India’s trade performance in May 2025 has shown strength and stability despite uncertain global conditions, according to views shared by industry experts and economists. FIEO President S C Ralhan highlighted that India’s total exports, including goods and services, increased by 2.8 per cent to USD 71.12 billion in May 2025, up from USD 69.20 billion in May 2024. The growth was mainly driven by services such as software, consultancy, and financial services.
Even though merchandise exports dipped slightly to USD 38.73 billion, the continued service momentum helped support overall performance.”Exporters are adapting well to a tough global environment,” said Ralhan. “The ability to sustain export growth despite logistical disruptions, especially in the Middle East, is a testament to the sector’s agility and policy support. “On the import front, merchandise imports eased to USD 60.61 billion, while overall imports (goods and services) stood at USD 77.75 billion, down from USD 78.55 billion in May 2024.
He added, “With appropriate policy interventions and global conditions expected to stabilise in the second half of 2025, India is well-positioned to regain a strong export growth trajectory”. Pankaj Chadha, Chairman of EEPC India, stated that the engineering exports sector has managed to stay steady despite continued international challenges.
While there was a minor decline of 0.8 per cent in engineering goods exports in May 2025, down to USD 9.89 billion from USD 9.97 billion in the same month last year, the overall numbers remain encouraging. He said, “Overall global situation, however, remains volatile. Uncertainty has only been mounting due to geopolitical tensions in key parts of the world.
The latest Israel-Iran conflict threatens to multiply the challenges for the exporting community. Apart from a rise in input costs as a result of a jump in crude prices, there is heightened concern around the blocking of the Straits of Hormuz by Iran in case tensions further intensify.
Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist at ICRA, noted that India’s merchandise trade deficit reduced significantly to USD 21.9 billion in May 2025 from USD 26.4 billion in April. This is expected to help contain the current account deficit (CAD) for Q1 FY2026 to around USD 13 billion, or 1.3 per cent of GDP.
She said, “If crude oil prices average around USD 75/barrel over the remainder of this fiscal, we foresee the CAD at 1.2-1.3 per cent of GDP for FY2026. While India’s exports contracted slightly in May 2025, this was entirely led by oil exports. Non-oil exports posted a YoY growth for the second consecutive month, led by electronic goods, garments, organic and inorganic chemicals, and marine products, which helped to moderate the trade deficit. Further, the YoY contraction in oil and gold imports helped to contain the merchandise trade deficit”. (ANI)
India’s trade performance in May 2025 has shown strength and stability despite uncertain global conditions, according to views shared by industry experts and economists. FIEO President S C Ralhan highlighted that India’s total exports, including goods and services, increased by 2.8 per cent to USD 71.12 billion in May 2025, up from USD 69.20 billion in May 2024. The growth was mainly driven by services such as software, consultancy, and financial services.
Even though merchandise exports dipped slightly to USD 38.73 billion, the continued service momentum helped support overall performance.”Exporters are adapting well to a tough global environment,” said Ralhan. “The ability to sustain export growth despite logistical disruptions, especially in the Middle East, is a testament to the sector’s agility and policy support. “On the import front, merchandise imports eased to USD 60.61 billion, while overall imports (goods and services) stood at USD 77.75 billion, down from USD 78.55 billion in May 2024.
He added, “With appropriate policy interventions and global conditions expected to stabilise in the second half of 2025, India is well-positioned to regain a strong export growth trajectory”. Pankaj Chadha, Chairman of EEPC India, stated that the engineering exports sector has managed to stay steady despite continued international challenges.
While there was a minor decline of 0.8 per cent in engineering goods exports in May 2025, down to USD 9.89 billion from USD 9.97 billion in the same month last year, the overall numbers remain encouraging. He said, “Overall global situation, however, remains volatile. Uncertainty has only been mounting due to geopolitical tensions in key parts of the world.
The latest Israel-Iran conflict threatens to multiply the challenges for the exporting community. Apart from a rise in input costs as a result of a jump in crude prices, there is heightened concern around the blocking of the Straits of Hormuz by Iran in case tensions further intensify.
Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist at ICRA, noted that India’s merchandise trade deficit reduced significantly to USD 21.9 billion in May 2025 from USD 26.4 billion in April. This is expected to help contain the current account deficit (CAD) for Q1 FY2026 to around USD 13 billion, or 1.3 per cent of GDP.
She said, “If crude oil prices average around USD 75/barrel over the remainder of this fiscal, we foresee the CAD at 1.2-1.3 per cent of GDP for FY2026. While India’s exports contracted slightly in May 2025, this was entirely led by oil exports. Non-oil exports posted a YoY growth for the second consecutive month, led by electronic goods, garments, organic and inorganic chemicals, and marine products, which helped to moderate the trade deficit. Further, the YoY contraction in oil and gold imports helped to contain the merchandise trade deficit”. (ANI)
FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii — The U.S. Army marked a historic milestone in 2025 as it celebrated its 250th birthday, and U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) led the way in the Pacific theater with a week of events designed to honor the past, inspire the present, and shape the future of the Army.
Chief Officer Jason Heffernan presenting a service certificate to Toomuc brigade
Toomuc Fire Brigade recently gathered to celebrate their 80 years of service to the community and acknowledge the dedication of some of their long serving members.
More than 60 people came together at the Cardinia Club in Pakenham on Saturday 14 June, with CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan joining in the festivities.
Toomuc Fire Brigade Captain Andrew Ferrari has been a member for 22 years and said after a long, busy summer, it was nice to come together to mark the special occasion.
“We are a peaceful bunch, we work hard, get the job done and get home safely,” Andrew said.
“We had eight firefighters attend the Gurdies fire in December, before heading to the Grampians. Our 2nd Lieutenant Dan Farrall, lead a crew who were locating hot spots that had been called in by aircraft patrolling the area.”
Forming after the Pakenham fires in 1944, the original station was then built and opened in 1954 by the founding members. The bricks used were made by the clay from the nearby creek.
Surrounding larger towns like Pakenham, Officer, Upper Beaconsfield and Pakenham Upper, the old mining village of Toomuc remains well protected, with 23 brigade members stationed locally and Fire Rescue Victoria just around the corner.
“We still have a wall out the front of our station made from the original bricks,” Andrew said.
“We were also the first brigade to have a positive pressure fan for ventilation in the area.”
15-year Toomuc member and 1st Lieutenant Blake Sokaluk said the brigade is well equipped with their tanker and ultralight, which assists them with their typical 190 call outs a year.
“Our tanker goes away on strike teams quite a bit, and when it does go away, we always manage to get some crew on it.” Blake said.
‘During the 2019-20 bushfires it was away for five weeks and every shift there was either two, three or four of us on there.
“That’s our strong point, if we do get called upon, we can make it happen. We have a great brigade who are willing and ready to help.
“We’ve had members go interstate into Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania for fire and flood relief, and a couple are also on the Planned Burn Taskforce.
“Our former Captain John Ferrari also fought the Ash Wednesday bushfires and remains active in the brigade.”
Although the brigade doesn’t have a lot of daytime turnout availability due to most people working in the city or surrounds, the brigade has recently had three people jump on board.
“We are a small brigade, but we love spending time with the community. We do regular events and fundraisers throughout the year where we bring our truck down and do a few activities with the kids and big kids,” Blake said.
The service history within the brigade is diverse, ranging from one week to 43 years. On the night, two members received a National Medal, one with a first clasp, while three were awarded their 20 years of service certificate, and another three for 5, 10 and 15 years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Calgary, Canada on Tuesday (local time) to participate in the G7 Summit, where he will meet with global leaders and share India’s views on key international challenges.
As part of his ongoing three-nation tour — which began in Cyprus and will conclude in Croatia — PM Modi said that he would highlight the concerns of the Global South during the Summit. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “Landed in Calgary, Canada, to take part in the G7 Summit. Will be meeting various leaders at the Summit and sharing my thoughts on important global issues. Will also be emphasising the priorities of the Global South.”
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that PM Modi will participate in G7 discussions on the future of energy security. These discussions will focus on diversification, technological innovation, infrastructure, and investment, aimed at ensuring access and affordability in a changing global landscape.
