The southwest monsoon has made further progress on Wednesday, advancing over the remaining parts of the north Arabian Sea and into additional areas of Rajasthan, West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that conditions are favourable for its further advance into more parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and the remaining regions of West Uttar Pradesh within the next 24 hours.
As Delhi-NCR brace for the monsoon’s full arrival, the weather forecast from June 25 to 28 predicts predominantly cloudy skies with varying intensities of rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.
On June 25, Delhi is expected to experience light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, with gusty winds reaching 30 to 40 kmph. Daytime temperatures are likely to remain between 33°C and 35°C, which is 2 to 4 degrees below normal for this time of year.
The cooling trend will continue through June 26, with very light to light rainfall and thunderstorms expected. Minimum temperatures will range between 26°C and 28°C, dipping 1 to 2 degrees below normal, while maximum temperatures will remain in the 33°C to 35°C range. Winds will predominantly blow from the southeast, with speeds varying between 15 to 25 kmph.
Similar weather conditions are forecast for June 27, with light rain and thunderstorms persisting. Temperatures are expected to remain consistent, with the mercury ranging from 26°C to 28°C at night and 33°C to 35°C during the day. Winds will shift in direction throughout the day, starting from the east and moving to the southeast and northeast by evening, with generally low wind speeds.
On June 28, Delhi is likely to experience very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Temperatures are expected to dip further, with highs between 32°C and 34°C and lows between 25°C and 27°C. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to remain below normal by 3 to 5 degrees and 1 to 3 degrees, respectively. Winds will be light and variable, predominantly from the northwest throughout the day.
The continued advance of the monsoon and the accompanying rainfall will provide much-needed relief from the summer heat while keeping temperatures below seasonal norms across the national capital region.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal from the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to establish the South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) of the International Potato Centre (CIP) in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
This significant move aims to enhance food and nutritional security, boost farmers’ incomes, and create employment opportunities through improved potato and sweet potato productivity, better post-harvest management, and value addition. The upcoming centre will be located in Singna, Agra, and is expected to play a transformative role in the potato sector.
India’s potato industry holds substantial potential to generate jobs across various segments, including production, processing, packaging, transportation, marketing, and the broader agricultural value chain. Recognizing this opportunity, the new CSARC will serve as a hub for advanced research and innovation tailored to the needs of South Asia.
The centre will focus on developing high-yielding, climate-resilient, and nutrient-rich varieties of potato and sweet potato. These innovations are expected to significantly contribute to sustainable agricultural development, not only within India but across the broader South Asian region.
The Government has passed a change to the Employment Relations Act that reinstates the ability for employers to make pay deductions during partial strikes – making the system fairer for all, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today.
“These changes will help both employers and unions to return to the bargaining table and restores the law to what it was before the previous government removed this option in 2018.
“I acknowledge the right of workers to strike in support of their collective bargaining claims, the right to strike remains,” says Ms van Velden.
“The changes were needed to ensure a fairer bargaining process and minimise the disruption partial strikes have caused to public and customer services.
“The key benefit for all workers and the public is less disruption to our communities – partial strikes had serious impacts on Kiwi families, students, patients, and other workers across our workplaces,” says Ms van Velden.
Some of the impacts included MRI and nuclear medicine technologists limiting scans, around 50 per cent fewer procedures were done. That meant delays in early cancer treatment, growing waitlists, increased outsourcing costs and pressure on front-line staff to pick up the work of others participating in the partial strikes.
In 2023, teachers took partial strike action, refusing to teach certain year levels on specific days. This disrupted student learning and made it hard for some parents to work.
“Rebalancing collective bargaining settings will support the Government’s priority to deliver better public services, by reducing disruption and maintaining a high quality of service,” says Ms van Velden.
This new law allows for pay to be deducted during partial strikes, but it’s up to each affected employer to decide how they respond to partial strikes when they occur.
Note to Editors:
What is partial strike and what did it mean prior to this change
A partial strike is industrial action that would normally involve turning up to work but refusing to partake in parts of the job. Until now, if an employee was on a partial strike, their employer could not deduct their pay unless they suspended the employee or issued a lockout notice.
Other noted impacts on the communities:
Since mid-September 2024, NZDF PSA union members have been ‘working-to-rule’, and from November, they have been taking coordinated breaks and stopped working at heights or off-site. In response, the Minister of Defence has authorised uniformed personnel to cover civilian work in some selected areas.
In September 2024, train operators in Wellington began work-to-rule industrial action including refusing shift changes, leading to disruption for travellers.
What these changes mean
Employers can respond to a partial strike by either:
reducing an employee’s pay by a proportionate amount, calculated in accordance with a specified method that is based on identifying the work that the employee will not be performing due to the strike, or
deducting 10 percent of their wages.
Employers will have to provide written notification to employees that they will be reducing their pay before the deduction is made (the amount of deduction is not required in the notice).
If the union believes the employer has incorrectly applied a pay deduction, the union must advise the employer of that as soon as practicable, after receiving the employer’s information on how they calculated the specified pay deduction if relevant. The union can apply to the Employment Relations Authority, who can determine whether the employer has correctly applied the deduction.
Employers do not have to deduct pay in response to partial strikes – this simply provides an additional tool for how they can respond to a partial strike, if it works for them.
The Government welcomed the passage of the Post Secondary Colleges (Amendment) Bill 2025 by the Legislative Council today, which aims to enhance the regulatory and quality assurance mechanisms of self-financing post-secondary institutions.
The goal of the bill is to facilitate the healthy and sustainable development of the self-financing post-secondary education sector.
The bill, which amends the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance, reforms the regulatory regime for the self-financing post-secondary education sector to improve governance, ensuring the quality, transparency and accountability of self-financing institutions, the Government explained.
In addition, the bill suitably removes barriers, including rationalising the arrangements for self-financing institutions to award degrees, and enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Furthermore, it forges a unified regulatory framework to promote coherence in quality assurance, governance, positioning and overall co-ordination.
Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin said that the passage of the bill signifies an important milestone for the development of the self-financing sector.
“We envisage that the enhanced regulatory framework can further support the capacity expansion and quality enhancement of the self-financing sector, with a view to harnessing its advantages in terms of flexibility and diversity to cultivate talent for the country and Hong Kong, and make more proactive contributions towards Hong Kong’s development into an international post-secondary education hub and building China into a leading country in education.”
The Post Secondary Colleges (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 will be published in the Government Gazette on July 4. For relevant institutions that are not currently registered under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance, there will be a transitional period of around three years, until July 31, 2028, for them to complete the registration procedures.
The Education Bureau, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications, will maintain close liaison with self-financing institutions to ensure the smooth implementation of the enhanced regulatory framework and transitional arrangements.
LIMA, Peru, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange, and Web3 company has concluded a successful showing at the Perú Blockchain Conference 2025 as a Silver Sponsor, reinforcing its commitment to advancing crypto education and adoption across Latin America.
Held from June 20 to 21 at the CIP Convention Center in San Isidro, Lima, the event brought together blockchain innovators, industry leaders, and Web3 enthusiasts from across the region. Bitget engaged with attendees through a high-traffic exhibition booth, showcasing its full suite of trading products and Web3 ecosystem offerings.
