Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador – Small craft harbours are the heart of coastal communities, bringing people together for both work and leisure. Investing in infrastructure is essential to strengthen local commercial and recreational fisheries and provide reliable and safe harbours for their users. Nationally, these harbours support over 45,000 Canadians employed in the fish and seafood industry.
In line with the Government of Canada’s commitment to economic growth and support for coastal communities, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, announced a $4.1 million investment for the reconstruction of the Torbay wharf in Newfoundland and Labrador which is a hub for commerce, community and local culture.
To improve safety, existing infrastructure will be removed and replaced with a new timber wharf and concrete spray wall, specially designed to withstand extreme weather events resulting from climate change. The reconstructed wharf, expected to be completed in May 2026, will support the region’s economy and culture by boosting commercial and recreational fisheries, which provides jobs and help preserves the community’s traditions and way of life. Many small craft harbours, like Torbay Wharf, are the economic engines fueling coastal, rural and Indigenous communities across Canada. Keeping them in good working condition and resilient from weather challenges supports the economies and traditions of these important communities.
A satellite image from Aug. 13, 2024, shows an algal bloom covering approximately 320 square miles (830 square km) of Lake Erie. By Aug. 22, it had nearly doubled in size.NASA Earth Observatory
Federal scientists released their annual forecast for Lake Erie’s harmful algal blooms on June 26, 2025, and they expect a mild to moderate season. However, anyone who comes in contact with the blooms can face health risks, and it’s worth remembering that 2014, when toxins from algae blooms contaminated the water supply in Toledo, Ohio, was considered a moderate year, too.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s prediction for harmful algal bloom severity in Lake Erie compared with past years. NOAA
1. What causes harmful algal blooms?
Harmful algal blooms are dense patches of excessive algae growth that can occur in any type of water body, including ponds, reservoirs, rivers, lakes and oceans. When you see them in freshwater, you’re typically seeing cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.
These photosynthetic bacteria have inhabited our planet for billions of years. In fact, they were responsible for oxygenating Earth’s atmosphere, which enabled plant and animal life as we know it.
The leading source of harmful algal blooms today is nutrient runoff from fertilized farm fields. Michigan Sea Grant
Algae are natural components of ecosystems, but they cause trouble when they proliferate to high densities, creating what we call blooms.
The main sources of harmful algal blooms are excess nutrients in the water, typically phosphorus and nitrogen.
Historically, these excess nutrients mainly came from sewage and phosphorus-based detergents used in laundry machines and dishwashers that ended up in waterways. U.S. environmental laws in the early 1970s addressed this by requiring sewage treatment and banning phosphorus detergents, with spectacular success.
How pollution affected Lake Erie in the 1960s, before clean water regulations.
Today, agriculture is the main source of excess nutrients from chemical fertilizer or manure applied to farm fields to grow crops. Rainstorms wash these nutrients into streams and rivers that deliver them to lakes and coastal areas, where they fertilize algal blooms. In the U.S., most of these nutrients come from industrial-scale corn production, which is largely used as animal feed or to produce ethanol for gasoline.
2. What does your team’s DNA testing tell us about Lake Erie’s harmful algal blooms?
Harmful algal blooms contain a mixture of cyanobacterial species that can produce an array of different toxins, many of which are still being discovered.
These novel molecules cannot be detected with traditional methods and show some signs of causing toxicity, though further studies are needed to confirm their human health effects.
Blue-green algae blooms in freshwater, like this one near Toledo in 2014, can be harmful to humans, causing gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, fever and skin irritation. They can be lethal for pets. Ty Wright for The Washington Post via Getty Images
We also found organisms responsible for producing saxitoxin, a potent neurotoxin that is well known for causing paralytic shellfish poisoning on the Pacific Coast of North America and elsewhere.
Our research suggests warmer water temperatures could boost its production, which raises concerns that saxitoxin will become more prevalent with climate change. However, the controls on toxin production are complex, and more research is needed to test this hypothesis. Federal monitoring programs are essential for tracking and understanding emerging threats.
The toxins can cause acute health problems such as gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, fever and skin irritation. Dogs can die from ingesting lake water with harmful algal blooms. Emerging science suggests that long-term exposure to harmful algal blooms, for example over months or years, can cause or exacerbate chronic respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems and may be linked to liver cancers, kidney disease and neurological issues.
The water intake system for the city of Toledo, Ohio, is surrounded by an algae bloom in 2014. Toxic algae got into the water system, resulting in residents being warned not to touch or drink their tap water for three days. AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari
In addition to exposure through direct ingestion or skin contact, recent research also indicates that inhaling toxins that get into the air may harm health, raising concerns for coastal residents and boaters, but more research is needed to understand the risks.
The Toledo drinking water crisis of 2014 illustrated the vast potential for algal blooms to cause harm in the Great Lakes. Toxins infiltrated the drinking water system and were detected in processed municipal water, resulting in a three-day “do not drink” advisory. The episode affected residents, hospitals and businesses, and it ultimately cost the city an estimated US$65 million.
4. Blooms seem to be starting earlier in the year and lasting longer – why is that happening?
Warmer waters are extending the duration of the blooms.
Scientific studies of western Lake Erie show that the potential cyanobacterial growth rate has increased by up to 30% and the length of the bloom season has expanded by up to a month from 1995 to 2022, especially in warmer, shallow waters. These results are consistent with our understanding of cyanobacterial physiology: Blooms like it hot – cyanobacteria grow faster at higher temperatures.
5. What can be done to reduce the likelihood of algal blooms in the future?
The best and perhaps only hope of reducing the size and occurrence of harmful algal blooms is to reduce the amount of nutrients reaching the Great Lakes.
In Lake Erie, where nutrients come primarily from agriculture, that means improving agricultural practices and restoring wetlands to reduce the amount of nutrients flowing off of farm fields and into the lake. Early indications suggest that Ohio’s H2Ohio program, which works with farmers to reduce runoff, is making some gains in this regard, but future funding for H2Ohio is uncertain.
In places like Lake Superior, where harmful algal blooms appear to be driven by climate change, the solution likely requires halting and reversing the rapid human-driven increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Gregory J. Dick receives funding for harmful algal bloom research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the United States Geological Survey, and the National Institutes for Health. He serves on the Science Advisory Council for the Environmental Law and Policy Center.
Net claims of non-residents on India declined by US$ 34.2 billion during Q4:2024-25 to US$ 330.0 billion as at end-March 2025.
Higher rise in Indian residents’ overseas financial assets (US$ 60.0 billion) as compared to that in the foreign-owned assets in India (US$ 25.8 billion) led to the decline in net claims of non-residents during the quarter (Table 1).
Increase in reserve assets accounted for over 54 per cent of the rise in Indian residents’ overseas financial assets, followed by currency & deposits and direct investments.
Rise in loans (US$ 10.0 billion) and inward direct investment (US$ 9.7 billion) together accounted for over three-fourths of the rise in foreign liabilities of Indian residents during January-March 2025.
Reserve assets accounted for 58.7 per cent of India’s international financial assets (Table 3).
The ratio of India’s international assets to international liabilities increased to 77.5 per cent in March 2025 from 74.8 per cent a quarter ago (Chart 1 & Table 1).
The share of debt liabilities in total external liabilities increased during the quarter and stood at 54.8 per cent (Table 4).
IIP during April-March 2024-25:
During 2024-25, the net claims of non-residents declined by US$ 31.2 billion on the back of higher rise in India’s external financial assets (US $ 105.4 billion) vis-à-vis external financial liabilities (US $ 74.2 billion) (Table 1).
Over 72 per cent of the rise in India’s overseas financial assets was due to increase in overseas direct investment, currency & deposits, and reserve assets.
Inward direct investments, loans as well as currency & deposits accounted for over three-fourths of the rise in foreign liabilities during the year.
The ratio of India’s international financial assets to international financial liabilities increased to 77.5 per cent in March 2025 from 74.1 per cent a year ago (Chart 1 & Table 1).
Ratio of International Financial Assets and Liabilities to Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
As a ratio to GDP (at current market prices), residents’ overseas financial assets increased and external financial liabilities declined during 2024-25 (Table 2).
The ratio of net claims of non-residents on India to GDP improved to (-)8.7 per cent in March 2025 from (-)10.1 per cent a year ago, and (-)14.1 per cent five years ago.