“At the invitation of PM @MarkJCarney, PM @narendramodi arrives in Alberta, Canada for the G7 Summit,” Jaiswal wrote on X. “PM will be participating in @G7 discussions on energy security… and will also hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines.”
PM Modi’s arrival in Canada comes at a time of diplomatic recalibration between the two nations, following a period of strained relations.
Other invitees to the G7 meeting are Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Lee Jae-Myung of South Korea, and Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese of Australia and Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.
The G7 Summit is an annual gathering of leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, and the European Union. This year’s edition marks PM Modi’s sixth straight attendance at the Summit.
Rule 5 of the Health Information Privacy Code requires health agencies to keep health information safe. The focus of rule 5 is whether a health agency has taken reasonable steps to keep information safe.
When deciding what steps are reasonable, you should consider:
the sensitivity of the health information
how a security measure will impact on your ability to carry out your functions, and
the likely consequences if the health information is lost or stolen.
Health agencies are responsible for developing a security policy and making sure their employees know about it.
Agencies should do everything they reasonably can to protect the health information they have and make it difficult for someone to misuse it. This means designing security systems and policies in anticipation that theft or break-ins may occur.
When you travel off-site, only take the information you need to complete your work. Whenever you take any health information off-site, you’re exposing it to more risk than if you’d left it in the office, hospital, or clinic.
On the go
We often hear of bags or laptops stolen from cars. Check:
Is this health information something you should be leaving in your car?
If you have to leave health information in your car, can you put it out of sight, for instance, in a locked glovebox or in the boot?
To ensure information is not lost or left behind in transit, eg in taxis, public transport or other vehicles, consider:
Have you taken steps to remind yourself to take the health information with you when you stop on your journey?
Once you get there
How will you secure the health information once you’ve reached your destination? If you’re taking the information to another health agency or facility, that may be relatively easy to do.
Community care workers sometimes need to take health information home with them. For instance, you may store information on a USB flash drive, or you may have clinical images stored on a personal mobile device. Devices like these are easy to transport and are also easy to accidentally misplace.
If your agency or employer allows you to take health information home, you should discuss with your agency or employer what additional security measures can be put in place to help you.
Some workers may have access to a password-protected lockable mobile device, or even a lockable file box.
Health information might be made available to you in a different way, for instance, by setting up remote access to your work computer.
If your agency or employer doesn’t have a security policy for health information stored offsite, you should raise that with them so they can develop one.
Security for electronic information
You may have a choice between taking physical documents off-site or operating off-site with an electronic device such as a laptop, smartphone, notepad or external hard drive.
Unless your agency or employer has a policy that specifically permits the use of personal devices, you should not use a personal device to access health information. The security you use on your device needs to be at least as good as the security you use at work:
Secure the device – set a strong password, passcode or pattern lock on the device. Is the security software up to date? Are there firewalls and current antivirus software in place and up to date?
Secure health information on the device – find out if you can use password protection on certain documents or if you can encrypt the information.
Why does this matter?
Keeping information secure is an essential step in maintaining the trust of patients and clients. There can be direct consequences for the person or people whose information is lost, and for your agency or employer.
Further, if you fail to take appropriate steps to keep health information secure while you’re off-site, you could face disciplinary action, by your employer and/or through a professional standards body. There may be consequences for your professional registration. Your agency or employer could face reputational damage, or someone could make a complaint to the Privacy Commissioner.
What if something does go wrong?
It’s important to be upfront if something goes wrong. Most agencies and employers accept that mistakes can happen and would prefer that staff let them know so that shortcomings can be addressed appropriately. Similarly, most patients will be more likely to be understanding and willing to listen if you’ve made efforts to address the problem quickly and transparently.
If you find yourself dealing with a situation where health information has been stolen or lost, there are four key steps to take:
Containment – prevent the situation from worsening.
Evaluation – evaluate the potential harm that may be caused.
Notification – decide whether the seriousness of the situation requires you to notify people who may be affected.
Prevention – learn the lessons and reduce the chances of a repeat.
Checklist
Do I need everything I’m planning to take? (If not, leave it behind!)
What are my safest choices in accessing the health information on a job?
What can I do to make sure the health information I take off-site is safe and secure (to prevent accidental loss or theft)?
Is there anything else I can do to make sure the health information remains safe while I am off-site?
When I get to my destination, how will I store the health information safely?
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Andre Decker, age 45, of Newburgh, New York, was convicted on Friday of possessing a firearm as a felon following a 4-day jury trial.
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and United States Marshal David McNulty made the announcement.
The trial proof established that Decker, who was previously convicted of a violent felony involving a firearm, absconded from federal probation supervision and was the subject of an arrest warrant. On November 27, 2023, when Deputy United States Marshals attempted to apprehend Decker, he fled the apartment he shared with his girlfriend and led law enforcement on a foot chase wearing only his underwear. Decker broke into a neighboring apartment and hid in a closet where he was quickly located and arrested. The defendant possessed two loaded firearms in his apartment.
U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Andre Decker couldn’t hide from the U.S. Marshals, and he couldn’t escape this trial conviction, either. Decker’s extensive criminal history and utter disregard for the law warranted zealous prosecution for his conduct in this case, and that’s just what he got. I thank the U.S. Marshals and Albany Police Department for their work in apprehending the defendant and keeping him off the streets.”
U.S. Marshal David McNulty stated: “Mr. Decker is a danger to our community. We are proud to have secured his capture and wish to thank both the community, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and all our fellow law enforcement agencies whose cooperation was so important in this case.”
Sentencing is scheduled for October 15, 2025, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Decker faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The United States Marshal Service and Albany Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mikayla Espinosa and Ashlyn Miranda prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
Robert Rahrle Operated a Fake Business Purporting to Send Gift Baskets into Prisons
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Robert Rahrle, age 35, formerly of Florida and now residing in the Northern District of New York, was sentenced last week to 100 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release for wire fraud and tax evasion. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Harry T. Chavis, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement.
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Rahrle admitted that from 2017 through 2024, he ran a fraudulent online gift basket website called iCare Gifting Solutions LLC. iCare purported to cater to families of incarcerated individuals, promising to send care packages into prisons. iCare charged hundreds of customers approximately $50 per gift basket but never sent the gift packages.
In addition to defrauding iCare’s customers, Rahrle evaded his federal taxes. He self-prepared and filed tax returns for tax years 2017 and 2018 that falsely reported business losses and failed to report hundreds of thousands of dollars of gross receipts.
Senior United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered Rahrle to pay a $2,000,000 money judgment and $178,651 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service with restitution to the individual victims of Rahrle’s fraud offense to be determined at a later date.
U.S. Attorney Sarcone said: “Driven by greed, Rahrle operated a years’ long fraud scheme scamming people out of millions of dollars. For that he will pay a high price a spend the next 8 years in federal prison. My office will vigorously pursue consumer scam artists like the defendant to protect the public and the public fisc.”
“Mr. Rahrle took advantage of those who wanted to help others and literally did not deliver what was promised. While care packages were left unsent, he pocketed the money with little regard of the consequences. This sentence sees to it that Mr. Rahrle will spend a lot of time behind bars, and perhaps he’ll learn firsthand the potential value of a legitimate care package business,” said Harry T. Chavis, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI New York.
This case was investigated by IRS-CI, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the Criminal Investigation Division of the U.S. Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Gadarian.
Research demonstrates that high-quality early childhood education lays the foundation for lifelong learning, social development, and emotional wellbeing. Children who undertake two years of preschool typically do better at school, are more engaged in education and are more likely to remain engaged in education, meaning they are also more likely to seek out tertiary education such as TAFE. TAFE is central to stemming skills shortages for qualified early learning educators, but early learning teachers and educators are also essential for the TAFE workforce and TAFE students and their children, to not only allow parents and guardians to participate fully in work, but for their child’s development. A child’s brain grows to near-adult size in the first five years of life. This stunning period of development is crucial in determining whether children thrive and what their life chances and educational experiences are like down the track. Overwhelming international evidence shows that high-quality early childhood education is essential during these first years – even more so for vulnerable children who experience any kind of disadvantage. Yet the shortsighted perception persists (even in 2025!) that looking after babies, toddlers and preschoolers is low-skilled women’s work – with the main purpose of boosting parents’ economic participation.
