Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated four distinguished individuals nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu, lauding their contributions across diverse fields.
In a series of posts on X, PM Modi wished all four nominees – Ujjwal Nikam, C. Sadanandan Master, Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Dr. Meenakshi Jain – success in their parliamentary roles and expressed hope that their presence would bring valuable perspectives to the Rajya Sabha.
PM Modi hailed Ujjwal Nikam, a renowned legal expert, for his unwavering commitment to constitutional values and justice, acknowledging his key role in several high-profile legal cases.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Shri Ujjwal Nikam’s devotion to the legal field and to our Constitution is exemplary. He has not only been a successful lawyer but also been at the forefront of seeking justice in important cases. During his entire legal career, he has always worked to strengthen Constitutional values and ensure common citizens are always treated with dignity. It’s gladdening that the President of India has nominated him to the Rajya Sabha. My best wishes for his Parliamentary innings.”
PM Modi described C. Sadanandan Master as a symbol of courage and resilience, applauding his work as a teacher, social worker, and advocate for youth empowerment despite facing threats and violence.
“Shri C. Sadanandan Master’s life is the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice. Violence and intimidation couldn’t deter his spirit towards national development. His efforts as a teacher and social worker are also commendable. He is extremely passionate towards youth empowerment. Congratulations to him for being nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Rahstrapati Ji. Best wishes for his role as MP,” said PM Modi.
Recognising Harsh Vardhan Shringla’s diplomatic service, PM Modi noted his role in shaping India’s foreign policy and contributions during the country’s G20 Presidency.
“Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla Ji has excelled as a diplomat, intellectual and strategic thinker. Over the years, he’s made key contributions to India’s foreign policy and also contributed to our G20 Presidency. Glad that he’s been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President of India. His unique perspectives will greatly enrich Parliamentary proceedings,” said PM Modi.
PM Modi also praised Dr. Meenakshi Jain, a noted historian and scholar, for her impactful work in the fields of education, literature, history, and political science.
“It’s a matter of immense joy that Dr. Meenakshi Jain Ji has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Rashtrapati Ji. She has distinguished herself as a scholar, researcher and historian. Her work in the fields of education, literature, history and political science have enriched academic discourse significantly. Best wishes for her Parliamentary tenure,” said PM Modi.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) — A government delegation from Harbin City, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, led by Deputy Mayor Jiang Jun, paid a working visit to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg on Thursday. During the visit, the delegation took part in a series of important events, including government talks, familiarization visits to enterprises, business meetings and signing of projects, which contributed to strengthening friendly ties with the Sverdlovsk Region and Yekaterinburg, as well as deepening industrial, trade and economic cooperation with Russia.
As reported on the website of the Harbin city government, while participating in working talks between the Heilongjiang provincial government and the Sverdlovsk regional government, Jiang Jun emphasized that Harbin attaches great importance to developing trade with Russia. He expressed hope that the sausage processing project, implemented by Harbin enterprises jointly with the Ural Agro-Industrial Group, will become a starting point for pragmatic cooperation with the Sverdlovsk region.
Deputy Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region Vasily Kozlov noted that friendly relations between the Sverdlovsk Region and Harbin have lasted for more than 30 years. Over these years, the parties have established close cooperation in industry, trade, science, education and culture. He expressed hope for further deepening of trade and economic exchanges between the two sides.
During working talks with representatives of the Yekaterinburg government, Jiang Jun presented the key advantages of Harbin: potential in Russian-Chinese trade, a developed industrial system, a powerful scientific and educational base, logistics services, platforms for openness to the outside world and cross-border settlements. He pointed out the high complementarity of the economies of the two cities and the significant potential for cooperation in the areas of mineral resources and manufacturing, proposing to identify priority projects for joint implementation.
Yekaterinburg Mayor Alexey Orlov acquainted the guests with the economic features and scientific and educational advantages of the city, expressing his readiness to develop cooperation in the areas of trade, winter sports and youth exchanges based on existing good relations.
In addition, the Chinese delegation visited the large manufacturing and retail enterprise Sima-land in Yekaterinburg, where they studied its basic indicators, development history, product range and plans for the future. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Iran plans to cooperate with the U.N. nuclear watchdog despite restrictions imposed by its parliament, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Saturday, while stressing that access to its bombed nuclear sites posed security and safety issues.
A new law passed in Iran following last month’s Israeli and U.S. bombing campaign stipulates that inspection of Iran’s nuclear sites by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) needs approval by the Supreme National Security Council, Iran’s top security body.
The Israeli and U.S. strikes targeted a nuclear programme which Western countries have long said was aimed at building an atomic weapon. Iran has long said its nuclear programme is purely peaceful.
Any negotiations over Iran’s future nuclear programme are likely to require its cooperation with the IAEA, which angered Iran last month by declaring on the eve of the Israeli strikes that Tehran was violating non-proliferation treaty commitments.
“The risk of spreading radioactive materials and the risk of exploding leftover munitions … are serious,” state media cited Araqchi as saying. “For us, IAEA inspectors approaching nuclear sites has both a security aspect … and the safety of the inspectors themselves is a matter that must be examined.”
While Iran’s cooperation with the nuclear watchdog has not stopped, it will take a new form and will be guided and managed through the Supreme National Security Council, Araqchi told Tehran-based diplomats.
“The IAEA’s requests for continued monitoring in Iran will be … decided on a case-by-case basis by the Council with consideration to safety and security issues,” Araqchi said.
Iran will not agree to any nuclear deal that does not allow it to enrich uranium, Araqchi reiterated. Iran would only agree to talks limited to its nuclear programme and not encompassing defence issues such as its missiles.
Axios cited sources on Saturday as saying Russian President Vladimir Putin had voiced support for the idea of an accord in which Tehran would bebarred from enriching uranium. Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim quoted an “informed source” as saying Putin had not sent any such message to Iran.
Speaking to the state news agency IRNA, Araqchi said Iran was carefully considering the details of any renewed nuclear talks with the U.S. and seeking assurances that Washington would not again resort to military force. “We are in no hurry to enter into unconsidered negotiations,” he added.
Araqchi also said any move by Britain, France and Germany to reimpose international sanctions on Iran through a so-called “snapback” mechanism under an earlier nuclear deal would “end Europe’s role” in Iran’s nuclear issue.
Under the terms of a U.N. resolution ratifying a 2015 nuclear pact, the three European powers could reimpose United Nations sanctions against Tehran by October 18, 2025.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BAGHDAD, July 13 (Xinhua) — The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s recent announcement to begin the disarmament process marks an important milestone in efforts to consolidate long-term peace and stability, the Iraqi presidency said Saturday.
The process of disarming the PKK is an important and historic step towards ending decades of armed conflict and repeated security breaches that have cost the lives of countless civilians, the Iraqi presidential residence said in a statement.
This event paves the way for a more stable and secure future, strengthening the prospects for peace and constructive cooperation throughout the region, the presidential administration said, stressing the importance of the full commitment of all parties to maintaining security, respecting sovereignty and supporting the legitimate rights of all communities.
The disarmament is also expected to “strengthen bilateral relations between Iraq and Turkey based on mutual respect, common interests and a shared vision of regional security and prosperity,” the document says.
In a recorded address in June released earlier this week from a prison on the island of Imrali near Istanbul, Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed PKK leader, said the PKK’s more than 40-year armed struggle against Turkey for self-rule was over and details regarding disarmament would be quickly implemented.
A group of PKK militants burned their weapons in a symbolic ceremony in Sulaymaniyah province on Friday, Iraqi media reported.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, has rebelled against the Turkish government for more than three decades. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Progress is stalling at talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza, with the sides divided over the extent of Israeli forces’ withdrawal from the Palestinian enclave, Palestinian and Israeli sources familiar with the negotiations in Doha said on Saturday.
The indirect talks over a U.S. proposal for a 60-day ceasefire continued throughout Saturday, an Israeli official told Reuters, seven days since talks began. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he hoped for a breakthrough soon based on a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal.
In Gaza, medics said 17 people trying to get food aid were killed on Saturday when Israeli troops opened fire, the latest mass shooting around a U.S.-backed aid distribution system that the U.N. says has resulted in 800 people killed in six weeks.
Witnesses who spoke to Reuters described people being shot in the head and torso. Reuters saw several bodies of victims wrapped in white shrouds as family members wept at Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military said its troops had fired warning shots, but that its review of the incident had found no evidence of anyone hurt by its soldiers’ fire.
Delegations from Israel and Hamas have been in Qatar pushing for an agreement which envisages a phased release of hostages, Israeli troop withdrawals and discussions on ending the war.
The Israeli official blamed the impasse on Hamas, which he said “remains stubborn, sticking to positions that do not allow the mediators to advance an agreement”. Hamas has previously blamed Israeli demands for blocking a deal.
A Palestinian source said that Hamas had rejected withdrawal maps which Israel had proposed that would leave around 40% of Gaza under Israeli control, including all of the southern area of Rafah and further territories in northern and eastern Gaza.
