Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appeal for information on missing woman in Tsing Yi (with photo) Chan Fung-yau, aged 85, went missing after she left her residence in Cheung Fat Estate yesterday (June 27) morning. Her family then made a report to Police.
She is about 1.5 metres tall, 50 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short grey and white hair. She was last seen wearing a white short-sleeved T-shirt, light-coloured trousers, light-coloured slippers and holding a black walking stick.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1173 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
Summer is the UK’s best-loved season. It’s easy to see why, with the warmer, sunnier weather it brings. But the temperature isn’t the only reason people prefer midsummer to the dark days of winter. Many also report their mood is better during the warmer months.
But why is it that our mood changes so much through the seasons? While there are many complex reasons why the weather can have such a significant affect on our mood and wellbeing, the key answer lies in our brain – and the way almost all of our body’s systems are hardwired to respond to what’s going on around us.
Your body’s core temperature is set at 37°C. Temperature is regulated by an area of the brain known as the hypothalamus. This nerve centre receives information about temperature from all over the body and initiates actions to either cool down or warm up accordingly.
The outside temperature can also affect our biological clock – otherwise known as our circadian rhythms. These govern, among other functions, our sleep-wake cycles.
Our circadian rhythms are also regulated by the hypothalamus – more specifically, a part of it called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The fact that both temperature control and sleep-wake cycles are governed from within the same region of the brain suggests they are inextricably connected.
This connection can also partly help to explain why our moods can shift so much from winter to summer. It’s the interaction between these nervous pathways that are believed to impact mood through their effect on sleep, mood-influencing neurotransmitters, and more.
For instance, in winter, many people find their mood takes a dip – especially during the long, dark days of midwinter. Some people even develop seasonal affective disorder (Sad), a condition associated with depressive episodes that fluctuate with the comings-and-goings of the different seasons – though it’s typically more common in the winter because of the darker days and cold temperatures.
Sad can also cause sleep disturbances, lethargy and appetite changes – particularly cravings for carbohydrates. As the summer months arrive, people with winter Sad usually find their symptoms significantly improve.
There’s some evidence that Sad is linked to secretion of a hormone called melatonin – a hormone that’s also linked to our circadian rhythms. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland, which shares nervous connections with the hypothalamus and acts to control timing and quality of sleep.
Melatonin levels typically remain relatively low during the day – but levels start to creep up in the evening, reaching their highest levels in the middle of the night. But the lower levels of daylight in the winter can cause dysfunction with melatonin levels, typically increasing it’s secretion. This probably explains why people feel sleepier and more fatigued in winter – and which may in turn trigger depression.
But it’s not just melatonin that’s linked to Sad. Other neurotransmitters which act as mood boosters (such as serotonin) appear to be affected by dark and cold days too. There also seems to be a link with geographical location – with evidence showing the condition is more common in regions furthest from the equator, where there are extremes of daylight and temperature.
Summertime sadness
When summer finally makes an appearance, the effect of sunshine and heat upon the energy-boosting neurotransmitters (such as serotonin) makes a notable difference to mood. This may be partly due to increased amounts of vitamin D – which is made in the skin, and requires sunlight exposure to reach higher levels. Vitamin D has been proven to positively affect serotonin levels.
But not everyone finds themselves pleased by summer’s hotter temperatures and longer days. Some may find they feel more miserable this season.
It’s less clear why some people get Sad in the summertime – and is probably due to a range of factors. It may be due to the heat and humidity or even feelings of self-consciousness. It could possibly even be due to sleep disruptions – since the longer days might disrupt our circadian rhythm.
Certain health conditions may also influence how we cope with the warmer temperatures. Take the menopause, where symptoms such as hot flushes may be exacerbated by the warmer weather. Those dealing with these symptoms may find it becomes even more difficult during heat waves – and this may take a toll on their mental wellbeing.
Some research does show that rising temperatures can be a precipitant for acute mental illness. One study examined a population of patients with bipolar disorder and found there was a significant peak in the number of hospital admissions in the summer months compared to patients with other psychiatric disorders. Their statistical analysis demonstrated that higher temperatures and solar radiation levels were the most significant determinants of acute episodes.
Another study has also suggested a link between increased temperatures and risk of suicidal behaviour.
The body’s natural responses to heat also feeds into the biological stress response. The mechanisms by which the body cools down, such as sweating and promoting blood flow to the skin, can cause dehydration and skin flushing. This may make people feel of frustrated and irritable, have trouble concentrating and may even impact the quality of sleep.
The interplay between temperature, sunlight, the body’s circadian clock and mood is a complex and intriguing conundrum – and one which is as unique as each person. While some of us are hard-wired to be sunchasers, others eagerly look forward to the dark days of winter. But in a world where climate change is a definite reality, we need to better understand how a warming world is going to affect our wellbeing.
Dan Baumgardt 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.
After eight years of renovations, the Waldorf Astoria in New York has reopened and is welcoming new guests. The Waldorf – as most people know it – introduced room service, velvet ropes, red-velvet cake and Thousand Island dressing. It gave its name to a salad, a chain of lunchrooms, as well as a now obscure form of democracy.
In 1907, the novelist Henry James said the Waldorf embodied what he called the “hotel spirit”: it was a place where everyone was equal – as long as they could afford the price of admission. To James, hotels defined America’s emerging culture and ideals. He said this new “spirit” was one of opportunity; of a new elite that was accessible not only by lineage, but by money.
As the historian and journalist David Freeland wrote, the Waldorf generally made room for all who were “able and ready to pay” and who displayed a willingness to “conduct themselves properly”. The Waldorf ethos was developed by its first maître d’, Oscar Tschirky – known simply as “Oscar of the Waldorf” because people struggled to pronounce his name. “Our innovations were startling and sensational”, Tschirky said in his ghost-written autobiography in 1943, “but they were always genteel”.
Those early innovations included the invention of the “presidential suite”, which saw the hotel become an unlikely early force for American feminism when it became a hub of high-level talks between suffragists and President Woodrow Wilson.
The Waldorf, then, is an American institution – or, at least, it used to be.
It is now in the hands of Chinese owners and has been shunned by presidents since Barack Obama, worried over potential security risks. The brand itself has been watered down as there are currently 32 “Waldorf Astorias” dotted around the globe.
The story of the Waldorf encapsulates modern America’s crisis of the establishment. Few places better personify the creation of the US version of the establishment (much more about money than breeding or class). And in the past decade, the hotel’s position, like the US establishment more generally, has come under assault by a rival hotel owner, Donald Trump.
The Insights section is committed to high-quality longform journalism. Our editors work with academics from many different backgrounds who are tackling a wide range of societal and scientific challenges.
Trump has his own ideas about how to use these modern palaces to project power – and his innovations are anything but genteel. So what can the beginnings of this former American institution tell us about America today? As a researcher of political and democratic institutions, I have been examining the role of hotels in the story of American democracy. And this particular story begins with a Swiss-born waiter.
Oscar of the Waldorf
Tschirky was born in the Swiss Alpine village of Le Locle in 1866. He and his mother boarded the steamer La France in 1883, bound for New York. In his book, he recalled his mother’s announcement:
Yes, Oscar, we’re going to go to America and live with your brother in that great land of plenty where we can have everything we’ve always wanted.
That night, according to his book, was “the beginning of Oscar’s career as beloved servitor and counsellor to the great and near great of this world”.
Although it would be ten years after arriving in New York, that Tschirky would join the Waldorf (which was just about to open) as maître d’. His contract and salary commenced on January 1 1893, ahead of the grand opening of the Fifth Avenue hotel in March. He would occupy his post for the next half-century as “host to the world”.
Tschirky would remain in place as the hotel expanded in 1897 when John Jacob Astor IV built and connected the larger, taller Astoria Hotel next door. Then in 1931 the hotel was forced to relocate when its Fifth Avenue location was razed for the Empire State Building. The “new” Waldorf Astoria New York reopened on Park Avenue with the addition of its famous towers, making it the tallest hotel in the world at the time.
Tschirky was born just one year after the end of the American Civil War. It was an America of Jim Crow laws and segregation. He would live to see women’s suffrage, but not the civil rights reforms of the mid-1960s.
In this turbulent context, it appears that Tschirky did his best to keep the Waldorf out of politics. He stuck to the advice given by the Waldorf’s manager, George Boldt (himself a German immigrant) who told him that it was “not up to the hotel to settle international affairs”.
Tschirky came to understand, realise, and represent the “hotel spirit” of a new America as he presided over the establishment of hotels as American palaces: not only for visitors, but for the new American aristocracy.
