The 15th National Games Beach Volleyball test event held at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay between April 18 and 20 concluded successfully, the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) said today.
The three-day test event, with the participation of nine men’s teams and eight women’s teams, was organised by the NGCO and co-organised by the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China, with the China Volleyball Association as adviser.
Participating teams in the men’s and women’s tournaments first competed in the group stage before they reached the knockout round. Wong Pui-lam and Chong Kei-loi finally triumphed in the men’s tournament, while Tsang Ngok-ling and Wong Man-ching claimed the championship title in the women’s tournament.
The test event covered a wide array of areas, including the operation and procedures of events, organisation of competition, setup of function rooms, information systems, medical services, security, broadcast arrangements, sports presentation and award presentation, and volunteer services.
Around 1,300 national games volunteers participated in the three-day test event, providing services including assistance at the event, audience services inside and outside the venue, assistance at accreditation and security check counters.
Among the volunteers, around 170 were on duty daily throughout the event and responsible for rendering support at the competition venue, such as levelling sand at the main court and side court, retrieving balls and operating manual scoreboards.
The NGCO and related government departments and units, including the Hospital Authority, the Fire Services Department and the Auxiliary Medical Service as well as the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China, conducted a simulation exercise on April 19 at the venue to enhance the capabilities of each department and unit in dealing with contingencies during the event.
NGCO Head Yeung Tak-keung said that it will review the event procedures and other details with various related organisations and government departments, with a view to better preparing for the official events to be held in November.
The policy of every American president since Harry S. Truman has been to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
They have not always been successful. The world’s most powerful weapons spread, with nine countries now possessing them. But no United States president has actively sought their further proliferation, as the belligerent policies of Donald Trump are now set to do.
In 2018, during his first term as president, Trump tore up the Iran nuclear deal, which had successfully placed limits on the enrichment of weapons-grade materials in exchange for sanctions relief.
Iran has since accelerated its nuclear weapons program. Estimates now put Iran within months or even weeks of producing several bombs.
A short time later, after a series of escalating threats, Trump suggested that North Korea had agreed to denuclearize. Talks ensued, but a deal never materialized.
In fact, Trump failed to stop, let alone roll back, North Korea’s ambitious nuclear weapons programs. North Korea is now said to possess at least 50 warheads as well as the means to deliver them.
No longer an ally
Under the second Trump administration, the world is facing a rapidly growing proliferation risk of a different kind, one that is found not only among the usual suspects in Iran and North Korea, but also among a long list of U.S. allies who once basked in American security guarantees.
Merely two months into Trump’s second term, America’s European allies have grown increasingly concerned that the U.S. is no longer a reliable ally.
Against this backdrop, Trump’s guiding Project 2025 principles advocate escalating nuclear testing, breaking a long-held taboo.
Once protected by its nuclear umbrella, America’s closest allies are now threatened by it. Europe’s loss of confidence in the U.S. is so severe that finding alternatives has now become part of serious discussions in capitals across the continent. France and the United Kingdom are poised to fill the void by extending their nuclear deterrence to the likes of Germany and Poland.
The scene in Asia
But the risk of proliferation is greatest in East Asia. On the campaign trail in 2016, Trump mused that Japan and South Korea might need to develop nuclear weapons. “It’s only a matter of time,” he said.
That time is unfortunately now.
While Trump has been busy burning bridges in Europe and North America, his allies in East Asia — South Korea and Japan — have been watching the implosion of the U.S.-led international order in dismay. They have no alternative to the American nuclear umbrella but to build their own deterrent capabilities.
To address South Korea’s growing anxiety and check its nascent nuclear ambitions, the previous Joe Biden administration launched a bilateral initiative called Nuclear Consultative Group in 2023.
It established a regular mechanism between the two countries to discuss the state of the nuclear umbrella and perform joint defence exercises. This measure went a long way to quiet the voices calling for South Korean nuclearization — until Trump returned to the White House.
South Korea
Trump’s so-called America First foreign policy has given every reason for South Korea to once again question the reliability of U.S. security guarantees. If the Trump administration is willing to throw its oldest and closest allies in the North Atlantic under the bus, there is little reason for South Koreans to place their continued faith in the U.S.
As important as South Korea has been to an American grand strategy, it has always been a second-tier ally and its bilateral alliance with the U.S. was never as important as NATO or as special as the Canada-U.S. relationship. South Korea is much more vulnerable to abandonment, and it now appears to be expandable in the second Trump administration.
Going nuclear is not a question of means for South Korea. It has one of the most advanced civilian nuclear industries in the world, with 24 reactors in operation and more than enough scientific know-how to churn out weapons in a short time, estimated at six to 12 months.
The question has always been one of political will, the absence of which has rested on American security assurances. With the Trump administration actively demolishing security guarantees to its closest allies, South Korea may conclude that the only viable path to its continued existence in the post-American world is acquiring nuclear weapons.
Japan
South Korea’s nuclearization would likely lead to a domino effect, triggering a new wave of nuclear proliferation across the region. If South Korea makes a dash for the bomb, Japan will have no choice but to follow suit.
Japan has a full nuclear fuel cycle, including a uranium enrichment plant, spent-fuel reprocessing facilities, nine tons plutonium and 1.2 tons of enriched uranium that can be easily fashioned into thousands of nuclear bombs in as little as six months.
While the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have long served as a guardrail against nuclearization in Japan, that moral taboo was sustained by a credible U.S. nuclear umbrella. And once the nuclear genie is out of the bottle, Taiwan will have every incentive to resurrect its earlier clandestine nuclear weapons program and seek its own deterrence capability.
Catastrophic dangers
While going nuclear may be individually rational for the East Asian countries, the collective outcome for the region and beyond is fraught with catastrophic risks.
The world is now grappling with the most dangerous collective action problem because the solution that has worked so well for decades — credible American security assurance — is eroding.
In upending the very international order that the U.S. established, the Trump administration is not merely chipping away at the global security architecture underpinned by myriad American security guarantees. It’s imploding the post-Second World War security order from within and the moral, political and institutional bulwark against nuclear proliferation.
In this predatory, zero-sum world of Trumpian foreign policy, putting America First necessarily means putting everyone else last — and, along the way, inadvertently fuelling nuclear proliferation.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
As it seeks to gain some momentum for its campaign, the Coalition on Monday will focus on law and order, announcing $355 million for a National Drug Enforcement and Organised Crime Strike Team to fight the illicit drug trade.