Two Israeli sources said Hamas wanted Israel to retreat to lines it held in a previous ceasefire before it renewed its offensive in March.
The Palestinian source said aid issues and guarantees on an end to the war were also presenting a challenge.The crisis could be resolved with more U.S. intervention, the source said.
Hamas has long demanded an agreement to end the war before it would free remaining hostages; Israel has insisted it would end the fighting only when all hostages are released and Hamas is dismantled as a fighting force and administration in Gaza.
SHOOTING
Saturday’s reported mass shooting near an aid distribution point in Rafah was the latest in a series of such incidents that the United Nations rights office said on Friday had seen at least 798 peoplekilled trying to get food in six weeks.
“We were sitting there, and suddenly there was shooting towards us. For five minutes we were trapped under fire. The shooting was targeted. It was not random. Some people were shot in the head, some in the torso, one guy next to me was shot directly in the heart,” eyewitness Mahmoud Makram told Reuters.
“There is no mercy there, no mercy. People go because they are hungry but they die and come back in body bags.”
After partially lifting a total blockade of all goods into Gaza in late May, Israel launched a new aid distribution system, relying on a group backed by the United States to distribute food under the protection of Israeli troops.
The United Nations has rejected the system as inherently dangerous and a violation of humanitarian neutrality principles. Israel says it is necessary to keep militants from diverting aid.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages into Gaza. At least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages there are believed to still be alive.
Israel’s campaign against Hamas has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, displaced almost the entire population of more than 2 million people, sparked a humanitarian crisis and left much of the territory in ruins.
Thousands of Israelis rallied in central Tel Aviv on Saturday demanding a deal that would release all remaining hostages being held by Hamas.
Protester Boaz Levi told Reuters here was there to pressure the government, “to get to a hostage deal as soon as possible because our friends, brothers, are in Gaza and it’s about the time to end this war. That is why we are here.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
This undated photo provided by the Institute of Animal Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences shows a somatic cell-cloned dzo in Qushui County of Lhasa, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
Chinese scientists have announced the birth of the world’s first somatic cell-cloned dzo in China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. This marks a critical breakthrough in high-altitude breeding technology, which is vital for improving plateau livestock and protecting endangered species.
The newborn male calf, weighing 26 kilograms, was delivered via caesarean section. Rigorous genetic testing confirmed it is an exact genetic replica of the donor dzo. It has now survived for over two months in good health, the Science and Technology Daily reported on Friday.
This achievement was made by a collaborative team from the Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS) under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the academy of agricultural and animal husbandry sciences and the animal husbandry and veterinary station in Xizang, as well as China Agricultural University, and Northeastern University.
The team said the test was approved by relevant authorities and complied with ethical norms.
“This marks the first successful application of somatic cell cloning in situ on the plateau specifically for the conservation and utilization of locally adapted genetic resources,” said Yu Dawei, a researcher with the CAAS-IAS who led the research team.
The dzo, a hybrid resulting from crossing female yaks and male cattle, is uniquely adapted to the harsh Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and offers superior economic benefits.
In addition to their impressive dairy output, dzos are known for their high meat yield efficiency, rich nutritional value, and strong draft capabilities, making them significantly more economically valuable than conventional plateau cattle species.
However, the critical roadblock to fully realizing these advantages is the infertility of male dzos, which hinders the natural propagation of their desirable genetics.
Advanced bovine embryo production and transfer techniques essential for breeding have also been underdeveloped in Xizang. Therefore, dependence on repeated artificial crossing has increased costs and hindered large-scale industrialization.
The researchers extracted somatic cells from the ear of a nine-year-old adult dzo. The cell nucleus was then transferred into an enucleated cattle egg cell to create a cloned embryo.
This embryo was implanted into a surrogate dzo cow, which carried the pregnancy through the challenging high-altitude conditions, including low temperatures and reduced oxygen levels.
It finally gave birth to a male calf on May 12 at a county experiment station in the regional capital Lhasa.
“This precise cloning technology allows the stable inheritance of desirable traits like high yield and environmental resilience. It paves the way for mass propagation of high-quality breeding stock,” said Yu.
Cloning in high-altitude, low-oxygen environments presents extraordinary scientific challenges.
“Our team overcame these difficulties through key technical innovations, including developing a specialized plateau-adapted embryo culture system, ensuring early development through precise control of parameters like temperature and pH,” said Yu, adding that the research team also optimized protocols for surrogate mother selection to improve pregnancy success rates.
Beyond dzos, the validated system makes the gene banking and potential future restoration within their native habitat of other endangered plateau species, such as Tibetan antelope and wild yaks, a tangible possibility, according to Yu. “It is expected to establish a crucial technological safeguard for highland biodiversity.”
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Digital Economy Universities Alliance was officially established in Tianjin, northern China, the Zhongxinshe news agency reported.
The alliance was launched at a thematic forum on cooperation between universities within the framework of the SCO Digital Economic Forum. More than 200 representatives of universities from China and other SCO countries took part in it.
This sub-forum is devoted to the topic “Innovation in education and transnational training of personnel within the digital economy” and is intended to discuss the interaction between digital technologies and higher education, exchange practical experience in the transformation and modernization of personnel training in universities in the era of digital intelligence, and is also aimed at promoting practical cooperation in the field of the digital economy.
The event noted that the SCO Digital Economy Alliance of Universities, adhering to the principles of joint consultation, joint construction and joint use, will build a high-level education community in the field of digital economy, create an educational cooperation platform characterized by openness, interaction and innovation, so as to give impetus to the high-quality development of the digital economy around the world.
Let us recall that from July 10 to 11, the SCO Digital Economic Forum was held in Tianjin, jointly organized by the State Data Administration of the People’s Republic of China and the Tianjin People’s Government. It was attended by more than 1,500 guests representing governments, enterprises, universities and think tanks of the SCO member states. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 13, 2025.
New Caledonia’s political parties commit to ‘historic’ statehood deal By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia’s pro-and-anti-independence parties have committed to an “historic” deal over the future political status of the French Pacific territory, which is set to become — for the first time — a “state” within the French realm. The 13-page agreement yesterday, officially entitled “Agreement Project of
Twyford praises NFIP lead, calls for inspired peace and regionalism Asia Pacific Report An opposition Labour Party MP today paid tribute to the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific (NFIP) movement, saying it should inspire Aotearoa New Zealand to maintain its own independence, embrace a strong regionalism, and be a “voice for peace and demilitarisation”. But Phil Twyford, MP for Te Atatu and spokesperson on disarmament,
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 13, 2025.
New Caledonia’s political parties commit to ‘historic’ statehood deal By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia’s pro-and-anti-independence parties have committed to an “historic” deal over the future political status of the French Pacific territory, which is set to become — for the first time — a “state” within the French realm. The 13-page agreement yesterday, officially entitled “Agreement Project of
Twyford praises NFIP lead, calls for inspired peace and regionalism Asia Pacific Report An opposition Labour Party MP today paid tribute to the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific (NFIP) movement, saying it should inspire Aotearoa New Zealand to maintain its own independence, embrace a strong regionalism, and be a “voice for peace and demilitarisation”. But Phil Twyford, MP for Te Atatu and spokesperson on disarmament,
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement of sweeping 30 percent tariffs on European Union (EU) exports on Saturday has provoked a fierce backlash across the bloc, with officials and industry leaders demanding a strong and united response amid continued trade talks.
The proposed tariffs, set to take effect on Aug. 1, target EU imports and were justified by Trump as a correction of a “far from reciprocal” trade relations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Saturday that the tariffs would “disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.”
While emphasizing the EU’s continued commitment to a negotiated solution, she said the bloc “will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.”
European lawmakers and national leaders voiced growing frustration, with many urging immediate retaliatory steps.
Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s committee on international trade, said the U.S. letter is “both impertinent and a slap in the face” after weeks of negotiations.
He urged the EU to begin retaliatory measures on Monday as scheduled, stating that “the period of waiting is over.”
European Council President Antonio Costa said the tariffs would drive inflation, fuel uncertainty and stall growth. “The EU remains firm, united and ready to protect our interests,” he said, urging progress toward a “fair agreement” with Washington.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “strong disapproval” of the U.S. move, and said the EU must speed up preparing “credible countermeasures” using all tools, including anti-coercion, available if talks fail.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned the move as a “unilateral escalation,” and said the EU is prepared to respond with tough countermeasures if necessary.
“Everyone loses out from an escalated trade conflict, and it will be U.S. consumers who pay the highest price,” he warned.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala criticized the U.S. tariffs for negatively impacting transatlantic trade and called for “unity and determination” to protect the EU’s interests.
European industries voiced alarm over the fallout, particularly in sectors tightly integrated with the U.S. market.
Germany’s major industry lobby group, the BDI, called the U.S. move “an alarm signal,” warning that it could derail recovery and undermine innovation on both sides of the Atlantic.