Valuing Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)
“I can’t count the number of times people say to me, ‘Kinder’s just Play-Doh and finger-painting isn’t it?’,” says Cara Nightingale, formerly a primary and kindergarten teacher in Victoria and now AEU Victorian Branch vice president, early childhood. AEU early childhood members may be degree-qualified preschool teachers, diploma-level educators who work in funded kinder programs, or Certificate III educators who work in funded kinder programs. Despite lingering dinosaur attitudes, Nightingale says: “Over the last few years we’ve seen significant progress in politicians and the broader community acknowledging the skill, expertise and importance of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC).” She says the quality of TAFE qualifications have helped in external recognition of the skill sets required in ECEC. “To deliver high-quality ECEC you need a workforce that is highly qualified and provided with wraparound supports and resources for retention, along with professional pay and working conditions that are reflective of the important work of Early Childhood teachers and educators,” Nightingale says.
Victorian Union Wins
Recent union wins in Victoria, a state that leads the country in ECEC sector bargaining, are driving change, Nightingale says. “When AEU early childhood members achieved pay parity with school teachers it was a significant win,” she says. “They are the only kinder teachers across the country that have achieved pay parity with school teachers.”
Three Days Guaranteed
More good news for the sector came in February with the Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) Bill 2025, which guarantees families three days of subsidised early learning per week and eliminates the discriminatory activity test that previously restricted access based on parents’ work or study status.
Policy Progress Since 2022
Since the Albanese government came to office in 2022, there have been a number of significant industrial relations reforms, funding boosts and initiatives in the sector, including:
The Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers Bill 2024
A 15 per cent pay rise for early educators, to be phased in over two years
A $1 billion fund to build or expand early learning centres in under-served areas
The introduction of Free TAFE for priority employment areas, which has seen 35,500 enrolments in ECEC alone
The Fair Work Commission’s decision to grant multi-employer bargaining rights.
Nightingale says multi-employer bargaining is an important shift of the power balance back towards the workforce and members, and directly led to significant ECEC member pay increases in Victoria. Nightingale also applauds the Victorian government’s moves to build state-funded early childhood services in places the market won’t.
Childcare Deserts: The Last Frontier
Finding any childcare, let alone affordable or high-quality learning options, remains a problem for many parents, especially those in regional and rural areas. A 2022 Mitchell Institute report found that around 35 per cent of the Australian population lived in what is classified as a ‘childcare desert’ – where there were more than three children per available childcare place. In places like Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Port Pirie in South Australia, around five children were competing for each place. Even worse, 1.1 million Australians live where there are simply no childcare and early learning services at all.
The Case for Public Provision
“There are just so many gaps,” says Thrive by Five’s Weatherill. “We are still far away from a universal, high-quality, and affordable early learning system the way we have it in place for maternal health services and primary schools. With the current system, we hand out a voucher and ask people to go shopping for childcare. That’s fine if you can find a service at the right price, but if you have children with special needs or you live in the country, or you’re a single mum or in a remote Aboriginal community, there are these gaps because the market [only] provides things that are easy to provide where they can make a dollar.” This is why public provision of ECEC as an essential service, like public TAFE, is important.
TAFE: An Essential Pipeline
Early indicators suggest things are moving in the right direction – the ECEC workforce has grown by more than 30,000 since Labor took office, and job vacancies in the sector dropped by 22 per cent in 2024 according to Jobs and Skills Australia. Far greater numbers of skilled graduates will be needed in the near future according to the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), which estimates that an additional 85,000 ECEC workers are required to raise Australia’s provision to the OECD average by 2030 and a doubling of the sector by adding almost 260,000 workers to match provision in Nordic countries. Publicly funded TAFE and Free places will be required in large numbers to ramp up this ECEC workforce, providing the Cert III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. “The provision of free or low-cost TAFE for early educators is crucial in the workforce development story,” says Weatherill. “Degree-based teachers are important, but the overwhelming majority of early educators will be certificate and diploma qualified, and they’ll overwhelmingly be provided by TAFE.” “It’s all connected,” says Cara Nightingale. “Having properly funded TAFE and well-paid teachers is part of it, but so too is providing the additional supports for things like numeracy and literacy that we need.” She says another key benefit of retaining teachers is that they mentor the next generation, ensuring that their skills, knowledge and love of teaching continues.
Monterey, CA, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CHPGU), a blank check company, today announced that, commencing on June 20, 2025, holders of the 7,475,000 units (the “Units”) sold in the Company’s initial public offering (the “Offering”) including Units sold upon a full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, may elect to separately trade the Class A ordinary shares and rights included in the Units. Any Units not separated will continue to trade on the NASDAQ Global Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “CHPGU.” Any underlying Class A ordinary shares and rights that are separated will trade on the NASDAQ under the symbols “CHPG” and “CHPGR,” respectively. Holders of Units will need to have their brokers contact the Company’s transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, in order to separate the holders’ Units into Class A ordinary shares and rights.
The Units were initially offered by the Company in an underwritten offering. Clear Street LLC acted as the sole book-running manager for the Offering. A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-283689) relating to these securities was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 14, 2025. The Offering was made only by means of a prospectus, copies of which may be obtained from Clear Street, Attn: Syndicate Department, 150 Greenwich Street, 45th floor, New York, NY 10007, or by email at ecm@clearstreet.io, or by visiting EDGAR on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About ChampionsGateAcquisition Corporation
ChampionsGate Acquisition Corporation is a blank check company incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability for the purpose of effecting into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Registration Statement and related preliminary prospectus filed in connection with the initial public offering with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.
Contact Information:
ChampionsGate Acquisition Corp.
Bala Padmakumar Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Director 419 Webster Street Monterey, CA 93940 Email: bala@championsgate.biz
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Westaway, Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Archaeology, School of Social Science, The University of Queensland
Last week, the Queensland government launched the ambitious Destination 2045 tourism plan, which aims to make the state a global leader in tourism. The plan highlights that one in six jobs in tropical north Queensland are supported by tourism.
However, earlier this year the same government tentatively withdrew support from a campaign to add Cape York to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
If the goal is to position Queensland as a leader in tourism, then linking Cape York’s landscapes to the World Heritage brand would certainly help achieve that.
Consultation is key
In June 2024, Steven Miles, Labor’s then-premier in Queensland, and Tanya Plibersek, the federal environment minister, announced they had placed seven of the cape’s national parks on Australia’s tentative World Heritage list.
In January, however, the newly elected Liberal-National government, under Premier David Crisafulli, ordered a review of the decision. The government cited concerns over a lack of sufficient consultation around the nomination.
If a lack of consultation is the main issue, there is an opportunity for the Crissafulli government to thoughtfully reopen negotiations.
Getting this step right could help conserve and encourage tourism to one of Australia’s most diverse landscapes – in line with the Destination 2045 plan.
How to get onto (and kicked off) UNESCO’s list
Cape York covers some 137,000 square kilometres. According to the 2021 census, it has a population of less than 8,000 people, including 3,678 Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.
Fruit Bat Falls is a waterfall located in the Apudthama National Park (Jardine River National Park) in Cape York. Jason Clark/Flickr, CC BY-NC
Inscription to the World Heritage list doesn’t mean the entire cape would be listed – just specific sites and landscapes within it.
It’s usually the responsibility of a country’s various governments to convince UNESCO, in a nomination bid, a certain place has the necessary “outstanding universal value” and meets at least one of UNESCO’s ten selection criteria.
Sites that are physically altered or damaged after receiving World Heritage status can be de-listed, either by a state party or by UNESCO. This has happened in Oman, Germany, the United Kingdom and Georgia.
We also recently saw the Murujuga Cultural Landscape in Western Australia, with its extraordinary record of rock engravings (petroglyphs), denied World Heritage inscription. This was mainly due to the threat of ongoing damage from industrial emissions from Woodside Energy’s nearby Karratha gas plant.
World Heritage status: a risk or benefit?
A carefully considered World Heritage inscription doesn’t necessarily block industries and tourism from the listed area.
Many of the archaeological sites of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area in New South Wales are located on sheep stations. These stations, established in the late 19th century, have individual property plans that ensure the sites are conserved while remaining viable for agricultural activity.