Kicking off the conference weekend, Bitget hosted a VIP Welcome gathering on June 19, engaging with key stakeholders, fintech entrepreneurs, and regional partners to strengthen relationships and explore future collaborations.
At the main conference, Bitget made significant educational contribution through two expert-led presentations. Gildardo Herrera, Bitget’s Head of LATAM and Iberia Strategy, took to the main stage to deliver a keynote exploring the evolving role of centralized exchanges in supporting crypto adoption across emerging markets. In his talk, Herrera emphasized how platforms like Bitget are building user trust, expanding access to digital assets, and offering innovative products tailored to the region’s unique financial landscape. He also highlighted Bitget’s ongoing investment in local talent and infrastructure as a strategic approach to strengthening its presence across Latin America.
Matias Part, Bitget’s LATAM/Iberia P2P Manager, also took the stage, presenting a focused educational session titled “Trading Bots: What They Are, How They Work, and How to Use Them to Improve Your Trading Performance.” His presentation demystified algorithmic trading by breaking down how trading bots operate, the types of strategies they execute, and how they can help users trade smarter by automating decisions based on market signals. Matias also shared real-world examples and practical tips for integrating trading bots into retail and institutional strategies, making the session a valuable learning opportunity for both novice and experienced traders alike.
Bitget’s presence at Perú Blockchain Conference 2025 underpins its ongoing investment in Latin America, one of the fastest-growing regions for digital asset adoption. With a strong local team and tailored product offerings, Bitget remains focused on making crypto trading more accessible, secure, and efficient for users across the continent.
About Bitget
Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform. Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.
Risk Warning:Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.
Authorities must allow people to participate safely in Saturday’s Budapest Pride, free from intimidation, harassment or violence, said Amnesty International Hungary as it handed in a global petition to the Budapest Police Headquarters.
The #LetPrideMarch petition, signed by more than 120,000 people from 73 countries, reminds the city’s chief of police that he has a duty to respect, protect and facilitate people’s right to peacefully protest and not to enforce discriminatory laws that infringe on people’s human rights. In April, discriminatory legislation came into force passed that has since been used to ban Pride marches and other protests supporting equal rights of LGBTI people in Hungary.
“Budapest police must ensure that the 30th Budapest Pride march proceeds unhindered and peacefully”
“This is a defining moment. You must choose to protect human rights and dignity over enforcing a law that silences those demanding equality,” reads the petition.
“We call on you to reject this unjust law, uphold Hungary’s human rights commitments, and ensure that the 30th Budapest Pride march proceeds unhindered and peacefully, free from discrimination, harassment, fear or violence.”
Under the terms of the new law it is ‘forbidden to hold an assembly in violation’ of 2021 legislation banning the ‘depiction and promotion’ of homosexuality and diverse gender identities to people under 18. Under the law, the authorities have the power to use facial recognition technology to identify participants and to fine those who participate in any prohibited assembly. According to the Criminal Code, organizers of an assembly which is banned may risk criminal charges and up to one year imprisonment.
On 17 June, Budapest’s mayor announced that Budapest Pride, which marks its 30th anniversary this year, will go ahead as a municipal event. In response, the Hungarian police issued a ban against the Pride, arguing that such event is an attempt to circumvent the new discriminatory public assembly law. The mayor has said that Pride will go ahead despite the ban.
We will continue to fight alongside and on behalf of all those who want to live in a more rights respecting, free and equal Hungary
More than 70 Amnesty International delegates from 17 European Amnesty sections, including the organization’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, will join the Pride march on Saturday.
“For years, the government has been trying to stigmatize and use illegal laws to make the lives of sexual and gender minorities, as well as organizations and people who stand up for human rights, impossible. The unlawful restriction of our right to peaceful assembly is the latest chapter in this process,” said Dávid Vig, Amnesty International Hungary’s Director.
“We will continue to fight alongside and on behalf of all those who want to live in a more rights respecting, free and equal Hungary, and of course we will be there at this year’s Budapest Pride.”
A new law banning assemblies that support LGBTI rights came into effect in Hungary earlier this year, in a direct attack on LGBTI people, their allies, and the right to protest. As a result, the Budapest Pride march due to take place on 28 June is under threat.
Eszter Mihály, LGBTQI+ Rights Officer at Amnesty International Hungary, has been leading the organization’s campaign “Let Pride March” and is calling for national police to ensure the event in Budapest goes ahead without repression, surveillance, or intimidation.
In this interview, she shares more about her work as an activist and lawyer, the reality of being LGBTI in Hungary and why Pride must go ahead.
What made you join the fight for LGBTI+ rights?
After graduating from law school, I was determined to become a human rights lawyer, believing that a just society is measured by its treatment of the most vulnerable. Initially, I focused on human rights violations in the prison system, but when the government started to target LGBTI individuals and those advocating for their rights, I shifted my focus.
I had the opportunity to work on cases against the ban on legal gender recognition for transgender people but soon realised that addressing individual cases wasn’t enough. I wanted to utilize broader tools to encourage social change and affirm dignity and equality. This is why I joined Amnesty International Hungary’s team as an LGBTI rights officer.
What’s been the reality for LGBTI+ rights and communities in Hungary over the past few years?
Since 2010, there has been a growing stigmatization of LGBTI individuals in the narratives promoted and legislation adopted by the ruling parties in Hungary. This trend has seemingly reached its peak with recent legal amendments that permit the banning of Pride marches and protests supporting LGBTI rights.
The amendments also allow authorities to impose sanctions on organisers and participants and to use facial recognition technology to identify them. Attendees of a banned Pride march could face fines of up to 200,000 HUF (500 euros).
What do you make of the government’s escalating crackdown on LGBTI+ rights?
The escalating crackdown on LGBTI rights in Hungary can be understood as a deliberate political strategy. Orbán’s government frames LGBTI rights as a foreign trend that threatens national identity and sovereignty, and the visibility of LGBTI identities as harmful for children’s moral development. This pattern of regression is not happening in isolation but follows a broader global “anti-gender” trend where marginalized groups are targeted to divert attention from systemic issues such as corruption or the failings of public services.
State-driven rhetoric that portrays LGBTI rights and visibility as threats to children or traditional values can heighten social hostility. This kind of framing leads to increased stigma and scapegoating within communities, schools, and workplaces.
The crackdowns on LGBTI rights are part of a wider effort to suppress independent voices, including human rights organizations, often labelling them as foreign agents. A new Bill on the “Transparency of Public Life” was recently submitted, which could allow the government to blacklist various organizations that receive foreign funding and are deemed to threaten Hungary’s sovereignty.
How is the LGBTI+ community and its allies responding to the crackdown on their rights and potential ban of Budapest’s Pride on 28 June?
There is more interest in participating in Budapest Pride than ever before.
The Rainbow Mission Foundation, the organiser, has publicly confirmed its commitment to hold the event this year. In support of LGBTI rights, Amnesty Hungary, Háttér Society, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union have organised protests and are taking legal action to challenge both the police’s decision to ban a protest supporting LGBTI rights and the underlying law. Budapest’s mayor, Gergely Karácsony, has also announced that the march will proceed as an official municipal event.