A Dutton government would put Australian Federal Police teams into the states and territories, which would be nationally led and supported by specialist financial investigative and prosecutorial teams.
This would bring an anticipated “significant increase in the seizure of criminal assets and proceeds of crime, which we will reinvest into communities,” Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and shadow ministers said in a statement.
“This means every dollar seized from drug dealers and criminal cartels will go towards helping the families and communities devastated by their crimes.”
In what it dubs a crackdown on crime from “the border to the backyard” the opposition has brought together its various initiatives in a $750 million “Operation Safer Communities” package. Apart from the taskforce, other measures have been previously announced.
The initiatives include:
new laws to disrupt organised criminal syndicates
upgrading border screening to intercept drugs and cracking down on the importation of date-rape drugs used in drink spiking
extra funding for Crime Stoppers
more money for the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation, and piloting a national child sex offenders disclosure scheme that would provide more information to parents about the risks in their communities
investment in e-safety education through the Alannah and Madeline Foundation
introducing national “post and boast” laws making it illegal to post social media material glamorising involvement in crime
working with other jurisdictions to standardise knife crime laws, and funding a national rollout of detector wands
restoring the Safer Communities Fund to support local projects to improve social cohesion
reintroducing fast track processes for visa appeals to deal with bad actors overstaying.
The Coalition is also promising stronger action against antisemitism and against corruption and crime in the construction industry.
Dutton said the community felt less safe than three years ago.
“I have the experience and determination to stand up to the outlaw motor cycle gangs and organised crime syndicates which are wreaking havoc on our streets and in our communities.”
Opposition defence spending announcement this week
The Coalition this week will release its long-awaited defence policy.
The Australian Financial Review is reporting it will be based on two stages. The first would be a target above Labor’s proposed spending over the forward estimates. A second stage would be a target of spending at least 2.5% of gross domestic product annually in the early 2030s.
Greens say public service should prepare a brief on their policies too
The major parties are always saying they don’t want to get ahead of themselves – being seen to assume the outcome before the election is decided. The Greens have no such inhibition.
Greens leader Adam Bandt has written to the Secretary of the
Prime Minister’s Department, Glyn Davis, declaring minority government looks probable.
“It is increasingly clear that whoever forms government will likely rely on crossbench support, and in turn need to be in a position to discuss in detail the policy proposals put forward by members of the crossbench,” he said in his letter, sent on Thursday.
So Bandt wants the public service to prepare a brief on Greens’ policies, to assist any such negotiations.
The context is that the bureaucracy prepares so-called “red” (Labor) and “blue” (Coalition) books, which contain briefs on the policies of each side. The appropriate book is ready for whoever wins.
Bandt wants a “green book” prepared. “This will enable an incoming government to discuss and begin to implement key policy priorities of the Australian Greens, should they agree to them during negotiations in relation to the formation of government.”
Bandt said as a “top priority” in this exercise, the public service should prepare in-depth work on reforming negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount. This should cover reducing these concessions for investors owning more than one property, which the Greens support.
Bandt referred the bureaucracy to work done by the Australia Institute, a progressive think tank, and to the views of various economic commentators who have advocated reform.
He also pointed to Treasury advice on the subject, over which debate flared last week, when Anthony Albanese claimed the government had not asked for modelling. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he had asked for a “view ” from Treasury. The government says it has no plans to change negative gearing arrangements.
Albanese has repeatedly ruled out negotiating with the Greens if he was forced into minority government. But he wouldn’t need to – the Greens have said they would not have a bar of giving support to a Dutton minority government.
How important the Greens were when it came to particular pieces of legislation in a hung parliament would depend on the actual numbers. including how many crossbenchers a minority government needed to pass bills and how big the crossbench was. The bigger the crossbench, potentially the more choice of dancing partners for the government.
The importance of the lower house Greens if there was a minority government would also depend on how many of them there were. Bandt is safe in his seat of Melbourne, but the other three Greens, all from Queensland, won their seats in 2022 and these electorates are being strongly targeted by the major parties.
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Unified systems of measurement are important for scientific progress.(Shutterstock)
On May 20, 1875, delegates from a group of 17 countries gathered in Paris to sign what may be the most overlooked yet globally influential treaty in history: the Metre Convention.
At a time when different countries (and even different cities defined weights and lengths based on local artifacts, royal body parts or grains of wheat, this rare agreement among nations offered something simple yet undeniably impactful: consistency.
A radical initiative for its time, the Metre Convention ultimately birthed a system of measurement that would transcend language, politics and tradition, and lay the foundation for a new global era of scientific and technological advancement.
Official engraved marble standard metre, at the Place Vendôme in Paris. The standard was promoted during the French Revolution to introduce the metric system to France. (Shutterstock)
A world divided by measurement
By the mid-19th century, the push for standardization had become increasingly urgent. Scientific discovery was accelerating, global trade was booming and industrial projects were growing in scale and complexity. But the world’s measurements were, frankly, a mess.
France had introduced the metric system during its revolutionary years, but other nations were slow — or outright unwilling — to adopt it.
Rivalries simmered not just among empires, but within the scientific community itself. Astronomers couldn’t compare celestial observations across borders because their units didn’t match. Engineers designing railway systems across Europe had to navigate conflicting standards for track gauges, load weights and even timekeeping.
This wasn’t just inefficient. It was a barrier to progress, a strain on economies and a growing source of frustration or a scientific world that aimed to speak in universal truths.
Faced with growing societal demands, the industrial world agreed it was time to act. The Metre Convention was the result.
Scientists and diplomats representing the 17 participating countries collectively established the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), headquartered just outside Paris, as the official keeper of measurement standards. Today, the BIPM is backed by 64 member states and governs the Système International d’Unités (SI), the measurement framework that underpins everything from bridges to smartphones.
And while by today’s standards, the SI may seem like a relic of old-school science bureaucracy, it’s anything but. Standardized measurement is the invisible infrastructure of the modern world. And when it fails, or more specifically when we ignore it, the consequences can be severe.