Another example is the tourism seen at the extraordinary eel trap system of Budj Bim in southwest Victoria. Budj Bim is one of Australia’s most recent additions to the World Heritage list. It is also the first site to be inscribed solely for its cultural value.
The Budj Bim eel traps were engineered some 6,600 years ago, and represent one of the world’s oldest aquaculture systems.
This cultural landscape is now home to a thriving tourism program that attracts thousands of visitors each year. The World Heritage listing ensures there are enough resources for the Gunditjmara Traditional Owners running the site to improve the health of Country through cultural and environmental management.
While Queensland’s current government has cited concerns over planning restrictions, these types of concerns are typically based on perception rather than proven harm. In Queensland, they were also clearly addressed in government memos and communications.
Tasmania’s forestry sector resisted World Heritage expansion (there were four expansions between 1989–2013), yet tourism in the region remains economically valuable.
It’s unlikely the Cape York nominations would threaten the pastoral or mining industries, since most of the nominated sites are already protected as national parks.
What makes a World Heritage site?
The list of Cape York sites submitted for World Heritage consideration has some strong contenders. Quinkan Country is undoubtedly the most significant site on the list, distinguished by its diversity and richness of Aboriginal paintings and engravings.
But the list isn’t exhaustive. There are several other Aboriginal cultural landscapes in Cape York that also deserve to be considered by UNESCO. These include the giant shell mounds around Weipa, Jiigurru (Lizard Island), and the Flinders Island Group with its extraordinary rock art galleries.
Moving forward
World heritage listings in Cape York have great potential to allow Aboriginal people to care for the landscapes and create tourism infrastructure that centres Aboriginal perspectives.
Appointing Aboriginal rangers in the Flinders Island Group could help deliver a unique and sustainable cultural tourism experience, similar to that provided at the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Destination 2045 highlights the importance of developing Aboriginal ranger programs in such landscapes to boost cultural tourism and economic growth.
Inggal Odul (Denham Island part of Flinders Island Group). Source: Olivia Arnold (2023).
The Crisafulli government now has the opportunity to meaningfully engage with the Traditional Custodians of the Cape York landscapes that have been put forth. We argue that the World Heritage listing outcome could help the cape’s economic development and support its communities.
Michael Westaway receives funding from then Australian Research Council and has undertaken research with Aboriginal communities in the Kaurarag Archipelago, around Mapoon and Weipa including on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve and in the Flinders Island Group adjacent to Princess Charlotte Bay.
Anna M. Kotarba-Morley receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC). Ania previously sat on the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) World Heritage Nomination Bids review panel. Ania undertakes research with Aboriginal communities including within the Kaurareg Archipelago.
Denis Rose is on the board of the not-for-profit Country Needs People, which advocates for Indigenous Protected Areas and the Indigenous Rangers Program.
Olivia Arnold has undertaken research with Aboriginal communities in the Flinders Island Group adjacent to Princess Charlotte Bay, Kaurarag Archipelago and Jiigurru (Lizard Island group).
Rylee Smith does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Westaway, Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Archaeology, School of Social Science, The University of Queensland
Last week, the Queensland government launched the ambitious Destination 2045 tourism plan, which aims to make the state a global leader in tourism. The plan highlights that one in six jobs in tropical north Queensland are supported by tourism.
However, earlier this year the same government tentatively withdrew support from a campaign to add Cape York to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
If the goal is to position Queensland as a leader in tourism, then linking Cape York’s landscapes to the World Heritage brand would certainly help achieve that.
Consultation is key
In June 2024, Steven Miles, Labor’s then-premier in Queensland, and Tanya Plibersek, the federal environment minister, announced they had placed seven of the cape’s national parks on Australia’s tentative World Heritage list.
In January, however, the newly elected Liberal-National government, under Premier David Crisafulli, ordered a review of the decision. The government cited concerns over a lack of sufficient consultation around the nomination.
If a lack of consultation is the main issue, there is an opportunity for the Crissafulli government to thoughtfully reopen negotiations.
Getting this step right could help conserve and encourage tourism to one of Australia’s most diverse landscapes – in line with the Destination 2045 plan.
How to get onto (and kicked off) UNESCO’s list
Cape York covers some 137,000 square kilometres. According to the 2021 census, it has a population of less than 8,000 people, including 3,678 Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.
Fruit Bat Falls is a waterfall located in the Apudthama National Park (Jardine River National Park) in Cape York. Jason Clark/Flickr, CC BY-NC
Inscription to the World Heritage list doesn’t mean the entire cape would be listed – just specific sites and landscapes within it.
It’s usually the responsibility of a country’s various governments to convince UNESCO, in a nomination bid, a certain place has the necessary “outstanding universal value” and meets at least one of UNESCO’s ten selection criteria.
Sites that are physically altered or damaged after receiving World Heritage status can be de-listed, either by a state party or by UNESCO. This has happened in Oman, Germany, the United Kingdom and Georgia.
We also recently saw the Murujuga Cultural Landscape in Western Australia, with its extraordinary record of rock engravings (petroglyphs), denied World Heritage inscription. This was mainly due to the threat of ongoing damage from industrial emissions from Woodside Energy’s nearby Karratha gas plant.
World Heritage status: a risk or benefit?
A carefully considered World Heritage inscription doesn’t necessarily block industries and tourism from the listed area.
Many of the archaeological sites of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area in New South Wales are located on sheep stations. These stations, established in the late 19th century, have individual property plans that ensure the sites are conserved while remaining viable for agricultural activity.
Another example is the tourism seen at the extraordinary eel trap system of Budj Bim in southwest Victoria. Budj Bim is one of Australia’s most recent additions to the World Heritage list. It is also the first site to be inscribed solely for its cultural value.
The Budj Bim eel traps were engineered some 6,600 years ago, and represent one of the world’s oldest aquaculture systems.
This cultural landscape is now home to a thriving tourism program that attracts thousands of visitors each year. The World Heritage listing ensures there are enough resources for the Gunditjmara Traditional Owners running the site to improve the health of Country through cultural and environmental management.
While Queensland’s current government has cited concerns over planning restrictions, these types of concerns are typically based on perception rather than proven harm. In Queensland, they were also clearly addressed in government memos and communications.
Tasmania’s forestry sector resisted World Heritage expansion (there were four expansions between 1989–2013), yet tourism in the region remains economically valuable.
It’s unlikely the Cape York nominations would threaten the pastoral or mining industries, since most of the nominated sites are already protected as national parks.
What makes a World Heritage site?
The list of Cape York sites submitted for World Heritage consideration has some strong contenders. Quinkan Country is undoubtedly the most significant site on the list, distinguished by its diversity and richness of Aboriginal paintings and engravings.
But the list isn’t exhaustive. There are several other Aboriginal cultural landscapes in Cape York that also deserve to be considered by UNESCO. These include the giant shell mounds around Weipa, Jiigurru (Lizard Island), and the Flinders Island Group with its extraordinary rock art galleries.
Moving forward
World heritage listings in Cape York have great potential to allow Aboriginal people to care for the landscapes and create tourism infrastructure that centres Aboriginal perspectives.
Appointing Aboriginal rangers in the Flinders Island Group could help deliver a unique and sustainable cultural tourism experience, similar to that provided at the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Destination 2045 highlights the importance of developing Aboriginal ranger programs in such landscapes to boost cultural tourism and economic growth.
Inggal Odul (Denham Island part of Flinders Island Group). Source: Olivia Arnold (2023).
The Crisafulli government now has the opportunity to meaningfully engage with the Traditional Custodians of the Cape York landscapes that have been put forth. We argue that the World Heritage listing outcome could help the cape’s economic development and support its communities.
Michael Westaway receives funding from then Australian Research Council and has undertaken research with Aboriginal communities in the Kaurarag Archipelago, around Mapoon and Weipa including on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve and in the Flinders Island Group adjacent to Princess Charlotte Bay.
Anna M. Kotarba-Morley receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC). Ania previously sat on the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) World Heritage Nomination Bids review panel. Ania undertakes research with Aboriginal communities including within the Kaurareg Archipelago.
Denis Rose is on the board of the not-for-profit Country Needs People, which advocates for Indigenous Protected Areas and the Indigenous Rangers Program.