“Tariffs as a means of exerting political pressure lead to higher costs, jeopardize jobs and undermine international competitiveness, both in Europe and in the United States,” said Wolfgang Niedermark, a senior BDI executive.
Isabel Schnabel, a European Central Bank board member, said the tariffs could trigger medium-term inflation and supply chain shocks.
The automotive sector, which is already deeply integrated with the EU and the U.S., is already feeling the pain.
Slovakia, one of Europe’s top car-exporting nations, reported a noticeable drop in orders for the coming third quarter. Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said relocating production to the U.S. was not feasible in the short term and emphasized that the damage had already begun.
The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) said the cost to manufacturers was already in the billions and climbing daily.
“It is regrettable that there is a threat of a further escalation of the trade conflict,” said VDA President Hildegard Mueller.
“The costs for our companies are already in the billions, and the sum is growing every day,” she said, noting that suppliers were also significantly affected by the import duties.
Emanuele Orsini, president of Confindustria, Italy’s major association representing manufacturing and service companies, condemned the U.S. approach as “unpleasant,” while Paolo Mascarino, president of the Italian food and drink industry federation Federalimentare, said the tariffs “exceed any threshold of tolerability” and would trigger significant drops in exports.
Dan O’Brien, chief economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs, said the U.S. move was “provocative” and significantly raised the risk of a wider economic confrontation between the two economies.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday spoke to reporters about the South China Sea issue in response to questions while attending annual ASEAN Plus foreign ministers’ meetings in Kuala Lumpur.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the South China Sea issue is discussed every year at the meetings, and this year was no exception. “What struck me most this time is the clear temperature difference between regional countries and a few countries from outside the region.”
At the China-ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting, the discussion on the South China Sea was held in a more calm and confident manner, becasse compared with other seas in the world, the South China Sea is clearly stable. There are no problems with freedom of navigation and overflight, Wang said
Some countries outside the region continue to make irresponsible remarks about the South China Sea. Although their tone has notably softened this year, they have not stopped, he said, adding tt seems they fear the South China Sea will not be chaotic. Regional countries are now well aware of these “old tricks.”
Wang said he proposed that a new narrative should be built for the South China Sea. We should not always associate the South China Sea with friction, conflict, or confrontation, but with peace, stability, and cooperation. This should become the mainstream narrative in the future, stated the Chinese foreign minister.
China and ASEAN countries are working toward this direction, he said, adding there is still one country that seems out of sync with the others, but I believe it will come to eventually understand. Acting as a pawn for others will only lead to being sacrificed.
Wang said that China and ASEAN countries have agreed to upgrade the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) by formulating a Code of Conduct (COC) that is effective, substantive, and consistent with international law.
All sides also agreed to strive to conclude the COC as scheduled next year, he said. In the next stage, consultations will become more frequent, and the process will speed up. We have the confidence, capability, and wisdom to maintain stability in the South China Sea, remove external interference, and jointly build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation.
Wang emphasized that during the meetings, he also elaborated on China’s position regarding the so-called South China Sea arbitration case. This arbitration case has serious flaws in terms of fact-finding and application of law. It carried out actions that violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea under the name of the convention itself, and its damage to regional peace and stability as well as the maritime order has become increasingly evident.
Wang stated that we must ask: if compulsory arbitration can be abused, is there still value in diplomatic efforts? Should bilateral consultations be abandoned? Do commitments under the DOC still count? If territorial sovereignty and maritime demarcation issues are submitted for arbitration, should the exclusive declarations under the convention still be respected? Does an agreement between China and the Philippines to resolve disputes through dialogue still hold? And if all islands and reefs in the South China Sea are denied maritime entitlements, should the world’s maritime map be redrawn?
In fact, this so-called arbitration case is a political manipulation and should be thrown into the trash heap of history, Wang said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A Hongqi Tiangong 05 electric car is displayed at the 22nd Changchun International Auto Expo in Changchun, northeast China’s Jilin Province, July 12, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
The 22nd Changchun International Auto Expo opened Saturday in Changchun, capital of northeast China’s Jilin Province, bringing together 118 auto companies around the world to showcase the latest advancements in automotive technology and future mobility solutions.
This year’s expo spans 170,000 square meters, featuring four main exhibition halls, three featured zones, two interactive experience areas and an outdoor exhibition area, according to the organizers.
The future mobility section showcases innovative transportation solutions, such as a flying car, two spokeless hydrogen-powered bicycles, and drone-based application scenarios.
During the 10-day event, automakers are offering trade-in discounts, cash rebates, and other promotions, in addition to government consumption vouchers, to stimulate consumer demand.
The expo will also host a series of activities, such as a Belt and Road automotive road show and a forum on new energy intelligent vehicle development.
Known as the “cradle of China’s automotive industry,” Changchun witnessed the establishment of the country’s first automobile workshop back in 1953. It is home to China’s automaker giant, FAW Group.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ANKARA, July 13 (Xinhua) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday declared a “new page” in Turkey’s history as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) begins the process of disarmament.
“As of yesterday, the 47-year-old terror has entered the phase of cessation. Turkey has begun to close a long, painful chapter filled with pain and tears,” Erdogan said, addressing members of his ruling Justice and Development Party in the Kizilcahamam district of Ankara province.
A group of PKK militants burned their weapons in a symbolic ceremony in Iraq’s northern Sulaymaniyah province on Friday.
“From now on we will sit down and talk – not with weapons or violence, not about conflicts, but about unity, brotherhood and personal dialogue, removing the obstacle of terror,” he said.
According to Turkey’s semi-official Anadolu Agency, the disarmament ceremony was attended by Iraqi officials, representatives of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization, the Kurdistan Regional Government, security forces, civil society organizations and media.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than four decades.
Türkiye regularly carries out military operations against PKK militants in northern Iraq, where the group has its hideouts. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
New Caledonia’s pro-and-anti-independence parties have committed to an “historic” deal over the future political status of the French Pacific territory, which is set to become — for the first time — a “state” within the French realm.
The 13-page agreement yesterday, officially entitled “Agreement Project of the Future of New Caledonia”, is the result of a solid 10 days of difficult negotiations between both pro and anti-independence parties.
They have stayed under closed doors at a hotel in the small city of Bougival, in the outskirts of Paris.
French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls (centre) shows signatures on the last page of New Caledonia’s new agreement. Image: RNZ Pacific/FB
The talks were convened by French President Emmanuel Macron after an earlier series of talks held between February and May 2025 failed to yield an agreement.
After opening the talks on July 2, Macron handed over them to his Minister for Overseas, Manuel Valls, to oversee. Valls managed to bring together all parties around the same table earlier this year.
In his opening speech earlier this month, Macron insisted on the need to restore New Caledonia’s economy, which was brought to its knees following destructive and deadly riots that erupted in May 2024.
He said France was ready to study any solution, including an “associated state” for New Caledonia.
During the following days, all political players exchanged views under the seal of strict confidentiality.
While the pro-independence movement, and its Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), remained adamant they would settle for no less than “full sovereignty”, the pro-France parties were mostly arguing that three referendums — held between 2018 and 2021 — had already concluded that most New Caledonians wanted New Caledonia to remain part of France.
Those results, they said, dictated that the democratic result of the three consultations be respected.
Group photo of participants at the end of negotiations. Image: Philippe Gomes
With this confrontational context, which resulted in an increasingly radicalised background in New Caledonia, that eventually led to the 2024 riots, the Bougival summit was dubbed the “last chance summit”.
In the early hours of Saturday, just before 7 am (Paris time, 5 pm NZ time), after a sleepless night, the secrecy surrounding the Bougival talks finally ended with an announcement from Valls.
He wrote in a release that all partners taking part in the talks had signed and “committed to present and defend the agreement’s text on New Caledonia’s future.”
Valls said this was a “major commitment resulting from a long work of negotiations during which New Caledonia’s partners made the choice of courage and responsibility”.
The released document, signed by almost 20 politicians, details what the deal would imply for New Caledonia’s future.
In its preamble, the fresh deal underlines that New Caledonia was “once again betting on trust, dialogue and peace”, through “a new political organisation, a more widely shared sovereignty and an economic and social refoundation” for a “reinvented common destiny.”
New Caledonia’s population will be called to approve the agreement in February 2026.
If approved, the text would be the centrepiece of a “special organic law” voted by the local Congress.
It would later have to be endorsed by the French Parliament and enshrined in an article of the French Constitution.
What does the agreement contain? One of the most notable developments in terms of future status for New Caledonia is the notion of a “State of New Caledonia”, under a regime that would maintain it as part of France, but with a dual citizenship — France/New Caledonia.
Another formulation used for the change of status is the often-used “sui generis”, which in legal Latin, describes a unique evolution, comparable to no other.
This would be formalised through a fundamental law to be endorsed by New Caledonia’s Congress by a required majority of three-fifths.
The number of MPs in the Congress would be 56.