Take the Gimli Glider incident. In 1983, an Air Canada flight from Montréal to Edmonton ran out of fuel midway through its journey. The cause was a miscalculation caused by confusion between metric and imperial units: the ground crew had used pounds instead of kilograms to measure fuel, and the pilots didn’t catch the error.
The plane lost power at 41,000 feet (around 12,500 metres for those who prefer their near-death experiences in metric), and glided safely to an abandoned airstrip in Gimli, Man., and to the annals of history as a symbol of what happens when we take standards for granted.
Or consider the Mars Climate Orbiter, a US$327 million NASA spacecraft that disintegrated upon entering Mars’ atmosphere in 1999. Engineers at Lockheed Martin had used imperial units, while NASA had assumed metric. The mismatch led to a critical navigation error and the failure of the mission, highlighting the importance of consistency in measurement, even far beyond the confines of Earth’s atmosphere.
The Gimli Glider and Mars Orbiter failures show what happens when consistency breaks down, but they’re more than just cautionary tales. They reveal how much of modern life depends on the shared language of measurement, and how easily that foundation can be cracked.
And therein lies the genius of the Metre Convention. It created a system that allows the world to communicate in the same terms. When someone says “kilogram,” “second” or “volt,” there is no ambiguity. That shared understanding is what makes global collaboration possible.
The Mars Climate Orbiter at the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility in the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (NASA/KSC)
From man-made objects to universal constants
But as scientists are wont to do, good ideas are refined, and standards evolve. For much of its post-Metre Convention history, the kilogram was defined by a physical artifact — a hunk of platinum-iridium alloy stored in a vault in France. But in 2019, that changed. Now, the kilogram is defined by Planck’s constant, a fundamental feature of the universe. The shift marked the final step in a long journey: every base unit in the SI is now rooted in nature rather than arbitrary human artifacts.
That change wasn’t just symbolic, it was necessary. Our ability to measure time, mass and distance with extreme precision affects nearly every aspect of modern life.
GPS signals rely on time measurements accurate to the billionth of a second. Quantum computers and particle accelerators require calibration on mind-bendingly small scales. Even weather forecasting depends on standardized measurements of pressure, temperature and humidity.
Shared standards in a divided world
But perhaps the most underrated legacy of the Metre Convention is its role in building trust across borders.
At a time when misinformation spreads quickly and even basic facts are contested, international standards offer a shared foundation that scientists, governments and industries can rely on. It’s a form of global co-operation that has quietly endured for 150 years.
That co-operation becomes particularly apparent in moments of political strain. Although the United States appears uncompromising in its commitment to feet and inches, American scientists, engineers and manufacturers rely heavily on the metric system, especially when collaborating across borders.
As tensions rise between close allies like the U.S. and Canada, metric standards remain a consistent point of harmony. The two countries may spar diplomatically, but when it comes to assembling a car in Windsor with parts made in Detroit, the bolts still fit.
Looking ahead
Still, like all institutions, BIPM and the SI reflect the times in which they were created. The original signatories were almost exclusively colonial powers. It took almost a century for other nations to gain an equal seat at the table, and even now, access to the tools and infrastructure that facilitate precision metrology — the act of taking extremely accurate measurements — remains unequal.
If the next 150 years of the Metre Convention are to be as successful as the first, greater inclusivity and accessibility will need to be central to its mission.
We live in a world held together by decimals, tolerances and agreed-upon constants that keep planes in the air, bridges from collapsing and scientific progress on track.
The Metre Convention reminds us that science isn’t only about big breakthroughs and bold ideas. Sometimes it’s about consensus and agreeing, together, on what a metre actually is. And even after 150 years, the simple idea of agreeing how to measure the world remains one of humanity’s greatest achievements.
So, what should we do with this anniversary? Maybe throw a party with metric-themed cocktails (may I suggest a 100mL Old Fashioned?). At the very least, we should take a moment to reflect on just how essential, and how easy to overlook, measurement really is.
Jonathan Simone does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
UK fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft near NATO’s eastern flank
UK fighter jets have intercepted two Russian aircraft flying close to NATO airspace
UK fighter jets have intercepted two Russian aircraft flying close to NATO airspace as part of the UK’s contribution to NATO’s enhanced Air Policing in the region.
Two RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork Air Base in Poland on Tuesday (April 15) to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M “Coot-A” intelligence aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
Whilst on Thursday (17 April) another two Typhoons scrambled from the base, to intercept an unknown aircraft leaving Kaliningrad air space and close to NATO airspace.
The intercepts mark the RAF’s first scramble as part of Operation CHESSMAN and come just weeks after the aircraft arrived in eastern Poland to begin their deployment alongside Sweden in defence of NATO’s Eastern Flank.
It follows the Prime Minister’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, recognising the critical importance of military readiness in an era of heightened global uncertainty.
Keeping the country safe is the Government’s first priority and foundation of its Plan for Change. The work of the Royal Air Force is critical to the security and stability of the UK, supporting the delivery of the Government’s five missions.
Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said:
The UK is unshakeable in its commitment to NATO. With Russian aggression growing and security threats on the rise, we are stepping up to reassure our Allies, deter adversaries and protect our national security through our Plan for Change.
This mission shows our ability to operate side by side with NATO’s newest member Sweden and to defend the Alliance’s airspace wherever and whenever needed, keeping us safe at home and strong abroad.
The UK’s deployment of six Typhoon jets and nearly 200 personnel from 140 Expeditionary Air Wing is the UK’s latest contribution to NATO’s air policing efforts, following successful operations in Romania and Iceland last year.
It also represents a landmark in NATO integration with RAF jets from RAF Lossiemouth operating alongside Swedish Gripens – the first time Sweden has contributed fighter aircraft to another Ally’s air policing since joining NATO in 2024.
The intercepts come after the Defence Secretary’s visit to NATO last week where he reaffirmed the UK’s unshakeable commitment to the alliance and co-led a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in which more than 50 nations pledged a total of £21 billion of support to Ukraine.
The Typhoon programme supports more than 20,000 jobs across all regions of the UK every year, which is defending our security whilst creating jobs back home.
The RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert forces, based at RAF Coningsby, Lossiemouth, and Brize Norton, remain ready to protect UK airspace around the clock, while deployed operations like Op CHESSMAN ensure that British airpower is defending the Alliance wherever it is most needed.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ivona Hideg, Associate Professor and Ann Brown Chair in Organization Studies, York University, Canada
One persistent gender stereotype is the belief that women are ‘too emotional’ to be effective leaders. This misconception continues to undermine their chances of being considered for leadership roles in the first place.(Shutterstock)
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As Canadians prepare to vote in a federal election during a period of global instability marked by trade disruptions, economic uncertainty, and armed conflict, the country’s political leadership remains notably traditional in one key respect: gender.
All of Canada’s major political parties are currently led by men, and Canada has never elected a woman as prime minister. Kim Campbell briefly held the office in 1993 after Brian Mulroney’s resignation as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. Her short tenure ended with a historic electoral defeat for the Conservatives.
With global tensions rising and Canada facing unprecedented uncertainties, it may seem easy to overlook the lack of women on election ballots. But strong, inclusive leadership is a practical necessity in these uncertain times.
A growing body of research and real-world examples are challenging longstanding assumptions about what makes an effective leader. In times of crisis, traditional leadership styles marked by dominance and rigidity — usually associated with men — often fall short.
Instead, leadership styles marked by empathy, flexibility, and open communication — usually associated with women — are proving to be both effective and essential. This kind of leadership helps steady teams when emotions run high and the path forward is unclear — exactly the kind of qualities Canada may need in the near future.
However, our research findings challenge this assumption and suggest it’s actually men who are more likely to let emotions drive their behaviour during periods of uncertainty.
Our recently published research examined how gender influenced the behaviour of leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed survey responses from a sample of 137 supervisor-subordinate pairs working in the Netherlands during 2020.
We focused on two dominant emotions during the pandemic — anxiety and hope — as they are both common responses to uncertainty. Anxiety reflects a sense of lost control, while hope suggests some belief in regaining it. These emotions, we predicted, would would shape leaders’ actions.
Women less likely to be driven by emotion
Our study found that men leaders who experienced higher levels of hope were more likely to engage in family friendly supervision, which refers to leaders providing support for employees’ non-work demands. This was especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, when men leaders experienced higher levels of anxiety, they were more likely to act out via abusive supervision. This included snapping at employees, making unreasonable demands, or behaving in a punitive way.
In contrast, the behaviour of women leaders was not influenced by feelings of anxiety or hope. Regardless of how they felt, women were more likely to show consistent, family-supportive behaviours that helped staff manage work-life challenges. They also refrained from lashing out abusively when anxious.
As a result, we expected — and observed — that women leaders would be less affected by their emotions and more likely to consider others.
The danger of the glass cliff
Our research highlights the importance of humanising leadership rooted in communal values. One particularly effective approach that does this is transformational leadership, which focuses on inspiring, supporting, and empowering others.
Women are also more likely to be appointed to leadership roles in times of crisis or decline. This phenomenon, known as the “glass cliff,” places women in precarious positions with limited chances of success.
Consider the case of Campbell, who became party leader just months before an election her party was widely expected to lose. It could be argued she faced a glass cliff. Rather than a fair shot at leadership, she was handed a near-certain defeat.
These patterns reflect how deeply embedded gender bias is, and how it continues to influence who gets to lead and under what conditions.
The leadership style that appears most effective during turbulent times is based on communal values of care, rather than impulsively reacting to one’s emotions. As our research shows, this approach is more closely aligned with how women often lead, despite persistent stereotypes suggesting that women are overly emotional.
Although we can’t rewrite the past, we can reflect on what might be missing from leadership today. When we consistently overlook those who lead with compassion, we risk losing out on exactly the kind of leadership that could help our country navigate the turbulent waters ahead.
Ivona Hideg’s research has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
Winny Shen receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
Tanja Hentschel does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Now, amid a funding crisis that has led to layoffs of mostly staff with current or former experience of sex work, the future of vital support services for sex workers in Vancouver is uncertain.
While PACE and WISH have described their closures as temporary, their eventual reopening remains uncertain. Both organizations intend to resume services with the renewal of the funding cycle in April 2025. In the meantime, sex workers face an urgent and growing void of essential support services and community spaces.
The loss of safe spaces for sex workers, even temporarily, carries profound and far-reaching consequences. These impacts were thoroughly documented in the findings of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry, led by former B.C. attorney general Wally Oppal. The inquiry examined systemic failures that contributed to the targeted violence and murders of sex workers in Vancouver.
Among the commission’s key recommendations was the urgent need to enhance protections and expand access to critical supports for sex workers, recognizing that such services are fundamental to their safety and well-being.
For years, front-line organizations such as WISH and PACE have been instrumental in advancing this mandate, providing basic necessities like hot meals and safe overnight spaces, as well as trauma-informed counselling, peer support networks and opportunities for community connection. The abrupt closure of these spaces severs support networks for sex workers.
Chronic under-funding
Such organizations are vital, and sex workers deserve to feel like these spaces matter and are worth keeping open. However, funding for community-led, rights-based approaches to sex work services has historically been limited in Canada. Federal governments have prioritized prohibitionist approaches and “exit programs” that do not meet community needs.
Vancouver-based sex work services are not alone in experiencing funding shortfalls and closures. On March 7, SafeSpace London issued an urgent call for donations following the loss of city funding. This dynamic is also visible in Vancouver, where the closure of PACE and other similar organizations is occurring within the context of a broader “revitalization” agenda, which aims to prioritize development over community infrastructure.
A leaked draft memo from October 2024 revealed Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim’s plan for reshaping the Downtown Eastside. Among these plans is an effort to expedite private development approvals, notably through the use of spot rezoning — a tool that allows municipal authorities to rezone individual outside the city’s established planning frameworks.
The memo also outlines the Sim’s intention to conduct a comprehensive review of local non-profit organizations and to actively “track their funding envelope.” While framed as a step toward increased accountability, research highlights that heightened scrutiny of chronically under-funded community organizations often leads to greater instability and compromises service delivery.
This precarious situation is not incidental. It reflects a broader shift in recent decades of governments offloading responsibility for social welfare onto under-funded non-profits while maintaining the illusion of support with fragmented funding schemes.
The closure of critical services is not a sign of individual organizational failure. Rather, it is a direct consequence of a system that prioritizes investments in policing and property development over sustained investment in community well-being and support for the most marginalized residents of Vancouver.
Organizations that provide critical support to sex workers need stability and self-determination to cultivate meaningful, community-led approaches that meet immediate needs and work toward long-term change.