(Puneet Pancholy) Chief General Manager
Press Release: 2025-2026/616
Table 1: Overall International Investment Position of India
(US$ billion)
Period
Mar-24 (PR)
Jun-24 (PR)
Sep-24 (PR)
Dec-24 (PR)
Mar-25 (P)
Net IIP (A-B)
-361.2
-366.9
-353.0
-364.2
-330.0
A. Assets
1,033.8
1,052.0
1,119.4
1,079.2
1,139.2
1. Direct Investment
242.3
246.6
254.5
260.8
270.5
1.1 Equity and investment fund shares
153.4
156.6
162.4
166.5
173.6
1.2 Debt instruments
88.9
90.0
92.1
94.3
96.9
2. Portfolio Investment
12.5
12.4
12.5
12.2
13.7
2.1 Equity and investment fund shares
11.0
10.7
11.2
9.4
8.7
2.2 Debt securities
1.5
1.7
1.3
2.8
5.0
3. Other Investment
132.6
141.0
146.6
170.5
186.7
3.1 Trade Credits
33.4
32.8
32.9
33.2
33.4
3.2 Loans
17.6
20.8
22.1
22.5
25.9
3.3 Currency and Deposits
53.5
57.8
56.1
68.6
79.3
3.4 Other Assets
28.1
29.6
35.5
46.2
48.1
4. Reserve Assets
646.4
652.0
705.8
635.7
668.3
B. Liabilities
1,395.0
1,418.9
1,472.4
1,443.4
1,469.2
1. Direct Investment
542.9
552.8
555.3
547.1
556.8
1.1 Equity and investment fund shares
511.1
520.6
522.8
513.0
521.9
1.2 Debt instruments
31.8
32.2
32.5
34.1
34.9
2. Portfolio Investment
277.3
277.4
294.3
276.6
272.0
2.1 Equity and investment fund shares
162.1
160.9
170.9
155.6
141.9
2.2 Debt securities
115.2
116.5
123.4
121.0
130.1
3. Other Investment
574.8
588.7
622.8
619.7
640.4
3.1 Trade Credits
123.7
125.9
131.3
135.6
131.2
3.2 Loans
221.4
224.6
239.4
240.6
250.6
3.3 Currency and Deposits
154.8
160.6
164.1
165.7
167.6
3.4 Other Liabilities
74.9
77.6
88.0
77.8
91.0
of which:
Special drawing rights (Net incurrence of liabilities)
21.9
21.8
22.4
21.6
22.0
Memo Item: Assets to Liability ratio (%)
74.1
74.1
76.0
74.8
77.5
Notes (applicable for all tables): 1. P: Provisional; PR: Partially Revised; and R: Revised. 2. The sum of the constituent items may not add to the total due to rounding off.
Table 2: Ratios of External Financial Assets and Liabilities to GDP
(per cent)
Period
Mar-23 (R)
Mar-24 (PR)
Mar-25 (P)
Net IIP (A-B)
-11.3
-10.1
-8.7
A. Assets
28.2
28.5
29.3
1. Direct Investment
6.8
6.7
6.9
1.1 Equity and investment fund shares
4.3
4.2
4.4
1.2 Debt instruments
2.5
2.5
2.5
2. Portfolio Investment
0.5
0.3
0.3
2.1 Equity and investment fund shares
0.3
0.3
0.2
2.2 Debt securities
0.2
–
0.1
3. Other Investment
3.2
3.6
4.8
3.1 Trade Credits
0.8
0.8
0.8
3.2 Loans
0.4
0.5
0.7
3.3 Currency and Deposits
1.0
1.5
2.1
3.4 Other Assets
1.0
0.8
1.2
4. Reserve Assets
17.7
17.9
17.3
B. Liabilities
39.5
38.6
38.0
1. Direct Investment
16.0
15.0
14.4
1.1 Equity and investment fund shares
15.1
14.1
13.5
1.2 Debt instruments
0.9
0.9
0.9
2. Portfolio Investment
7.5
7.7
7.1
2.1 Equity and investment fund shares
4.3
4.5
3.7
2.2 Debt securities
3.2
3.2
3.4
3. Other Investment
16.0
15.9
16.5
3.1 Trade Credits
3.8
3.4
3.4
3.2 Loans
6.2
6.1
6.5
3.3 Currency and Deposits
4.3
4.3
4.3
3.4 Other Assets
1.7
2.1
2.3
of which:
Special drawing rights (Net incurrence of liabilities)
0.7
0.6
0.6
Table 3: Composition of International Financial Assets and Liabilities of India
(per cent)
Period
Mar-24 (PR)
Jun-24 (PR)
Sep-24 (PR)
Dec-24 (PR)
Mar-25 (P)
A. Assets
1. Direct Investment
23.4
23.4
22.7
24.2
23.7
2. Portfolio Investment
1.2
1.2
1.1
1.1
1.2
3. Other Investment
12.9
13.4
13.1
15.8
16.4
4. Reserve Assets
62.5
62.0
63.1
58.9
58.7
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
B. Liabilities
1. Direct Investment
38.9
39.0
37.7
37.9
37.9
2. Portfolio Investment
19.9
19.5
20.0
19.2
18.5
3. Other Investment
41.2
41.5
42.3
42.9
43.6
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Table 4: Share of External Debt and Non-Debt Liabilities of India
Anna Wilson explains the fundamentals of the organization and breaks down the basics:
How it started?
What it does?
And why does it still matter today?
Learn all this in the following UN explainer video.
Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
WASHINGTON, June 27 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today announced that the Department of Education reversed its decision to cancel nearly $17 million in federal K-12 COVID-19 funding for Vermont school districts and some $2.5 billion for schools across the country. The administration’s announcement follows a successful lawsuit led by 16 states and the District of Columbia to prevent the department from revoking this important education funding.
Sanders worked with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to make certain that Vermont received its fair share. Sanders and his staff also worked with 19 school districts in Vermont to submit 88 applications to appeal these cancellations.
“I am very happy to announce that the U.S. Department of Education has reversed its decision to deny $17 million of COVID-19 funding to schools in Vermont and billions across the nation. This means that 19 school districts in our state will receive funding that had been denied so that they can go forward with a variety of projects — summer programs, afterschool programs and school renovation,” Sanders said in a video message. “At a time when so many of our school districts are suffering and struggling economically, this is an important step forward.”
In March, the Trump administration canceled an estimated $2.5 billion nationwide in unspent funding for K-12 schools provided under the American Rescue Plan Act and established a bureaucratic appeals process. Sanders had several conversations with the Secretary of Education to urge her to change course.
Sanders’ office promptly contacted all affected school districts and worked with local school leaders to overcome administrative barriers to appeal the cancelations. The department is expected to provide funding to states next week.
Personal income decreased $109.6 billion (0.4 percent at a monthly rate) in May, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Disposable personal income (DPI)—personal income less personal current taxes—decreased $125.0 billion (0.6 percent) and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) decreased $29.3 billion (0.1 percent).
Personal outlays—the sum of PCE, personal interest payments, and personal current transfer payments—decreased $27.6 billion in May. Personal saving was $1.01 trillion in May and the personal saving rate—personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income—was 4.5 percent.
The decrease in current-dollar personal income in May primarily reflected decreases in government social benefits to persons and in farm proprietors’ income that were partly offset by an increase in compensation.
The $29.3 billion decrease in current-dollar PCE in May reflected a decrease of $49.2 billion in spending on goods that was partly offset by an increase of $19.9 billion in spending for services.
From the preceding month, the PCE price index for May increased 0.1 percent. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 0.2 percent.
From the same month one year ago, the PCE price index for May increased 2.3 percent. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 2.7 percent from one year ago.
Personal Income and Related Measures [Percent change from Apr. to May]
Current-dollar personal income
-0.4
Current-dollar disposable personal income
-0.6
Real disposable personal income
-0.7
Current-dollar personal consumption expenditures (PCE)
-0.1
Real PCE
-0.3
PCE price index
0.1
PCE price index, excluding food and energy
0.2
For definitions, statistical conventions, updates to PIO, and more, visit “Additional Information.”
Next release: July 31, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. EDT Personal Income and Outlays, June 2025
Technical Notes
Changes in Personal Income and Outlays for May
The decrease in personal income in May reflected decreases in government social benefits to persons and farm proprietors’ income that were partly offset by an increase in compensation.