Olivia Arnold has undertaken research with Aboriginal communities in the Flinders Island Group adjacent to Princess Charlotte Bay, Kaurarag Archipelago and Jiigurru (Lizard Island group).
Rylee Smith does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
For millennia, First Nations people have shaped Australian ecosystems through the purposeful and skilful use of fire. This cultural burning is an important way for Aboriginal people to connect to and care for Country.
Under climate change, Earth is experiencing more frequent and severe bushfires. This has prompted a rethink of Western approaches to fire management, and triggered the development of cultural burning programs supported by government agencies.
At the same time, First Nations people have been calling to revitalise cultural burning as part of a generations-long pursuit of self-determination.
Our new research details the results of a Indigenous-led cultural burning program in critically endangered woodlands in New South Wales. It shows how Western science can support cultural burning to deliver benefits across cultures – as well as for nature.
What we did
Box-gum grassy woodland has been extensively cleared for agriculture, and only about 5% of its original extent remains. The woodlands are endangered in NSW and critically endangered across eastern Australia.
They feature diverse eucalypt trees, sparse shrubs and native tussock grasses, and support native fauna including the critically endangered regent honeyeater and swift parrot.
Our project brought together First Nations communities, ecologists from the Australian National University and officers from Local Land Services. It also involved the Rural Fire Service.
Cultural burns are relatively cool, slow fires. They trickle through the landscape, enabling animals to escape the flames. They promote the germination of plants, including culturally important food and medicine plants, among other benefits.
Cultural burns are important to First Nations people for a variety of cultural and social reasons. The practice is part of a broader suite of inherited cultural responsibilities shared through generations.
Our project involved cultural burns in the winter and spring of 2023. Wiradjuri people burned their Country around Young and Wagga Wagga, and Ngunnawal people burned their Country near Yass.
The burns took place on travelling stock reserves – remnant patches of vegetation historically used to move cattle from paddock to market. These reserves are very important for Aboriginal people because they often trace Songlines and Dreaming tracks. They are also important for farmers as places to graze cattle during drought.
Alongside the cultural burning program, ANU research ecologists monitored how the woodlands responded to the burns. They did this by surveying plants, soils and biomass before and about eight months after the burns, as well as in unburnt areas.
What we found
We measured plant responses by counting the number of plant individuals and recording germination.
Many native plant species germinated after the burn. They included native peas – one an endangered species, the small scurf pea, which germinated exclusively after the burns.
Germination was greater in burned than unburned sites, including for sensitive species that commonly respond well to fire such as native glycine (a herb) and lomandra grasses.
Importantly, the condition of a site before the burn affected how well plants responded. Condition refers to factors such as the diversity of native plants (including sensitive species) and the presence of weeds.
After the burn, native plants were more abundant on sites with a better starting condition, than on those in poor condition. This highlights the importance of improving the health of poor-condition areas after burns.
The type of appropriate management will depend on the site, but may include weed control and planting or seeding native species. More monitoring will also help quantify longer term responses after burning.
Investing in community and nature
Indigenous community members led the burns on their Country and were represented by women and men of multiple generations. They were paid for their work and offered fire-safety training and personal protective equipment.
The burns were often community events – days of connection and sharing knowledge within communities, and between cultures. This fostered opportunities for “two-way learning” and “two-eyed seeing” – ways of respectfully bringing together Indigenous and Western knowledge.
Our project shows how cross-cultural partnerships can be central to conserving and restoring Australia’s unique and highly diverse ecosystems, during a period of environmental change. But for this to happen, cultural burning must be better integrated into mainstream land management.
This is especially needed in some parts of southern Australia, where government-funded programs have been less resourced than in parts of northern and Central Australia.
Government agencies and institutions can support Indigenous land stewardship in various ways.
These include:
designing projects with Indigenous people from the outset, and being directed by community aspirations which supports self-determination
forming meaningful cross-cultural partnerships across agencies to navigate complex bureaucratic processes
providing Indigenous people with resources and land access to manage Country, including funding for labour, training and equipment. Provisions for sufficient resources must be made from the beginning, in grant applications
protecting and acknowledging the rights of Indigenous people to their cultural heritage, such as traditional knowledge, through formal protection agreements.
Elle Bowd receives funding from the NSW Government, the ACT Government, the ACT government, the Local Land Services, and the Australian Research Council.
David Lindenmayer receives funding from the NSW Government, the ACT Government, the 4AM Foundation, NSW Local Land Services, and the Australian Research Council. He is a Councillor with the Biodiversity Council and a Member of Birds Australia.
Geoff Cary receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence funded by ANU and Optus, and previously received funding from Future Ready Regions EDIS Development, Australian Research Council, ACT Government, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Greenhouse Office/Department of Climate Change Greenhouse Action in Regional Australia funding schemes, Desert Knowledge CRC, NSW Department of Environment & Conservation, Tasmanian Government and US National Science Foundation.
Braithan Bell-Garner and Dean Freeman do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Israel and Iran attacked each other for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, and U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iranians to evacuate Tehran, citing what he said was the country’s rejection of a deal to curb nuclear weapons development.
Trump was due to leave the Group of Seven summit in Canada later on Monday, a day early, due to the Middle East situation, the White House said. Fox News reported he would convene his National Security Council.
“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump’s early departure from the G7 was positive, given the immediate objective was to get Israel and Iran to agree to a ceasefire that the U.S. had proposed.
“There is an offer that has been made, especially to have a ceasefire and to initiate broader discussions. And I think this is a very good thing,” Macron told reporters. “So now we need to see what the stakeholders will do.”
Iranian media reported explosions and heavy air defence fire in Tehran early on Tuesday. Air defences were activated also in Natanz, home to key nuclear installations 320 km (200 miles) away, the Asriran news website reported.
A White House aide said it was not true that the U.S. was attacking Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News that Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran, while adding the U.S. would defend its assets in the region.
In Israel, air raid sirens wailed in Tel Aviv after midnight and an explosion was heard as Iranian missiles targeted the country again.
Iranian officials reported 224 deaths, mostly civilians, in five days, while Israel said 24 civilians had been killed. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said nearly 3,000 Israelis had been evacuated due to damage from Iranian strikes.
Sources told Reuters that Tehran had asked Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to urge Trump to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to an immediate ceasefire. In return, Iran would show flexibility in nuclear negotiations, according to two Iranian and three regional sources.
“If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on X. “Israel must halt its aggression, and absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue.”
Netanyahu told reporters on Monday that Israel was committed to eliminating threats posed by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, adding, “If this can be achieved in another way—fine. But we gave it a 60-day chance.”
Speaking to Reuters on Friday, the first day of Israel’s assault, Trump said he had given the Iranians 60 days to come to an agreement to halt uranium enrichment and that the time had expired with no deal. Iran says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes.
Oil prices rallied more than 2% early in Asia on Tuesday after Trump’s evacuation warning, reversing losses on Monday amid reports that Iran was seeking an end to hostilities.
CHINESE URGED TO LEAVE ISRAEL
With security concerns growing and Israeli airspace closed because of the war, the Chinese embassy in Israel urged its citizens to leave the country via land border crossings as soon as possible.
The Iran-Israel air war – the biggest battle ever between the two longtime enemies – escalated on Monday with Israel targeting Iran’s state broadcaster and uranium enrichment facilities.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the BBC that the Natanz plant sustained extensive damage, likely destroying 15,000 centrifuges, while Iran’s Fordow plant remained largely intact.
Talks between the United States and Iran, hosted by Oman, had been scheduled for June 15 but were scrapped, with Tehran saying it could not negotiate while under attack.
Israel launched its air war with a surprise attack that has killed nearly the entire top echelon of Iran’s military commanders and its leading nuclear scientists. It says it now has control of Iranian airspace and intends to escalate the campaign in the coming days.
Trump has consistently said the Israeli assault could end quickly if Iran agreed to U.S. demands that it accept strict curbs on its nuclear programme.
“As I’ve been saying, I think a deal will be signed, or something will happen, but a deal will be signed, and I think Iran is foolish not to sign,” Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Canada on Monday.