Moreover, Amnesty International has launched a “Let Pride March” campaign to rally global support and encourage the Hungarian police to ensure safe participation on June 28 collecting more than 100,000 signatures from more than 70 countries.
What is special about the annual Pride march in Budapest?
Budapest Pride has undergone remarkable transformation since its first march in 1997, evolving from a modest, heavily policed gathering into a powerful symbol of love and resistance.
My first experience in 2015, followed by several years of volunteering to support the organisers, has shown me the profound creativity, courage, and solidarity that define the event today, despite increasing government repression. Around the time I started to attend, the police still maintained barricades “for protection,” but year-by-year, we managed to break these barriers and started marching freely.
The joy, unexpected hugs, and the sight of queer couples kissing freely in public, perhaps for the first time without fear, are my favourite moments that inspire hope and resilience.
The joy, the unexpected hugs, and the sight of queer couples kissing freely in public is what makes the Pride March in Budapest special.
What does this year’s Pride represent?
This year’s Pride march is not just about LGBTI rights; it is a test of whether the human right to peaceful assembly can survive in Hungary, and if Hungary can ban and criminalise Pride with minimal pushback, other European countries might follow suit.
I believe Budapest’s determination will prevail, showing that LGBTI people are integral to Hungarian society, not “foreign ideologies”.
What support have you received internationally?
We have witnessed significant international solidarity. A cross-party group of Members of the European Parliament, Hadja Lahbib, the EU Commissioner for Equality, and Graeme Reid, the UN Independent Expert on Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, have announced their intention to march in Budapest in defiance of the ban.
I strongly believe that resilience and solidarity can drive meaningful change, especially in the face of adversity. The growing visibility of LGBTI people can serve as a powerful counteraction to the government’s campaign of hate and discrimination. Looking ahead to next year, Hungary will hold parliamentary elections that present a crucial opportunity for us to reclaim our human rights.
I envision a future in which LGBTI individuals are not perceived as outsiders or threats to society, but are instead embraced as integral members of all communities. It is my hope that through our collective efforts, we will foster a safe society that truly reflects the values of love and diversity.
Where do you draw hope from when it gets difficult to fight?
I find a deep sense of hope in the knowledge that I am not alone in this. I’ve encountered countless incredible individuals, each dedicated to our shared mission with remarkable bravery.
How can Amnesty’s supporters – and others – help the LGBTI+ community in Hungary?
People outside Hungary play a crucial role. Solidarity is not an empty slogan: it is a successful strategy. In a country where resistance is met with censorship and smear campaigns, international visibility and financial support can be lifesaving, since many NGOs in Hungary operate on nearly non-existent budgets, especially with their funding under threat.
Call out your own government to pressure Hungary through diplomacy when human rights are violated. If you’re in the EU, push for stronger enforcement of the rule of law mechanisms (like Article 7) and new infringement procedures to challenge laws violating human rights.
Don’t allow Hungary’s anti-LGBTI laws to become “old news”. Keep the conversation going and amplify our voices.
With countries in danger of failing to meet their Sustainable Development Goals targets – and their human rights obligations – leaders attending the Financing for Development Conference must act fast to avert climate catastrophe and guarantee the human rights of billions of people currently being denied socio-economic justice, said Amnesty International.
The 4th International Conference for Financing for Development will take place from 30 June to 3 July in Seville, Spain. It provides a unique opportunity to reform development financing at all levels and address financing challenges preventing the urgently needed investment push to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The SDGs were put in place 10 years ago to guarantee peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future.
“Years of underinvestment by all states mean the majority of the Sustainable Development Goals are way off track from their 2030 target. This conference must confront the immediate crisis linked to the cutting of international assistance by major donors whilst committing to structural reforms that could provide sustainable sources of financing for the longer term – from advancing international tax cooperation and addressing the debt crisis, to reforming international financial institutions and promoting more inclusive systems of financing and development,” said Riva Jalipa, Amnesty International’s Financing for Rights Lead Adviser.
A series of robust measures must be put in place if the Sustainable Development Goals are to become a reality.
Riva Jalipa, Amnesty International’s Financing for Rights Lead Adviser
“A series of robust measures must be put in place if the SDGs are to become a reality. The US and other governments must reverse cuts to aid budgets. Wealthy states must support the UN tax treaty process whilst providing debt relief for countries in or at risk of debt distress including cancellation where appropriate. Fossil fuels subsidies must be redirected towards investment in clean energy and leaders must commit to a full, fast, fair and funded fossil fuel phase out across all sectors and invest adequately in a just and equitable transition. Adopting these measures will go a long way to rescuing the SDGs and ensure social, economic and climate justice for millions across the world.”
Amnesty International will also be co-hosting a Virtual Side Event at the Financing for Development Conference, Seville: Reparative Justice in Financing for Development. The session will focus on development financing and reparative justice as a means through which a human rights-based economy which redresses both existing and historical injustices can not only be conceptualized but also practically actioned. Register to attend via Zoom.
Background
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were put in place 10 years ago to guarantee peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future. The 17 goals aimed to address global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice – to ensure no one was left behind. However,years of underinvestment by all states mean over 80% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’ targets are off track due to underinvestment by all states.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
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On June 24, 2025 the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Sergei Terentiev, met with the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt for European Affairs, Wael Hamed.
The interlocutors considered the issues of preparation of bilateral events of the highest and high levels, as well as the next meeting of the Belarusian-Egyptian Joint Trade Commission. They stressed traditionally friendly relations between Belarus and Egypt, and the readiness to further strengthen them based on the principles of mutual trust and support were noted.
The sides welcomed the intensification of industrial cooperation between the two countries in 2025, including the creation of joint productions of Belarusian equipment in Egypt, as well as cooperation in the field of food security.
Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt expressed gratitude for organizing the next trip to Belarus for a group of Egyptian children for the rest in the “Zubrenok” children’s camp in July 2025, which is a part of the program implemented under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Belarus.
– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
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Sierra Leone has entered a critical phase in strengthening its pandemic preparedness and response capacities, officially flagging-off the operationalisation of the Pandemic Fund. This milestone signals the country’s continued commitment to protecting communities and contributing to global health security.
The project is led by the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), with the World Health Organization (WHO) serving as the lead implementing entity. Other key implementing partners include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF and the World Bank, reflecting a multi-sectoral, One Health approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Sierra Leone’s successful application to the highly competitive Pandemic Fund demonstrates the Government’s growing leadership in global health security. This achievement was made possible through sustained collaboration, with WHO and partners providing technical guidance to shape a proposal aligned with international standards and responsive to national health priorities.
The Pandemic Fund offers a transformative opportunity to strengthen Sierra Leone’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats with greater speed and efficiency. Targeted investments will focus on enhancing disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, health workforce development, and emergency operations, building a more resilient and responsive health system.
Speaking at the flag-off, on behalf of the Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby, the Deputy Minister 2 for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Sahr Hemore, emphasized: “We are working assiduously to ensure the health and protection of our citizens against diseases and to contribute to global health security.”