A presidential palace
The Waldorf famously hosted every US president from Grover Cleveland to Franklin Roosevelt. In spring 1897, Cleveland was at the Waldorf with members of his former cabinet, who wanted him as Democratic candidate in the 1900 election. This was the first reported instance of “Waldorf democracy” – in this case, the term was used to identify this new group within (and in some respects differentiate it from) “the democracy”, that was the Democrats.
President Grover Cleveland (sitting on the far left) and his cabinet, between 1895 and 1896. Shutterstock/Everett Collection
This politics was not embraced by all. As reported in The Ohio Democrat, Congressman Edward W. Carmack of Tennessee dismissed it as “the walled-off Democracy, because they are by themselves, representing nobody, and unable to influence a vote”.
Nevertheless, political elites liked the luxury that the Waldorf offered. Presidential suites were established during Woodrow Wilson’s presidency (1913-21). In the Waldorf, this famous suite emulates the furniture of the White House and still contains several presidential souvenirs, (including John F. Kennedy’s rocking chair).
The hotel was also popular among the famous “Four Hundred of the Gilded Age” – the highest echelons of New York society. The group was originally led by Caroline Schermerhorn Astor. The Astors’ ancestral family home, the town of Walldorf, in western Germany, had even given the hotel its name. According to Tschirky’s book, the Waldorf’s grand ballroom was:
… where Teddy Roosevelt had dined, where presidents McKinley, Taft, Wilson, Harding, Coolidge and Hoover had spoken historic words to the nation, where princes of royal blood had been welcomed, where the great people in every walk of life had been honored.
The Waldorf proved a suitable palace for US presidents and their entourages and Tschirky, a suitable “servant”. When interviewed by Washington DC’s Evening Star, Tschirky “wouldn’t talk about presidents except to say that Franklin D. Roosevelt calls him, ‘my neighbor across the Hudson’”.
But Tschirky, “for all his celebrity acquaintances, never forgot that he was, in the end, a servant”, as Freeland wrote. The Waldorf likewise applied the term to its staff.
Exclusivity, exclusion and ‘democracy’
The world famous hotelier Conrad Hilton, who acquired the Waldorf in 1949, recalled in his autobiography, Be My Guest:
Originally the Waldorf was said to purvey exclusiveness to the exclusive. Later [the writer and artist] Oliver Herford announced that it ‘brought exclusiveness to the masses’. But that exclusiveness remained whether the hotel catered to a convention of three thousand or a tête-à-tête between crowned heads.
The Waldorf ethos projected “taste” and imbued it in others. Tschirky “subtly schooled Americans in fine European dining”. In 1956 – six years after Tschirky’s death – the New York Times recalled that, alongside Boldt, he undertook to teach people how to spend their money. The Waldorf embodied good taste by enforcing it, for example in its expectation of “proper conduct”.
But with exclusivity comes exclusion. Hence, the hotel’s introduction of the velvet rope. According to the Waldorf’s luxury suite specialists, this was done “to create order … the fact that it created a sense of stature and separation was secondary”.
Tschirky’s statement that “all who pay their bills are on an equal footing” reflects one of his “rules for success”:
… be as courteous to the man in a five dollar room as to the occupant of the royal suite. It is an old rule, but it never changes.
We can see from this mindset how the hotel was seen to possess, as American Studies scholar Annabella Fick put it, “a democratic quality … even though it is also elitist. In that, it invokes the democratic understanding of early America, which also differentiated between land-owning gentry and the mob”.
This was not the only differentiation. Just two years after the Waldorf opened, the 1895 New York State Equal Rights Law (commonly known as the Malby Law) – which aimed to abolish racial discrimination in public places – had aroused Boldt’s indignation. According to Freeland, Boldt described the law to reporters as “an outrage, as it prevents us from making any selection of our patrons. A man who runs a first-class hotel must respect the wishes of his guests as to the sort of people that he entertains, and the law should not dictate to him.”
In his paradoxical desire for the freedom to discriminate and persecute as he wished – and on behalf of his customers, real or imagined – Boldt illustrated the exclusion inherent in exclusivity. Boldt’s statement also presaged a system of informal segregation, in which Black Americans were allowed in the Waldorf (and elsewhere), but were certainly not welcome.
Despite this the Waldorf was at the heart of a fundamental shift in American culture which “invited” ordinary Americans access beyond the velvet rope – as long as they could afford it. As James McCarthy and John Rutherford said in their 1931 book, Peacock Alley: “The average man and woman … frowned upon grand display – chiefly because the average person knew it was beyond his or her own horizon of enjoyment. The arrival of the Waldorf, however, was an invitation to the public to taste of this grandeur.”
And it wasn’t just the paying customers. During its 30th anniversary in 1923, the Waldorf elevated its staff – its servants – to the level of guests. Reporters for the Birmingham Age-Herald noted: “Practically the entire staff of the hotel were guests … the affair reached the topnotch of Waldorf democracy, for the waiters and financiers, telephone girls and captains of industry, coat-room clerks and merchant princes sat side by side and swapped reminiscences with each other.” The article continues:
Oscar sat [at] the head of his own table as guest of honor. For a brief time Oscar was no longer the solicitous host … For an hour or two Oscar was himself the guest, and the entire kitchen menage of the Waldorf-Astoria was kept hopping filling his wants and those of his fellow guests.
Oscar and his wife Louise, in the Birmingham Age-Herald above ‘Father Knickerbocker’ – a personification of New York City (hence The Knicks) – celebrating the Waldorf at 30. Library of Congress
But being a guest was a temporary experience.
The “Waldorf democracy” described during this event – of people from every walk of life and status mixing and socialising – was very different to that of the Cleveland entourage. It was not party-political, but institutional.
Democracy meant different things, at different times, within the Waldorf; just like in the broader US. The Waldorf, in turn, began to change, and perhaps even lose its meaning within the US by the time of Obama’s presidency.
Chinese ownership
The Waldorf lost its status as presidential palace in 2014. It was bought for $1.95bn by a Chinese company that was later seized by the Chinese government. Security concerns a year later prompted President Obama to stay at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel instead.
Obama’s choice of where to stay – and where not to stay – was widely discussed in the media. The decision was seen to “break with decades of tradition”. ABC News recognised and portrayed it as the end of an era, bidding “Goodbye to the Waldorf Astoria, welcome to the Lotte New York Palace Hotel”. This new era was also framed in geopolitical terms, for example by the New York Times:
With Chinese spies rummaging through White House emails, President Obama has decided not to risk making their spying any easier: He will break with tradition and abandon the Waldorf Astoria … Mr. Obama and other officials will instead take up residence a few blocks away at the Lotte New York Palace.
The same article also pointed out that “hotels have long represented a weak link in security for travelling officials and others”. In fact, Nikita Khrushchev had once got stuck in an elevator at the Waldorf, and “probably thought it was an attempt to assassinate him”.
Covering up an assassination as an “elevator accident” is probably not what Hilton had in mind when he envisaged his hotels as “a means of combating communism”. On the contrary – as Professor Mairi Maclean, a researcher of business elites, put it – Hilton envisaged hotels as a means of “facilitating world peace through international trade and travel”.
Women’s suffrage
It may not have brought about world peace, but the Waldorf did play a part in certain moments of US history because it was always seen as a key arena to lobby rulers, most notably in 1916. Women’s suffrage in America was still four years away. On one side of the debate (and the Waldorf itself) were two hundred suffragists, occupying the East Room. On the other was Woodrow Wilson, occupying the Presidential Suite.
Tschirky recalled being “appointed diplomatic courier … and delegated to carry the first communiqué of the morning … In the midst of it all I stood my ground, swearing myself an ice cold neutral”.
Though neutral on the question of suffrage, Tschirky was willing to reduce boundaries within the hotel, especially if it was good for business. Even as the hotel was being built, Tschirky remembered that “there was not, in all America, such a thing as a motor car, a radio … Nor were cocktails ever seen in private homes; or divorces tolerated in society; nor did women smoke, or wear dresses above their ankles”.
Then in 1907 a notice was put up in the Waldorf: “Women would be served in the hotel restaurants at any time, with or without male escorts.” Freeland noted Tschirky’s simple confirmation that: “We will serve women. What else can you do in a hotel?”
Crowd of women’s suffrage supporters demonstrating with signs reading, ‘Wilson Against Women’, in Chicago on October 20, 1916. Wilson withheld his support for Votes of Women until 1918. Shutterstock/Everett Collection
A few years later, discussing women’s right to smoke in the dining rooms, Tschirky said: “We do not regulate the public taste. Public taste does and should regulate us.”