The decrease in government social benefits to persons was led by Social Security payments, reflecting a decrease in payments associated with the Social Security Fairness Act.
The decrease in farm proprietors’ income primarily reflected the pattern of payments from the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program as part of the American Relief Act.
The increase in compensation was led by private wages and salaries, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Current Employment Statistics (CES). Wages and salaries in services-producing industries increased $35.9 billion. Wages and salaries in goods‑producing industries increased $7.5 billion.
Revisions to Personal Income
Estimates have been updated for January through April, reflecting updated BLS CES data. The revision to Medicaid benefits for April reflects revised information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and new Monthly Treasury Statement data.
WASHINGTON — A tip from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Crimes Center led to the May 29 arrest of Rafael Romeiro Rodriguez, a dangerous child sex offender, as he was attempting to travel internationally.
DHS C3, which is led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, works to prevent child sex tourism and other crimes of child exploitation by notifying destination countries of convicted child predators who intend to travel abroad, and by supporting domestic enforcement actions like the one that led to Rodriguez’s arrest.
Rodriguez, a Colombian national who is in the United States illegally, was convicted in 2014 of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old.
“Thanks to the targeted intelligence work of the Cyber Crimes Center, a convicted child sex offender will no longer pose a threat to the community,” said Deputy Assistant Director for the DHS Cyber Crimes Center Mike Prado. “This case is a powerful reminder of how proactive targeting of dangerous convicted sex offenders can lead to real world arrests that protect children and enhance public safety.”
Officers with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston with support from ICE HSI, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives apprehended the criminal alien in Boston without incident.
“This arrest is a direct result of the critical coordination between ERO Boston, the DHS Cybercrimes Center, and our federal and law enforcement partners,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “This case underscores exactly why we must remain vigilant and united across government agencies to find, arrest, and remove dangerous predators who pose a threat to our children and our neighborhoods.”
Rodriguez remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
Early intervention is critical. If you believe a child has been abducted or is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement or dial 911.
If you suspect a child may be a victim of online child sexual exploitation and abuse, call the Know2Protect Tipline at 1-833-591-KNOW (5669) or visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.
Join the fight against online child sexual exploitation and abuse by learning more — schedule a Project iGuardian presentation for your school, youth group, corporation, law enforcement agency or other community event. Email iGuardian.hq@hsi.dhs.gov to request an iGuardian presentation.
To schedule an interview, please contact Public Affairs Officer Tanya Roman at Tanya.Roman@hsi.dhs.gov.
WASHINGTON — A tip from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Crimes Center led to the May 29 arrest of Rafael Romeiro Rodriguez, a dangerous child sex offender, as he was attempting to travel internationally.
DHS C3, which is led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, works to prevent child sex tourism and other crimes of child exploitation by notifying destination countries of convicted child predators who intend to travel abroad, and by supporting domestic enforcement actions like the one that led to Rodriguez’s arrest.
Rodriguez, a Colombian national who is in the United States illegally, was convicted in 2014 of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old.
“Thanks to the targeted intelligence work of the Cyber Crimes Center, a convicted child sex offender will no longer pose a threat to the community,” said Deputy Assistant Director for the DHS Cyber Crimes Center Mike Prado. “This case is a powerful reminder of how proactive targeting of dangerous convicted sex offenders can lead to real world arrests that protect children and enhance public safety.”
Officers with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston with support from ICE HSI, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives apprehended the criminal alien in Boston without incident.
“This arrest is a direct result of the critical coordination between ERO Boston, the DHS Cybercrimes Center, and our federal and law enforcement partners,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “This case underscores exactly why we must remain vigilant and united across government agencies to find, arrest, and remove dangerous predators who pose a threat to our children and our neighborhoods.”
Rodriguez remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
Early intervention is critical. If you believe a child has been abducted or is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement or dial 911.
If you suspect a child may be a victim of online child sexual exploitation and abuse, call the Know2Protect Tipline at 1-833-591-KNOW (5669) or visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.
Join the fight against online child sexual exploitation and abuse by learning more — schedule a Project iGuardian presentation for your school, youth group, corporation, law enforcement agency or other community event. Email iGuardian.hq@hsi.dhs.gov to request an iGuardian presentation.
To schedule an interview, please contact Public Affairs Officer Tanya Roman at Tanya.Roman@hsi.dhs.gov.
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When considering investment or strategic support, accounting officers should consider their duties in the context of the strategic policy objectives that ministers are seeking to achieve by virtue of the investment, as well as having regard to their other accounting officer duties. This letter provides additional guidance on how to approach strategic investment decisions in support of ministers policy objectives.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
New Director appointed to the Scotland Office
A new Director is to take the helm at the Scotland Office this summer
Fiona Mettam, currently Director for Energy Development at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will lead a team of around 80 civil servants across sites in London and Edinburgh.
She will work closely with Scottish Secretary Ian Murray to deliver on his key departmental priorities of growth, Brand Scotland, green energy and tackling poverty.
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said:
“I am delighted that Fiona Mettam is joining the Scotland Office. Her very significant skills and experience will be a huge asset to the Office. I’m very much looking forward to having her on board, helping to deliver my four key priorities.”
Fiona Mettam said:
“It is a real privilege and honour to be taking up this important role to support the Scotland Office Ministerial team in delivering their priorities for the UK Government in Scotland. I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
Fiona has previously worked in Defra, HMT, the European Commission and the South Downs National Park Authority in a range of policy, delivery and corporate roles. Fiona is also joint Head of Place for Scotland for UKG, a role she fulfils jointly with Craig Ogilvie from HMRC. She will join the Scotland Office in August.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
New expertise joins NI Public Sector Transformation Board
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP welcomes the news of the appointment of two new members to the Public Sector Transformation Board.
The expansion of the Board follows a productive agreement with the Finance Minister John O’Dowd MLA to update the Terms of Reference for the Transformation Board.
The two new expert board members are; Gareth Hetherington, Director of Ulster University Economic Policy; and, Professor Helen McCarthy, the NI Executive’s Chief Scientific Officer.
The Second Call has now launched to allocate the remaining £102 million of UK Government funding which will help improve public services, and address many of the challenges faced by people across Northern Ireland.
Hilary Benn MP said:
The significant progress made since the establishment of the Board has been really important. I was delighted to welcome the first tranche of funding in March this year when £129m was confirmed to help fund six transformation projects across the Departments of Health, Justice, Education and Infrastructure.
The appointment of Gareth Hetherington and Professor Helen McCarthy will bolster the expertise of the Board as it assesses projects eligible for the remaining £102m allocation for transformation of public services in Northern Ireland. This funding will help build more resilient and responsive public services that better meet the needs of people across Northern Ireland.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
New expertise joins NI Public Sector Transformation Board
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP welcomes the news of the appointment of two new members to the Public Sector Transformation Board.
The expansion of the Board follows a productive agreement with the Finance Minister John O’Dowd MLA to update the Terms of Reference for the Transformation Board.
The two new expert board members are; Gareth Hetherington, Director of Ulster University Economic Policy; and, Professor Helen McCarthy, the NI Executive’s Chief Scientific Officer.
The Second Call has now launched to allocate the remaining £102 million of UK Government funding which will help improve public services, and address many of the challenges faced by people across Northern Ireland.
Hilary Benn MP said:
The significant progress made since the establishment of the Board has been really important. I was delighted to welcome the first tranche of funding in March this year when £129m was confirmed to help fund six transformation projects across the Departments of Health, Justice, Education and Infrastructure.
The appointment of Gareth Hetherington and Professor Helen McCarthy will bolster the expertise of the Board as it assesses projects eligible for the remaining £102m allocation for transformation of public services in Northern Ireland. This funding will help build more resilient and responsive public services that better meet the needs of people across Northern Ireland.
Table 1: Sources of Variation in Foreign Exchange Reserves*
(US$ billion)
Items
2023-24
2024-25
I.
Current Account Balance
-26.1
-23.4
II.
Capital Account (net) (a to f)
89.8
18.3
a.
Foreign Investment (i+ii)
54.2
4.5
(i) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
10.2
1.0
(ii) Portfolio Investment
44.1
3.6
of which:
Foreign Institutional Investment (FII)
44.6
3.3
ADR/GDR
0.0
0.0
b.
Banking Capital
40.5
-9.8
of which: NRI Deposits
14.7
16.2
c.