Jennie Pearson receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and is a volunteer with PACE Society.
Andrea Krüsi has received funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Vancouver Foundation, National Institutes of Health and Canada Foundation for Innovation. PACE and WISH staff are part of the community advisory board of the AESHA study.
Melody Wise a Research Coordinator for the AESHA project, a position supported by funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. She is a volunteer with SWAN Vancouver, a non-profit providing support to im/migrant sex workers in Greater Vancouver.
First Minister to convene gathering on strengthening democratic resilience.
First Minister John Swinney will this week convene a meeting to examine the resilience of Scotland’s democracy.
Political, faith and community leaders will be brought together to assess the robustness of Scotland’s democratic system by examining root causes that might undermine shared values – now and in the future.
The First Minister hopes to find agreement on a set of principles that can strengthen and protect the country’s democratic foundations.
The discussion will be centred on four key themes, each moderated by a civic leader:
Combating inequality and discrimination.
Tackling disinformation and ensuring a trusted media environment.
Enhancing trust in politics and boosting the accountability of political leaders and democratic institutions.
Strengthening vigilance to electoral interference and encouraging more active democratic participation.
The First Minister said:
“Government has a clear role to play in protecting the health of our democracy.
“Across the world, we can see democratic systems under pressure, with fundamental principles being challenged and, in some cases, actively undermined. Scotland is not immune, so we must ensure we are prepared.
“As First Minister, I want to bring people together to help shape our response to these threats, and make sure we work together to protect and strengthen the democratic values that underpin who we are as Scots.
“Bringing together political, faith and community leaders will enable a discussion about key issues such as tackling misinformation, strengthening trust in politics, combating electoral interference, and ensuring Scotland’s democracy delivers equality.
“It will provide the initial foundation that will ensure Scotland has united leadership on values and principles that can help guide us in this age of uncertainty.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne
With less than two weeks to go now until the federal election, the polls continue to favour the government being returned.
Newspoll was steady at 52–48 to Labor, but primary vote changes indicated a gain for Labor as both leaders dropped on net approval. A Redbridge marginal seats poll had Labor gaining two points since the previous week for a 54.5–45.5 lead, a 3.5-point swing to Labor in those seats since the 2022 election.
A national Newspoll, conducted April 14–17 from a sample of 1,263, gave Labor a 52–48 lead, unchanged on the April 7–10 Newspoll. Primary votes were 35% Coalition (steady), 34% Labor (up one), 12% Greens (steady), 7% One Nation (down one) and 12% for all Others (steady).
In the last two Newspolls, Labor has been a little lucky to get a 52–48 lead as this would have been given by 2022 election preference flows, and Newspoll is making a pro-Coalition adjustment to One Nation preferences. This time the 2022 election flow method would give Labor about a 53–47 lead.
This Newspoll is the only new national poll since Friday’s update. The fieldwork dates were nearly the same as for the Freshwater poll that had Labor ahead by just 50.3–49.7 (April 14–16 for Freshwater). Other polls indicate that Freshwater is likely the outlier. Here’s the Labor two-party vote chart.
In-person early voting begins on Tuesday ahead of the May 3 election, so there isn’t much time for the Coalition to turn around their deficit, if the polls are accurate.
Anthony Albanese’s net approval in Newspoll was down five points to -9, with 52% dissatified and 43% satisfied. Peter Dutton’s net approval was down three points to -22, a record low for him. Albanese led Dutton as better PM by 52–36 (49–38 previously). This is Albanese’s biggest lead since May 2024.
Here’s the graph of Albanese’s net approval in Newspoll this term. The plus signs are data points and a smoothed line has been fitted.
Albanese and Labor were preferred to Dutton and the Coalition on helping with the cost of living by 31–28. Labor also led on dealing with uncertainty caused by Donald Trump (39–32), lowering taxes (33–26) and helping Australians buy their first home (29–24). The Coalition led on growing our economy by 34–29.
For so long, it had appeared that the cost of living issue would sink Labor at this election, so this result will please Labor.
Labor surges further ahead in Redbridge marginal seats poll
A poll of 20 marginal seats by Redbridge and Accent Research for the News Corp tabloids was conducted April 9–15 from a sample of 1,000. It gave Labor a 54.5–45.5 lead, a two-point gain for Labor since the April 4–9 marginal seats poll. Primary votes were 35% Labor (steady), 34% Coalition (down two), 14% Greens (up two) and 17% for all Others (steady).
The overall 2022 vote in these 20 seats was 51–49 to Labor, so this poll implies a 3.5-point swing to Labor from the 2022 election. If applied to the national 2022 result of 52.1–47.9 to Labor, Labor would lead by about 55.5–44.5. Since the first wave of this marginal seats tracker in early February, Labor has gained 6.5 points.
Albanese’s net favourability improved three points since last week to -5, while Dutton’s slumped six points to -22. By 36–26, voters thought Albanese and Labor had better election promises for them than Dutton and the Coalition.
By 56–13, voters agreed with Labor’s attack line that Dutton’s nuclear plan will cost $600 billion, and he will need to make cuts to pay for it. By 42–16, voters agreed with the Coalition’s attack line that this is the highest spending government in the past 40 years.
Additional Resolve questions and a right-wing poll of Wentworth
I previously covered the April 9–13 Resolve poll for Nine newspapers that gave Labor a 53.5–46.5 lead. Asked their biggest concerns about voting Labor, 47% said cost of living (down five since February), 36% economic management (down nine), 31% lack of progress in their first term (steady), 27% union ties (up two) and 24% Albanese’s personality (down six).
Asked their biggest concerns about voting for the Coalition, 45% said Dutton’s personality (up ten), 36% lack of policy detail (up eight), 34% that the Coalition would follow Donald Trump’s example (up six), 32% the performance of the Scott Morrison government (up four) and 31% their nuclear power plan (up five).
The February Resolve poll was the 55–45 to Coalition outlier, so responses in the prior survey were probably too Coalition-friendly.
The Poll Bludger reported Saturday that a seat poll of Wentworth, which teal Allegra Spender holds by a 55.9–44.1 margin over the Liberals after a redistribution, gave the Liberals a 47–28 primary vote lead over Spender with 15% for Labor and 10% for the Greens. This poll was taken by the right-wing pollster Compass.