During the Waldorf’s 30th anniversary in 1923, newspapers such as El Imparcial celebrated it as “a civic asset of unique importance. And to its other accolades must be added that of contributing effectively to the progress of feminism. It was a memorable day in the women’s rights movement when The Waldorf Astoria granted female access to the Peacock Alley.”
Nevertheless, even the naming of Peacock Alley – a corridor in the hotel that became an important place of congregation, especially for women – was a recognition of exclusivity. It was where people gathered to parade themselves. As the recollection goes in Tschirky’s memoirs: “The Waldorf Hotel was a triumphant picture of the Best People at their best”.
Trump
With their ostentatious decor and gilded interiors, Trump’s hotels could be seen as the modern incarnation of Peacock Alley.
But the tenets of politeness, respect and decorum that Tschirky set down seem like echoes from another age when compared to a recent AI video showing Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sitting shirtless at a pool with drinks at an imaginary “Trump Gaza hotel”. The video appears to have been a spoof, but that didn’t stop the president from sharing it on Truth Social, his own social media platform, and Instagram.
Like Hilton (who was immortalised in Mad Men, demanding a Hilton on the moon) hotels have always been a part of Trump’s brand. Trump recalled, in How to Get Rich, that his “first big deal, in 1974, involved the old Commodore Hotel site near Grand Central Station” on 42nd Street.
The former Trump International Hotel in Washington DC, opened in 2016, was described as “the epicenter of the president’s business interests in [the capital]”. It was also “a popular choice for lobbyists and Republican Congress members during Trump’s presidency”.
“The Trump Organization sold the hotel’s lease to CGI in 2022, when the hotel was reflagged as a Waldorf Astoria”, though Trump’s firm is rumoured to be in talks to reacquire it.
Another similarity between Hilton and Trump is their use of hotels as symbols for the nation. Each hotel of Hilton’s was envisaged as a “Little America”, “to show the countries most exposed to communism the other side of the coin”.
It had all of the ingredients of greatness, but it had been neglected and left to deteriorate for many many decades … It had the foundation of success. All of the elements were here. Our job is to restore our former glory, honor its heritage, but also imagine a brand new and exciting vision for the future.
Forbes commented that this event “could’ve easily been mistaken for a Trump rally”, for example in his statement that “my theme today is five words: ‘under budget and ahead of schedule’ … We don’t hear those words too often in government – but you will!”
Similarly, in an interview with the New York Post, Trump’s son Eric Trump used familiar Maga rhetoric: “Our family has saved the hotel once. If asked, we would save it again”.
What would Tschirky have made of all this? As a political neutral he would have decried Trump’s frequent hotel plugs during political campaigns. No doubt his behaviour would have seemed crass.
Perhaps this reflects two different eras of hotels and their intended functions. Grand hotels such as the Waldorf were shaped by European colonialism, by immigrants like Tschirky and Boldt. But as historian Annabel Wharton describes, the Hiltons “were constructed not, as in the nineteenth century, to meet an established need, but to create one. They suggest that this pressure was not produced simply by the desire for profit, but from a remarkable political commitment to the system that promoted profit-making”. I think we can read Trump’s hotels, and now his politics, in the same way.
The hotel spirit has entered a new phase with Trump’s proposals to “own, level, and develop” the Gaza Strip and create a “Riviera of the Middle East” – riding roughshod over the democratic will of Palestinians in Gaza who dismissed Trump’s vision.
Less than two decades after opening, Tschirky remarked that “many of the great events, financial, diplomatic, political, had had their inception within [the Waldorf’s] stone walls”. For him, it was “an international crossroad where men from all lands came to exchange goods and ideas” and to plan the changes in the world which he would later see come to pass.
Tschirky saw hotels as the most democratic places on Earth. But the “hotel spirit” he espoused – that uniquely American narrative within which he “became a citizen almost overnight” (a feat that seems vanishingly unlikely today) – seems to have been consigned to the past.
“I know that better times will come again”, he says in the preface to his book, “but in terms of the past, I think I have seen the best. New York has changed. America has changed.”
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Alex Prior 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.
India paid heartfelt tributes to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao on his birth anniversary, celebrating his legacy as a visionary leader whose transformative economic reforms reshaped the nation’s trajectory. Leaders across the political spectrum lauded Rao’s contributions to India’s economic liberalization, foreign policy, and national development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Rao, stating on X, “India is grateful to Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu for his effective leadership during a crucial phase of our development trajectory. His intellect, wisdom, and scholarly nature are widely admired.”
Born on June 28, 1921, in Laknepalli village, present-day Telangana, Rao was a freedom fighter and a prominent member of the Indian National Congress. Serving as India’s ninth Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996, he was the first South Indian and only the second non-Hindi-speaking leader to hold the office. His tenure is best remembered for the 1991 economic reforms that liberalized India’s economy, fostering unprecedented growth and elevating the country’s global standing.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described Rao as “a towering statesman and scholar par excellence,” noting his contributions to economic progress and national development. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Rao’s reforms were “instrumental in catalyzing an era of unprecedented national growth” and pivotal in expanding India’s middle class. Kharge also highlighted Rao’s role in advancing India’s nuclear program and initiating the ‘Look East’ foreign policy.
The Congress party paid tribute, stating, “Rao’s 1991 economic reforms set India on the path of progress, liberalization, and self-reliance. His bold reforms and statesmanship continue to inspire generations.”
Other leaders, including Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini, also honored Rao. Chouhan called him a “Bharat Ratna” whose contributions were invaluable, while Birla hailed him as the “architect of India’s prosperity through liberalization.” Dhami and Saini praised Rao’s role in opening doors to economic prosperity and strengthening India’s global identity.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Vladivostok, June 28 (Xinhua) — A Zlin-142 light aircraft with one pilot on board crashed near the Novonezhino state aviation airfield in Primorsky Krai on Saturday. The pilot died in the crash, TASS reported, citing the press service of the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the report, the crash occurred at 09:45 /02:45 Moscow time/. The plane was piloted by a citizen born in 1969, who died as a result of the incident. There were no other people on board.
According to preliminary information, the owner of the plane gave it to the deceased to practice piloting skills. A criminal case has been opened on the fact of the incident. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Vladivostok, June 28 (Xinhua) — On Saturday, a Zlin-142 light aircraft with one pilot on board crashed near the Novonezhino state aviation airfield in Primorsky Krai. The pilot died in the crash, TASS reported, citing the press service of the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the report, the crash occurred at 09:45 /02:45 Moscow time/. The plane was piloted by a citizen born in 1969, who died as a result of the incident. There were no other people on board.
According to preliminary information, the owner of the plane gave it to the deceased to practice piloting skills. A criminal case has been opened on the fact of the incident. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
TOKYO, June 28 (Xinhua) — Japan’s Adventure World amusement park in Shirahama Township, Wakayama Prefecture, sent four giant pandas to China on Saturday.
The 24-year-old female, Raukhin, and her three daughters, 8-year-old Yuyin, 6-year-old Saihin and 4-year-old Fuxin, will be taken to the Chengdu Base of Giant Panda Research and Breeding in China’s Sichuan Province.
Park staff waved flags as the animals left early in the morning, and scores of fans in panda T-shirts waited at a nearby intersection to wave goodbye to the truckload of animals.
Zoo director Koji Imazu told media that despite the pandas’ departure, the park hopes to maintain elements related to the animals to attract visitors. “I hope the pandas will continue to live healthy and long lives after returning to China, and will be presented in good condition to the Chinese people and those who visit them from Japan in the future,” he added.
According to Adventure World staff, all four pandas are healthy. The Chinese specialists who will care for them have been fully consulted about the characteristics and habits of each female.
A joint panda breeding program between Adventure World and the Chinese research base was launched in 1994.
The zoo operator said that since the joint panda protection agreement expires in August this year, the two sides agreed to carry out the transport in June, when temperatures are relatively mild, to reduce the stress on the animals.
Elderly Raukhin will enjoy her old age in a better medical environment in China, and her daughters will be able to take part in a breeding program. –0–
D6 Thu, Jul 03, 2025 – Fri, Jul 04, 2025 (All days are valid from 12 UTC – 12 UTC the following day)
Note: A severe weather area depicted in the Day 4-8 period indicates 15%, 30% or higher probability for severe thunderstorms within 25 miles of any point.
PREDICTABILITY TOO LOW is used to indicate severe storms may be possible based on some model scenarios. However, the location or occurrence of severe storms are in doubt due to: 1) large differences in the deterministic model solutions, 2) large spread in the ensemble guidance, and/or 3) minimal run-to-run continuity.