The text also envisages a gradual transfer of key powers currently held by France (such as international relations), but would not include portfolios such as defence, currency or justice.
In diplomacy, New Caledonia would be empowered to conduct its own affairs, but “in respect of France’s international commitments and vital interests”.
On defence matters, even though this would remain under France’s powers, it is envisaged that New Caledonia would be “strongly” associated, consulted and kept informed, regarding strategy, goals and actions led by France in the Pacific region.
On police and public order matters, New Caledonia would be entitled to create its own provincial and traditional security forces, in addition to national French law enforcement agencies.
New Caledonia’s sensitive electoral roll The sensitive issue of New Caledonia’s electoral roll and conditions of eligibility to vote at local elections (including for the three Provincial Assemblies) is also mentioned in the agreement.
It was this very issue that was perceived as the main trigger for the May 2024 riots, the pro-independence movement feared at the time that changing the conditions to vote would gradually place the indigenous Kanak community in a position of minority.
It is now agreed that the electoral roll would be partly opened to those people of New Caledonia who were born after 1998.
The roll was frozen in 2007 and restricted to people born before 1998, which is the date the previous major autonomy agreement of Nouméa was signed.
Under the new proposed conditions to access New Caledonia’s “citizenship”, those entitled would include people who already can vote at local elections, but also their children or any person who has resided in New Caledonia for an uninterrupted ten years or who has been married or lived in a civil de facto partnership with a qualified citizen for at least five years.
Provincial elections once again postponed One of the first deadlines on the electoral calendar, the provincial elections, was to take place no later than 30 November 2025.
It will be moved once again — for the third time — to May-June 2026.
A significant part of the political deal is also dedicated to New Caledonia’s economic “refoundation”, with a high priority for the young generations, who have felt left out of the system and disenfranchised for too long.
One of the main goals was to bring New Caledonia’s public debts to a level of sustainability.
In 2024, following the riots, France granted, in the form of loans, over 1 billion euros (NZ $1.9 billion) for New Caledonia’s key institutions to remain afloat.
But some components of the political chessboard criticised the measure, saying this was placing the French territory in a state of excessive and long-term debt.
Group photo of participants at the end of negotiations with the signed agreement. Image: Philippe_Gomes/RNZ Pacific
Strategic nickel A major topic, on the macro-economic side, concerns New Caledonia’s nickel mining industry, after years of decline that has left it (even before 2024) in a state of near-collapse.
Nickel is regarded as the backbone of New Caledonia’s economy.
A nickel “strategic plan” would aim at re-starting New Caledonia nickel’s processing plants, especially in the Northern province, but at the same time facilitating the export of raw nickel.
There was also a will to ensure that all mining sites (many of which have been blocked and its installations damaged since the May 2024 riots) became accessible again.
Meanwhile, France would push the European Union to include New Caledonia’s nickel in its list of strategic resources.
New Caledonia’s nickel industry’s woes are also caused by its lack of competitiveness on the world market — especially compared to Indonesia’s recent rise in prominence in nickel production — because of the high cost of energy.
Swift reactions, mostly positive
New Caledonian politicians Sonia Backès (left to right), Nicolas Metzdorf, Gil Brial and Victor Tutugoro. Image: Nicolas Metzdorf/RNZ Pacific
The announcement yesterday was followed by quick reactions from all sides of New Caledonia’s political spectrum and also from mainland France’s political leaders.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou expressed “pride” to see an agreement “on par with history”, emerge.
“Bravo also to the work and patience of Manuel Valls” and “the decisive implication of Emmanuel Macron,” he wrote on X-Twitter.
From the ranks of New Caledonia’s political players, pro-France Nicolas Metzdorf said he perceived as one of the deal’s main benefits the fact that “we will at last be able to project ourselves in the future, in economic, social and societal reconstruction without any deadline.”
Metzdorf admitted that reaching an agreement required concessions and compromise from both sides.
“But the fact that we are no longer faced with referendums and to reinforce the powers of our provinces, this was our mandate”, he told public broadcaster NC La 1ère.
“We’ve had to accept this change from New Caledonia citizenship to New Caledonian nationality, which remains to be defined by New Caledonia’s Congress. We have also created a completely new status as part of the French Republic, a sui generis State”, he noted.
He said the innovative status kept New Caledonia within France, without going as far as an “associated state” mooted earlier.
“At least, what we have arrived at is that New Caledonians remain French”, pro-France Le Rassemblement-LR prominent leader Virginie Ruffenach commented.
“And those who want to contribute to New Caledonia’s development will be able to do so through a minimum stay of residence, the right to vote and to become citizens and later New Caledonia nationals”
“I’m aware that some could be wary of the concessions we made, but let’s face it: New Caledonia nationality does not make New Caledonia an independent State . . . It does not take away anything from us, neither of us belonging to the French Republic nor our French nationality,” Southern Province pro-France President Sonia Backès wrote on social media.
In a joint release, the two main pro-France parties, Les Loyalistes and Rassemblement-LR, said the deal was no less than “historic” and “perennial” for New Caledonia as a whole, to “offer New Caledonia a future of peace, stability and prosperity” while at the same time considering France’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
From the pro-independence side, one of the negotiators, Victor Tutugoro of UNI-UPM (Progressist Union in Melanesia) said what mattered was that “all of us have placed our bets on intelligence, beyond our respective beliefs, our positions, our postures”.
“We put all of these aside for the good of the country.”
“Of course, by definition, a compromise cannot satisfy anyone 100 percent. But it’s a balanced compromise for everyone,” he said.
“And it allows us to look ahead, to build New Caledonia together, a citizenship and this common destiny everyone’s been talking about for many years.”
Before politicians fly back to New Caledonia to present the deal to their respective bases, President Macron received all delegation members last evening to congratulate them on their achievements.
During the Presidential meeting at the Elysée Palace, FLNKS chief negotiator Emmanuel Tjibaou (whose father Jean-Marie Tjibaou also struck a historic agreement and shook hands with pro-France leader Jacques Lafleur, in 1988), stressed the agreement was one step along the path and it allows to envisage new perspectives for the Kanak people.
A sign of the changing times, but in a striking parallel — 37 years after his father’s historic handshake with Lafleur, Emmanuel Tjibaou (whose father was shot dead in 1989 by a radical pro-independence partisan who felt the independence cause had been betrayed — did not shake hands, but instead fist pumped with pro-France’s Metzdorf.
In a brief message on social networks, the French Head of State hailed the conclusive talks, which he labelled “A State of New Caledonia within the (French) Republic,” a win for a “bet on trust.”
“Now is the time for respect, for stability and for the sum of good wills to build a shared future.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Signatures on the last page of New Caledonia’s new agreement. Image: Philippe Dunoyer/RNZ Pacific
Source: US Whitehouse
Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump traveled to Kerr County, Texas, in the aftermath of last weekend’s catastrophic floods. The President and First Lady surveyed the devastation, met with community members and local officials, thanked heroic first responders, and pledged the Administration’s ongoing support as the community recovers.
President Trump delivered remarks during a roundtable discussion with first responders and local, state, and federal officials:
“As a nation, we mourn for every single life that was swept away in the flood and we pray for the families that were left behind. It’s amazing — the incredible spirit from those families. I don’t even know how they do it.” Watch
“The people here — first responders, the sheriff’s office, all of police, law enforcement — they’ve done an unbelievable job.” Watch
“We just were making a little tour of the area. It’s hard to believe the devastation — trees that were 100 years old just ripped out of the ground. I’ve never seen anything like this … We just visited with incredible families. They’ve been devastated.” Watch
“A lot of young angels at the girls’ Christian summer camp known as Camp Mystic … They were there because they loved God — and as we grieve this unthinkable tragedy, we take comfort in the knowledge that God has welcomed those little beautiful girls into his comforting arms in heaven.” Watch
“My Administration is doing everything in its power to help Texas … We’ve deployed over 400 first responders and assisted or enabled more than 1,500 rescues … Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard have deployed numerous search and rescue crews.” Watch
“Two words: unity and competence, if you were to ask me two words that I’ve seen here … The way everyone has just pulled together. It’s rare that you see this.” Watch
Officials and members of the community praised the Trump Administration’s response:
Gov. Greg Abbott: “We cannot thank you enough for deploying the Coast Guard, deploying the resources … When I made a request for a disaster declaration, you and your Administration granted that. This is the fastest that I’m aware of — of any Administration responding.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: “You and Madam First Lady — the two of you being here sends a message. It paints a picture that words can’t express, and it gives them hope … You and the federal government will help us get through everything — all the debris that has to be taken, all the rebuilding — and I know we can count on you. So, from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of all of these families, thank you.”
Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief W. Nim Kidd: “Your immediate declaration for individual assistance and public assistance will help us rebuild and recover … 19 other states have sent resources to us. Secretary Noem, thank you for the coordination and the effort on that. Your team has been phenomenal … Thank you for really great job you’ve done — and the coordination has been incredible.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem: “What we are doing here, sir, is empowering the state and the local officials to make the best decisions for their people — because they know their people, they know their community… Thank you for being a President who trusts people.”