A U.S. official said Trump would not sign a draft statement from G7 leaders calling for a de-escalation of the conflict. The draft statement says Iran must never have a nuclear weapon and that Israel has the right to defend itself.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Cyprus concluded with the adoption of a Joint Declaration outlining a roadmap for deepened strategic cooperation between the two nations, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Ministry of External Affairs and the Government of Cyprus also released coordinated statements underscoring the breadth of this renewed partnership. As per the PMO release, Cyprus expressed solidarity and unwavering support to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism and strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Both leaders “strongly condemned the gruesome killing of civilians in the recent heinous terrorist attacks in Pahalgam,” reiterating their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. The press release also highlighted the shared commitment of both sides to strengthening EU-India relations.
With Cyprus assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2026, both sides pledged to work towards the timely conclusion of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement by the end of 2025, calling it a move of “significant economic and strategic potential.”
According to the release, Prime Minister Modi’s visit — the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades — was described as a “historic milestone” that “reaffirms the deep and enduring friendship between the two nations.”The visit was seen as a celebration of a shared past and a “forward-looking partnership” rooted in strategic vision and mutual trust.
The declaration noted that both leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional, and global issues, acknowledging growing cooperation in economic, technological, and people-to-people domains. Cyprus and India committed to furthering collaboration “as trusted and indispensable partners contributing to regional and global peace, prosperity, and stability.”
The joint declaration reaffirmed both sides’ shared values–democracy, multilateralism, rule of law, and sustainable development–and their support for a rules-based international order grounded in the UN Charter and international law.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of UNCLOS in securing freedom of navigation and maritime sovereignty. Cyprus reiterated support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council.
Both countries agreed to coordinate closely within the UN, Commonwealth, and other international organizations, including supporting each other’s multilateral candidacies. The release also detailed the two sides’ agreement to hold regular political dialogue, led by their respective foreign ministries, and to implement a bilateral Action Plan to guide cooperation across key sectors.
On defence and security, both nations reaffirmed their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, condemned terrorism in all its forms, and emphasized dismantling terrorist infrastructure and financing. Cyprus expressed solidarity with India’s fight against cross-border terrorism, and the two sides emphasized accountability for perpetrators.
Recognizing the changing global security environment, the leaders stressed the importance of enhancing strategic autonomy, cyber defence, and maritime cooperation. They agreed to explore greater naval collaboration, port calls, and joint maritime training.
The declaration further underlined the importance of institutional cooperation in emergency preparedness and crisis response, including evacuation and Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts. On connectivity, Cyprus and India reiterated the significance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a multi-nodal initiative to promote economic integration and regional stability.
Cyprus was described as a gateway into Europe and welcomed as a hub for Indian maritime and logistics enterprises. In the areas of trade, innovation, and technology, both leaders supported expanding bilateral trade and investment.
They called for a Cyprus-India Business Forum and supported enhanced collaboration in innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure. The release also mentioned plans to finalize a related MoU to promote research and tech partnerships. Acknowledging people-to-people ties as a strategic pillar, the declaration confirmed efforts to finalize a Mobility Pilot Program Arrangement by the end of 2025. Both sides also agreed to improve tourism and explore direct air connectivity.
An agreement to prepare a comprehensive 2025-2029 Action Plan to steer bilateral relations was included in the joint declaration, under the supervision of the foreign ministries of both countries. (ANI)
In 2021, a government agency mailed a client’s health information to the wrong address. The agency had the correct street but had misidentified the house number.
The agency had the incorrect address in its systems as the verified address for the client, because a staff member had misheard the street number they said and verified the incorrect address in the agency’s systems. The agency said it had taken steps to verify the address, and so it did not consider it had erred.
The client was not satisfied with this response and complained to the agency. Further enquiries showed that the agency had the client’s correct address details at the time the information was sent to the wrong address but had not updated their file.
The client asked for compensation, but the agency said it did not consider the breach had caused significant emotional harm, because the information that had been sent was “relatively generic.”
However, the client said that their previous experiences meant that the harm of the information being sent to the wrong address was greater for them than it might have been for someone else. The client lodged an application for review of the agency’s decision. The agency was directed by the reviewer to obtain an external opinion on the emotional harm suffered by the client. This independent opinion said the breach had caused significant emotional harm and had exacerbated the client’s pre-existing conditions. Following this, the agency made a compensation offer to the client, however it miscommunicated how long the client had to consider and accept the offer. The client had lost trust in the agency by this point and was not willing to negotiate with the agency directly.
The client asked our Office to assist, advising that they would like to meet with the agency to discuss how the privacy breach had impacted them and to further attempt to resolve the complaint.
The Rules Applying to this case
This complaint raised issues under rules 5 and 8 of the Health Information Privacy Code 2020 (the Code).
Rule 5 requires agencies that hold health information to ensure that the information is protected by reasonable safeguards to protect against loss, misuse or unauthorised disclosure.
Rule 8 requires agencies to take reasonable steps to ensure that information is accurate, up to date, complete, relevant and not misleading before using or disclosing that information.
OPC’s approach
This was a case where the agency accepted it had breached its client’s privacy, but it didn’t fully understand the harm the breach had caused the client. Further, the relationship between the agency and its client had broken down, such that they weren’t able to resolve the matter between them directly.
We focus on resolving complaints where possible, and instead of investigating we decided to explore a settlement under section 77 of the Privacy Act.
Section 77 provides for the Commissioner to use best endeavours to settle the complaint without an investigation. An investigation may or may not follow if the Commissioner is unable to secure a settlement.
We facilitated a conciliation meeting between the agency, the client and the client’s psychologist, who attended as the client’s support person, and was able to help the client articulate the harm the privacy breach had caused them. It was clear that the breach had exacerbated pre-existing mental health conditions and caused a significant impact on the emotional state and the life of the client.
At the meeting, the agency did a good job of hearing the complainant’s concerns. Its representatives provided the client with a heartfelt apology. The client thanked the representatives and said it was the first time that they felt the agency had listened and understood how they felt. The conciliation meeting ended with both parties agreeing to settle the matter.
As part of this resolution, the agency agreed to pay financial compensation, that was more than twice the amount offered previously. The agency also agreed to pay for ongoing psychological treatment to help the client to recover from the interference with their privacy.
The matter was settled, and we closed our file.
Commentary
When agencies are considering whether harm has been suffered by a complainant, it is essential that it seeks to understand the actual impact on the client, not what they think the impact should be without having lived that individual’s life experiences. What might not affect one person, can have a significant impact on another.
Additionally, it is critical that agencies take responsibility for errors from the outset and put things right early. In this instance, the complaint could have been resolved far earlier if the agency had accepted what had gone wrong earlier, and if it had considered the information it already had, in the form of the independent opinion about the harm the client had experienced.
Instead, the agency’s management of the breach and the subsequent complaint led to a further breakdown in the relationship between the parties, and this meant the matter wasn’t able to be resolved without our Office’s assistance. However, when the parties came to the conciliation with a genuine desire to hear the other and with an intention to resolve the matter and move forward, we were able to facilitate a conversation that allowed that to happen, and both sides to get closure.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff are conducting the annual Mauna Loa GPS campaign. During the survey, GPS instruments are deployed at established benchmarks so that their recorded positions can be compared with those from previous years to discern small changes in ground deformation associated with volcanic activity. Temporary GPS receivers and antennas are placed on tripods centered over benchmarks, which serve as a reference point for centering of the antenna. The equipment is left in place to collect data for a couple of days at each site. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
Campaign, also known as ‘survey’, GPS data augment the permanent, continuously recording GPS instruments in HVO’s monitoring network. In this photo, a tripod mounted with a GPS antenna is temporarily installed over a benchmark the rim of Moku‘āweoweo, the caldera at the summit of Mauna Loa. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Mauna Loa Summit Cabin is visible in the background. USGS image by A. Ellis.
SYDNEY — Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), the flagship of the America Strike Group, arrived in Sydney, today, June 14, for a scheduled port visit. The ship carries embarked Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and is currently conducting routine operations in the South Pacific.
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan — U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander, visited counterparts across various organizations in Okinawa, Japan, May 14, 2025, to ensure USSF assets and Guardians were postured to support U.S. joint partners.
SYDNEY — Amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), and embarked elements from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Sydney, Australia, for a routine port visit while conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, June 15.