POTENTIAL TOO LOW means the threat for a regional area of organized severe storms appears unlikely (i.e., less than 15%) for the forecast day.
Forecast Discussion
ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 280800 SPC AC 280800
Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0300 AM CDT Sat Jun 28 2025
Valid 011200Z – 061200Z
…DISCUSSION… A mid-level trough will move from the Great Lakes to the Northeast on Day 4/Tuesday. At the surface, a cold front will move east through the period. Moderate instability is expected along this front and some severe weather may be possible from the Mid-Atlantic to the Northeast. Slight risk (15%) probabilities may eventually be needed within this zone, but there is potential for cloudcover/thunderstorm activity from Monday evening to impact destabilization. Therefore, confidence is not high enough for probabilities at this time.
Beyond Day 4, a relative lull in severe weather potential is expected. Multiple reinforcing mid-level troughs will amplify the larger-scale trough across the eastern CONUS. As this occurs, the surface cold front will move south, potentially to the Gulf Coast and into the western Atlantic. This will eliminate the very moist airmass which resulted in moderate to strong instability across much of the eastern CONUS for the past few weeks.
The greater low-level moisture is expected to remain and perhaps advect north across the central Plains beneath a large-scale ridge. This could result in some thunderstorm activity, but shear is expected to be very weak, and the building ridge aloft may suppress convection on D5/Wednesday to D6/Thursday.
By next weekend, this ridge is expected to flatten with some stronger mid-level flow moving across the northern Plains. The exact evolution of the upper-pattern remains uncertain and therefore, confidence is low, but severe weather chances may increase across the northern Plains by next weekend.
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Jun 28, 2025 0730 UTC Day 3 Severe Thunderstorm Outlook
Updated: Sat Jun 28 07:23:28 UTC 2025 (Print Version | | )
Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table
Forecast Discussion
SPC AC 280723
Day 3 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0223 AM CDT Sat Jun 28 2025
Valid 301200Z – 011200Z
…THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR PORTIONS OF THE OHIO VALLEY AND MID-ATLANTIC…
…SUMMARY… Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across parts of the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic on Monday.
…Synopsis… A mid-level trough will amplify as it moves through the western Great Lakes on Monday. Meanwhile, mid-level ridging will remain persistent across the western CONUS. At the surface, a cold front will move across the southern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. High pressure will build into the Plains in the wake of this cold front.
…Ohio Valley… Moderate instability is forecast to develop ahead of the cold front in the Ohio Valley on Monday with dewpoints in the low 70s and temperatures warming to near 80. Mid-level flow around 25 to 30 knots may provide sufficient shear for some multicell clusters with a threat for damaging wind gusts Monday afternoon/evening. This threat should be mostly diurnally driven and wane after dark.
…Mid-Atlantic… Moderate instability is forecast east of the Appalachians on Monday as temperatures warm into the low to mid 90s with dewpoints in the mid to upper 60s. Shear will be quite weak, but steep low-level lapse rates will support some threat for damaging wind gusts.
..Bentley.. 06/28/2025
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Jun 28, 2025 0600 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook
Updated: Sat Jun 28 05:57:04 UTC 2025 (Print Version | | )
Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table
Forecast Discussion
SPC AC 280557
Day 2 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1257 AM CDT Sat Jun 28 2025
Valid 291200Z – 301200Z
…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM CENTRAL IOWA INTO THE WESTERN UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN….
…SUMMARY… Scattered strong to severe storms appear possible Sunday from the central Great Plains into the upper Great Lakes region, with at least some potential for the evolution of a large, organized severe storm cluster across parts of the mid into lower Missouri Valley and central Great Plains late Sunday through Sunday night.
…Synopsis… A mid-level trough will amplify across the northern Plains on Sunday. At the surface, a cold front will advance slowly east across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
…Central Plains to the Upper Midwest… Very strong to potentially extreme instability is forecast from the central Plains to the Upper Midwest on Sunday. Weak tropospheric flow is forecast across much of Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri on Sunday. This should limit storm organization with only isolated/widely scattered severe wind gusts possible within this large zone of marginal risk.
Mid-level flow is forecast to be somewhat stronger across northern Iowa, but still relatively weak. This may result in slightly more organized convection where very strong to extreme instability is also present. Therefore, the slight risk was expanded south to cover this threat, particularly since scattered to widespread storm coverage is anticipated. Instability will not be as strong farther north across Wisconsin, but stronger mid-level flow (30-35 knots) will be present, which may result in a few rotating updrafts and/or bowing line segments capable of isolated large hail and severe wind gusts.
…Mid-Atlantic… Moderate to strong instability is forecast to develop across portions of the Mid-Atlantic on Sunday. A very moist environment will be in place with PWAT values over 2 inches and dewpoints in the mid 70s. Therefore, wet microburts will be possible with the strongest storms which develop Sunday afternoon/evening.
..Bentley.. 06/28/2025
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Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
SPC AC 280541
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1241 AM CDT Sat Jun 28 2025
Valid 281200Z – 291200Z
…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM THE UPPER MIDWEST TO THE BLACK HILLS REGION…
…SUMMARY… Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms, perhaps including one or two organizing clusters, will pose a risk for severe hail, wind and perhaps a couple of tornadoes across parts of the Upper Midwest into the Plains of South Dakota and Nebraska.
…Upper Midwest to the Black Hills of South Dakota…
Seasonally typical early summer pattern will be noted today as stronger westerlies are confined to the northern U.S., and much weaker flow is observed across the southern two-thirds of the CONUS. Latest water-vapor imagery suggests a few weak disturbances are translating across the northern Rockies toward the northern Plains and this will shunt the primary synoptic boundary across much of the Dakotas into the upper MS Valley by early evening. This boundary will prove instrumental in focusing deep convection during the afternoon/evening hours.
Early this morning, scattered clusters of strong/severe thunderstorms are propagating southeast across the eastern Dakotas. This activity will advance into the upper MS Valley early in the period as LLJ focuses across eastern SD into northern MN. While some severe threat will be noted with a possible MCS at daybreak, convective outflow will largely influence subsequent regeneration. Latest model guidance suggests an east-west boundary will drape itself across western WI/southern MN by 18z, likely modified by the aforementioned early-day MCS. Boundary-layer heating is expected to aid buoyancy across the Dakotas southeast of the cold front, and scattered thunderstorms should readily develop along this wind shift by late afternoon, aided in part by a weak short wave trough. Additional convection is also possible along the outflow. Wind profiles favor some supercell development, along with possible clusters. Very large hail could accompany supercells. The east-west boundary should enhance low-level shear such that a higher probability for tornadoes will exist across southern portions of MN.
Stronger heating across the Plains of NE into eastern WY will aid isolated-scattered thunderstorms across this portion of the SLGT Risk. Higher-based updrafts, but steep lapse rates suggest hail/wind will be the primary concerns.
…Northern Middle Atlantic region and upper Ohio Valley…
Weak short-wave trough is advancing east across the upper Great Lakes region early this morning. Southern influence of this feature will encourage convective development by 18z across the upper OH Valley into upstate NY. Modest west-southwesterly flow at mid levels suggests some convective organization is possible; however, poor lapse rates and modest instability should result in mainly a damaging wind threat with the most organized convection. Some consideration was given for higher probabilities across portions of the northern Middle Atlantic into southern NY, but weak lapse rates are concerning and deep-layer shear is not that strong. Even so, gusty winds will likely be noted with this activity as it spreads across PA/NY toward the western parts of southern New England.
..Darrow/Lyons.. 06/28/2025
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Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Current Mesoscale DiscussionsUpdated: Sat Jun 28 08:05:03 UTC 2025 No Mesoscale Discussions are currently in effect.
Notice: The responsibility for Heavy Rain Mesoscale Discussions has been transferred to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on April 9, 2013. Click here for the Service Change Notice. Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Current Convective Watches (View What is a Watch? clip)Updated: Sat Jun 28 08:05:06 UTC 2025 No watches are currently valid
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Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
An increased number of regions in China are granting maternity allowances directly to individuals instead of via their employers, thereby simplifying the process for mothers to claim this money.
According to the National Health Security Administration, all new mothers in 12 provinces across the country, as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, are entitled to receive the allowance directly in their bank accounts.
In addition, most other provinces have granted the allowances directly to part, if not all, of the eligible group, the administration noted.
It said that direct payment of maternity allowances to individuals helps make medical insurance more accessible, therefore better protecting the rights and interests of female employees during maternity leave.
Maternity allowance refers to the living expenses paid to female employees during their absence from work due to childbirth, as stipulated by Chinese laws and regulations.