The timing of this investment is critical. In recent years, Sierra Leone has faced a number of public health emergencies, including the ongoing mpox outbreak, which have exposed systemic vulnerabilities despite the tireless efforts of frontline health workers. The fund aims to address these gaps, while laying the foundation for sustainable, long-term preparedness.
“Sierra Leone’s operationalisation of the pandemic fund represents a significant milestone,” said Dr George Ameh, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone. “The responsibility to deliver rests with all of us, and WHO remains committed to providing technical support throughout the implementation.”
WHO’s role goes beyond the initial design phase. As the lead implementing entity, WHO will continue to provide technical expertise in operational planning, capacity building, monitoring, and evaluation, to ensure that investments translate into measurable, sustainable outcomes. This partnership underscores WHO’s commitment to country-led efforts that advance both national priorities and global health security.
Sierra Leone’s approach serves as an example of how multi-partner collaboration, anchored in strong national leadership, can drive meaningful progress in pandemic preparedness. Sustained success will depend on transparent governance, inclusive coordination, and accountability to both national stakeholders and international partners.
With continued support from WHO, FAO, UNICEF, and the World Bank, Sierra Leone is poised to build a legacy of preparedness that will protect current and future generations and contribute to regional and global health security efforts.
– on behalf of World Health Organization – Sierra Leone.
Headline: Verizon Business wins multisite private 5G contract fueling a multibillion dollar regeneration project
What you need to know:
Verizon Business, in collaboration with Nokia, will deliver multiple Verizon Private 5G Networks to industrial campuses across the Thames Freeport, one of the UK’s busiest maritime logistics and manufacturing regions.
The Thames Freeport is a designated UK “Free Trade Zone,” established to boost economic growth, create high-value jobs and attract global investment as part of a long-term effort to revive the UK’s River Thames Estuary region.
Thames Freeport will use Verizon Private 5G to enhance port operations with AI-driven data analytics, autonomous vehicle control, real-time logistics orchestration, innovation research & development, and more.
LONDON, U.K. — Verizon Business, Thames Freeport and Nokia today announced a strategic partnership to deploy Verizon Private 5G Networks across multiple key logistics, manufacturing, and innovation sites along the River Thames Estuary in the United Kingdom. The Verizon Private 5G Networks will serve as the technology foundation for a multiyear, multibillion dollar operational transformation and economic revival for the region, one of the busiest maritime logistics hubs in the United Kingdom.
The Private 5G Networks buildout provides a scalable, long-term connectivity foundation for advanced data, AI, edge compute, and IoT infrastructure deployments aimed at transforming port and manufacturing operations.
The technological enhancements will play a direct role in boosting the local economy, underpinning job training and reskilling efforts as part of employment initiatives and supporting innovation and research & development collaborations among Freeport tenants and outside corporate, government, and research entities. Thames Freeport has already created 1,400 jobs and plans to reach 5,000 by 2030, with a focus on high-skilled training for local communities.
Private 5G Deployments at Thames Freeport
The Verizon Private 5G Networks will enable advanced data and application capabilities for AI-driven data analytics, predictive maintenance, process automation, autonomous vehicle control, safety monitoring, and real-time logistics orchestration. Nokia is the sole hardware and software provider for the networks, which will incorporate the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) platform and Nokia MX Industrial Edge (MXIE). The Verizon Private 5G Networks will be deployed to the following:
DP World London Gateway and DP World Logistics Park, the UK’s largest and most integrated deep-sea container port and logistics facility, with port capacity to handle over 3 million units per year. The hub includes a rail terminal with 20 daily services and a 9.25 million square foot high-tech logistics center.
Port of Tilbury, the largest of the mixed-use Thames Freeport ports. Tilbury handles 16 million tonnes of cargo per year across 31 independent working terminals. Operated by Forth Ports, the sites comprise a crucial logistics hub for the construction, automotive and food & drink sectors.
Ford Dagenham, the largest manufacturing site in London, this unique location gives access to regional manufacturing clusters, proximity to suppliers, and brings key production closer to the end market.
Executive Statements
“Our partnership with Thames Freeport and Nokia shows the full promise of private 5G at scale. Thames Freeport is developing one of the most technologically advanced commercial corridors in Europe to enable forward innovation and economic revitalization for an entire community,” said Jennifer Artley, SVP, 5G Acceleration at Verizon Business. “We’re not just driving operational improvements to help a partner stay ahead of the curve; we’re laying the groundwork for new revenue streams, community development, and further commercial and technological investment.”
“A flexible, high-performance connectivity platform is critical to our long-term vision,” said Martin Whiteley, CEO, Thames Freeport. “Our investment in private 5G is not an incremental network upgrade—it’s the backbone of a technological transformation fueling our long-term multi-stakeholder mission, which includes operational excellence for tenants; ROI for shareholders like Ford, DP World and Forth Ports; innovation leadership for public and private benefit; circular economy models supporting efficient energy models; empowering community development by enabling high-value job creation and training; and transforming public services with near-real time diagnostics at health-service sites. By partnering with Verizon Business and Nokia, we’re delivering the technology needed to propel our region to the front of the leading edge.”
“Private wireless and industrial edge are the foundations for the digital transformation of industrial sites, and the Thames Freeport deployment is a landmark example of this evolution at scale. This is one of the largest commercial private 5G rollouts in a European port incorporating the Nokia DAC platform. This network will allow Thames Freeport to overlay advanced use cases such as AI-driven data analytics, predictive maintenance, process automation, autonomous vehicle control, safety monitoring, and real-time logistics orchestration,” said David de Lancellotti, VP of Enterprise Campus Edge Sales at Nokia. “Together with Verizon Business, we’re proud to be enabling the infrastructure that will help Thames Freeport drive new efficiencies, sustainable growth, and long-term economic opportunity for the region.”
Fueling Growth
The Thames Freeport has a mission of economic regeneration and operational excellence, centered on stimulating trade, fostering innovation, supporting energy transition, creating jobs and improving the lives of the people around it. Private 5G Networks from Verizon Business can help enable a range of strategic priorities at Thames Freeport sites in service of that mission.
Select priorities include enabling advanced technology layers such as AI, edge computing, and IoT across active industrial sites where Freeport stakeholders can collaborate on new applications. For example, industrial sites can leverage IoT for autonomous yard tractors and quay cranes and for near real-time tracking, smart routing, and condition monitoring for cargo. That can allow tenants to intake cargo, assess quantity and condition, and ship it out faster and more efficiently, losing less to damage or misplacement. Additionally, AI with edge computing can help manage environmental impact through edge-connected smart sensors and AI-driven analytics that monitor and optimize port operations and asset performance, including near-real time monitoring of emissions, air and water quality, and noise levels.