Canadian election and UK local elections
I covered the April 28 Canadian election for The Poll Bludger on Saturday. The centre-left governing Liberals are down slightly since my previous Poll Bludger Canadian article on April 10, but are still likely to win a parliamentary majority. Debates between four party leaders occurred Wednesday (in French) and Thursday (in English), and we’re still waiting for post-debate polls.
United Kingdom local elections and a parliamentary byelection will occur on May 1. Current national polls imply that the far-right Reform will gain massively, with the Conservatives and Labour both slumping. Two seat polls give Reform a narrow lead over Labour for the parliamentary byelection in a safe Labour seat.
Adrian Beaumont does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Israel assassinated a photojournalist in Gaza in an airstrike targeting her family’s home on Wednesday, the day after it was announced that a documentary she appears in would premier in Cannes next month.
Her name was Fatima Hassouna. Nine members of her family were also reportedly killed in the bombing. She was going to get married in a few days.
‘If I die, I want a loud death. I don’t want to be just breaking news, or a number in a group; I want a death that the world will hear, an impact that will remain through time, and a timeless image that cannot be buried by time or place.’
Palestinian photographer Fatima Hassouna was killed, along with nine members of her family, in an Israeli airstrike that targeted their home in Gaza on Wednesday.
Hassouna, who had gained international recognition for her photojournalism documenting the impact of Israel’s… pic.twitter.com/y0FEJ60emH
Hassouna said she viewed her camera as a weapon to change the world and defend her family, making the following statements in a video shared by Middle East Eye:
‘As Fatima, I believe that the image and the camera are weapons. So I consider my camera to be my rifle. So many times, in so many situations, I tell my friends, Come and see, it’s not bullets that we load into a rifle.
‘Okay, I’m going to put a memory card into the camera. This is the camera’s bullet, the memory card. It changes the world and defends me. It shows the world what is happening to me and what’s happening to others.
‘So I used to consider this my weapon, that I defend myself with it. And so that my family won’t be forgotten. And so I can document people’s stories, so that my family’s stories too don’t just vanish into thin air.”
‘I want a death that the world will hear’ Video/Audio: Caitlin Johnstone
Israel saw Hassouna’s camera as a weapon too, apparently.
As Ryan Grim observed on Twitter:
‘For this to have been a deliberate act — which it plainly was — consider what that means. A person within the IDF saw the news that Fatma’s film was accepted into Cannes. He/she/they then proposed assassinating her. Other people reviewed the suggestion and approved it. Then other people carried it out.’
And Israel views journalists as its enemy because Israel is the enemy of truth.
Israel and its Western backers understand that truth and support for Israel are mutually exclusive. Those who support Israel are not interested in the truth, and those who are interested in the truth don’t support Israel.
That’s why the light of journalism is being aggressively snuffed out in Gaza while Israel massively increases its propaganda budget to sway public opinion.
It’s why journalists like Fatima Hassouna are being assassinated while the Western propaganda services known as the mainstream press commit journalistic malpractice to hide the truth of Israel’s crimes.
It’s why Western journalists are banned from Gaza while Western institutions are silencing, deporting, firing and marginalising those who speak out about Israel’s criminality.
Israel and truth cannot coexist. Israel’s enemies know this, and Israel knows this. That’s why Israel’s primary weapons are bombs, bullets, propaganda, censorship, and obstruction, while the main weapon of Israel’s enemies is the camera.
Fatima Hassouna’s death has indeed been heard. All these loud noises are snapping more and more eyes open from their slumber.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Dmitry Grigorenko checked the implementation of social and infrastructure projects in the Magadan Region
April 19, 2025
Dmitry Grigorenko checked the implementation of social and infrastructure projects in the Magadan Region. With the Governor of the Magadan Region Sergey Nosov
April 19, 2025
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Dmitry Grigorenko checked the implementation of social and infrastructure projects in the Magadan Region
Deputy Prime Minister – Head of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko checked the implementation of social and infrastructure projects in the Magadan Region during a working visit. He noted that the region demonstrates sustainable development in all areas – from the social sphere to transport infrastructure.
“Five years ago, the Magadan region visited Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Following his visit, the following were given: specific instructions, and to date the region has fully implemented them. In record time, life in Magadan has been transformed – it has become more comfortable and safer, especially for families with children. The region continues to develop, and we intend to support these initiatives. We are currently discussing the implementation of a number of infrastructure projects with the participation of VEB.RF,” said Dmitry Grigorenko.
He emphasized that a number of social and infrastructure projects had been implemented within the framework of the instructions. Thus, a new school with an engineering focus, equipped with modern laboratories, appeared in Magadan. A new park, Mayak, was built on the site of an abandoned area, which has become a favorite place for city residents to relax thanks to its playgrounds, art objects, and comfortable walking routes. The cultural life of the region is also reaching a new level with the opening of a public and cultural center, where free educational and creative events will be held regularly.
“Half of all projects in the Magadan Region are being implemented with the participation of development institutions, with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation. Including rental housing and social infrastructure projects, including schools, sports facilities, improvement of parks and squares – all this is the result of joint work,” noted Magadan Region Governor Sergei Nosov.
Construction of the first specialized marine tourism center in the Magadan Region, capable of simultaneously servicing up to 90 small and pleasure boats, has begun in Nagaev Bay.
The State Development Corporation “VEB.RF” is considering the possibility of financial participation in the implementation of this project. In addition, negotiations are underway on the financing of the accompanying infrastructure by the corporation – hydraulic structures and utility networks as part of the creation of the Magadan marine logistics center.
The implementation of these projects will allow the creation of a modern transport, logistics and tourism infrastructure in the region that meets international standards.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Dmitry Patrushev held a working meeting with the Governor of the Sakhalin Region Valery Limarenko
April 18, 2025
Dmitry Patrushev held a working meeting with the Governor of the Sakhalin Region Valery Limarenko
April 18, 2025
Dmitry Patrushev held a working meeting with the Governor of the Sakhalin Region Valery Limarenko
April 18, 2025
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Dmitry Patrushev held a working meeting with the Governor of the Sakhalin Region Valery Limarenko
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev held a working meeting with Sakhalin Region Governor Valery Limarenko. The topics of the meeting were the development of the regional agro-industrial and fisheries complexes, as well as the situation in the environmental sphere.