Historically, these funds were disbursed to employers, who would then distribute them to employees. However, there have been instances where employees did not receive the complete entitlement. The expanding group of flexibly employed women further complicates the situation in China.
“When my first child was born, I had to submit a stack of documents and wait a month or so to get my allowance,” said a woman surnamed Li in north China’s Hebei Province. “For my second child this time, the allowance was credited into my personal account only two to three days after the hospital discharge settlement.”
Quick settlement of this allowance enabled Li to concentrate on taking care of herself and the newborn baby without distractions. “This effectively reduced the burden of childbirth on my family,” she added.
Earlier this month, central authorities issued a set of guidelines on further improving public well-being, which pledged support for locations where conditions permit to distribute maternity allowances directly to maternity insurance participants.
This move is yet another effort by the Chinese government to promote childbirth in the face of challenges of a dwindling number of newborns and a growing aging population. The country’s birth rate and number of newborns both dropped for seven consecutive years before reporting rises in 2024, while the population aged 60 and above reached 310 million last year.
To boost its birth rate, China has implemented a slew of supportive policies in recent years. It phased out the one-child policy by allowing married couples to have two children in 2016 and announced support for couples looking to have a third child in 2021.
In addition to financial support, other incentive measures include increased childcare services, extended maternity leave, and strengthened support in education, housing and employment, all aimed at fostering a birth-friendly society.
This year, generous childcare subsidies have been reported across China as part of the country’s holistic efforts to boost birth rates, making news headlines and sparking significant discussions.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Heavy flooding has returned to Rongjiang County in southwest China’s Guizhou Province, prompting local authorities to re-activate the highest-level emergency flood response, effective from 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Hydrological forecasts indicate that the Duliu River is expected to reach a peak flood level of 253.5 meters around 5 p.m. on Saturday. This level, which corresponds to a peak flow of 8,360 cubic meters per second, exceeds the guaranteed water level of 251.5 meters.
In response, the local flood control and drought relief headquarters decided to upgrade the flood control emergency response from Level II to Level I, the highest level in the country’s four-tier weather warning system.
Local authorities are evacuating residents from affected areas to safer locations.
Since June 24, Rongjiang has been hit by severe flooding due to persistent rainstorms. As of midday on Thursday, six people had died as a result of the floods.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China’s local governments issued new bonds worth an approximate total of 1.98 trillion yuan (about 277 billion U.S. dollars) in the first five months of this year, data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Friday.
Of that total, general-purpose bond issuance came in at 351 billion yuan, and special-purpose bond issuance amounted to over 1.63 trillion yuan.
From January to May, local government bonds were issued with an average term of 16.4 years and at an average interest rate of 1.95 percent.
By the end of May, China’s outstanding local government debts stood at approximately 51.25 trillion yuan, the ministry said.
China has pledged a more proactive fiscal policy this year to shore up sustained economic and social development. The country plans to issue 4.4 trillion yuan in local government special-purpose bonds in 2025, marking an increase of 500 billion yuan from last year, according to this year’s government work report.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives for a European Council summit in Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
U.S.-EU trade talks have gone through multiple rounds, but with the July 9 tariff deadline approaching, European leaders remained divided at Thursday’s European Council summit over whether to push for a quick deal or hold out for a more favorable one.
A quick deal or a better one?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday that the EU had received the “latest U.S. document” for continued negotiations, though she did not disclose details of the U.S. proposals.
EU leaders now face a strategic dilemma over whether to accelerate talks to secure a deal before the deadline, or risk a prolonged trade dispute in hopes of achieving more favorable terms.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose country is among the EU’s top exporters, is leading calls for a rapid resolution.
“We have less than two weeks until July 9 — you can’t negotiate a sophisticated trade agreement in that time,” he said, warning that key industries, including chemicals, steel and automotive, are already under intense pressure.
But others urged caution, warning that a rushed deal could tilt the balance in favor of the United States.
“We are assessing it,” von der Leyen said. “Our message today is clear. We are ready for a deal. At the same time, we are preparing for the possibility that no satisfactory agreement is reached.” She added that “all options remain on the table,” and the EU would defend its interests if needed.
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this stance, saying France supports a fast and pragmatic deal but “will not accept unfair terms.” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that Washington may consider extending the deadline for countries negotiating in “good faith.”
Key divides remain
To ease tensions, the EU has proposed eliminating tariffs on industrial goods on both sides — a move that has met with a lukewarm response from Washington.
The EU also hopes to narrow the trade imbalance by increasing imports of U.S. liquefied natural gas, arms and agricultural products, and by considering reducing auto tariffs. However, U.S. negotiators continue to press for sweeping EU concessions on value-added tax rules, digital regulation, food safety and environmental standards.
While EU officials say they are open to dialogue, they insist that core regulatory principles are non-negotiable.
“Where it is the sovereign decision-making process in the European Union and its member states that is affected, this is too far,” von der Leyen said recently.
Citing diplomatic sources, AFP reported that EU leaders may be exploring a so-called “Swiss cheese” deal — allowing for broad U.S. tariffs but securing exemptions for sensitive sectors such as steel, automotive, pharmaceuticals and aerospace.
Automobiles remain the most contentious point. Germany has proposed an “offset rule” under which the EU would allow duty-free imports of U.S. cars in exchange for the same number of EU vehicles being exempted from tariffs in the United States. The effectiveness of such a mechanism, however, remains uncertain.
A new trade club without US?
U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpredictable trade policies — marked by abrupt tariff hikes, temporary suspensions and renewed threats — have shaken confidence among traditional allies and reignited global concerns over trade stability.
At Thursday’s summit, von der Leyen floated a new idea about forming a trade alliance with members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which includes Britain, Japan, and other Asian economies. She said such a coalition could serve as a foundation for reforming the World Trade Organization.
India has recorded a significant milestone in its national immunization efforts, with the percentage of zero-dose children—those who have not received a single vaccine—falling from 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024. The achievement has been acknowledged in the 2024 report by the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), positioning India as a global leader in child health and immunization.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in a statement issued on Saturday, attributed the progress to India’s robust Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), which provides free vaccines to 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore infants annually. More than 1.3 crore immunization sessions are conducted across the country by healthcare workers, including ASHAs and ANMs, ensuring widespread vaccine outreach.
This progress has drawn global recognition, with India being awarded the prestigious *Measles and Rubella Champion Award* by The Measles and Rubella Partnership in March 2024 at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes India’s sustained commitment to eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases.
In addition to reductions in zero-dose prevalence, India has also seen significant improvements in broader health outcomes. According to the United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (UN-MMEIG), India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) declined to 80 per lakh live births in 2023—an 86% reduction since 1990, far outpacing the global decline of 48%. The country has also achieved a 78% decline in Under-Five Mortality Rate and a 70% decline in Neonatal Mortality Rate during the 1990–2023 period, compared to global reductions of 61% and 54%, respectively.
India’s UIP has undergone considerable expansion in the past decade. From just six vaccines in 2013, the program now covers 12 vaccine-preventable diseases, including the addition of Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV), Rotavirus Vaccine, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, and Measles-Rubella Vaccine, among others.
The government’s intensified initiatives, such as *Mission Indradhanush*, have played a key role in reaching underserved populations. Since its launch in 2014—and with significant intensification in 2017—the campaign has vaccinated over 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women who were previously unreached or under-immunized.
A targeted *Zero Dose Implementation Plan 2024* is currently underway in 143 districts across 11 states, addressing vaccine coverage gaps among migratory populations, urban slums, and regions with persistent vaccine hesitancy. India has also maintained its polio-free status since 2014 through sustained Pulse Polio campaigns, and regularly organizes Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) for community-based immunization efforts.
Digital innovations like the *U-WIN platform* are being leveraged to track immunization data and prevent dropouts. Public engagement strategies—ranging from social media outreach to street plays—are being used to increase awareness and reduce vaccine hesitancy.
Data from the WHO-UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) 2023 report shows India outperforming global averages across all antigens. The country’s DTP-1 (Pentavalent-1) coverage stands at 93%, significantly higher than Nigeria’s 70%. The dropout rate between DTP-1 and DTP-3 has also decreased sharply from 7% in 2013 to just 2% in 2023. Measles vaccine coverage improved from 83% to 93% over the same period.