Managing the use of the Verizon Private 5G Network infrastructure will be the responsibility of Thames Freeport and its tenant shareholder organizations. This ensures fit-for-purpose connectivity that adapts to site-specific requirements while safeguarding data and operational autonomy.
lign=”center”>Strengthening Bharat is the governing philosophy and resolve of the government today-VP Amid perpetual decline of global multilateralism, VP advocates that India give up romanticism and focus on economic growth Those who take a stand for momentary situations are not in the psych or groove of Bharat-VP Even the Fabian socialists of the 50’s cannot disagree with the direction of the country as we strive to attain-VP When we assess the progress of Bharat, our outlook must be very broad, not dictated by isolated incidents-VP
The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today recalling V. D. Savarkar stated that, “ Browsing through the pages of ‘New World: 21st Century Global Order in India’. I felt the imprint of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in the author’s thought……..Savarkar, despite all the untenable misgivings and untenable misgivings in extremity, remains a celebrated thinker who stood at the wee hours of the post-war order. Savarkar, a staunch realist, believed in a post-war world where nations would act only in pursuit of their own interests not based on idealism, morality or international solidarity. Imagine how prophetic he has been. Look around last fortnight, last three months. All this has been seen by all of us. He rejected pacifist or utopian internationalism and emphasized that India must safeguard its sovereignty through strength, not by relying on Western-dominated institutions like the League of Nations or later the United Nations, both ignoring due place to one-sixth of humanity”.
Speaking at the launch of the book ‘New World: 21st Century Global Order in India’ by Shri Ram Madhav, Shri Dhankhar highlighted, “Friends, today, strengthening Bharat is the governing philosophy and resolve of this government. It is steadfast, firm, non-negotiable, and notwithstanding the critics — it is spinally strong. The nation has never ever projected its stand so firmly. Let us not be misguided by the distraction — who said what. The government, and India and its people, stand firmly for the nation — nation first and our nationalism….Those who take a stand for momentary situations are not in the psych or groove of Bharat. Once we attain strength inwards, we can shape our strategic environment outwards”.
“I could not agree more with lamentations of the author Dr. Ram Madhav. He highlights a perpetual decline of global multilateralism and prescribes India to give up romanticism and focus on economic growth”, he added.
Underlining the roots of strategic thinking in the nation, he stated, “George Tanham, an American thinker, three decades ago, in a treatise effectively suggested that there is absence of a strategic thinking in India on account of its Hindu philosophical roots and there were takers of it. But with Shri Ram Madhav’s volume, George Tanhan stands corrected. He couldn’t be more wrong. His analysis is far distanced from the ground reality over the centuries in this country…..The principle ‘Rajadharma’ (or ethical statecraft) and ‘Dharmayudha’ (just war) in Mahabharata; Dhamma diplomacy in Ashokan edicts; and the Mandala Theory of Kautilya are all examples of theorizing strategic environments — all feast to the intellect.These philosophies have ever been relevant, but in our contemporaneous challenging times, these are the need of the global order.”
He further underlined, “These are times when we are easily misunderstood. The travesty of it is that when you say these things, hypocritically psychopancy overtakes the traction to denude you of your position by exactly pointing a finger which normally should be pointed towards them. Friends, even the Fabian socialists of the 50s cannot disagree with the direction of the country as we strive to attain. And what do we strive to attain? We are not creating Bharat, it was not born on 15th August 1947. We only got rid of colonial power ‘सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः, सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः’ that is our philosophy. May all beings be happy, may all beings be free from illness.”
Emphasizing the peace loving nature of Bharat, he stated, “Friends, this country has always stood for global peace and harmony, never having engaged at any time in its history in expansionism. The contemporaneous global scenario today is alarmingly concerning and also equally worrisome, particularly for peace-loving nations like Bharat….As Bharat achieves universal well-being for all citizens, we become role models for others. We lead by example, not by proclamation. We already lead in areas like digital public infrastructure where global South nations can follow our path. It was the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi that during G20 the concerns of Global South could be put on the radar. It happened for the first time. It was for the first time during G20 that African Union was put at par with European Union in the membership of G20. I would call it a game-changing development. And therefore, when we assess the progress of Bharat, our outlook must be very broad, not dictated by isolated incidents.”
Urging careful approach, he said, “ Friends, the pathway to Bharat’s rise would require careful trading. There are forces that are determined to make our life difficult. There are forces within the country and outside. These sinister forces, pernicious to our interests, want to strike by dividing us on issues even like language. Which country in the world can take pride of the language richness as Bharat. Look at our classical languages, their number. In parliament, 22 such languages allow and afford opportunity anyone to express in them. It would require many such thinkers to come together and debate and discuss challenges and opportunities and aid policymakers in making right strategic choices. Evolution of policies must take place now with a little more representative character. India’s Think tanks, they are available in various formats, different political parties. It is required that there be convergence…..the political temperature has to come down. There has to be greater dialogue amongst political parties. I firmly believe we have no enemies in the country. We have enemies outside. And some who are enemies within a small fraction, they are rooted to outside forces, inimical to Bharat.”
South Korean rival political parties clashed on Wednesday as they disagreed over the eligibility of Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok during the second and final day of his confirmation hearings.
The main opposition People Power Party demanded the nominee submit evidence to clarify allegations surrounding his wealth and family, while the ruling Democratic Party protested the PPP’s baseless attacks were disrupting a thorough vetting of his abilities.
“The hearing cannot proceed like this,” PPP Rep. Bae June-young, ranking member of the confirmation hearing committee, said, demanding that the nominee submit records of the tax and other payments he claimed to have made the previous day.
Bae also demanded immigration records and a report card proving that Kim did earn a master’s degree at China’s Tsinghua University.
“I will provide what I can and what is necessary,” the nominee answered.
DP Rep. Chai Hyun-il shot back, however, by citing the cases of former prime ministers under PPP-affiliated administrations, such as Han Duck-soo, Hwang Kyo-ahn and Chung Hong-won, saying various documents went unsubmitted during their confirmation hearings.
“Was it an invasion of privacy then but vetting now?” he protested.
The prime minister is the only Cabinet position that requires parliamentary consent for appointment. Other minister nominees undergo the confirmation process, but consent is not necessary for their appointment by the president.
The PPP is unlikely to agree to adopting a report, which is a step in the confirmation process, as it has consistently questioned Kim’s eligibility and demanded his withdrawal.
During the first day of hearings Tuesday, the PPP grilled the nominee over the source of his income amid large differences between his reported wealth and spending, as well as allegations surrounding his son’s college admissions and his own studies at Tsinghua University, Yonhap news agency reported.
The DP defended the nominee while highlighting his professional aptitude to serve in the number 2 government role.
The motion for a prime minister’s confirmation passes by majority approval, with a majority of lawmakers present.
The DP can single-handedly pass Kim’s motion as it currently holds a parliamentary majority with 167 out of 298 seats.
Kim, a four-term lawmaker of the DP and a former top campaign aide to President Lee Jae Myung, shared his thoughts on some of Lee’s campaign pledges, such as a 4.5-day workweek.
“The overall direction was proposed, and the execution plans have to be discussed additionally,” he said. “Reducing the number of working days can be considered in line with global trends and human nature.”
On the pledge to raise the retirement age, Kim said it is a matter requiring comprehensive discussions and social acceptance.
“If I become prime minister, I think it could be worth commissioning a full-scale study by a state-run think tank,” he said.