Short-term Credit
-0.8
7.2
d.
External Assistance
7.5
6.3
e.
External Commercial Borrowings
-0.1
15.8
f.
Other Items in Capital Account
-11.5
-5.6
III.
Valuation Change
4.3
26.9
IV.
Total (I+II+III) @ Increase in reserves(+) / Decrease in reserves (-)
68.0
21.9
*: Based on the old format of BoP which may differ from the new format (BPM6) in the treatment of transfers under the current account and ADRs/ GDRs under portfolio investment. @: Difference, if any, is due to rounding off. Note: ‘Other Items in Capital Account’ apart from ‘Errors and Omissions’ includes SDR allocation, leads and lags in exports, funds held abroad, advances received pending issue of shares under FDI, capital receipts not included elsewhere, and rupee denominated debt.
On a balance of payments basis (i.e., excluding valuation effects), foreign exchange reserves decreased by US$ 5.0 billion during 2024-25 as against an accretion of US$ 63.7 billion during 2023-24. Foreign exchange reserves in nominal terms (i.e., including valuation effects) increased by US$ 21.9 billion during 2024-25 as compared with an increase of US$ 68.0 billion in 2023-24 (Table 2).
Table 2: Comparative Position of Variation in Reserves
(US$ billion)
Items
2023-24
2024-25
1.
Change in Foreign Exchange Reserves (i.e., Including Valuation Effects)
68.0
21.9
2.
Valuation Effects [Gain (+)/Loss (-)]
4.3
26.9
3.
Change in Foreign Exchange Reserves on BoP basis (i.e., Excluding Valuation Effects)
63.7
-5.0
Note: Increase in reserves (+)/Decrease in reserves (-). Difference, if any, is due to rounding off.
The valuation gain, primarily reflecting higher prices of gold and lower bond yields, amounted to US$ 26.9 billion during 2024-25 as compared with a valuation gain of US$ 4.3 billion during 2023-24.
Preliminary data on India’s balance of payments (BoP) for the fourth quarter (Q4), i.e., January-March 2024-25, are presented in Statements I and II.
Key Features of India’s BoP in Q4:2024-25
India’s current account balance recorded a surplus of US$ 13.5 billion (1.3 per cent of GDP) in Q4:2024-25 as compared with US$ 4.6 billion (0.5 per cent of GDP) in Q4:2023-24 and against a deficit of US$ 11.3 billion (1.1 per cent of GDP) in Q3:2024-25.1
Merchandise trade deficit at US$ 59.5 billion in Q4:2024-25 was higher than US$ 52.0 billion in Q4:2023-24. However, it moderated from US$ 79.3 billion in Q3:2024-25.
Net services receipts increased to US$ 53.3 billion in Q4:2024-25 from US$ 42.7 billion a year ago. Services exports have risen on a y-o-y basis in major categories such as business services and computer services.
Net outgo on the primary income account, primarily reflecting payments of investment income, moderated to US$ 11.9 billion in Q4:2024-25 from US$ 14.8 billion in Q4:2023-24.
Personal transfer receipts, mainly representing remittances by Indians employed overseas, rose to US$ 33.9 billion in Q4:2024-25 from US$ 31.3 billion in Q4:2023-24.
In the financial account, foreign direct investment (FDI) recorded a net inflow of US$ 0.4 billion in Q4:2024-25 as compared to an inflow of US$ 2.3 billion in the corresponding period of 2023-24.
Foreign portfolio investment (FPI) recorded a net outflow of US$ 5.9 billion in Q4:2024-25 as against a net inflow of US$ 11.4 billion in Q4:2023-24.
Net inflows under external commercial borrowings (ECBs) to India amounted to US$ 7.4 billion in Q4:2024-25, as compared to US$ 2.6 billion in the corresponding period a year ago.
Non-resident deposits (NRI deposits) recorded a net inflow of US$ 2.8 billion in Q4:2024-25, lower than US$ 5.4 billion a year ago.
BoP During 2024-25
India’s current account deficit at US$ 23.3 billion (0.6 per cent of GDP) during 2024-25 was lower than US$ 26.0 billion (0.7 per cent of GDP) during 2023-24, primarily due to higher net invisibles receipts.
During 2024-25, FPI recorded a net inflow of US$ 3.6 billion, lower than US$ 44.1 billion a year ago.
Table 1: Major Items of India’s Balance of Payments
(US$ billion)
January-March 2024 PR
January-March 2025 P
2023-24 PR
2024-25 P
Credit
Debit
Net
Credit
Debit
Net
Credit
Debit
Net
Credit
Debit
Net
A. Current Account
253.5
248.9
4.6
264.9
251.4
13.5
942.8
968.9
-26.0
1018.3
1041.6
-23.3
1. Goods
121.6
173.6
-52.0
116.3
175.8
-59.5
441.4
686.4
-244.9
441.8
729.0
-287.2
of which:
POL
22.2
48.8
-26.5
14.1
44.3
-30.2
84.2
178.7
-94.6
63.3
185.8
-122.4
2. Services
89.4
46.7
42.7
102.0
48.7
53.3
341.1
178.3
162.8
387.5
198.7
188.8
3. Primary Income
10.5
25.3
-14.8
11.9
23.8
-11.9
41.5
91.2
-49.7
53.4
101.8
-48.4
4. Secondary Income
32.1
3.4
28.7
34.7
3.2
31.5
118.9
13.0
105.9
135.6
12.1
123.5
B. Capital Account and Financial Account
248.0
253.3
-5.2
255.8
270.2
-14.4
851.9
826.3
25.6
1154.5
1132.8
21.7
of which:
1. Direct Investment
20.2
17.9
2.3
18.5
18.1
0.4
74.9
64.8
10.2
84.2
83.2
1.0
2. Portfolio Investment
138.9
127.5
11.4
126.0
131.8
-5.9
466.1
422.0
44.1
639.3
635.8
3.6
3. Other Investments
82.7
67.7
14.9
106.2
98.8
7.4
287.8
244.7
43.1
368.6
334.2
34.5
of which:
NRI Deposits
26.0
20.7
5.4
26.3
23.5
2.8
88.6
73.9
14.7
104.5
88.4
16.2
ECBs to India
11.7
9.2
2.6
15.6
8.2
7.4
33.5
29.9
3.5
47.8
29.4
18.4
4. Reserve Assets [Increase (-)/Decrease (+)]
0.0
30.8
-30.8
0.0
8.8
-8.8
0.0
63.7
-63.7
37.7
32.6
5.0
C. Errors & Omissions (-) (A+B)
0.6
0.0
0.6
0.9
0.0
0.9
1.6
1.2
0.4
2.0
0.4
1.5
PR: Partially Revised; and P: Preliminary.
Note: Total of sub-components may not tally with aggregate due to rounding off.
The NRAS has been produced in response to the evolving threat landscape, particularly from serious and organised crime in East and Southeast Asia. The NRAS provides clear, actionable guidance for businesses to assess and manage risks in both new and existing relationships.
In conjunction with this cross-agency initiative, the Authority has updated its AML/CFT Handbook to reference the NRAS and provide guidance on where this should be considered by relevant persons in the course of their business activities.
The revised Handbook includes links to the NRAS Frequently Asked Questions, along with an update to the Business Risk Assessment guidance in section 2.2.8.