The government emphasized that comparisons with other countries must consider India’s massive population base. While countries like Yemen (1.68%), Sudan (1.45%), and Nigeria (0.98%) continue to report high proportions of zero-dose children, India’s 0.06% rate, despite a far larger birth cohort, reflects substantial progress.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in Saturday announced revised guidelines for the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Programme under the National Bioenergy Programme, aiming to create a more efficient, transparent, and performance-driven ecosystem for bioenergy deployment in India. The updated framework simplifies processes, accelerates financial assistance, and ties support to plant performance, fostering a business-friendly environment for both private and public sector entities, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The revised guidelines streamline procedures by reducing paperwork and easing approval requirements, enabling enhanced production of compressed biogas (CBG), biogas, and power. These changes support improved waste management, including stubble and industrial waste, aligning with India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
A key feature of the revised guidelines is an improved system for disbursing Central Financial Assistance (CFA). Previously, developers had to wait until their WtE projects achieved 80% generation capacity to receive funding. The new framework allows CFA to be released in two stages: 50% of the total CFA will be disbursed upon obtaining the Consent to Operate certificate from the State Pollution Control Board, backed by a bank guarantee, with the remaining amount released after the plant achieves 80% of its rated capacity or the maximum CFA-eligible capacity, whichever is lower. For plants failing to reach 80% capacity during performance inspections, a pro-rata disbursement based on output percentage is now available, though no CFA will be provided if the plant load factor falls below 50%. This flexibility acknowledges operational challenges and enhances financial viability for developersေ
The inspection process has also been refined to ensure greater transparency and accountability. Joint inspections will now be conducted by the National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE), an autonomous MNRE institute, alongside a representative from State Nodal Agencies, Biogas Technology Development Centers, or an MNRE-empaneled agency. For developers not opting for advance CFA, only one performance inspection is required, minimizing procedural delays.
Additionally, the guidelines provide developers with flexibility to claim CFA within 18 months from either the date of commissioning or the date of in-principle CFA approval, whichever is later.
These revisions mark a significant step toward supporting India’s clean energy sector. By aligning financial support with actual performance, simplifying compliance, and improving access to funding, MNRE is fostering a conducive environment for WtE projects. This initiative not only aids private players in the sector but also advances India’s goals of sustainable waste management and renewable energy development.
The Chairman / Managing Director / Chief Executive All Scheduled Commercial Banks including RRBs / Urban Cooperative Banks / State Cooperative Banks / District Central Cooperative Banks / National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
Madam / Dear Sir,
Aadhaar Enabled Payment System – Due Diligence of AePS Touchpoint Operators
Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) is a payment system operated by National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) that facilitates interoperable transactions using Aadhaar enabled authentication. AePS plays a prominent role in enabling financial inclusion.
2. In recent times, there have been reports of frauds perpetuated through AePS due to identity theft or compromise of customer credentials. To protect bank customers from such frauds, and to maintain trust and confidence in the safety and security of the system, a need is felt to enhance the robustness of AePS. Accordingly, as announced in Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated February 08, 2024, it has been decided to issue directions for streamlining the process for onboarding of AePS touchpoint operators and strengthening fraud risk management. Detailed instructions are placed in the Annex.
3. These directions are issued under Section 18 read with Section 10(2) of the Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007 (Act 51 of 2007) and shall come into effect from January 01, 2026.
Yours faithfully,
(Gunveer Singh) Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Encl.: Annex
Annex
CO.DPSS.POLC.No.S339/02-01-001/2025-2026
June 27, 2025
Aadhaar Enabled Payment System – Due Diligence of AePS Touchpoint Operators
1. Definitions
I. In these directions, the terms herein shall bear the meanings assigned to them below:
Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS): It is a Payment System in which transactions are enabled through Aadhaar number and biometrics or OTP authentication providing financial services such as cash withdrawal, cash deposit, fund transfer, and non-financial services such as mini statement and balance enquiry. etc.
Acquiring bank: The bank which onboards the AePS touchpoint operators.
AePS Touchpoint: The terminal deployed by acquirer banks to facilitate AePS transactions, which shall include both mobile and fixed points.
AePS Touchpoint Operator (ATO): The individual onboarded by the acquiring bank who operates the AePS touchpoint.
II. Terms pertaining to Aadhaar, Aadhaar biometric authentication, etc., shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (18 of 2016), and the rules made thereunder.
III. Words and expressions used but not defined in I and II above and defined in the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 shall have the meanings assigned to them in that Act.
2.2 In cases where an ATO has remained inactive, i.e. has not performed any financial / non-financial transaction for a customer for a continuous period of three months, acquiring bank shall carry out KYC of ATO before enabling him / her to transact further.
3. Risk Management
3.1 The acquiring bank shall monitor the activities of ATOs through their transaction monitoring systems on an ongoing basis and set operational parameters, based on business risk profile of the ATOs. Aspects such as location and type of the ATO, volume and velocity of transactions, etc. shall form part of bank’s fraud risk management framework.
3.2 The operational parameters regarding ATOs shall be reviewed on a periodic basis, reflecting emerging fraud trends.
3.3 The acquiring bank shall put in place adequate system level controls to ensure that any technological integrations like APIs are used only for enabling AePS operations.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 27) cracked down on a suspected drug storage centre in San Tin, Yuen Long and seized about 4.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 4.3 kg of suspected crack cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $8.8 million. A 27-year-old man was arrested.
During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in San Tin last night, Customs officers intercepted a suspicious man and seized about 1.1kg of suspected crack cocaine inside a thermal bag carried by him. The man was subsequently arrested. Customs officers later escorted him to a village house unit nearby for a search and further seized about 4.7kg of suspected cocaine, about 3.2kg of suspected crack cocaine and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia.
The arrestee, who claimed to be unemployed, has been charged with two counts of trafficking in dangerous drug and will appear at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on June 30.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Setting aside any thoughts I may have about theocratic rulers (whether they be in Tel Aviv or Tehran), I am personally glad that Iran was able to hold out against the US-Israeli attacks this month.
The ceasefire, however, will only be a pause in the long-running campaign to destabilise, weaken and isolate Iran. Regime change or pariah status are both acceptable outcomes for the US-Israeli dyad.
The good news for my region is that Iran’s resilience pushes back what could be a looming calamity: the US pivot to Asia and a heightened risk of a war on China.
There are three major pillars to the Eurasian order that is going through a slow, painful and violent birth. Iran is the weakest. If Iran falls, war in our region — intended or unintended – becomes vastly more likely.
Mainstream New Zealanders and Australians suffer from an understandable complacency: war is what happens to other, mainly darker people or Slavs.
“Tomorrow”, people in this part of the world naively think, “will always be like yesterday”.
That could change, particularly for the Australians, in the kind of unfamiliar flash-boom Israelis experienced this month following their attack on Iran. And here’s why.
US chooses war to re-shape Middle East Back in 2001, as many will recall, retired General Wesley Clark, former Supreme Commander of NATO forces in Europe, was visiting buddies in the Pentagon. He learnt something he wasn’t supposed to: the Bush administration had made plans in the febrile post 9/11 environment to attack seven Muslim countries.
In the firing line were: Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, the Assad regime in Syria, Hezbollah-dominated Lebanon, Gaddafi’s Libya, Somalia, Sudan and the biggest prize of all — the Islamic Republic of Iran.
One would have to say that the project, pursued by successive presidents, both Democrat and Republican, has been a great success — if you discount the fact that a couple of million human beings, most of them civilians, many of them women and children, nearly all of them innocents, were slaughtered, starved to death or otherwise disposed of.
With the exception of Iran, those countries have endured chaos and civil strife for long painful years. A triumph of American bomb-based statecraft.
Now — with Muammar Gaddafi raped and murdered (“We came, we saw, he died”, Hillary Clinton chuckled on camera the same day), Saddam Hussein hanged, Hezbollah decapitated, Assad in Moscow, the genocide in full swing in Palestine — the US and Israel were finally able to turn their guns — or, rather, bombs — on the great prize: Iran.
Iran’s missiles have checked US-Israel for time being Things did not go to plan. Former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chas Freeman pointed out this week that for the first time Israel got a taste of the medicine it likes to dispense to its neighbours.
Iran’s missiles successfully turned the much-vaunted Iron Dome into an Iron Sieve and, perhaps momentarily, has achieved deterrence. If Iran falls, the US will be able to do what Barack Obama and Joe Biden only salivated over — a serious pivot to Asia.
Could great power rivalry turn Asia-Pacific into powderkeg? For us in Asia-Pacific a major US pivot to Asia will mean soaring defence budgets to support militarisation, aggressive containment of China, provocative naval deployments, more sanctions, muscling smaller states, increased numbers of bases, new missile systems, info wars, threats and the ratcheting up rhetoric — all of which will bring us ever-closer to the powderkeg.