NEW YORK, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UIFCA Wealth Academy Ltd. has enhanced its proprietary “Ai∞ Profit Algorithms” system, delivering investors even more precise and comprehensive insights into the cryptocurrency markets. Through the integration of a wider array of diverse data sources, UIFCA has strengthened its AI’s capacity to analyze market dynamics, identify emerging trends, and assist users in making more informed investment decisions.
The “Ai∞ Profit Algorithms” system is a cornerstone of UIFCA’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge financial tools and education. These latest upgrades focus on expanding the system’s analytical reach. The AI now processes and interprets information from an even broader spectrum of market inputs. This includes on-chain data from major blockchains, relevant industry news, evolving social media sentiment, and importantly, anonymized, aggregated trading data from a selection of reputable cryptocurrency exchanges.
This multi-faceted data approach allows the “Ai∞ Profit Algorithms” to build a more holistic understanding of market liquidity, price action, and overall sentiment. For instance, aggregated transaction data from established platforms, such as those like CELOXFI, can provide valuable contextual information to the AI models when appropriately processed. This helps UIFCA’s system to identify broader market movements and patterns with greater accuracy, rather than relying on a limited set of indicators.
UIFCA emphasizes that its selection of any data source is based purely on informational relevance, reliability, and the ability to contribute to a more robust analytical output for its users. The academy remains steadfast in its mission to provide objective, data-driven insights, empowering investors with sophisticated tools previously accessible primarily to institutional players.
These enhancements to the “Ai∞ Profit Algorithms” reflect UIFCA’s ongoing dedication to innovation and its proactive approach to the evolving landscape of digital assets. By continuously refining its technological capabilities, UIFCA aims to equip its global community of learners and investors with a distinct advantage in navigating the complexities of the financial markets.
About UIFCA Wealth Academy Ltd. UIFCA Wealth Academy Ltd. is committed to revolutionizing the way investors navigate the financial markets. Leveraging cutting-edge AI-powered tools like its “Ai∞ Profit Algorithms,” expert-backed strategies, and world-class financial education, UIFCA provides investors with the insights and resources needed to make informed, strategic decisions for steady and exponential wealth growth. With a focus on innovation, expertise, and empowerment, UIFCA serves a global community of traders in both cryptocurrency and traditional financial markets.
RED OAK, Iowa – Over the past few weeks, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has met with local leaders representing cities and chambers of commerce across Iowa to discuss their top priorities.
Ernst’s discussions included the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, the Quad Cities Chamber, and the City of Cedar Rapids.
“Whether traveling River to River or in meetings with constituents, hearing directly from folks at home about the issues that matter most to them is essential to my efforts to bring Iowa common sense and values to Washington,” said Senator Ernst. “From my work to resolve Urbandale’s ZIP code boundary dispute and standing up for the National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City to unleashing small business innovation as Chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, I will always bring Iowans’ concerns to the highest levels.”
Ernst meets with leaders from the City of Bondurant.
Download photos from more of her meetings here.
See what local leaders are saying about Ernst’s work for Iowans:
“For 70 years, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce has descended upon our nation’s capital to share our primary concerns, priorities, and political positions,” said Chris McGowan, President of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. “With this in mind, we are here this week, with over 40 Siouxland business leaders, to advocate for our tri-state community with our federal elected officials, including United States Senator Joni Ernst.”
“Strong businesses create strong communities. The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce met with the Iowa delegation to underscore the importance of certainty to guarantee investment in our communities,”said Molly Grover, President of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’re here with our community leaders from the public and private sector to advocate for a robust business climate conducive to economic job growth and development as well as a more vibrant and prosperous Dubuque.”
“We are incredibly grateful for Senator Ernst’s support for Iowa, including to create high-quality jobs and a stable tax base,” said Hollie Zajicek, Director of the Economic Development Director for the City of Norwalk and Commissioner of the Greater Des Moines Sister Cities Commission. “I remember working with Senator Ernst years ago when she was the auditor for Montgomery County. I’m proud to say she’s the same person now that she was then; genuine, kind, hardworking, brave, and always doing the right thing for taxpayers, the great state of Iowa, and our amazing United States of America. We look forward to her continuous work to put Iowans first for many years to come.”
“We greatly appreciate discussing the issues that are most important to our community with Senator Ernst and her staff while in Washington, D.C.,” said Bob Andeweg, Mayor of the City of Urbandale.“The Senator has a proven track record of not only listening to our needs and concerns but taking action to address them and serve Iowans. Look no further than her work to resolve the ongoing ZIP code boundary dispute in Urbandale. She has been a leader in resolving this issue to get our residents the timely and efficient mail service they need.”
“It was an honor to join Senator Ernst in Washington, D.C., and advocate alongside fellow Chamber leaders and city officials on key issues impacting the Des Moines region,” said Tiffany Menke, President of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce. “For Urbandale, one of the most pressing concerns is the ZIP code boundary challenge, which affects everything from business perception to service delivery. We’re grateful for Senator Ernst’s openness to hearing our concerns and her ongoing commitment to supporting Iowa’s local economies through responsive, informed policymaking.”
“The Partnership trip provides an opportunity for us to come together and advocate for the issues we see as most impactful to Central Iowa,” said Doug Elrod, Mayor of the City of Bondurant. “Senator Ernst takes the time to dig in and understand these, along with the specific issues which are important for Bondurant. We feel she knows our community and has been with us along our journey. We are thankful to the Senator and her team for their service to Central Iowa and Bondurant!”
“Meeting with Senator Ernst and her staff in Washington, DC is a critical opportunity for our members and community stakeholders to ensure their voices are heard at the highest levels,” said Dan Culhane, President and CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. “These visits strengthen our advocacy efforts and reinforce our shared priorities, which is why we place such a strong emphasis on being present and engaged in our nation’s capital.”
“We were proud to represent Cedar Rapids in Washington, D.C. this week, meeting with members of our federal delegation and key administration officials to advocate for critical infrastructure and economic development projects,” said Tiffany O’Donnell, Mayor of the City of Cedar Rapids. “We explored targeted grant opportunities and strengthened federal partnerships to help turn today’s conversations into tomorrow’s benefits for our community. We also expressed our appreciation for Senator Ernst’s continued support in advancing important projects like our Flood Control System and 8th Avenue Bridge replacement.”
Throughout this Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.
RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: PowerTech of Pottawattamie County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.
“Josh and Cody have generated a company that delivers not just expertise, but heart,” said Chair Ernst. “From emergency response to community outreach, PowerTech provides top-tier electrical services that truly spark trust across commercial, industrial, and residential clients in Iowa. Operating out of multiple state-of-the-art facilities, they’ve become a current leader in the Council Bluffs community.”
Download photos from Ernst’s recent visit to PowerTech here.
Since acquiring the business in 2016, longtime friends Josh Kallsen and Cody Forristall have transformed PowerTech into one of the Midwest’s premier electrical service providers. Headquartered in Council Bluffs, the company offers 24/7 facility maintenance, generator services, emergency response, and comprehensive electrical solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. In 2020, they launched Power to Give, a philanthropic initiative that supports employee volunteerism with local nonprofits – particularly those serving children and mental health causes. Through their PowerTech Cares Program, they donate electrical services to a family in need each month.
Stay tuned as Chair Ernst recognizes more Iowa small businesses across the state with her Small Business of the Week award.
▲ RM, a global icon and a widely respected art connoisseur, has become the official face of Samsung Art TVs. As an ambassador, he will share his commentary on artwork via Samsung Art Store, inviting users and fans to explore the world of art through his unique lens. (Photo courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC)
Samsung Electronics today announced RM of 21st century pop icons BTS as the official ambassador for Samsung Art TVs.1 The appointment is one of RM’s official activities following his highly anticipated return from mandatory military service in Korea.
As a globally recognized art connoisseur, RM has made headlines for his deep appreciation of the arts, including visits to leading museums and his private collection of contemporary artwork. Now, in his role as Samsung Art TV ambassador, RM will bring his distinctive voice and passion for visual art to Samsung TV users around the world.