The Reserve Bank of India, in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territories (UTs), announces that the quantum of total market borrowings by the State Governments/UTs for the quarter July – September 2025, is expected to be ₹2,86,696 Crore. The weekly schedule of auctions to be held during the quarter along with the name of States/UTs who have confirmed participation and tentative amounts indicated by them is as under:
Month
Proposed Date
Expected quantum of borrowing (in ₹ Cr)
States/UTs who have confirmed participation and the tentative amount of borrowing (in ₹ Cr)
July 2025
July 01, 2025 (Tuesday)
18,100
Andhra Pradesh
2000
Assam
900
Gujarat
1,000
Himachal Pradesh
1,200
Kerala
2,000
Maharashtra
6,000
Rajasthan
500
Tamil Nadu
2,000
Telangana
1,500
West Bengal
1,000
July 08, 2025 (Tuesday)
22,400
Bihar
2,000
Goa
100
Gujarat
2,000
Haryana
1,000
Jammu & Kashmir
400
Kerala
1,000
Madhya Pradesh
4,800
Maharashtra
4,000
Mizoram
100
Odisha
1,000
Punjab
500
Rajasthan
1,000
Tamil Nadu
2,000
Uttar Pradesh
2,500
July 15, 2025 (Tuesday)
17,400
Bihar
2,000
Chhattisgarh
1,000
Goa
100
Jammu & Kashmir
700
Maharashtra
6,000
Nagaland
300
Odisha
1,000
Puducherry
200
Punjab
500
Tamil Nadu
2,000
Telangana
1,000
Tripura
600
West Bengal
2,000
July 22, 2025 (Tuesday)
18,500
Bihar
2,000
Goa
100
Haryana
2,000
Maharashtra
4,000
Manipur
250
Meghalaya
150
Odisha
1,000
Punjab
500
Tamil Nadu
2,000
Telangana
1,000
Uttar Pradesh
2,500
West Bengal
3,000
July 29, 2025 (Tuesday)
26,500
Assam
500
Chhattisgarh
1,000
Gujarat
3,000
Haryana
1,000
Kerala
2,000
Madhya Pradesh
4,000
Maharashtra
4,000
Punjab
500
Rajasthan
4,000
Sikkim
500
Tamil Nadu
3,000
Telangana
1,000
West Bengal
2,000
August 2025
August 05, 2025 (Tuesday)
26,717
Andhra Pradesh
5,500
Assam
900
Bihar
2,000
Goa
100
Haryana
1,000
Himachal Pradesh
800
Jammu & Kashmir
317
Kerala
2,000
Maharashtra
4,000
Mizoram
100
Odisha
1,000
Punjab
1,500
Rajasthan
1,000
Tamil Nadu
2,000
Uttarakhand
500
Uttar Pradesh
2,500
West Bengal
1,500
August 12, 2025 (Tuesday)
14,700
Bihar
2,000
Kerala
2,000
Maharashtra
5,000
Manipur
200
Punjab
1,000
Tamil Nadu
2,000
Telangana
1,500
West Bengal
1,000
August 19, 2025 (Tuesday)
26,150
Bihar
2,000
Goa
100
Gujarat
2,000
Haryana
1,500
Kerala
1,000
Madhya Pradesh
4,800
Maharashtra
4,000
Meghalaya
450
Odisha
1,000
Puducherry
200
Punjab
500
Tamil Nadu
2,000
Telangana
1,000
Tripura
600
Uttarakhand
500
Uttar Pradesh
2,500
West Bengal
2,000
August 26, 2025 (Tuesday)
20,850
Assam
450
Goa
100
Gujarat
2,000
Haryana
1,500
Jammu & Kashmir
800
Kerala
2,000
Maharashtra
4,000
Rajasthan
4,000
Tamil Nadu
3,000
Telangana
1,000
West Bengal
2,000
September 2025
September 02, 2025 (Tuesday)
21,400
Andhra Pradesh
4,000
Assam
500
Bihar
2,000
Chhattisgarh
1,500
Goa
100
Gujarat
2,000
Himachal Pradesh
800
Kerala
1,000
Maharashtra
3,000
Punjab
1,500
Rajasthan
1,000
Tamil Nadu
2,000
Uttarakhand
500
West Bengal
1,500
September 09, 2025 (Tuesday)
15,150
Goa
150
Haryana
1,500
Jammu & Kashmir
700
Maharashtra
4,000
Nagaland
300
Odisha
1,000
Punjab
500
Tamil Nadu
2,000
Telangana
1,000
Uttar Pradesh
2,500
West Bengal
1,500
September 16, 2025 (Tuesday)
23,629
Assam
500
Bihar
2,000
Gujarat
1,500
Haryana
1,000
Madhya Pradesh
4,800
Maharashtra
3,000
Meghalaya
100
Mizoram
150
Rajasthan
1,500
Tamil Nadu
2,000
Telangana
1,000
Tripura
579
Uttarakhand
500
Uttar Pradesh
2,000
West Bengal
3,000
September 23, 2025 (Tuesday)
20,100
Assam
500
Goa
100
Haryana
1,500
Kerala
1,000
Maharashtra
4,000
Odisha
1,000
Punjab
500
Sikkim
500
Tamil Nadu
4,000
Telangana
1,000
Uttar Pradesh
2,500
West Bengal
3,500
September 30, 2025 (Tuesday)
15,100
Assam
500
Goa
100
Gujarat
2,000
Haryana
1,000
Kerala
1,000
Maharashtra
4,000
Punjab
1,000
Rajasthan
4,000
Telangana
1,000
Uttarakhand
500
Total
2,86,696
2,86,696
The actual amount of borrowings and the details of the States/UTs participating would be intimated by way of press releases two/ three days prior to the actual auction day and would depend on the requirement of the State Governments/UTs, approval from the Government of India under Article 293(3) of the Constitution of India and market conditions. RBI would endeavour to conduct the auctions in a non-disruptive manner, taking into account the market conditions and other relevant factors and distribute the borrowings evenly throughout the quarter. RBI reserves the right to modify the dates and the amount of auction in consultation with State Governments/UTs.
Visual and immersive storytelling is central to how a film is experienced on the big screen by moviegoers. As more people seek premier theatre experiences, filmmakers are increasingly embracing cinema LED screens over projectors to deliver their creations in a way audiences haven’t experienced before, fully immersing the viewer in the worlds they create.
Following the launch of the latest Samsung Onyx (ICD), Matīss Kaža, Golden Globes® winner, Academy Award® winner, and producer of the film ‘Flow’, shared his insights on how Onyx is pushing the boundaries in cinema.
Matīss Kaža is a Latvian director, writer, and producer, renowned for co-writing and co-producing the animated film Flow (2024), which won a Golden Globe® Award for Best Motion Picture – Animated, an Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, a Toronto International Film Festival – Best Animated Film, a European Film Awards for European Animated Feature Film, and more. His projects have a strong sense of authorship and cinematic vision that resonates beyond national borders.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about what the film Flow is about?
Flow is an animated film, without any dialogue, telling the story of a solitary, individualist cat who likes to be by himself. Then suddenly comes this huge flood, destroying the cat’s home and forcing it upon a boat with other animals. On this boat, the cat learns to collaborate and become friends with these animals to survive this new, beautiful and humanless world.
Matīss Kaža shares his experience of watching his work on Samsung Onyx (Poster: Courtesy of Sideshow and Janus Films)
Q: As a dialogue-free film, how does a Cinema LED screen enhance the viewing experience for the audience?
One of the goals of Flow as a dialogue-free film is to essentially have the audience come as close to the cat’s experience as possible, since the film is built around the contrast between the main protagonist and the world around it. Cinema is all about detailing in the visual storytelling, and this comes through on Onyx very well. The world is vividly colourful with the yellows, greens, and blues—and then the cat is dark gray. There’s a huge contrast that shines through when watching on the Onyx screen, with its vivid colours and deep blacks.
Flow, played on Samsung Onyx
Q: How did the team work through the movements of each of the animals?
We studied the movements of these real animals, down to the most meticulous detail, to make sure our approach to the film was naturalistic for the audience. For example, when something attracts the cat’s attention, rather than twisting its head to look, it would just twist the ear.
Each animal moves in different ways and has different silhouettes, weights, and verticality. It was important for us to nail this process when making the film for the audience to feel fully immersed in this world.
Q: How did it feel to watch Flow on the Samsung Onyx Cinema LED screen?
Many scenes in the film feature foreground and background interactions, and the audience can fully enjoy and experience exactly how we wanted the film to look. The movements are also very clear, and you can see how all the different characters have their particularities, down to the most subtle interactions. From the smallest twitching in the ear and the smallest gaze of the eye, or any little interaction, the level of detail on Onyx makes these perfectly visible for the audience.
“I would have to say that Flow on the Onyx screen really flows.”
Q: Did you notice anything new or different about Flow after seeing it on Samsung Onyx?
How vivid the colour was in the beginning – where the cat is still in its home, which is a lovely sculpture garden – really stood out to me. The finer details, like the little butterflies and critters flying around, give this emotion of calmness that might not be noticeable on other screens. The Onyx truly shows the film for what it is—there is very crisp detail and clarity—and it displays things that would go unnoticed in other situations.
“On the Onyx, these little details were perfectly visible –
details which give a lot to the atmosphere, to the peaceful tone of the scene,”
Flow, played on Samsung Onyx
Q: Water is a core element of the film. Can you tell us more about its purpose and how the team uses it to add to the story?