Sounds utterly mad? Sounds devoid of rationality? Lacking commonsense? Welcome to our world — bellum Americanum — as we gormlessly march flame in hand towards the tinderbox. War is not written in the stars, we can change tack and rediscover diplomacy, restraint, and peaceful coexistence. Or is that too much to ask?
Back in the days of George W Bush, radical American thinkers like Robert Kagan, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld created the Project for a New American Century and developed the policy, adopted by succeeding presidents, that promotes “the belief that America should seek to preserve and extend its position of global leadership by maintaining the preeminence of US military forces”.
It reconfirmed the neoconservative American dogma that no power should be allowed to rise in any region to become a regional hegemon; anything and everything necessary should be done to ensure continued American primacy, including the resort to war.
What has changed since those days are two crucial, epoch-making events: the re-emergence of Russia as a great power, albeit the weakest of the three, and the emergence of China as a genuine peer competitor to the USA. Professor John Mearsheimer’s insights are well worth studying on this topic.
The three pillars of multipolarity A new world order really is being born. As geopolitical thinkers like Professor Glenn Diesen point out, it will, if it is not killed in the cradle, replace the US unipolar world order that has existed since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Many countries are involved in its birthing, including major players like India and Brazil and all the countries that are part of BRICS. Three countries, however, are central to the project: Iran, Russia and, most importantly, China. All three are in the crosshairs of the Western empire.
If Iran, Russia and China survive as independent entities, they will partially fulfill Halford MacKinder’s early 20th century heartland theory that whoever dominates Eurasia will rule the world. I don’t think MacKinder, however, foresaw cooperative multipolarity on the Eurasian landmass — which is one of the goals of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) – as an option.
That, increasingly, appears to be the most likely trajectory with multiple powerful states that will not accept domination, be that from China or the US. That alone should give us cause for hope.
Drunk on power since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the US has launched war after war and brought us to the current abandonment of economic sanity (the sanctions-and-tariff global pandemic) and diplomatic normalcy (kill any peace negotiators you see) — and an anything-goes foreign policy (including massive crimes against humanity).
We have also reached — thanks in large part to these same policies — what a former US national security advisor warned must be avoided at all costs. Back in the 1990s, Zbigniew Brzezinski said, “The most dangerous scenario would be a grand coalition of China, Russia, and perhaps Iran.”
Belligerent and devoid of sound strategy, the Biden and Trump administrations have achieved just that.
Can Asia-Pacific avoid being dragged into an American war on China? Turning to our region, New Zealand and Australia’s governments cleave to yesterday: a white-dominated world led by the USA. We have shown ourselves indifferent to massacres, ethnic cleansing and wars of aggression launched by our team.
To avoid war — or a permanent fear of looming war — in our own backyards, we need to encourage sanity and diplomacy; we need to stay close to the US but step away from the military alliances they are forming, such as AUKUS which is aimed squarely at China.
Above all, our defence and foreign affairs elites need to grow new neural pathways and start to think with vision and not place ourselves on the losing side of history. Independent foreign policy settings based around peace, defence not aggression, diplomacy not militarisation, would take us in the right direction.
Personally I look forward to the day the US and its increasingly belligerent vassals are pushed back into the ranks of ordinary humanity. I fear the US far more than I do China.
Despite the reflexive adherence to the US that our leaders are stuck on, we should not, if we value our lives and our cultures, allow ourselves to be part of this mad, doomed project.
The US empire is heading into a blood-drenched sunset; their project will fail and the 500-year empire of the White West will end — starting and finishing with genocide.
Every day I atheistically pray that leaders or a movement will emerge to guide our antipodean countries out of the clutches of a violent and increasingly incoherent USA.
America is not our friend. China is not our enemy. Tomorrow gives birth to a world that we should look forward to and do the little we can to help shape.
Eugene Doyle is a writer based in Wellington. He has written extensively on the Middle East, as well as peace and security issues in the Asia Pacific region. He contributes to Asia Pacific Report and Café Pacific, and hosts the public policy platform solidarity.co.nz
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) participated in a Ways and Means Health subcommittee hearing discussing the benefits of wearable medical devices for rural patients and the challenges health care providers face adopting this technology. A video and transcript of the Congresswoman’s questions and provided responses can be found below.
Congresswoman Miller began by discussing the challenges rural patients face accessing medical care.
“The majority of my work in the health care space is focused on ensuring robust patient access to care, particularly for rural patients. In my district, many patients have to travel hours to see a physician or specialist. Additionally, 70 percent of people in West Virginia have at least one chronic disease. This leaves the vast majority of patients in my state with some tough decisions about how to manage their health care. Many patients often don’t seek care as much as they might need because of costs, lack of transportation, or an inability to take a day off of work to see a doctor.
Wearable devices seem to be a very good solution to some of these problems. If a patient can have a device tracking their vitals, glucose levels, or heart rate on their wrist or finger – they can have some peace of mind about their health. They also will have a better picture of when it might be time to get themselves to the doctor,” said Congresswoman Miller.
The Congresswoman then asked Dr. Holmes, Global Head of Human Performance at WHOOP, how wearable medical devices can help patients track their vitals and anticipate health conditions that would require medical intervention.
“Dr. Holmes, I’m sure you’ve worked with many patients to help them get the most out of your company’s technology. What are some of the benefits rural patients can see with wearable health devices and are the patients able to see and share that data from your device with their physician?” asked Congresswoman Carol Miller.
“Yes, we have mechanisms inside the app that allow for really easy sharing with your healthcare provider. I think one really good example is actually preterm pregnancy research we did with Dr. Sean Rowan at University of West Virginia Medical where we were able to actually identify a digital biomarker that can basically diagnose or alert to potential preterm birth. What’s happening physiologically is seven weeks prior to delivery, we were able to notice that there is a sharp increase in one of the metrics that we track, heart rate variability, and a sharp decrease in resting heart rate. Seven weeks prior to delivery, regardless of gestational age. So you can imagine a woman in rural West Virginia who sees this inflection point and can then at least call a doctor and say, ‘Hey, what’s going on here?’ So that was, I think, a really neat breakthrough on this. These data are published in Plus One and this, I think, was a really great example of how we can help, in this case, women specifically understand their bodies a bit better and use the data to get ahead of what could be a serious issue,” responded Dr. Holmes.
Congresswoman Miller then discussed privacy concerns associated with sharing personal medical information with a device company and what safeguards are in place to ensure confidentiality and data security.
“My constituents take their data privacy very seriously and I think patients being able to share their data with their physician is important, but many of them are reluctant to simply give their data to a device company. Mr. Zengilowski, what are some of the common misconceptions about data privacy with wearable technology and how do remote patient monitoring companies, which facilitate the exchange of information from the device to the providers, ensure patient data is protected?” asked Congresswoman Miller.
“Thank you for the question. I appreciate it and patient information security is paramount. So first, just to understand, there is a difference between a consumer wearable device and […] the medical grade, FDA cleared device used in a remote patient monitoring program. We, Coach Care, signed business associate agreements with all of the practices and hospitals that we work with, which make us a covered entity under HIPAA regulations, so we are required to follow HIPAA. I will share with you, CPT code 99454 reimburses for the technology for remote patient monitoring and the average Medicare reimbursement is approximately $45. We spend $10 per patient on security, on IT infrastructure security. So, just to give you a sense of what we’re investing to protect the patient data that we collect,” responded Mr. Zengilowski.
Congresswoman Miller concluded by discussing the possible benefits wearable medical devices could have in detecting fall risks for elderly patients.
“Another issue I take seriously is fall prevention and detection. In my state and the country, people are rapidly aging, and unintentional falls are a leading cause of injury and death among seniors. Many seniors don’t know that they’re at a fall risk and can suffer a fall. So, Dr. Holmes, do you think that wearable technology can help with this issue among seniors and what types of technologies exist to track balance or falls?” asked Congresswoman Miller.
“I think this whole conversation really needs to go back to prevention. We need to help seniors understand earlier what is going to prevent a fall. You know, we need to get […] I think the national conversation has to shift, right? A lot of the things that we’re talking about are absolutely preventable. We just need Americans to understand that they need to lift heavy weights. I, and it sounds so simple, but everything that we’re talking about here is democratically available and free. It doesn’t cost a dime, right? You can do body squats. Americans just need to understand that they have the power to take control of their own health. And so I think we need to get that information out there,” said Dr. Holmes.
Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho called on the State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office and the Ministry of Housing & Urban-Rural Development on the last day of her visit to Beijing.
Ms Ho first met State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Deputy Director Nong Rong and reported the work of the Housing Bureau.