“RM’s passion for art and culture deeply resonates with our vision to make art more accessible through technology,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’re thrilled to welcome him as the ambassador for Samsung Art TVs, and we believe his voice will inspire a new generation to explore the world of art in meaningful, personal ways.”
Samsung Art TVs, known for their fusion of advanced display technology and artistic expression, serve as immersive platforms where art comes to life. Through Samsung Art Store2 — a subscription-based service featuring over 3,500 high-resolution artworks in 4K — users can now enjoy curated content with insights from RM himself. His personal reflections and commentary on select works will be accessible directly on Samsung Art Store, providing fans and art enthusiasts with a unique window into his aesthetic sensibilities.
“As someone who finds deep inspiration and comfort in art, I’m honored to partner with Samsung to share my journey and love for visual creativity,” said RM. “Through this collaboration, I hope more people can connect with art in their everyday lives — just like I do.”
As part of his new role, RM will appear at Art Basel, which is one of the world’s premier international art fairs and is held in Basel, Switzerland. There, he will host a special session to share his thoughts on contemporary art, collecting and the cultural significance of visual storytelling. Highlights from this event, including exclusive insights and behind-the-scenes moments, will be published on the Samsung Global Newsroom.
RM’s partnership with Samsung Art TVs sets the stage for a new dialogue between art, technology and global pop culture. Through this collaboration, Samsung continues to elevate its commitment to making world-class art more accessible and personal — now with RM as the bridge between fans and the art world.
For more information, visit www.samsung.com.
About RM of BTS
RM (Kim, Namjun) is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, music producer and the leader of 21st century pop icons BTS. His discography includes solo mixtapes RM (March 2015) and mono. (October 2018), as well as solo albums Indigo (December 2022) and Right Place, Wrong Person (May 2024), which showcase his remarkable versatility across genres. As a creative powerhouse and avid art enthusiast, RM is renowned for crafting profound lyrics often inspired by various art forms. His flexible and philosophical approach to music and ability to push creative boundaries with cutting-edge collaborations has led him to work with a diverse range of artists, including Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Lil Nas X, HONNE, Mahalia, and more. On May 24, 2024, RM released his critically-acclaimed second solo album Right Place, Wrong Person.
1 Samsung Art TVs include MICRO LED, The Frame, The Frame Pro, Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED and QLED models starting from Q7F and above.
2 Samsung Art Store is an art subscription service available on Samsung Art TVs, including The Frame, NEO QLEDs and QLEDs. Currently available in 117 countries around the world, Samsung Art Store offers over 70 partners and 3,500 artworks in 4K quality. Through Samsung Art Store, subscribers can enjoy artwork from world-class galleries and masters at home and use it to create new interior designs every day.
At the invitation of H.E. Dr. Laksana Tri Handoko, ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI) Chair 2025 and Chairman of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, will participate in the 21st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-21), to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 20 June 2025. AMMSTI Ministers are expected to adopt the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2026–2035, a strategic milestone toward building an inclusive and future-ready regional innovation ecosystem. Anchored on the theme “Empowering ASEAN’s STI Ecosystem: National Commitments for Regional Impact,” AMMSTI will set out concrete measures to implement APASTI.
SG Dr. Kao is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with H.E. Laksana Tri Handoko, AMMSTI Chair 2025 and Chairman of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of the Republic of Indonesia, as well as with H.E. Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines, on the margins of the AMMSTI-21.
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN to participate in the 21st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-21) in Jakarta appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
We, the leaders of the G7, reiterate our commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.
In this context, we affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel.
We also affirm the importance of the protection of civilians.
Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror.
We have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.
We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.
We will remain vigilant to the implications for international energy markets and stand ready to coordinate, including with like-minded partners, to safeguard market stability.
Government Relations and Public Affairs 187 Harry S. Truman Parkway Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Media Advisory: Tara H. Jackson is the new Prince George’s County State’s Attorney
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. – Tara H. Jackson has been selected as the new State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County. Jackson succeeded Angela D. Alsobrooks, who was elected to the U.S. Senate, to serve as the Acting County Executive for Prince George’s County, Maryland. Jackson will serve as Prince George’s County State’s Attorney as Aisha Braveboy will be sworn in as county executive this week.
Jackson’s career includes more than 20 years in the government and legal community. Jackson formerly served as Prince George’s County’s Chief Administrative Officer, beginning in December 2020. She began her career in public service as a prosecutor in the State’s Attorney’s Office, and later took on a role serving as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Government Operations under County Executive Alsobrooks.
Jackson earned a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University, a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law, and a Master of Divinity in Leadership Development from the Phoenix Seminary.
Pursuant to Article V of the Maryland Constitution, the circuit court judges of Prince George’s County appointed Jackson to fill the vacancy of State’s Attorney for the remaining term.
QUEBEC CITY, Canada, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech® Holdings Inc. (“LeddarTech” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LDTC), an AI-powered software company recognized for its innovation in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD), today announces that, further to its press release dated June 11, 2025, it intends on making an assignment into bankruptcy pursuant to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) (the “BIA”).
After careful consideration of all available alternatives, including undertaking a strategic review which was unsuccessful in identifying a suitable acquirer or commercial partner or raising sufficient capital, as well as further to the Company having received a notice of default under its bridge financing offer entered into with certain bridge lenders, the board of directors of the Company has determined that it was in the best interest of the Company and its stakeholders to make an assignment into bankruptcy under the BIA as soon as reasonably practicable. The Company expects that Raymond Chabot Inc., a licensed insolvency trustee, will be appointed as the trustee under the BIA proceedings.
In connection with the BIA proceedings, each member of the board of directors of the Company will resign effective upon the assignment under the BIA.
As was disclosed in its June 11, 2025 press release, the Company does not expect to resume active operations and cautions investors that there is significant risk that holders of our securities will receive little to no value under the BIA proceedings.
Further announcements regarding the status of the Company’s BIA proceedings will be made as developments warrant. Additional information with respect to the BIA proceedings will be available in due course on Raymond Chabot Inc.’s website.
The Company expects that its common shares and warrants trading on the Nasdaq will be halted as a result of the BIA proceedings. The Company anticipates that it will ultimately be delisted from the Nasdaq.
AboutLeddarTech
A global software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Quebec City with additional R&D centers in Montreal and Tel Aviv, Israel, LeddarTech develops and provides comprehensive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS, autonomous driving (AD) and parking applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies advanced AI and computer vision algorithms to generate accurate 3D models of the environment to achieve better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is available to OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to efficiently implement automotive and off- road vehicle ADAS solutions.
LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 190 patent applications (112 granted) that enhance ADAS, AD and parking capabilities. Better awareness around the vehicle is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to seek to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.
Certain statements contained in this Press Release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which forward-looking statements also include forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws). Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend” and other similar expressions among others. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the issuance of cease trade orders, the BIA proceedings, and the potential for shareholder value recovery. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the risk factors as detailed from time to time in LeddarTech’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risk factors contained in LeddarTech’s Form 20-F filed with the SEC. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Except as required by applicable law, LeddarTech does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact: Chris Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, LeddarTech Holdings Inc. Tel.: + 1-514-427-0858, chris.stewart@leddartech.com
Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, VAYADrive, VayaVision and related logos are trademarks orregisteredtrademarksofLeddarTechHoldingsInc.and itssubsidiaries.Allotherbrands,productnamesandmarks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used toidentify products or services of their respectiveowners.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
SHIJIAZHUANG, June 17 (Xinhua) — China’s cross-border e-commerce volume will reach 2.71 trillion yuan (about 377.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, hitting a new historical high, Cai Junwei, deputy head of the statistical analysis department of the General Administration of Customs, said Monday at the China International Economic and Trade Talks in Langfang, north China’s Hebei Province.
According to the department, in 2024, China’s cross-border e-commerce export volume exceeded 2 trillion yuan for the first time, reaching 2.15 trillion yuan, up 16.9 percent from the previous year.
“Since the beginning of this year, there has been a trend of steady recovery and improvement in the Chinese economy. The trade in goods has shown great resilience to external pressure, and China’s foreign trade volume in cross-border e-commerce has maintained a trend of further growth,” Cai Junwei said.
According to him, more than 70 percent of Chinese companies express confidence that cross-border e-commerce exports and imports will remain stable or will grow further in 2025. -0-