The PPP has called for extending the hearings by a day to better vet the nominee, while the DP has maintained they should be completed on Wednesday before finalising the confirmation next week.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the damage to Iranian nuclear sites from missile strikes over the weekendwas severe, though he also acknowledged that the available intelligence on the matter was inconclusive.
His comments followed reports by Reuters and other media outlets on Tuesday revealing that the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency had assessed that the strikes had set back Iran’s nuclear program by just a few months, despite administration officials saying the program had been obliterated.
“The intelligence was very inconclusive,” Trump told reporters before joining a NATO summit in The Hague. “The intelligence says we don’t know. It could’ve been very severe. That’s what the intelligence suggests.”
Later, during the same round of comments, Trump argued that Iran’s nuclear deal had been set back “basically decades, because I don’t think they’ll ever do it again”.
Trump was sitting alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who both also cast doubt on the reliability of the DIA assessment.
Rubio said the U.S. was opening an investigation into the leak of the DIA report. He also suggested the report’s contents had been misrepresented in the media.
India’s Rishabh Pant and England’s Ben Duckett have achieved career-best ratings in the latest ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings following their impressive performances with the bat in the first Test at Headingley, according to the official ICC website.
Pant became just the second wicket-keeper after Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower to score two centuries in the same Test match, scoring 134 and 118 in the thrilling Leeds contest that England won by five wickets. He earned a career-best rating, moving up one spot to seventh overall in the Test batting rankings.
Duckett claimed Player of the Match honors for his innings of 62 and 149, also achieving a new career-best rating by jumping five places to eighth in the updated Test batting rankings.
Duckett’s England teammates Ollie Pope (up three spots to 19th) and Jamie Smith (up eight places to 27th) also gained ground in this week’s rankings update. Meanwhile, India captain Shubman Gill moved up five spots to 20th overall after his century in the first innings of the match.
England veteran Joe Root remains the No.1-ranked Test batter, with teammate Harry Brook his closest challenger.
The drawn first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also saw a host of players improve their positions in the batting rankings, with Mushfiqur Rahim leading the way after his innings of 163 in Galle.
Rahim gained 11 spots to reach 28th among Test batters, while teammate Najmul Hossain Shanto surged 21 places to 29th after scoring two centuries in the same match.
There was little change in the latest Test bowlers’ rankings, with India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah maintaining his top position after another five-wicket haul in the Headingley Test.
There was also joy for England captain Ben Stokes, who gained three spots to move up to fifth in the Test all-rounder rankings, following his strong contributions with both bat and ball in the same Test.
Changes were also seen in the latest T20I rankings after the completion of the tri-series between Scotland, Nepal, and the Netherlands, which the hosts won in Glasgow.
Netherlands’ dasher Michael Levitt rose 16 spots to 14th, and Scotland all-rounder Brandon McMullen moved up 20 places to joint-38th on the latest T20I batters list, while spinner Mark Watt climbed two spots to 38th in the T20I bowlers’ rankings.
Nepal spinner Lalit Rajbanshi also made notable progress, jumping 29 places to 54th following his four wickets in the tri-series.
Measures to protect the public and establish industry standards.
New proposals to improve safety and standards in the non-surgical cosmetic procedures sector have been set out as the Scottish Government publishes its response to a consultation on the issue.
The proposals, informed by over 2,200 responses and broad stakeholder engagement, intends to introduce a minimum age of 18 for all procedures and classify treatments into three distinct groups which will be regulated to reflect the associated risk:
group 1 procedures – such as microneedling and non-ablative laser treatments – will require both a premises licence and individual practitioner licences issued by local authorities
group 2 procedures – including injectables like Botox® and dermal fillers – will have to be supervised by a qualified health care professional in a setting regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS)
group 3 procedures – for instance, breast and buttock augmentation – will have to be performed by a qualified healthcare professional in an HIS-regulated setting
The Scottish Government will take forward a combination of primary and secondary legislation to implement the proposals. A new Bill regulating Group 2 and Group 3 procedures will be introduced later this year. Secondary legislation under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 will establish the licensing regime for Group 1 procedures.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said:
“It is deeply upsetting to hear of cases where people have suffered as a result of non-surgical cosmetic procedures going wrong.
“The current gaps in regulation mean that anyone can perform most of these procedures without the need for any formal training or qualifications. These proposals reflect our determination to protect the public and ensure high standards across this growing industry.
“I am particularly heartened by the broad support for action to make the sector safer, and we will continue to work closely with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, local authorities, and the wider industry to support a smooth and effective implementation.”
Background
The latest consultation built on a previous one in 2020 and put forward more detailed proposals for what that further regulation could look like. The recent consultation on the licensing and regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures received over 2,200 responses from individuals, businesses, professional bodies, and medical experts. There was widespread support for increased regulation to improve safety and accountability across the sector.
Members of the Education and Children’s Services Committee were today (Tuesday 24 June) updated on the significant strides made by Aberdeen schools in educating young people about Climate Change, Biodiversity and the city’s Net Zero ambitions during the 2024-25 school session.
The report, which detailed a wide range of impactful events and initiatives delivered across schools, as well as the continued efforts of the Youth Climate Change Group, was approved by committee with the exception of recommendation 2.3. The full report can be viewed here.
Councillor Martin Greig, convener, of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “Our schools are playing a vital role in preparing young people to meet the challenges of the climate emergency. Through innovative learning and strong partnerships, we are empowering the next generation to lead the way towards a more sustainable and equitable future for Aberdeen and beyond.”
Councillor Jessica Mennie, vice-convener of the Education and Children Services Committee, said: “The enthusiasm and creativity shown by our young people in tackling climate change is truly inspiring. By embedding sustainability into everyday learning and supporting youth-lead initiatives, we are not only educating but also encouraging future leaders to help shape a greener Aberdeen.”
Aberdeen’s schools continue to embrace the Learning for Sustainability (LfS) agenda, integrating sustainable development, biodiversity, climate change, outdoor learning, and global citizenship into the Curriculum for Excellence.
These themes are explored through interdisciplinary learning, project-based learning, science, social studies, and outdoor education, empowering young people to take meaningful action for a better future. Aberdeen now has 11 schools that are recognised as Eco Schools and awarded Green Flag status by Keep Scotland Beautiful.
St Joseph’s RC School won the Scottish Fair Trade ‘In the Bag’ award in recognition of its 10-year commitment to fair and ethical trade, including being the first school in Scotland to commit to supporting and working with communities in India.
The Youth Climate Change Group remains a vital platform for pupil voice and leadership and the committee thanked pupils for their significant efforts in promoting and actioning environmental work in school and citywide.
Committee members agreed that this important area of focused activity should continue and instructed the Chief Officer for Education and Lifelong Learning to support the Youth Climate Change Group to collate and share a yearly summary of the most impactful projects in their schools, through means to be determined by the group, to inspire other young people across the city.
The committee agreed that representatives from the Youth Climate Change Group should be invited to present the Climate Change report to committee in subsequent years.
In partnership with the City Development and Regeneration Service, the Education Service will launch the ABZ Pipeline – a new initiative designed to create curriculum-linked pathways into the renewable sector. This programme will connect learners with employers, offering real-world experiences and helping pupils align their career planning with Aberdeen’s green economy.