The most difficult part of making this movie is the water effect. The dynamics of the water in the storytelling is really important because it’s one of the central metaphors of the film.
On an Onyx screen, you can explicitly see the difference between the little waves in the puddle at the beginning and end of the film. These details are so important to the storytelling, and it really comes through here on the Onyx.
Courtesy of Sideshow and Janus Films
Q: How do the colour, image details, and storytelling jump out more on a screen like Onyx compared to other traditional methods?
Because there is no dialogue in this film, we relied solely on visual storytelling. In terms of visual storytelling, colour is essential—setting the right levels of contrast and the exact color palette—for the scene. It’s what creates the mood and the atmosphere.
These aspects are fundamental to the film and are captured precisely, just as we intended. Every detail and colour really shines on the Onyx screen.
“Cinema is all about the detail in the storytelling, It always comes through in the detail. And that comes through on the Onyx” says Matīss Kaža, co-writer and co-producer of animated film Flow (2024)
Q: As a filmmaker, do the capabilities of Onyx help inspire your creative direction for upcoming projects?
I love it when the theatrical experience has me in the middle of the experience, trying to decode what is going on. Filmmakers can do a lot of interesting things using environments, visuals, and powerful storytelling to put audience members in an active relationship with the film. The crispness and range of colours offered on the Onyx bring us back to why we love seeing motion pictures on the big screen. It’s super immersive, and the level of detailing is just incredible.
Q: Anything else you would like us to know?
“I do filmmaking for the cinema-going experience;
that’s where the film really shines.”
Cinemas are where you see the picture as you’re supposed to see it. Every cinematographer and director, I think, has had to come to terms with different cinemas showing different images when using traditional projection. With the uniform approach that the Onyx has, I think that problem might be solved.
“Every detail and color really shines on the Onyx screen,” says Matīss Kaža, co-writer and co-producer of animated film Flow (2024)
The Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Securities & Futures Commission (SFC) today launched a joint public consultation on the legislative proposals for establishing licensing regimes for digital asset (DA) dealing and custodian service providers.
The public consultation will last until August 29.
Also, irrespective of whether the relevant DA dealing services are provided through a physical outlet and/or other platforms, both simple dealing services and more complex services will fall under the scope of the licensing regime.
In addition, licensed or registered providers of DA dealing services will need to meet fit-and-proper criteria and comply with a range of regulatory requirements.
The licensing regime will be fully implemented on the date the relevant statutory provisions come into effect.
Licensed or registered providers of DA custodian services will also need to meet fit-and-proper criteria and comply with a range of regulatory requirements.
Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said the Government is striving to build Hong Kong into a premier global hub for DAs, adding that upholding investor protection is of utmost concern.
“The proposed licensing regimes will lay a solid foundation for us to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for DAs with investor and customer protection at its core.
“The move will also help realise our vision to build Hong Kong’s DA ecosystem into a highly trusted one that will flourish sustainably and responsibly in a risk-managed manner, thereby delivering concrete benefits to the real economy and financial markets.”
The public and stakeholders can submit their views by post to the FSTB at 24/F, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong.
Government has identified 59 bankable biodiversity projects that are expected to generate at least $450,000 in green finance, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George announced during the department’s budget vote speech in Parliament on Friday.
These funds were identified through the biodiversity sector investment portal, which links investors with bankable projects as a means of growing the biodiversity economy.
The portal is among the initiatives by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has undertaken to position the department as a national leader in environmental financing.
“In the face of budget cuts, the DFFE is doubling down on financial discipline and innovation to ensure every rand unlocks value for people and the environment. Our proactive spending review, initiated in October 2024, has identified significant cost-saving opportunities, aiming to redirect resources towards high-impact environmental and conservation initiatives.
“Each branch is now mandated to explore new revenue streams, reduce unnecessary expenditure, and secure sustainable financing. Work has also begun on draft regulations to unlock the value of carbon credits,” the Minister said.
These will lay the groundwork for monetising environmental assets under the department’s portfolio – supporting job creation, habitat conservation, private sector investment, and financing of priority programmes.
“This marks a bold step toward positioning DFFE as a national leader in environmental financing. To support this broader mandate, we have launched discussions with international donors, private partners, and philanthropies.
“The Green Fund, managed by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), continues to channel public funding into innovative climate, energy, and waste projects. Our investment portal for the biodiversity economy has already spotlighted 59 bankable projects, leading to at least $450,000 in green finance committed,” he said.
George assured parliament that the department’s entities continue to deliver exceptional impact – conserving our heritage, generating jobs, and building community resilience.
“The South African National Parks (SANParks) has placed inclusive development at the centre of its conservation mandate. Over the past five years, it has provided over 21 000 full-time jobs through the Expanded Public Works Programme, supported 3 127 small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs), and delivered 2 264 animals to emerging game farmers—ensuring that protected areas become engines of opportunity for surrounding communities.
“iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority is advancing its commercialisation strategy, with 62 contracts already signed and new revenue from tourism concessionaires set to flow directly to the entity from 1 September 2025,” the Minister said.
As the nation’s frontline in early warning systems, the South African Weather Service has issued nearly 1 400 severe weather alerts last year and reached over 2 million vulnerable citizens through a targeted community radio programme and 32 outreach events.
“These efforts not only save lives but empower South Africans with climate information they can act on. The South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), South Africa’s national biodiversity steward, continues to lead in climate finance. A $40 million Green Climate Fund project will launch this year, benefiting over 350,000 people directly and 1.5 million indirectly through investments in ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction.
“These achievements demonstrate that when we invest in our environmental entities, we invest in jobs, resilience, and a sustainable future,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
South Africa has taken a significant step in fostering inclusive growth by officially ratified the Protocol Women and Youth in Trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
This was announced by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who addressed the High-Level G20 Intergenerational Roundtable, hosted by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) on Friday.
“This milestone is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a decisive policy action that signals our intent to mainstream gender and youth equity within intra-African trade policy.
“The protocol is significant because it operationalises the inclusion of woman-led and youth-led enterprises in regional and global value chains. It mandates the removal of structural trade barriers, prioritises access to information, finances, and markets, as well as requires state parties to create enabling legal and policy environments for inclusive economic participation,” he said.
The Deputy President reflected on the continent’s youthful population and noted that youth “remain on the margins of formal trade”.
Therefore, the protocol on women and youth will assist to “rewire trade systems to reflect demographic and developmental realities”.
“South Africa’s ratification means we are committed not only to advocating for inclusive trade but also to designing trade systems that are fit for purpose. This inclusion reinforces South Africa’s leadership role on the continent and supports the broader message of building youth capabilities for a developmental State.
“We understand that we need young people to meaningfully build capable, ethical, and developmental states. We must integrate youth into national and continental planning frameworks, not just as beneficiaries but also as co-architects of development,” he said.
Promoting inclusive growth
Mashatile emphasised that a “functioning and competent” government is needed if youth are to break free from marginalisation.
“Therefore, the first and most pressing priority of our government is the promotion of inclusive economic growth, industrialisation, employment, and reducing inequality.
“The time has come for us to move beyond inclusion as a moral goal and make it a measurable outcome.
“In this regard, it is important for the economy to strengthen the viable pathways for youth inclusion. We have noted that young people complain about the red tape and bureaucratic hurdles they need to overcome to access services designed to support and scale their entrepreneurial effort,” Mashatile said.
He noted that a specialised unit has been established in the Presidency to address the business climate and address regulatory challenges.
“This team is adopting a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach, engaging various government departments and entities to streamline processes and enable business growth.
“Key interventions in this regard will target the removal of administrative bottlenecks in strategic sectors. These include improvements to the mining licensing framework, facilitation of tourism transport permits, and streamlining of visa and work permit processes, as well as regulatory support for early childhood development services and the informal economy,” Mashatile said.
Furthermore, government will:
Anchor youth inclusion in every major pillar of our G20 Presidency, from climate finance and trade facilitation to digital transformation and skills mobility.
Institutionalise intergenerational co-leadership in governance frameworks, moving beyond consultation to shared power and shared design.
Work with regional and global partners to implement targeted reforms that enable young people to start businesses, access capital, and engage in cross-border trade.
“The developmental State we seek to build is not a theoretical construct; it must be a living architecture built on the capabilities, aspirations, and contributions of its young people.