The basis of the region’s economy is the extraction and processing of aquatic biological resources. The volume of their extraction (catch) by regional fishing companies increased in 2024 and amounted to almost 745 thousand tons. As part of the second stage of the mechanism for providing investment quotas to companies, four contracts with an investment obligation for the construction of high-capacity fish processing plants were concluded, two of which were built in 2024.
Valery Limarenko noted that the priority task for the Sakhalin Region is the development of coastal fisheries. One of the key topics of the meeting was the modernization of the Korsakov Sea Trade Port. As part of the development of the Southern Bucket of the port, it is planned to create a technology park for the production of fishing and tourist vessels, as well as infrastructure for the entry of coastal fishing vessels.
The new port infrastructure will remove navigation restrictions and improve the stability of ship servicing. It is planned that the turnover of fish products will increase from 150 thousand to 600 thousand tons per year. The reconstruction of one of the main seaports of Sakhalin will improve the transport accessibility of the region and allow it to become part of international transport routes.
The meeting discussed the development of agriculture in the region. Since the beginning of the current year, the milk production indicator has increased. For January-March, it amounted to 9.6 thousand tons, which is higher than for the same period of the previous year.
Over the past three years, a great deal of work has been carried out in the Sakhalin Region within the framework of the implementation of the state program “Integrated Development of Rural Areas”.
The meeting also reviewed the results of the national project “Ecology”. From 2019 to 2024, Sakhalin Oblast participated in the implementation of two federal projects: “Integrated Solid Waste Management System” and “Forest Preservation”. The total funding amounted to almost 600 million rubles. Within the framework of the new national project “Environmental Well-Being”, it is planned to implement measures under four federal projects: “Closed-loop Economy”, “Water of Russia”, “Clean Air” and “Forest Preservation”. It is planned to allocate 2 billion rubles by 2030.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Integrated territorial development (ITD) is a tool for renewing the urban environment, primarily for the construction of modern housing, as well as social, engineering, public utility and transport infrastructure.
“At the recent meeting of the State Council Presidium chaired by Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, issues of developing infrastructure for life were discussed. Within the framework of the new national project of the same name, we pay great attention to improving the living conditions of our citizens, which is achieved, among other things, through the integrated development of territories. The meeting also noted the need to expand this mechanism, which provides regions with the opportunity to renew urban development. Thanks to such projects, new houses and infrastructure facilities appear in cities. The total urban development potential of KRT projects today is about 260 million square meters of real estate, an increase of 6 million square meters in the first quarter of this year. At the same time, projects in 960 territories with an urban development potential of 150 million square meters, of which 111 million square meters are housing, are in the active stage of implementation,” Marat Khusnullin noted.
The selection of new territories for integrated development is also ongoing. Today, 1,521 territories are being developed. Their total area is 37 thousand hectares.
“According to KRT projects, 2.12 million square meters of real estate have been put into operation, including 1.84 million square meters of housing, 820 KRT agreements have been concluded, 584 construction permits have been issued, that is, we see that this tool for planning the development of the urban environment is in demand among both residents and regional authorities and developers,” emphasized First Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities Alexander Lomakin.
Amendments to the Urban Development Code also came into force on March 1. Now, the KRT of residential development can be carried out, including in relation to a built-up area, within the boundaries of which there are terraced houses, individual housing construction objects unsuitable for living.
“It is especially important that one of the key areas of using the KRT in the regions is the resettlement of people from emergency and dilapidated housing. Under such projects, 14.23 thousand people have already been resettled from uninhabitable houses with a total area of 246.12 thousand square meters,” noted the General Director of the Territorial Development Fund, Ilshat Shagiakhmetov.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Yuri Trutnev held a meeting on the socio-economic development of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
April 18, 2025
Yuri Trutnev congratulated the winners of the 7th annual public and business award “Star of the Far East”
April 18, 2025
VII annual public and business award “Star of the Far East”
April 18, 2025
Yuri Trutnev answered journalists’ questions
April 18, 2025
Yuri Trutnev visited the Anadyr industrial park
April 18, 2025
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Yuri Trutnev held a meeting on the socio-economic development of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev held a meeting in Anadyr on the socio-economic development of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.
“According to the results of 2024, Chukotka showed positive dynamics in a number of indicators. Industrial production and investment in fixed capital increased by 9%, mining by 3%. Consolidated budget revenues increased by 6% and in 2024 amounted to 62.8 billion rubles, own revenues increased by 29%,” Yuri Trutnev opened the meeting.
The Governor of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug Vladislav Kuznetsov reported on the key results and development plans for the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug until 2030. According to the results of 2024, the growth of the Chukotka economy was 13.8%, primarily due to the implementation of large mining projects. At the same time, in addition to the large-scale project for the development of the Baimskaya ore zone, large gold and silver deposits of Kekura and Klyon, and the Beringovsky coal basin deposit are also being developed in the region. Thanks to such projects, highly qualified personnel arrive in the region and a reserve is being created for the training and professional growth of local personnel. Preparations are also underway for mining at three large deposits: Baimskoye, Pyrkakayskiye stockworks and Sovin.
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is the only region in Russia where three preferential regimes are in effect simultaneously: the Chukotka Advanced Development Area, the Vladivostok Free Port, and the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation. Their residents include 97 investors with projects worth 890 billion rubles. Investors in preferential regimes have already invested 390 billion rubles, and 53 projects have been commissioned. More than 5,000 new jobs have been created. In terms of actual investments in projects with state support in 2024, the Okrug ranks fourth among the subjects of the Far Eastern Federal District.
“There are three preferential regimes in the region. Thanks to this, a special investment climate is created. Residents are coming to the region. These are large companies engaged in the mining sector, but not only. We plan to develop agriculture and greenhouse farming, to diversify the economy as much as possible,” said Vladislav Kuznetsov.
The strategic objective until 2030 is to move away from the region’s single-industry specialization. In particular, it is planned to develop logistics and tourism. For example, last year a project was developed to create a hotel chain with 280 rooms in five locations (Ugolnye Kopi, Egvekinot, Provideniya, Anadyr, Bilibino, Pevek and Lavrentiya). This year it is planned to identify land plots in Anadyr, Egvekinot and Bilibino, and attract investors for the construction of hotels.