Aberdeen for a Fairer World (AFW) continues to play a key role in supporting schools with climate-related activities. Their work includes developing projects with local authorities, ETZ, and employers, identifying skills and employment opportunities, and assessing the impact of in-school activities.
A comprehensive record of school participation during Climate Week North East 2025 will be published in the summer term.
Beyond the classroom, pupils are engaging in film screenings, workshops, barista events, and Fair Trade initiatives – demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and community action. These efforts also contribute to wider achievement and support National Qualifications.
These initiatives also align with the Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) Stretch Outcome 13, which aims to reduce Aberdeen’s carbon emissions by at least 61% by 2026. As the city works towards Net Zero by 2045, the continued focus on climate education and youth engagement is essential to building a resilient, sustainable future.
The committee instructed the Chief Officer of Education and Lifelong Learning to provide a progress update within one calendar year.
Primary 7 pupils heading to Greenfield Academy have taken part in a special transition day at the Regional Performance Centre for Sport.
With Greenfield Academy set to open in August for the new school year, pupils from the feeder primary schools have gathered at the Regional Performance Centre (RPC) to mark this important step in their journey.
Over 300 new s1 pupils took part in a range of indoor and outdoor activities and had the opportunity to meet their new classmates and teachers. The activities were organised by the school in partnership with Dundee Active Schools, Community Learning and Development East Youth Team, and the Dundee Battalion Army Cadet Force.
Greenfield Academy is part of the new £100 millionDrumgeithCommunity Campus, which is the largest investment in education, sport and community provision in the city and will deliver state-of-the-art facilities and services to the area.
Children, Families and Communities Convener Stewart Hunter said: “This isa really excitingtime for our young people who will be attending the new Greenfield Academy.
“It’s great that even though they can’t go and do this at the school, they are still able to come together, get to know each other, and meet their future teachers.
“I know a lot of work has gone into making this possible, and I would like to thank everyone involved.”
Greenfield Academy Headteacher, Johnny Lothian said: “Our students are looking forward to taking the step to their new Secondary School and in August will become Greenfield Academy first-ever S1 intake. Already they are showing themselves to be a superb year group with great potential.”
The feeder primary schools areClaypottsCastle, Rowantree, Fintry,Ballumbie, Mill of Mains, andLonghaugh.
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 25 (Xinhua) — All the conditions for opening the second Lu Ban workshop in Kazakhstan, located in the compass of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, will be ready by October this year, the Tianjin Ribao (Tianjin daily) newspaper reported.
Lu Ban’s workshop is a vocational education brand pioneered by Tianjin-based educational institutions. The decision to open a second workshop in Kazakhstan was announced in July 2024.
According to the agreement signed between China and Kazakhstan, the Lu Ban Workshop, established by the Tianjin Vocational Institute and the Eurasian National University, will be designed to train specialists in the field of digital technologies.
From June 23 to July 16, Tianjin Vocational Institute is holding a training course for teachers for the aforementioned workshop.
At the same time, as reported in the Tianjin Ribao newspaper, the reconstruction work of the workshop premises is nearing completion. The first batch of training equipment was delivered to Kazakhstan and will be officially handed over to the Kazakh side in July of this year.
Lu Ban’s first workshop in Kazakhstan opened in December 2023 at the East Kazakhstan Technical University. To date, more than 400 students in transport specialties have been trained there. -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
TIANJIN, June 25 (Xinhua) — China is confident in its strength and ability to maintain dynamic economic growth, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Wednesday while addressing the opening ceremony of the 16th annual meeting of emerging global leaders of the World Economic Forum (WEF), also known as “Summer Davos”, in the north Chinese city of Tianjin.
“For many years, regardless of changes in the international situation, the Chinese economy has maintained good momentum,” Li Qiang said.
He noted that in the first quarter of 2025, China’s GDP grew by 5.4 percent, although external shocks became more numerous. “Key economic indicators continued to improve in the second quarter, and, as far as I know, international organizations have recently increased their forecasts for China’s economic growth,” the head of the Chinese government noted.
According to him, China’s economic development is not short-term spurts, but a steady movement toward long-term goals. Li Qiang noted that China is moving toward becoming a high-income country, driven by strong demand for consumer upgrading in the country, which is the world’s second-largest consumer and import market.
China aims to become a giant consumer powerhouse built on a solid foundation of manufacturing, the premier added, expressing confidence that China’s continuous breakthroughs and achievements in innovation will inject new impetus into global development, helping to overcome the global problem of economic slowdown.
During the Summer Davos, WEF President Borge Brende shared his views on China’s economic prospects.
“I am relatively optimistic about the Chinese economy in both the medium and long term. Although China has already diversified its economy, the country is still transforming from manufacturing goods to providing more services and digital trade. We are also seeing a lot of new technologies being applied. China is doing very well in artificial intelligence and robotics,” he said.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair also drew attention to China’s impressive transformation in recent decades and called on other countries to try to understand and engage with China rather than isolate it. Deepening engagement is important, he said, with a particular focus on people-to-people exchanges in addition to government-to-government and business cooperation.
This year’s Summer Davos was titled “Entrepreneurship in a New Era.” The event will run from June 24 to 26, bringing together more than 1,700 prominent politicians, businessmen, academics, and media representatives from more than 90 countries and regions around the world. -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
GUANGZHOU, June 25 (Xinhua) — Dai Daojin, former deputy secretary of the Party leadership group and vice chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) committee in central China’s Hunan Province, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on Tuesday for accepting bribes.
Dai Daojin was found to have accepted more than 107 million yuan (about $15 million) in bribes over a period of more than two decades, beginning in 2000.
According to a statement from the Zhuhai Intermediate People’s Court in Guangdong Province, Dai Daojin, while holding various positions in Hunan Province, assisted third parties in matters such as running businesses, concluding project contracts and promoting their careers.
Dai Daojin was deprived of his political rights for life. All his personal property and illegal income were confiscated and retained by the state, the court said in its verdict. -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
UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (Xinhua) — It was the United States that started the Iranian nuclear crisis, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong said Tuesday in response to Iran’s accusations at a UN Security Council meeting.
The Chinese side noted that some Security Council members do nothing but accuse Iran of violating non-proliferation obligations, trying to justify military actions by Israel and the United States, he noted.
“China would like to remind these countries of the following basic facts: It was the United States that started the Iranian nuclear crisis,” Fu Cong said.
He added that the US unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. Washington has since reimposed and strengthened unilateral sanctions against Iran and adopted “maximum pressure” measures that have prevented Tehran from reaping the economic dividends provided by the agreement and forced Tehran to reduce its commitments under the deal.
The United States also, to the detriment of its own authority, launched military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, undermining the negotiation process it had started and leading the Iranian nuclear issue to another dead end, which led to a sharp aggravation of the situation in the region, he said.
Iran’s sincerity in resolving nuclear crisis should be appreciated, Chinese diplomat says
He noted that Iran still continues to fulfill its non-proliferation obligations and the comprehensive safeguards agreement. Tehran has repeatedly stated that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons.