“This roundtable has made one thing clear: youth are not merely beneficiaries of policy; they are builders of nations. We must now ensure that the decisions we take at multilateral forums reflect this truth.
“Let the G20 remember that Africa is young. South Africa is ready, and we want young people to take the lead in the developmental and transformation agenda. The future is yours, and you are the future. Stand up, persevere, and confront every challenge with persistence. We are here to provide you with the support you need as you navigate this process,” the Deputy President concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the appointment of a Terminal Operator to fund, design, develop, construct, operate, maintain and transfer a liquid bulk terminal at the Port of Ngqura for a concession period of 25 years.
The RFP is a ground-breaking milestone in the relocation of the tank farm from the Port of Port Elizabeth to the Port of Ngqura, in line with approved port development plans.
The move comes as Transnet is implementing its Reinvent for Growth Strategy, which seeks to transform and grow the business. The new terminal will include liquid bulk storage tanks, road tanker loading gantries, pipelines and the necessary terminal operation infrastructure.
The landside operation of the proposed terminal is earmarked for the port’s Liquid Bulk Precinct located at the eastern extents of the back of port land adjacent to the N2.
Future developments planned for this precinct will be further developed for energy-related commodities, such as Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).
“The development of the liquid bulk terminal demonstrates TNPA’s commitment to relocate the liquid bulk operations to the Port of Ngqura. This terminal is intended to foster regional and national economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability,” said acting General Manager for Commercial Services at TNPA, Dr Dineo Mazibuko.
The TNPA takes pride in the Port of Ngqura being the only South African commercial seaport in possession of an environmental authorisation for its port operation.
In keeping with this green status, the appointed terminal operator will ensure compliance with all relevant environmental, safety and regulatory standards. – SAnews.gov.za
The former head of Human Rights Watch — and son of a Holocaust survivor — says Israel’s military campaign in Gaza will likely meet the legal definition of genocide, citing large-scale killings, the targeting of civilians, and the words of senior Israeli officials.
Speaking on 30′ with Guyon Espiner, Ken Roth agreed Hamas committed “blatant war crimes” in its attack on Israel on October 7 last year, which included the abduction and murder of civilians.
But he said it was a “basic rule” that war crimes by one side do not justify war crimes by the other.
There was indisputable evidence Israel had committed war crimes in Gaza and might also be pursuing tactics that fit the international legal standard for genocide, Roth said.
30′ with Guyon Espiner Kenneth Roth Video: RNZ
“The acts are there — mass killing, destruction of life-sustaining conditions. And there are statements from senior officials that point clearly to intent,” Roth said.
He cited comments immediately after the October 7 attack by Hamas from Israel’s former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who referred to Gazans as “human animals”.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also said “an entire nation” was responsible for the attack and the notion of “unaware, uninvolved civilians is not true,” referring to the Palestinean people. Herzog subsequently said his words were taken out of context during a case at the International Court of Justice.
The accusation of genocide is hotly contested. Israel says it is fighting a war of self-defence against Hamas after it killed 1200 people, mostly civilians. It claims it adheres to international law and does its best to protect civilians.
It blames Hamas for embedding itself in civilian areas.
But Roth believes a ruling may ultimately come from the International Court of Justice, especially if a forthcoming judgment on Myanmar sets a precedent.
“It’s very similar to what Myanmar did with the Rohingya,” he said. “Kill about 30,000 to send 730,000 fleeing. It’s not just about mass death. It’s about creating conditions where life becomes impossible.”
‘Apartheid’ alleged in Israel’s West Bank Roth has been described as the ‘Godfather of Human Rights’, and is credited with vastly expanding the influence of the Human Rights Watch group during a 29-year tenure in charge of the organisation.
In the full interview with Guyon Espiner, Roth defended the group’s 2021 report that accused Israel of enforcing a system of apartheid in the occupied West Bank.
“This was not a historical analogy,” he said, implying it was a mistake to compare it with South Africa’s former apartheid regime.
“It was a legal analysis. We used the UN Convention against Apartheid and the Rome Statute, and laid out over 200 pages of evidence.”
Kenneth Roth appears via remote link in studio for an interview on season 3 of 30′ with Guyon Espiner. Image: RNZ
He said the Israeli government was unable to offer a factual rebuttal.
“They called us biased, antisemitic — the usual. But they didn’t contest the facts.”
The ‘cheapening’ of antisemitism charges Roth, who is Jewish and the son of a Holocaust refugee, said it was disturbing to be accused of antisemitism for criticising a government.
“There is a real rise in antisemitism around the world. But when the term is used to suppress legitimate criticism of Israel, it cheapens the concept, and that ultimately harms Jews everywhere.”
Roth said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had long opposed a two-state solution and was now pursuing a status quo that amounted to permanent subjugation of Palestinians, a situation human rights groups say is illegal.
“The only acceptable outcome is two states, living side by side. Anything else is apartheid, or worse,” Roth said.
While the international legal process around charges of genocide may take years, Roth is convinced the current actions in Gaza will not be forgotten.
“This is not just about war,” he said. “It’s about the deliberate use of starvation, displacement and mass killing to achieve political goals. And the law is very clear — that’s a crime.”
Roth’s criticism of Israel saw him initially denied a fellowship at Harvard University in 2023. The decision was widely seen as politically motivated, and was later reversed after public and academic backlash.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
In March 2025, Preston City Council Cabinet Members chose the City of Hebron in Palestine to explore the possibilities of an informal friendship agreement between the two cities.
The Council wants to extend the hand of friendship as a symbol of our support for the people of Palestine, through the wider Middle East and those of all faiths and communities who are suffering through conflict across the globe.
At full council today (26 June 2025), members passed the recommendation to enter into a friendship arrangement with the City of Hebron facilitated by the Britain Palestinian Friendship and Twinning Network.
The network is a voluntary organisation with no political ties, made up of a network of different groups with different activities, constitutions, sizes, locations and members.
Preston is a City of Sanctuary, offering a safe place of refuge to those fleeing war and persecution across the world, and an early adopter of the Faith Covenant, respecting differing beliefs and faiths, working together for the common good.
The progression of the friendship will be supported by an informal network of representatives of interested parties and initially chaired by the Council’s Champion for Communities. All representatives of the Faith Covenant will be invited to sit on this network, as will other key representatives from public, civic, education and private business organisations.
Hebron is considered one of the oldest cities in the Middle East, located in the southern part of the Occupied West Bank, 30 kilometres (19 miles) south of Jerusalem. It has a population of more than 201,000 and is believed to have lots of commonalities with Preston including a multi-cultural and diverse population. Hebron is a chief commercial and industrial centre in the region with its main trade in limestone from nearby quarries and with a local reputation for grapes, figs, ceramics, plastics and pottery.
Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council said:
“A friendship arrangement with Hebron is not merely a symbolic gesture. We will do what we can to offer practical support and aid, and seek to build links between local schools, churches, mosques, community centres and other types of organisations. We will promote the need for peace to prevail and hopefully after the conflict in the region ends, we can arrange visits to both Palestine and Preston to promote greater understanding, lasting peace and friendship for all.”
Councillor Nweeda Khan, Champion for Communities added:
“We appreciate the complexity and emotive nature of this proposal but feel we owe it to our local communities to recognise the plight of people in the Middle East caught up in the current conflict. The spirit in which we would like to progress our friendship with Hebron is that by building bonds and strengthening ties, lasting relationships built on understanding, openness, tolerance and inclusion will eradicate hate and division between communities.”
The Council also remains committed to exploring a similar friendship with an Israeli town or city, should a similar body to the Palestinian Friendship Association can be indentified to help guide and support our work.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
MANILA, June 27 (Xinhua) — Seven people were killed and 16 others were injured when a mini dump truck crashed in Silay, central Philippines’ Negros Occidental province, on Friday morning, local authorities said.
All the deceased worked in the city administration. The accident occurred when they were returning from an environmental event.
Authorities say the driver apparently lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle then rolled over.
An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) — The number of private sector businesses in China reached 185 million by the end of May, up 2.3 percent year on year, official data showed Friday.
According to the State Administration for Market Regulation of the People’s Republic of China, the private sector, which includes private enterprises and sole proprietors, accounted for 96.76 percent of the total number of business entities in the country.