Rep. Chip Roy: “I can’t thank you enough. When I called you on Friday, you said, ‘whatever you need’ … I’ve never seen such a quick response and such a focus on delivering for the people.”
Texas State Trooper: “I want to thank you, too, sir — because if we didn’t have a secure border, we wouldn’t have this many assets to move. I wanted to say that to you personally.”
Local resident: “This is devastating. It’s horrible, but our President is here. He’s supporting us. He’s sending whatever support he can for us.”
New £63 million boost for Britain’s electric vehicle revolution
Funding will help to build a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport.
major boost to charging investment to break down barriers to electric vehicle ownership and boost charging infrastructure across the UK, cutting costs for families, businesses and the public sector
£63 million package to support at-home charging for households without driveways, transition NHS fleets to save millions for the health service in England, create thousands of chargepoints at business depots across the UK
builds on £400 million invested in charging infrastructure and recent Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate updates to kickstart economic growth, create thousands of green jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets as part of the Plan for Change
Drivers across England are set to benefit as the government today (13 July 2025) announces a £63 million investment package to supercharge Britain’s electric vehicle infrastructure, driving down charging costs and putting money back in the pockets of working people as part of the Plan for Change.
A pioneering £25 million scheme for local authorities will expand access to cheaper at-home charging. This will provide access to cheaper household rates, allowing consumers to save up to £1,500 a year compared to running a petrol or diesel car, transforming how thousands of households without driveways power up their electric cars.
The innovative cross-pavement technology will allow cables to run safely beneath pavements, connecting homes directly to parked vehicles, enabling more families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates for as little as 2 pence per mile even if they don’t have a driveway.
The fund is the latest move to bolster the UK’s growing charging network which has reached a record 82,000 public chargepoints, with a further 100,000 expected to be installed as a result of the government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund and £6 billion of private investment committed to 2030.
To ensure the savings the EV transition can bring are felt in the public sector too, the NHS in England is also receiving a major sustainability upgrade with an £8 million fund to power the electrification of ambulances and medical fleets across over 200 NHS sites, saving millions in costs which can be invested into patient care.
Standing firmly on the side of British drivers, this latest investment is part of our major plan to support motorists, including a record £1.6 billion invested to tackle potholes and bring down and frozen fuel duty at 5p until Spring 2026, saving the average motorist £50 to £60 over the year.
This investment underpins the government’s Plan for Change mission to kickstart economic growth and make life easier for working people, ensuring the transition to net zero delivers for working families whilst creating good jobs and driving economic growth across all regions of the UK.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
We are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, so we are tackling that head on so that everyone – whether or not they have a driveway – can access the benefits of going electric.
Our investment is about more than just charging points – it’s about charging up Britain’s economy. I’m proud that through this boost, we are helping deliver cheaper bills for families, massive savings for the NHS to reinvest in patient care, and thousands of new green jobs.
This is what our Plan for Change mission to kickstart Britain’s economy looks like in practice. We’re not just boosting charging infrastructure, we’re building a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport, whilst creating thousands of good jobs across the country.
In a pioneering move to help EV drivers plug into the rapidly expanding charging network, government is also modernising EV charging signage on major roads. EV charging hubs have more than doubled since the beginning of 2023 and immediate changes will allow larger EV charging hubs to be signposted from major A-roads for the first time. Government is committed to boosting charging for long journeys, with £400 million announced in the Spending Review to support charging infrastructure, including on the strategic road network.
Alongside the boosts for electric car drivers, the government is also launching a major new grant scheme to help businesses install charging points at depots nationwide, supporting the nation’s heavy goods vehicles, vans and coach drivers in the transition to zero emissions.
The action follows recent updates to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate to make it easier for the sector to switch to electric as part of government’s ongoing work to back British manufacturing. With over 1.2 million people employed in the freight and logistics sector in the UK alone, today’s announcement is the latest move to keep industry at the forefront of international competition in the face of global economic headwinds.
Over 1,200 new charging sockets will deliver a more efficient, modern health system whilst generating millions in cost savings over the next two decades for the taxpayer on maintenance and fuel costs – valuable savings that can be prioritised for patient care and help rebuild the NHS.
Owning and buying an EV is becoming increasingly cheaper, with 2 in 5 of used electric cars sold at under £20,000 and 34 brand new electric cars are available from under £30,000.
The UK was also the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and the third in the world with over 382,000 EVs sold – up a fifth on the previous year. There are now more than 82,000 public chargepoints in the UK – with one added every 30 minutes – ensuring that motorists are always a short drive from a socket.
Health Minister Karin Smyth said:
This is a win-win: cheaper travel for the NHS and cleaner air for our communities.
As part of our Plan for Change, we’re investing in green energy to build an NHS fit for the future — cutting pollution and saving millions in fuel costs.
Edmund King, AA president, said:
There are more public chargers than people realise, but they are often hidden in plain sight. Increasing signs for the public network is vital to help the EV transition as it will create confidence for drivers both now and in the future.
It is great to see more support for those without off-street parking so that they can also benefit from the EV revolution.
Delvin Lane, CEO, InstaVolt said:
We are pleased that the government has taken the crucial step of delivering official EV charging signage on the strategic road network – a move we believe will improve consumer confidence and bolster EV adoption. This marks a major milestone for the EV industry and drivers across the UK.
At InstaVolt, we have been relentless in our campaigning and have built a strong, collaborative relationship with the government to push this initiative forward. Our opinion research suggests that the rollout of clear, official signage will make a significant difference—helping EV drivers easily locate public charging points while on the move, and reassuring those considering making the switch to electric vehicles.
For years, we have emphasized that the UK’s public EV infrastructure, so critical to mass adoption, is already largely in place, and now this signage will finally showcase it to drivers in a visible, accessible way.”
As the UK’s largest ultra-rapid public charging network with over 2,000 chargers nationwide, InstaVolt is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation and excited to see how these signs will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.
Ian Johnston, CEO, Osprey:
Signage impacts all the UK’s drivers because consumers need to see it to believe it. Osprey have tirelessly highlighted the benefit that clear EV road signage would bring to drivers looking to make the switch and to the charging businesses installing the critical infrastructure underpinning transport decarbonisation.
This is a welcome first step and we look forward to continuing to work closely with ministers and officials to achieve clear signage for the hundreds of high-quality EV charging hubs being opened across the nation.
NHS Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Gormley said:
The NHS has already implemented hundreds of projects that reduce emissions and drive significant cost savings, all while improving patient care.
This new £8 million investment, across 62 NHS Trusts and around 224 sites, supports the renewed commitment in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to deliver a more sustainable NHS while also helping hospitals to save millions on fuel and maintenance costs and reducing air pollution. These savings can be reinvested directly into frontline care, ensuring the NHS continues to deliver for our patients and communities.
Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK said:
With 82,000 public charge points already installed across the UK, this positive action on strategic road signage will help more drivers see the extensive charging network that’s rapidly being built across the country. This has been a priority for our industry and will boost consumer confidence in making the switch to electric vehicles.
Our members are investing £6 billion to ensure the deployment of charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand. Today’s announcement shows government recognising the vital role charging plays in the transition, and we look forward to working together to maintain the UK’s position as Europe’s leading EV market.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA, 14)
Today, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14) is taking a victory lap following the Department of Justice’s announcement that all charges have been dropped against Dr. Michael Kirk Moore—a U.S. Navy veteran and physician who faced up to 35 years in federal prison for refusing to administer the experimental COVID-19 vaccine during the Biden Administration.
Congresswoman Greene sent a formal letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi on July 12, urging the DOJ to immediately dismiss the politically motivated charges against Dr. Moore. In that letter, Greene called Dr. Moore “a hero, not a criminal” and highlighted his medical service, opposition to coercive mandates, and commitment to medical freedom.
“Dr. Kirk Moore was targeted by a weaponized government because he refused to inject an experimental vaccine into people who didn’t want it,” said Congresswoman Greene. “He put his patients and principles first—and for that, the Biden regime tried to destroy his life. I’m thankful to Attorney General Pam Bondi for doing the right thing and bringing this political persecution to an end. This is a huge win for medical freedom and for every American who stood up to the COVID tyranny.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi also publicly thanked Congresswoman Greene for bringing this case to her attention, saying:
“The Department of Justice is grateful to Congresswoman Greene who has been a champion for Dr. Moore and so many other Americans who have been unfairly targeted by the government. We are committed to restoring trust in our justice system by ensuring fairness, integrity, and equal treatment under the law so no American lives in fear of their own government.”
Congresswoman Greene remains committed to exposing the abuses of power carried out by the previous administration and advancing legislation that defends medical freedom, transparency, and accountability.
Read Congresswoman Greene’s full letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi here.
