albanese Government had enough support in the Senate to legislate their long-held policy.
To determine whether an arrangement is for the provision of a service or for the supply of labour, the FWC must consider several criteria including how involved the employer is in the performance of work, who supervises or controls employees, and which entity supplies the systems, equipment and structures of work.
Today’s decision reflects the FWC’s considerations of how work is performed at the relevant BHP sites and its view that the BHP-OS arrangements do not satisfy the service contractor exemption.
Having carefully reviewed the Full Bench’s conclusions, it’s clear the FWC is prevented from making orders covering genuine service contracting arrangements.
This exemption will apply to any service business – from specialist mining contractors to cleaning and catering companies – where they demonstrate they supervise their own employees, control their performance of work, supply them with equipment, and other factors.
As stated by the Full Bench:
Subsection (1) confers the power, and obligation, to make a regulated labour hire arrangement order. That section is rendered inoperative unless the Commission is positively satisfied that the performance of work is not or will not be for the provision of a service, rather than the supply of labour.
– Paragraph 23, [2025] FWCFB 134
AREEA intervened in this important FWC matter to reaffirm the commitments made by the Government at the time of our negotiations that it did not intend for the same job same pay laws to cover genuine service contracting arrangements.
We note it is open to the affected employers to appeal the FWC’s decision to the Federal Court should they believe jurisdictional or factual errors have been made.
With the Federal Government focused on national productivity, it’s also important to consider the wider commercial ramifications of such decisions.
Increasing labour costs at some of Australia’s most productive mining operations, in this case to the tune of some $1.3 billion, will fundamentally impact long-term investment and employment decisions.
This will be to the detriment of the mining sector workforce, regional communities, and all the small and medium businesses that service large project operators along the supply chain.
AREEA’s position is amendments are needed to ensure the ‘same job same pay’ is targeted at clear cases where there is evidence that labour hire is being used to undermine, undercut or avoid the payment of enterprise agreement wages.
Businesses that supply labour to clients via legitimate and lawful above-award arrangements provide an invaluable service to the economy, and they must be allowed to do so with certainty and confidence.
Source: Reserve Bank of India
Ajit Prasad Press Release: 2025-2026/694 |
Source: Reserve Bank of India
Ajit Prasad Press Release: 2025-2026/694 |
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Bitcoin rallied to an all-time high on Friday, powered by demand from institutional investors and friendly policies of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency rose to a peak of $116,781.10 in the Asian session on Friday, taking its gains for the year thus far to more than 24%.
In March, Trump signed an executive order to establish a strategic reserve of cryptocurrencies. He has also appointed several crypto-friendly individuals, including Securities and Exchange Commission Paul Atkins and White House artificial intelligence czar David Sacks.
Trump’s family businesses have also made forays into cryptocurrencies. Trump Media & Technology Group is looking to launch an exchange-traded fund to invest in multiple crypto tokens including Bitcoin, a SEC filing on Tuesday showed.
Ether, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, similarly jumped more than 5% to last trade at $2,964.02, after earlier hitting a five-month high of $2,998.41.
(Reuters)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The sacred grounds of Sarnath resonated with deep devotion on Thursday as Ashadha Purnima, marking the auspicious Dhammachakra Pravartana Divas, was commemorated at the historic Mulagandha Kuti Vihara. The event, organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Mahabodhi Society of India, drew monastics, scholars, and devotees from around the world to honour the day when Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.
As dusk fell and the full moon of Ashadha illuminated the skies, the programme began with a serene circumambulation (parikrama) of the Dhamek Stupa by monks, nuns, and lay practitioners in a gesture of reverence. The ancient stupa, glowing in the fading sunlight, stood as a powerful reminder of the Buddha’s first teachings on the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.
In his opening address, Ven. Summitananda Thero, In-charge of the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, spoke of the enduring sanctity of Sarnath, a place that has safeguarded the Dharma for centuries. He reflected on the quiet strength and spiritual resonance of the land that witnessed the birth of the Buddhist Sangha.
Ven. Dieu Tri, a senior nun from Vietnam, offered heartfelt remarks about the recent exposition of sacred Buddha relics in her country, where an astounding 17.8 million devotees paid homage across nine cities. A short film presented by the IBC captured the emotional response of the Vietnamese people to this historic spiritual journey.
Vice Chancellor of the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Ven. Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, emphasized the unity of knowledge and practice in the Dharma. He highlighted the spiritual significance of Ashadha Purnima, not only as the day of the first sermon but also as a symbolic marker of the Buddha’s conception and the founding of the monastic order.
Most Ven. Sumedha Thero, President of the Indo–Sri Lanka International Buddhist Association, expressed his deep gratitude to the Indian government for selecting Sarnath as the centrepiece of this year’s celebration. He underscored the timeless cultural and spiritual bonds between India and Sri Lanka, forged through the shared wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings.
The programme concluded with a message from Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, Secretary General of the IBC, who called for global Buddhist unity and interfaith harmony. He urged the global community to embrace empathy and inclusive dialogue as the foundation for a peaceful world.
Ven. Seelawanso Thero, Principal of the Pali and Buddhist Dhamadoot College, delivered the vote of thanks, encapsulating the collective spirit of gratitude and reverence that defined the evening.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
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 11 (Xinhua) — Nikolai Polyakov, a Russian scientist from the Yangtze River Delta Biomedical Technology Research Park in Deqing County, east China’s Zhejiang Province, has been awarded the Xihu Friendship Award, county authorities said.
The award ceremony was held recently in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, where West Lake is located, an iconic landmark and symbol of the city’s culture, which gave the award its name.
Nikolay Polyakov is a leading scientist in the biomedical field in the above-mentioned park. He works on introducing advanced technologies related to mechanochemistry and magnetic resonance imaging in China, having contributed to the establishment of a joint laboratory in the field of mechanochemistry by Zhejiang Province and the Russian side.
N. Polyakov actively participated in the creation of a platform between research institutions and universities in China and foreign countries for academic exchanges and cooperation, making important contributions to education, scientific research and international cooperation, according to a statement from local authorities.
Established in 1997, the 2025 Xihu Friendship Prize has been awarded to a total of 50 foreign experts working in Zhejiang in recognition of their contributions to the province’s socio-economic development. -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.
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Translation. Region: Russian Federal
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 11 (Xinhua) — The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with the Xinhua News Agency, on Friday released a report on China’s experience in poverty reduction.
The report, titled “Striving for a Better Life for the People: China’s Practical and Theoretical Innovations to Consolidate and Expand Achievements in Intensive Poverty Alleviation,” was released simultaneously in Chinese and English for worldwide distribution. -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.
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Translation. Region: Russian Federal
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
Xinhua | 11.07. 2025
Keywords: China, crime, telecommunications fraud
Source: Xinhua
China indicts 21 members of organized crime group that carried out telecom fraud in northern Myanmar China indicts 21 members of organized crime group that carried out telecom fraud in northern Myanmar
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.
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