The number of private enterprises has exceeded 58 million, up 5.2 percent year-on-year. These enterprises have been steadily increasing investment in technological innovation and actively developing strategic new industries such as new energy and high-tech mechanical engineering, becoming a key pillar of industrial modernization and stable economic growth.
The number of individual entrepreneurs by the end of May this year increased by 1% year-on-year to 127 million. The department noted that flexible and diverse business models in the areas of retail, catering and household services make it possible to meet the diverse needs of the population.
In 2024, private enterprises accounted for more than half of China’s foreign trade and tax revenue, and more than 80 percent of urban employment. More importantly, they play a major role in strengthening the country’s innovation capacity, accounting for more than 70 percent of technological achievements.
To optimize the private sector development environment, ensure fair market competition, and promote the growth of both the private economy and entrepreneurs, China passed the Law on Encouraging the Development of the Private Sector earlier this year. The law strengthens legal guarantees and gives new impetus to the key driver of the world’s second-largest economy. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) — Revenues of major enterprises in China’s cultural and related industries are set to hit a record high in 2024, official data showed Friday.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) of China, the total income of such enterprises for the period was 19.14 trillion yuan (about 2.67 trillion US dollars), which is 7.1 percent more than a year earlier.
The GSU data showed that all nine major sectors of the cultural industry achieved significant revenue growth in 2024. In particular, the cultural media production, news and information services, content creation and creative design services sectors saw rapid revenue growth of 11.2 percent, 8.6 percent, 8.4 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively, year-on-year.
According to the NBS, the cultural industry revenue in the eastern and central regions of the country was 14.18 trillion yuan and 2.87 trillion yuan, up 7.8 percent and 7.3 percent year on year, respectively, higher than the national average.
In 2024, the above-mentioned enterprises invested 162.5 billion yuan in R&D, up 1.7 percent year-on-year. -0-
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday stressed that the core objective of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is to combat terrorism, and that all member nations must reflect this shared goal through both words and actions.
Addressing an event in the national capital, Jaishankar reiterated India’s consistent position that terrorism must not be justified, glorified, or shielded under any pretext.
“The SCO was created with the purpose of fighting terrorism. If any country participating on this platform selectively blocks references to terror incidents or avoids calling out terrorism, then it defeats the very purpose of the organisation,” Jaishankar said.
“Our position is very clear,” he added. “One country objected to the mention of terrorism—and we all know which country it is. That is why our Defence Minister did not endorse the statement. If fighting terrorism is our common goal, then we must call out every act and every place affected.”
The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement issued on Thursday, said the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting concluded without a joint statement due to a lack of consensus among member countries.
“India advocated for the inclusion of terrorism concerns in the document, but one country objected. The Defence Minister urged countries to unite against terrorism and hold perpetrators accountable, emphasising regional stability and security,” the statement said.
Ukraine plans to ask the European Union to sanction Bangladeshi entities it says are importing wheat taken from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, after its warnings to Dhaka failed to stop the trade, a top Ukrainian diplomat in South Asia said.
Russian forces have occupied large parts of Ukraine’s southern agricultural regions since 2014 and Kyiv has accused Russia of stealing its grain even before the 2022 invasion. Russian officials say there is no theft of grain involved as the territories previously considered part of Ukraine are now part of Russia and will remain so forever.
According to documents provided to Reuters by people familiar with the matter, the Ukraine Embassy in New Delhi sent several letters to Bangladesh’s foreign affairs ministry this year, asking them to reject more than 150,000 tonnes of grain allegedly stolen and shipped from Russian port of Kavkaz.
Asked about the confidential diplomatic communication, Ukraine’s ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, said Dhaka had not responded to the communication and Kyiv will now escalate the matter as its intelligence showed entities in Russia mix grain procured from occupied Ukrainian territories with Russian wheat before shipping.
“It’s a crime,” Polishchuk said in an interview at Ukraine’s embassy in New Delhi.
“We will share our investigation with our European Union colleagues, and we will kindly ask them to take the appropriate measures.”
Ukraine’s diplomatic tussle with Bangladeshi authorities has not been previously reported.
The Bangladesh and Russian foreign ministries did not respond to requests for comment.
A Bangladeshi food ministry official said Dhaka bars imports from Russia if the origin of the grain is from occupied Ukrainian territory, adding that the country imports no stolen wheat.
Amid the war with Russia, the agricultural sector remains one of the main sources of export earnings for Ukraine, supplying grain, vegetable oil and oilseeds to foreign markets.
In April, Ukraine detained a foreign vessel in its territorial waters, alleging it was involved in the illegal trade of stolen grain, and last year seized a foreign cargo ship and detained its captain on similar suspicions.
The EU has so far sanctioned 342 ships that are part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which the bloc says enable Moscow to circumvent Western restrictions to move oil, arms and grain. Russia says Western sanctions are illegal.
‘NOT DIAMONDS OR GOLD’
A Ukraine official told Reuters Ukrainian law prohibits any voluntary trade between Ukrainian producers, including grain farmers in the occupied territories, and Russian entities.
The Ukraine Embassy has sent four letters to Bangladesh’s government, reviewed by Reuters, in which it shared vessel names and their registration numbers involved in the alleged trade of moving the grain from the Crimean ports of Sevastopol and Kerch, occupied by Russia since 2014, and Berdiansk, which is under Moscow’s control since 2022, to Kavkaz in Russia.
The letters stated the departure and tentative arrival dates of the ships that left from Kavkaz for Bangladesh between November 2024 and June 2025.
The June 11 letter said Bangladesh can face “serious consequences” of sanctions for taking deliveries of “stolen grain”, and that such purchases fuel “humanitarian suffering.”
The sanctions “may extend beyond importing companies and could also target government officials and the leadership of ministries and agencies who knowingly facilitate or tolerate such violations,” the letter added.
In a statement to Reuters, Anitta Hipper, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said the vessels in question were not currently subject to any restrictive measures.
The sanctions regime was designed to act against activities that undermine the food security of Ukraine including transportation of “stolen Ukrainian grain” and “any proven involvement of vessels in shipping stolen Ukrainian grain could provide the basis for future restrictive measures,” she added.
The Russia-controlled territories, excluding Crimea, accounted for about 3% of the total Russian grain harvest in 2024, according to Reuters’ estimates based on official Russian data. Russian grain transporter Rusagrotrans says Bangladesh was the fourth largest buyer of Russian wheat in May.
Ambassador Polishchuk told Reuters their intelligence shows Russia mixes its grain with that from occupied Ukrainian territories to avoid detection.
A Russian trader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that when the grain is loaded for export at a Russian port, it is very difficult to track its origin.
“These are not diamonds or gold. The composition of impurities does not allow for identification,” the person said.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Paul A Gosar DDS (AZ-04)
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement after introducing H.R. 4092, the Protect Railroads Against Illegal Looters (RAIL) Act, legislation safeguarding interstate and foreign freight shipments by clarifying that aliens who are convicted of offenses under 18 U.S.C. § 659, are inadmissible for entry into the United States and are deportable.
“Transnational criminal theft organizations, particularly those tied to Sinaloa in Mexico, pose serious and growing threats to public safety, national security and economic stability in the southwestern United States.
These organizations are accused of increased involvement in sophisticated cargo theft and are said to recruit aliens to burglarize high-value consumer goods from freight trains. These alleged thefts delay shipments and contribute to shortages and price increases. Once stolen, the goods can be resold, funding additional criminal ventures.
Disruptions especially affect border states like Arizona, which serve as major transit corridors for goods between the U.S. and Mexico. The Protect RAIL Act discourages aliens from stealing goods transported as interstate or foreign shipment of freight, including from railroad cars, motor trucks, aircraft, vessels, or storage facilities while protecting operators from harm.
The great Mohave Desert may still be the Wild West, but aliens, including illegal ones, convicted of stealing goods moving as an interstate shipment should be deemed inadmissible for entry and should be removed from the United States,” stated Congressman Gosar.
Original Cosponsors: Biggs (AZ), Biggs (SC), Boebert, Brecheen, Burchett, Ciscomani, Crane, Donalds, DesJarlais, Fallon, Fine, Fry, Gill, Guest, Hamadeh, Harrigan, Norman, Ogles, Rulli, Schweikert, Sessions, Van Drew, Weber, Williams (TX)
Outside Group Supporters: Federation for American Immigration Reform, Immigration Accountability Project, NumbersUSA