President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose a 30% tariff on imports from Mexico and the European Union starting on August 1, after weeks of negotiations with the key U.S. allies and top trading partners failed to reach a comprehensive trade deal.
In an escalation of the trade war that has angered U.S. allies and rattled investors, Trump announced the latest tariffs in separate letters to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum posted on Truth Social on Saturday.
Both the EU and Mexico responded by calling the tariffs unfair and disruptive while pledging to continue to negotiate with the U.S. for a broader trade deal before the August deadline.
The European Union and Mexico are among the largest U.S. trading partners.
Trump has sent similar letters to 23 other U.S. trading partners this week, including Canada, Japan and Brazil, setting blanket tariff rates ranging from 20% up to 50%, as well as a 50% tariff on copper.
Trump said the 30% tariff rate was “separate from all sectoral tariffs”, which means 50% levies on steel and aluminum imports and a 25% tariff on auto imports would remain at those levels.
The August 1 deadline gives countries targeted by Trump’s letters time to negotiate a trade deal that could lower the threatened tariff levels.
The spate of letters shows Trump has returned to the aggressive trade posture that he took in early April when he announced a slew of reciprocal tariffs against trading partners that sent markets tumbling before the White House delayed implementation.
But with the stock market hitting record highs in recent weeks and a bullish economy, Trump is showing no signs of slowing down his trade war.
Trump promised to use the 90-day pause in April to strike dozens of new trade deals with trading partners, but has only secured framework agreements with Britain, China and Vietnam.
The EU had hoped to reach a comprehensive trade agreement with the U.S. for the 27-country bloc.
Trump’s letter to the EU included a demand that Europe drop its own tariffs, an apparent condition of any future deal.
“The European Union will allow complete, open Market Access to the United States, with no Tariff being charged to us, in an attempt to reduce the large Trade Deficit,” Trump wrote.
EU President von der Leyen said the 30% tariffs “would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.”
She also said while the EU will continue to work towards a trade agreement, they “will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.”
Mexico’s economy ministry said Saturday that it was informed the U.S. would send a letter during a bilateral meeting Friday with U.S. officials.
“We mentioned at the roundtable that it was unfair treatment and that we did not agree,” the ministry’s statement said.
MEXICO’S TARIFF RATE LOWER THAN CANADA’S
Mexico’s proposed tariff level is lower than Canada’s 35% rate, with both letters citing fentanyl flows even though government data shows the amount of the drug seized at the Mexican border was significantly higher than the Canadian border.
“Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done, is not enough. Mexico still has not stopped the Cartels who are trying to turn all of North America into a Narco-Trafficking Playground,” Trump wrote.
Mexico sends more than 80% of its total exported goods to the U.S. and free trade with its northern neighbor drove Mexico to overtake China as the U.S.’s top trading partner in 2023.
The EU had initially hoped to strike a comprehensive trade agreement but more recently had scaled back its ambitions and shifted toward securing a broader framework deal similar to the one Britain brokered that leaves key details to be negotiated.
The 27-country bloc is under conflicting pressures as powerhouse Germany urged a quick deal to safeguard its industry, while other EU members, such as France, have said EU negotiators should not cave into a one-sided deal on U.S. terms.
Trump’s cascade of tariff orders since returning to the White House has begun generating tens of billions of dollars a month in new revenue for the U.S. government. U.S. customs duties revenue shot past $100 billion in the federal fiscal year through to June, according to U.S. Treasury data on Friday.
The tariffs have also strained security relationships with some of America’s closest partners.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said last week that Japan needed to wean itself from U.S. dependence in key areas. The fight over tariffs has also prompted Canada and some European allies to reexamine their security dependence on the United States, with some looking to purchase non-U.S. weapons systems.
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report compiled at his request in the wake of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024.
The Grassley-requested report states senior-level U.S. Secret Service (USSS) officials received classified intelligence regarding a threat to President Trump’s life ten days before the rally in Butler, but failed to relay the information to federal and local law enforcement personnel responsible for securing and staffing the event.
Per the GAO, “the Secret Service had no process to share classified threat information with partners when the information was not considered an imminent threat to life.” GAO offered eight recommendations to improve USSS functionality; chief among them is a recommendation for USSS to proactively share threat information among USSS personnel and its law enforcement partners.
The report further exposes a litany of USSS procedural and planning errors, including misallocation of resources, lack of training and pervasive communication failures, all of which contributed to an unsecure environment and ultimately allowed for Thomas Matthew Crooks to fire a near-fatal shot at President Trump and take the life of a spectator.
The GAO is the U.S. government’s primary auditor and is a nonpartisan, wholly independent legislative branch agency. GAO’s audit, conducted over the course of nearly a year – from August 2024 to July 2025 – is the longest review of the attempted assassination in Butler that has been completed to date.
Grassley said the following regarding the report’s release:
“One year ago, a series of bad decisions and bureaucratic handicaps led to one of the most shocking moments in political history. The Secret Service’s failure on July 13th was the culmination of years of mismanagement and came after the Biden administration denied requests for enhanced security to protect President Trump. Americans should be grateful that President Trump survived that day and was ultimately reelected to restore common sense to our country.
“Naturally, the American people wanted answers and accountability in the aftermath of this tragedy, and so I worked hard to provide that. The information I’m releasing today is a comprehensive overview of the failures that occurred prior to and on July 13th. More importantly, this report offers a clear path forward for the Secret Service to improve, so it can prevent another Butler from ever happening again. This information would not have been possible without congressional oversight, and my work will continue.
“As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdictional oversight over the Secret Service, I’m committed to working closely with the agency to ensure they’re properly equipped to repair what’s broken. As an important step, I allocated $1.17 billion in the One Big Beautiful Bill to provide the Secret Service with additional funding. I’m hopeful this significant injection of resources will go a long way in bringing the agency up to speed.”
Grassley is additionally making public a letter from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General (IG) Joseph Cuffari to then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas discussing credible whistleblower accounts that USSS personnel frequently rely on their personal cell phones for official communication, which creates serious security and legal risks. According to these allegations, USSS in 2021 instituted “functional limitations on government phones” that prevent USSS personnel from participating in groups texts or sending or receiving photos via text.
Read the DHS IG letter HERE.Read the GAO report HERE.
KEY FINDINGS OF THE GAO REPORT
Threat Information Sharing On July 3, 2024, one day after the USSS Pittsburgh field office was notified of the scheduled Butler rally, high-level USSS officials were briefed on a classified threat to President Trump. Per GAO, “once those officials reviewed the intelligence, they could have then requested that personnel within their chain of command be briefed on the specific information.” USSS had multiple opportunities to share this information over the course of the following ten days, but repeatedly failed to do so.
As a result of USSS’s siloed information-sharing, federal and local law enforcement entities planning and staffing the event were unaware of the active threat, including members of the Donald Trump Protective Division. Local law enforcement interviewed by GAO attested that, if they had received threat information, they “would have requested additional assets” for the Butler rally.
Timeline of when Secret Service Personnel Obtained but did not Appropriately Share Threat Information
Roles and Responsibilities The USSS’s Office of Protective Operations (OPO), which is responsible for issuing documents outlining USSS personnel’s respective roles, prescribed overly-broad policies that failed to clearly communicate USSS personnel’s responsibilities. As a result, five of the 14 USSS agents GAO interviewed, who “performed key roles on July 13th,” stated they relied on their own varying-levels of protective experience in executing this event.
At the time of the Butler rally, OPO did not require the USSS advance team to review local law enforcement partners’ operational plans or participate in USSS’s central command center at the event.
Further, the assigned site agent on July 13th, who was responsible for “identif[ying] site vulnerabilities,” was new to her role. The Butler event was “her first time planning and securing a large outdoor event as the site agent.”
On-Site Decision-MakingAt the time of the Butler event, USSS also lacked a formal policy for communicating protectee staff’s requested changes to on-site security plans.
Ahead of July 13th, a Trump campaign staffer asked the USSS advance team, who was unaware of the active threat to Trump, “not to use large farm equipment to address line-of-sight concerns near one of the buildings – the AGR building” so as not to interfere with campaign press photos. In response to the request and without consulting senior-level USSS officials who could have changed the decision, the USSS advance team independently made the decision to use a “jumbotron and a large flag to address the line-of-sight vulnerability,” rather than the large farm equipment.
Per the GAO, “not using the farm equipment possibly created an opportunity for the gunman to use the AGR’s elevated rooftop to fire several shots at then former President Trump and kill and injure other rally participants.”
AssetsThe USSS’s “War Room” is responsible for allocating resources for protectees and protectees’ events. The War Room makes these decisions “primarily based on availability and efficiency assessments” without knowledge or input of current risk assessments.
Due to limited resources, the War Room denied the Donald Trump Protective Division’s request for enhanced counter Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (cUAS) equipment at the Butler event, as “these resources had already been allocated for the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.”