According to Fu Cong, Iran has held several rounds of professional and pragmatic negotiations with the US in a constructive manner and has never given up on its diplomatic efforts. However, some countries, by one-sidedly citing the report of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and ignoring the positive aspects of Iran’s cooperation with the agency, sought to pass a resolution by the IAEA Board of Governors without proper consultation. According to him, this jeopardizes the atmosphere of dialogue, increasing tension and confrontation. “These countries should carefully consider the negative consequences of their irresponsible move,” he said.
Israel and the United States resorted to the use of force against Iran on the basis of “possible future threats,” which is a serious violation of international law and Iran’s sovereignty. The attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards set a bad precedent that threatens the international non-proliferation regime. China once again unequivocally condemns this, the PRC representative noted.
The above-mentioned actions have also undermined diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue and created a high degree of uncertainty regarding the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2231. China is seriously concerned, Fu Cong concluded. –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
UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (Xinhua) — United Nations humanitarian officials warned Tuesday that the death toll, including among children, will rise if the blockade of fuel supplies to Gaza continues, amid reports of continued shelling of Gazans at aid distribution sites.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the death toll in Gaza continues to rise in the ongoing conflict with Israel, including cases of shelling of civilians near humanitarian aid distribution points outside UN control, as well as along routes designated by the Israeli authorities for the delivery of humanitarian supplies.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said last week that if the current blockade of fuel supplies to Gaza, which has lasted for more than 100 days, is not lifted, children will begin to die of thirst.
The number of children hospitalized for acute malnutrition increased by almost 50 percent in May compared to April, the organization said, highlighting the urgent need for drinking water as the infrastructure for its production has been largely destroyed.
Humanitarian officials have also expressed grave concern about the mental health of children in Gaza.
The UN and its partners have deployed more than 2,000 specially trained staff to provide psychological support, OCHA said. –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
UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (Xinhua) — China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong called on the Security Council on Tuesday for a return to the path of a political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.
China believes there is still hope for a peaceful resolution to the issue as diplomatic means have not been exhausted, he said.
According to the Permanent Representative, all parties need to learn lessons from the crisis, resume dialogue on an equal basis and facilitate a return to the path of political settlement.
First of all, the fighting should stop, he said, adding that China had taken into account the current events in the region and hoped for a real ceasefire.
“The parties concerned must take practical measures to prevent the situation from escalating again. At the same time, the international community must make efforts to defuse the situation and promote dialogue and negotiations,” the diplomat said.
To maintain a balance between nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful uses of the atom, he called on Iran to continue to fulfill its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons and on all other parties to fully respect Iran’s right as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Noting that China supports all efforts to resume talks, Fu Cong said the Security Council should play a constructive role in helping the parties build trust, overcome differences and create conditions conducive to the resumption of talks.
He stressed that the countries concerned should refrain from threatening to return to sanctions against Iran on every occasion, as this would only exacerbate tensions and confrontation and put diplomatic efforts at further risk.
“A proper solution to the Iranian nuclear issue has a direct bearing on the credibility and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime and is of crucial importance to peace and stability in the Middle East,” Fu Cong stressed.
“The situation in the region is currently at an important critical stage. China calls on all parties to act urgently and responsibly to de-escalate the situation and resume negotiations as soon as possible,” the diplomat added.
As a permanent member of the Security Council and a party to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear program (JCPOA), China will continue to adhere to an objective and impartial position, strengthen communication and coordination with all parties, enhance cooperation and advocate justice, so as to play a constructive role in restoring peace in the Middle East and advancing a political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, the Permanent Representative concluded. –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
ISTANBUL, June 25 (Xinhua) — A China Eastern Airlines flight carrying more than 200 passengers landed at Istanbul Airport at around 7:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, marking the launch of the airline’s new direct route between northwest China’s Xi’an and Istanbul, Turkey.
This is the airline’s second direct route connecting China and Turkey, after Shanghai-Istanbul. According to the Shanghai-based airline, the new route is operated by a wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft three times a week – on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
At the opening ceremony of the first return flight from Istanbul at the airport on Tuesday morning, China’s Deputy Consul General in Istanbul Wu Jian called the opening of the new route an important step in building a convenient “air Silk Road” between the two historic cities.
According to him, the new route will undoubtedly give new impetus to the development of Chinese-Turkish economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, as well as the joint promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative. –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 25 (Xinhua) — China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) said Wednesday that the second phase of its Shenhai-1 (Deepwater-1) gas field in the South China Sea has begun production, marking the completion of the country’s largest such project.
According to the corporation, annual gas production at this field is expected to exceed 4.5 billion cubic meters, reaching the maximum design value.
The geological reserves of the Shenhai-1 field amount to more than 150 billion cubic meters. Gas production has been carried out here since June 2021, when the first stage of the project was commissioned.
Natural gas produced at the field is transported to coastal terminals in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Sanya City in Hainan Province and Zhuhai City in Guangdong Province, supplying key economic regions and integrating into the state gas pipeline network.
Shenhai-1 is the country’s most complex deepwater gas field project. It is being developed under the highest temperatures and pressures ever encountered in inland shelf exploration. The maximum operating depth exceeds 1,500 m, and the deepest wells are 5,000 m.
Project manager Liu Kang said the production infrastructure and technology system formed as part of the project will help carry out comprehensive deep-sea oil and gas exploration in the future, increasing the role of marine resources in ensuring the country’s energy supply. -0-
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
A student from the State University of Management took third place in the youth award at the largest marketing and advertising festival Silver Mercury.
The competition brought together 144 projects from participants from 15 cities in Russia and other countries, since all defenses took place online, this allowed us to go beyond geographical boundaries.
As part of the competition, talented students and creators solved real business cases and received expert assessment. The tasks for the participants were set by Magnit, SIBUR, Avito, Samolet, the TV channel “Friday!” and GPM Reklama, whose representatives closely followed the progress of the competition, participated in the discussions and already at the early stage of voting began to discuss the possible implementation of ideas.
The project of 3rd year student of the State University of Management Dmitry Trofimov took third place in solving a case from Avito on attracting subscribers to the company’s social networks using a digital project.
“I suggested creating a clicker game based on Telegram and came up with a bright character for the brand – the parrot Otiv. The application provided a system of motivation, bonuses and internal competitions aimed at engaging and retaining players. In addition to the game, an outreach strategy was thought out. The jury appreciated the boldness of the approach and creativity, and also noted that Otiv has every right to become a full-fledged Avito mascot,” Dmitry shared.
We congratulate our student on his award and wish him inspiration, new ideas and further success!
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Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kristen Michal, on the margins of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in The Hague, the Netherlands.
The prime ministers underscored the strong and dynamic relationship between Canada and Estonia. They discussed opportunities to strengthen shared priorities – including in commerce, defence, and energy – and to bolster co-operation on critical minerals.
The two leaders underscored their steadfast support for Ukraine and agreed on the imperative of achieving a just and lasting peace.
Prime Minister Carney outlined Canada’s plan to rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces – meeting the NATO 2 per cent target this year and accelerating defence investments in the years ahead.
Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Michal agreed to remain in close contact.