She told Mr Nong that to combat tenancy abuse, around 8,700 public rental housing units have been recovered so far.
Meanwhile, the bureau has been making good progress on constructing about 30,000 units Light Public Housing (LPH) by 2027. The intake of the first LPH project with some 2,100 units on Yau Pok Road in Yuen Long has been completed smoothly, whilst the project on Choi Hing Road in Ngau Tau Kok, with about 2,300 units, will commence intake in phases by the end of this month. The remaining projects are also pressing ahead at full speed.
She added that the Housing Bureau will introduce the Basic Housing Units Bill into the Legislative Council for the first and second readings in July, and strive to complete the legislative work within this year.
Ms Ho then called on Minister of Housing & Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong to introduce the bureau’s work, as well as share the adoption of advanced construction technologies from the Mainland in Hong Kong and the outcomes.
She highlighted that the bureau will organise a series of activities and visits this year, including an international symposium to be held in Hong Kong in November, to showcase the latest developments of construction technologies in the Mainland and Hong Kong. She also stressed that the bureau will fully capitalise on Hong Kong’s advantages of connecting with both the Mainland and the rest of the world, and play the role of a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”.
Concluding the visit, Ms Ho said: “The visit not only provided an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the collaborative development of Hong Kong and the Mainland construction industries to experts and scholars from different regions at the Asia-Pacific Network for Housing Research 2025 Conference, it also strengthened exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland on smart construction, smart property management, community building and housing policies.
“In addition, echoing the Housing•I&T initiative of the Housing Bureau this year, this trip enabled us to gain a better understanding of the latest developments of advanced technologies on the Mainland.”
Furthermore, she encouraged the industry to use public housing as a testing ground for trials of new technologies, and to research and develop innovative construction technologies and smart management technologies that are locally applicable and globally accepted, in order to provide a better living environment for the people.
SHENZHEN, China, June 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Somerset Asset Management, renowned for offering personalized wealth management services to high-net-worth individuals, families, non-profit organizations, and corporate retirement plans, is excited to announce the expansion of its client acquisition operations in Europe and the Middle East. This strategic move enhances the company’s ability to serve a growing global client base with tailored wealth management solutions designed to meet a wide range of needs.
The expansion allows Somerset to support its international clients better, providing bespoke strategies that focus on growing, protecting, and managing wealth. By delivering independent, unbiased financial advice, the company ensures that every recommendation aligns with clients’ financial needs and objectives.
Tailored Wealth Management with a Personal Touch
“Our team has always been driven by a shared vision of offering exceptional financial services globally,” said Jake Taylor, Chief Client Officer at Somerset Asset Management. “Expanding our operations in Europe and the Middle East allows us to bring our client-first approach to an even broader audience, helping clients make well-informed decisions while securing their financial futures.”
Building Long-Term Relationships with Clients
At Somerset Asset Management, building long-term relationships based on trust and mutual respect is central to its philosophy. By continuously putting client interests first, the firm develops comprehensive financial roadmaps that evolve to meet clients’ changing needs and aspirations over time.
Somerset Asset Management specializes in crafting personalized wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutions. With decades of experience, the company combines its independent, unbiased approach with a focus on long-term relationships, empowering clients to achieve their financial goals and build lasting financial security.
Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the Somerset Asset Management. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
SHENZHEN, China, June 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Somerset Asset Management, renowned for offering personalized wealth management services to high-net-worth individuals, families, non-profit organizations, and corporate retirement plans, is excited to announce the expansion of its client acquisition operations in Europe and the Middle East. This strategic move enhances the company’s ability to serve a growing global client base with tailored wealth management solutions designed to meet a wide range of needs.
The expansion allows Somerset to support its international clients better, providing bespoke strategies that focus on growing, protecting, and managing wealth. By delivering independent, unbiased financial advice, the company ensures that every recommendation aligns with clients’ financial needs and objectives.
Tailored Wealth Management with a Personal Touch
“Our team has always been driven by a shared vision of offering exceptional financial services globally,” said Jake Taylor, Chief Client Officer at Somerset Asset Management. “Expanding our operations in Europe and the Middle East allows us to bring our client-first approach to an even broader audience, helping clients make well-informed decisions while securing their financial futures.”
Building Long-Term Relationships with Clients
At Somerset Asset Management, building long-term relationships based on trust and mutual respect is central to its philosophy. By continuously putting client interests first, the firm develops comprehensive financial roadmaps that evolve to meet clients’ changing needs and aspirations over time.
Somerset Asset Management specializes in crafting personalized wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutions. With decades of experience, the company combines its independent, unbiased approach with a focus on long-term relationships, empowering clients to achieve their financial goals and build lasting financial security.
Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the Somerset Asset Management. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
SHENZHEN, China, June 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Somerset Asset Management, renowned for offering personalized wealth management services to high-net-worth individuals, families, non-profit organizations, and corporate retirement plans, is excited to announce the expansion of its client acquisition operations in Europe and the Middle East. This strategic move enhances the company’s ability to serve a growing global client base with tailored wealth management solutions designed to meet a wide range of needs.
The expansion allows Somerset to support its international clients better, providing bespoke strategies that focus on growing, protecting, and managing wealth. By delivering independent, unbiased financial advice, the company ensures that every recommendation aligns with clients’ financial needs and objectives.
Tailored Wealth Management with a Personal Touch
“Our team has always been driven by a shared vision of offering exceptional financial services globally,” said Jake Taylor, Chief Client Officer at Somerset Asset Management. “Expanding our operations in Europe and the Middle East allows us to bring our client-first approach to an even broader audience, helping clients make well-informed decisions while securing their financial futures.”
Building Long-Term Relationships with Clients
At Somerset Asset Management, building long-term relationships based on trust and mutual respect is central to its philosophy. By continuously putting client interests first, the firm develops comprehensive financial roadmaps that evolve to meet clients’ changing needs and aspirations over time.
Somerset Asset Management specializes in crafting personalized wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutions. With decades of experience, the company combines its independent, unbiased approach with a focus on long-term relationships, empowering clients to achieve their financial goals and build lasting financial security.
Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the Somerset Asset Management. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) for the next two days, forecasting light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.
According to the IMD bulletin, the weather is expected to remain unstable on June 28 and June 29, with rain and thunder likely to occur both during the day and at night. A dip in temperature is also expected, offering some respite from the persistent heat.
On Saturday (June 28), the maximum temperature in Delhi is likely to hover around 36 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may settle at 27 degrees Celsius.
Light to moderate showers are predicted, especially in the evening and night, along with thunderstorms and lightning. Humidity levels will remain high, ranging between 55 and 70 per cent.
The weather activity is expected to intensify on Sunday (June 29), with rainfall likely to occur throughout the day — in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
The maximum temperature may drop to 33 degrees Celsius, and the minimum to around 26 degrees C, offering a noticeable relief from the current heatwave conditions.
Looking ahead, the IMD has not issued any alert for June 30, although cloudy skies and moderate rain are likely. Similarly, July 1 may witness thunderstorms, but no warning has been issued so far.
Intermittent rain and thunder may continue on July 2 and 3, but again, no weather warnings have been issued for these days. Daytime temperatures during this period are expected to remain between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures will likely hover around 26-27 degrees Celsius.
The IMD expects a slight but steady decline in temperature over the coming days, which may bring much-needed relief from the heat and improve air quality levels in the region.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Xinhua) — Despite the gloomy economic outlook, Hong Leong Investment Bank predicts that Malaysia’s tourism growth will remain unchanged, driven by a significant influx of Chinese tourists.
The research house said in a report released on Thursday that Malaysia’s tourism performance in the first quarter was strong. Tourist arrivals and revenues rose 10 percent and 24 percent year-on-year to RM6.4 million and RM27.5 billion (US$6.5 billion), respectively, while average expenditure per tourist rose to RM4,300.
“This may be due to the sharp increase in the number of Chinese tourists in the first three months of this year (up 27 percent year-on-year),” the report said.
Malaysia has set an ambitious tourism target for 2025: to welcome 31.3 million tourists and generate RM125.5 billion in revenue, which would translate into year-on-year growth of 25 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
In its report, Hong Leong Investment Bank highlighted that Chinese tourists tend to stay longer in Malaysia and spend more. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
WASHINGTON, June 28 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he would not rule out further strikes on Iran if it steps up its nuclear activities.
“Without a doubt. Absolutely,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
The US president also confirmed that his administration had abandoned its plan to ease sanctions on Iran.
Later on Friday, the U.S. Senate rejected a resolution that would have limited the president’s authority to take military action against Iran without congressional authorization. -0-