However, senior OPO officials with knowledge of the threat against Trump stepped in to approve counter sniper assets for the Butler rally, a decision which was described as “inconsistent with and separate from War Room practices for making resource decisions.” Per GAO, “[a]bsent OPO senior executives’” action, President Trump “would likely not have received the counter sniper assets that ultimately took out [Crooks].”
TechnologyThe USSS’s limited cUAS technology used on July 13th malfunctioned, and while repairs were being made, Crooks flew a drone – undetected – over over the event site hours before the rally. The USSS agent assigned to operate the cUAS was severely inexperienced; this agent reported receiving just one hour of training on cUAS capabilities and noted, “in retrospect, [he] did not have enough training to confidently operate the equipment.”
Additionally, many USSS agents and local law enforcement who relied on cell phones to communicate the day of the event encountered limited service, hampering their ability to share information in real-time. Despite knowing the event would garner significant attendance, the USSS had no policy in place to proactively troubleshoot “potential audio and data communication challenges.” The agency has yet to require agents to perform such an assessment.
Background: Grassley’s oversight provided the “most detailed picture” of USSS security failures in the immediate aftermath of the Butler assassination attempt. Grassley contacted the USSS, DHS, DHS IG, Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation within days of the rally to begin investigating. He was the first to release bodycam footage and text messages from local law enforcement who responded to Crooks at the event.
As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee this Congress, Grassley allocated $1.17 billion in funding for USSS as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Sec. 100057).
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Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, July 12 /Xinhua/ — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hee in the city of Wonsan in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on Saturday as part of the second round of strategic dialogue, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.
“The heads of the foreign policy departments thoroughly discussed current issues of developing bilateral relations, including the schedule of upcoming political contacts. Particular attention was paid to the prospects for further cooperation in practical areas,” the statement published on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted.
As stated in the report, a keen exchange of views took place on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia (NEA). Mutual commitment to a political and diplomatic solution to the problems existing there was confirmed. The parties emphasized their determination to jointly counter the hegemonic aspirations of extra-regional players, which are leading to escalating tensions in NEA and the entire Asia-Pacific region.
Following the negotiations, a Plan for Inter-Ministerial Exchanges between Russia and the DPRK for 2026-2027 was signed.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, S. Lavrov arrived at Wonsan airport on Friday night, beginning his visit to the DPRK. His visit will last from July 11 to 13. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Baku, July 12 /Xinhua/ — Interim President of the Syrian Arab Republic Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Azerbaijan on Saturday on a working visit, the main focus of which was the development of energy cooperation and the implementation of a project to export Azerbaijani gas to Syria through Turkey.
As reported by the press service of the President of Azerbaijan, during the meeting with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the parties noted the importance of Azerbaijani gas supplies for solving Syria’s acute energy problem and strengthening its energy security. The discussion focused on specific steps to implement this project.
During the visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan /SOCAR/ and the Syrian government.
The presidents also discussed cooperation in the political, trade and economic, humanitarian, cultural and educational spheres, including the provision of scholarships to Syrian students and the restoration of cultural monuments. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
The United States Embassy in Yaoundé welcomes the official announcement of the date for Cameroon’s presidential elections on October 12, 2025. As a longstanding partner and friend of Cameroon, the United States underscores the importance of free, fair, peaceful, and inclusive elections as a cornerstone of democratic governance and stability in Cameroon and Central Africa.
We commend the efforts of Cameroonian institutions, civil society, political parties, and all stakeholders working to prepare for these elections. We urge everyone concerned to engage in the electoral process in a manner that promotes peace, respects the rule of law, and upholds democratic norms and the rights of all citizens to participate freely and to vote their consciences without fear of repercussions.
It is critical that the Cameroonian people have full confidence in their democratic institutions—not only on election day, but throughout the entire electoral period. This includes protecting the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and association as guaranteed in the Cameroonian constitution, electoral code, and other relevant statutes. Journalists, political parties, civil society organizations, and religious institutions must be allowed to operate without harassment or undue restrictions.
We stand with the Cameroonian people as they take this important step along their country’s democratic journey.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Cameroon.
The 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was convened on 11 July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Meeting was chaired by The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.
Review and Future Direction of the EAS
The Meeting reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening the EAS as the premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia in line with the EAS foundational documents and based on the established principles, objectives and modalities of the EAS.
Download the full statement here.
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The 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was convened on 11 July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Meeting was chaired by The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.
Review and Future Direction of the EAS
The Meeting reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening the EAS as the premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia in line with the EAS foundational documents and based on the established principles, objectives and modalities of the EAS.
Download the full statement here.
The post Chairman’s Statement of the 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Thirty-four youth from across the south of Libya joined Deputy Special Representative for the Secretary General Stephanie Koury in an online youth consultation Wednesday to discuss their opinions on the Advisory Committee’s recommendations.
The event is part of broader consultations to gather feedback from the public on the next steps of the political process. UNSMIL has also launched an online poll inviting Libyans to share options on the Advisory Committee’s recommendations and contribute to shaping the way forward in the political process.
Participants stressed the need for representation for the south in any mechanism or institution, highlighting that they suffer through economic instability and insecurity across borders and do not benefit from oil money.
The youth all agreed that the deteriorating economic situation was closely linked to the security situation and one could not be solved without addressing the other. They highlighted that they wanted stability and security and their voices to be heard in representative forums.
“We suffer from weak infrastructure with power cuts during 50-degree heat,” said one participant from Ghat. “We are deprived of basic services. We need to focus on these things, not a constitution.”
The economic situation is so bad, another participant from Ghat said, that it’s impacting the security situation. “This is why people are making their livelihoods from selling weapons,” they said. “We need to have a clear economic plan,” said a participant from Sebha. “We need to end the sources of corruption.”
A participant from Ubari called for transitional periods to end. “Through the years and different governments, our divisions have only increased,” said a participant from Sebha, adding that the best way forward was to have a referendum.
When discussing elections, the youth expressed distrust in the national authorities’ ability to oversee elections and in the democratic process overall. One spoke of how votes had been bought; people he knew sold their voter cards in the previous elections.
DSRSG Koury briefed participants on the four options put forward by the Advisory Committee in May. As outlined in the Executive Summary of the Advisory Committee’s report, the options include:
Conducting presidential and legislative elections simultaneously;
Conducting parliamentary elections first, followed by the adoption of a permanent constitution;
Adopting a permanent constitution before elections; or
Establishing a political dialogue forum, based on the Libyan Political Agreement to finalize electoral laws, executive authority and permanent constitution.
Many of the participants who joined favoured option four saying that this was the only option that ended the current cycle of entities that they felt did not represent them or the people of Libya.
UNSMIL stressed that youth voices were crucial to the political process and that it intended to continue with its YouEngage outreach efforts.
All participants were encouraged to complete UNSMIL’s online poll [link] and share it with their friends and families to ensure community voices are heard.
– on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
On the occasion of the 2025 African Anti-Corruption Day, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, urges all African Union Member States to underscore human dignity in their anti-corruption strategies.
The 2025 African Anti-Corruption Day is commemorated under the theme, Promoting Human Dignity in the Fight Against Corruption. The commemoration held annually on 11 July, aligns this year with the overarching AU theme for 2025: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.”
The Chairperson emphasizes that corruption is not merely an economic crime but a direct assault on human dignity and security as it robs countries of their potential and individuals of their dignity. Corruption undermines trust in our institutions, diverts resources meant for development, and perpetuates inequality and poverty.
The Chairperson highlights that corruption strips citizens, particularly women, youth , children and the most vulnerable, of their fundamental rights, freedoms, and opportunities to thrive, leading to tragic consequences like increased maternal mortality due to diverted health funds or lack of basic education for children.
The Chairperson highlights the intrinsic link between the fight against corruption and the broader pursuit of justice and reparations. He notes that just as the continent seeks to address historical injustices through reparations, it must equally dismantle contemporary corrupt systems that perpetuate indignity and injustice.
The 2025 African Anti-Corruption Day theme seeks to sensitize Africans of the importance to examine our history, and to shape our shared future, based on the dignity of people.
The Chairperson reiterates that the African Union has prioritized the fight against corruption as a cornerstone of its Agenda 2063, envisioning an Africa where integrity, accountability, and transparency prevail. He stresses that the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), adopted 22 years ago, remains the guiding framework. He urges Member States to continue aligning national legislation and strategies with its principles, particularly Article 2(4), which enjoins State Parties to promote socio-economic development by removing obstacles to the enjoyment of economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as civil and political rights.
The AU Chairperson calls for immediate action by Member States to fulfil their commitment to effectively tackle corruption and implement measures that apply a human rights lens in prevention and enforcement. He also calls for unity to dismantle corruption’s structures and build a continent where human dignity is protected and celebrated.
Mamadou Diop, Director General and CEO of refinery company Société Africaine de Raffinage (SAR) will participate as a speaker at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025, taking place on September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. His participation comes after a historic breakthrough for Senegal’s energy sector as SAR recently successfully refined locally produced crude oil – marking a major leap forward in energy sovereignty and industrial growth.
In February 2025, SAR successfully refined domestically produced crude oil from the offshore Sangomar field for the first time, processing 650,000 barrels and generating 90,000 tons of petroleum products including diesel, kerosene, gasoline and butane gas. This major milestone is expected to significantly advance Senegal’s strategy to strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on imports and optimize the local value chain.
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
With plans to scale up operations, the company recently launched the SAR 2.0 initiative and signed an agreement with China’s Sedin Engineering in September 2024 to explore the construction of a second refinery and petrochemical plant. The new facility is expected to increase the country’s refining capacity from 1.5 million to 5 million tons per year, helping meet local demand while creating new export opportunities to neighboring West African countries.
SAR has also strengthened ties with upstream partner Woodside Energy, with both companies exploring a long-term refining partnership to support increased crude processing. Through the partnership, the SAR refinery adapted its facilities to handle Sangomar crude and continues to implement upgrades to meet AFRI 6 fuel specifications and diversify into petrochemicals. The expansion enables SAR to process a 75/25 blend of Senegalese and Nigerian crude oil, positioning the company to meet up to 75% of domestic fuel demand.
Driven by the development of the 100,000 barrel-per-day Sangomar oilfield and the 2.3 million ton per annum Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project, Senegal has emerged as a burgeoning regional petroleum hub in West Africa. In response to growing energy demand and infrastructure gaps, SAR is implementing a bold transformation strategy to expand refining capacity and meet 100% of domestic fuel needs by 2030. Backed by ongoing discussions with multilateral financial institution the African Export-Import Bank to secure $500 million in syndicated financing, the upgrade will include the construction of a petrochemical complex aimed at reducing reliance on imported products and fostering industrial growth.
“Diop’s leadership has been instrumental in unlocking Senegal’s refining capabilities and in driving the country’s transition from a crude exporter to a fully integrated energy producer. His participation at AEW 2025 will spotlight how local refining capacity can catalyze broader industrial development across the continent,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.
The global KIF18A targeting therapies market is rapidly gathering momentum as KIF18A has emerged as a key vulnerability in cancers characterized by chromosomal instability. As a mitotic kinesin motor protein essential for chromosome alignment during cell division, KIF18A is overexpressed in malignancies such as ovarian and triple-negative breast cancers, making it a promising target for precision oncology with potentially lower toxicity than traditional chemotherapies.
Although no KIF18A-targeted therapy is commercially available yet, the field is progressing quickly. Clinical pipelines include more than 10 therapies, with several in early clinical development. Among the frontrunners is ATX‑295 from Accent Therapeutics, an oral, best-in-class small-molecule inhibitor that recently entered a Phase I/II dose-escalation study in patients with advanced solid tumors, including ovarian and triple-negative breast cancer. It’s employed with biomarker-enriched enrollment based on genomic instability markers like whole-genome doubling, and has received FDA Fast Track status—accelerating its path forward.
The clinical landscape includes global contributions from leading biotechs such as Volastra Therapeutics, advancing multiple small-molecule inhibitors including Sovilnesib (AMG‑650) in Phase I for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, and VLS‑1488 in Phase I/II across chromosomal instability-high tumors. Accent’s ATX‑295 stands currently at the most advanced Phase I/II stage, with trials in the US and potentially Asia-Pacific, suggesting geographic development convergence.
Technological innovation underpins expansion in this field. Development is dominated by small-molecule inhibitors designed to halt KIF18A’s motor activity at kinetochores, causing mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells. Alternative approaches include disrupting upstream regulatory pathways like phosphorylation, and leveraging AI-driven drug discovery platforms. For example, Insilico Medicine’s Chemistry42 and PandaOmics platforms generated a macrocyclic KIF18A inhibitor (ISM9682), showcasing the power of AI to enhance specificity and efficiency in drug design.
Market trends demonstrate strong growth potential. The first commercial KIF18A-targeting therapy is expected by 2030, propelled by fast track designations and positive preclinical data. The rich pipeline, combined with precision biomarker strategies, supports a robust developmental roadmap, aligning with unmet clinical needs in CIN-high solid tumors and potentially extending to hematologic malignancies where KIF18A overexpression correlates with poor prognosis.
Regional development trends show clinical leadership based in the US and Europe, where companies like Accent and Volastra are active, while China and other Asia-Pacific markets are engaging through global trial participation and local biotech collaborations. Multi-region trial footprints and biomarker-defined patient enrollment strategies are shaping global development dynamics.
Our Global KIF18A Targeting Therapies Market Report offers detailed insights into this evolving therapeutic area. It profiles more than ten clinical-stage candidates by company, indication, country, and development phase, with a deep focus on ATX‑295 as the leading Phase I/II program. The report evaluates technology platforms, including small-molecule motor inhibitors and AI-enabled discovery, and analyzes biomarker-led patient selection models. Regional development trends and regulatory environments are mapped, and strategic partnerships and investments are examined.
For pharmaceutical executives, biotech investors, and drug development leaders, this report provides a strategic foundation. It outlines market drivers, technological innovations, and clinical milestones that are poised to transform KIF18A from a promising target into an approved therapeutic by 2030, potentially offering new treatment options for patients with chromosomally unstable tumors.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — The China-Russia Border Festival will be held in Suifenhe City, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, from July to October. More than 20 events with a rich program, organized in close cooperation between the Chinese and Russian sides, will give guests an unforgettable summer festival combining culture, tourism, commerce, sports and exhibitions.
According to the website of the Suifenhe city government, the grand opening of the festival will take place on the evening of July 13. The cultural program will feature a variety of events: a joint Chinese-Russian choral concert, the play “Suifenhe Past”, a harvest festival, and a folk feast called “Baijiayan”. The synthesis of the cultures of the two countries and the demonstration of traditional crafts will provide guests with an individual and exciting experience.
In summer, Suifenhe’s enthusiasm for sports rises along with the temperature. The festival program includes numerous sports competitions that will ignite the city’s passion for sports and highlight the city’s dynamism.
From the international archery competition of the 9th China-Russia Sports Games to the Heilongjiang Provincial Volleyball Championship, the mass race and outdoor sports games, Suifenhe will showcase the unique charm of its sports culture to the world in an atmosphere of intense competition.
During the festival, the Suifenhe Border City Commodity Fair will also be held, where more than 100 types of high-quality Russian goods with traceable origin will be presented. The event will become a platform for expanding trade and investment cooperation between enterprises and Russia.
A representative of the Suifenhe City Culture and Tourism Bureau noted that 10 themed tourist routes have been specially developed to provide guests with a deep immersion experience, including the “Romance of Abroad” tour with an emphasis on Russian flavor. At the same time, 10 initiatives have been launched, including the “Satisfied Suifenhe” program to improve the quality of tourism services, to create a safe, comfortable, convenient and high-quality environment for guests.
With its diverse natural environment, rich cultural heritage and unique color, Suifenhe is an ideal place for leisure, health and tourism. In recent years, relying on its excellent ecological resources, the city has continuously updated its tourism products and consumption patterns. The summer economy in Suifenhe has been developing dynamically, attracting more and more tourists to enjoy the refreshing coolness of the city. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Paola Papanicolaou, Head of Intesa Sanpaolo’s International Banks Division
ROME, July 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — At the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Paola Papanicolaou, Head of Intesa Sanpaolo’s International Banks Division, explained the Group’s concrete commitment to Ukraine’s reconstruction, highlighting the role of Italy’s only banking group operating in the country in supporting recovery efforts through blended finance, ESG principles, and long-term investment.
Key takeaways:
Intesa Sanpaolo, through its subsidiary Pravex Bank – part of the International Banks Division – is the only Italian banking group with an operational presence in Ukraine.
In today’s complex geopolitical landscape, prudence is a strategic choice. Intesa Sanpaolo acts responsibly, avoiding excessive risk exposure while remaining ready to support reconstruction with concrete projects as soon as conditions allow.
The Group actively collaborates with supranational institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), contributing to development projects aimed at rebuilding Ukraine.
Rebuilding and revitalizing Ukraine’s economy requires both private capital and support from supranational financial institutions, through blended finance mechanisms. In both areas, strong international groups like Intesa Sanpaolo play a key role.
Stability and local development are essential. Long-term investors—like Intesa Sanpaolo—invest where conditions allow for sustained presence and growth.
Across the nearly 40 countries where Intesa Sanpaolo operates—including 12 countries with commercial banking branch networks—the Group works to create conditions that attract investment and foster economic resilience.
Wherever present, the Group promotes inclusive growth, financial education, and ESG-aligned financing. In Ukraine too, the goal is to support not only economic reconstruction but also the long-term sustainable development of local communities.
As one of Europe’s leading players in the transition to a low-carbon economy, Intesa Sanpaolo offers dedicated green credit lines for households and businesses, along with a growing portfolio of sustainable products—a model that can also support Ukraine’s future rebuilding efforts.