“Chukotka is a territory with difficult living conditions. Our task is to provide an appropriate level of social infrastructure for all residents of the region,” Vladislav Kuznetsov emphasized.
New energy facilities affect the quality of life of people. In Bilibin, the construction of a federal energy center has been completed. The energy center in Bilibin will replace the heat capacity of the Bilibino NPP and act as an emergency source of electricity. The construction of new networks in Pevek has been completed, which has increased the intensity of heat, improved the quality of water, and the ecological situation in the city.
Attention is paid to food security. Three new poultry farms have been launched – in Bilibin, Provideniya, Beringovsky, the region’s self-sufficiency in chicken eggs has increased to 80%. By 2030, it is planned to increase the region’s self-sufficiency in greenhouse vegetables to 100% by introducing four new greenhouses in Anadyr, one greenhouse in Pevek and Egvekinot, and modernizing the Rosinka enterprise in Bilibin. It is planned to modernize existing food processing plants and build ten workshops for deep processing of marine mammal products.
Base LTE stations installed as part of eliminating digital inequality provided access to mobile Internet for another 2 thousand people. By 2030, high-speed Internet will appear in Pevek, Bilibin, 70% of remote villages will be provided with high-speed satellite.
District hospitals have opened in the villages of Omolon and Rytkuchi, another 1,000 people have gained access to modern medical infrastructure, and a long-awaited new school for 100 students has been opened in the village of Ostrovnoye, with 40 children already studying there.
Construction companies receive support. Over 6,000 square meters of housing were built in Chukotka in 2024. Residents of dilapidated buildings receive housing first. By 2030, it is planned to build 45,000 square meters, including 326 rental apartments under the DOM.RF program by 2027.
The implementation of the Anadyr master plan was discussed separately, within the framework of which four infrastructure development activities have already been completed: the construction of an apartment building on Mandrikova Street, 20 (2023), major repairs of courtyard areas within the boundaries of blocks No. 8 and No. 10 in Anadyr (2024), and improvement of the city square (2024).
The “Far Eastern Hectare” and “Far Eastern Mortgage” mechanisms continue to operate in the region; during the programs’ operation, 323 loan agreements have been concluded, and more than 1.2 thousand people have received plots of land.
“We discussed how Chukotka lives and develops. We focused on the general figures for economic development. They are not bad in Chukotka. We separately discussed the implementation of large investment projects, including the construction of the Baimsky Mining and Processing Plant. An entire team of the Government of the Russian Federation should gather in Chukotka to look at the project for developing the Baimsky deposit, which is of flagship importance for the development of the region. The development of the deposit will make it possible to make a breakthrough in the development of Chukotka. It will double the regional budget. I really hope that the project will take place. We will create conditions for the economic potential in Chukotka to increase sharply, budget revenues to increase, and all this will benefit the people,” Yuri Trutnev summed up the meeting.
On the same day, the Deputy Prime Minister inspected the gas-engine thermal power plant (GM TPP), during which he instructed that the project for the modernization of the Zapadno-Ozernoye gas field be finalized, and visited the Anadyr industrial park, located in the production zone within the boundaries of the Chukotka advanced development area.
Yuri Trutnev also congratulated the winners of the VII annual public and business award “Star of the Far East” who are implementing projects in Chukotka: volunteers of the all-Russian movement “TeploZOV-87. Chukotka” for the project to manufacture camouflage nets and suits for the Russian military and OOO GDK “Baimskaya” for the project to develop the Baimskaya copper-porphyry area.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah attends the program organized by Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) on the occasion of World Liver Day in New Delhi as the Chief Guest Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has launched many programs in the last 10 years to keep the countrymen healthy with a holistic approach
All countrymen should take good diet, adequate water, adequate sleep and regular exercise, the rest Modi government will take the responsibility of taking care of your health
A healthy liver is the gateway to a healthy body
On the occasion of ‘World Liver Day’, everyone should take a pledge to keep their ‘liver’ healthy with awareness, diligence and complete information
Young people can achieve a lot in their lives with water, diet, exercise and sleep as per the requirement of the body
The innovative initiative of HEALED scheme by ILBS will be successful in spreading awareness in the country towards keeping the ‘liver’ healthy
Today the whole world is moving forward by accepting the mantra given in our Vedas ‘Aahaar Hi Aushdhi Hai’
Home Minister said that the corporate sector should, through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), spread awareness about the importance of liver and help organisations working for a healthy liver
Posted On: 19 APR 2025 4:39PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah attended the program organized by Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) on the occasion of World Liver Day in New Delhi today as the Chief Guest. Many dignitaries including Delhi Lieutenant Governor Shri Vinay Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta were present on the occasion.
In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that the liver plays a very important role in our body and in keeping it healthy. Among all the organs in our body, the liver has the greatest ability to regenerate and healthy liver is the gateway to a healthy body. He said that today on the occasion of ‘World Liver Day’, everyone should take a pledge to keep their ‘liver’ healthy with awareness, diligence and complete information. Sharing his experience of a healthy lifestyle, Home Minister said that there has been a huge change in his life since May 2020. Shri Shah said that Young people can achieve a lot in their lives with water, diet, exercise and sleep as per the requirement of the body.
Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has set before the country the goal of making India developed in 2047, coinciding with the centenary of independence, where India will be self-reliant in every field and will lead the world. He said that the concept of a developed India cannot be realised by being unwell and that is why it is very important that every citizen remains healthy.
Union Home Minister said that today the HEALED scheme has been launched by ILBS and this innovative initiative of HEALED scheme by ILBS will be successful in spreading awareness in the country towards keeping the ‘liver’ healthy. He said that every person should also get Vitamin E tested during regular health checkup. Shri Shah said that today the whole world is moving forward by accepting the mantra given in our Vedas ‘Aahaar Hi Aushdhi Hai’. He said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has launched many programs in the last 10 years to keep the countrymen healthy with a holistic approach.
He said that the Ministry of AYUSH is working to develop a system so that we do not fall ill. Shri Shah said that today even big allopathic hospitals are opening AYUSH wings. The mental and physical health of a person was included in the idea of World Yoga Day. He said that today the Modi government is bearing the entire cost of treatment up to Rs 5 lakh for crores of people of the country. The government is also bearing all expenses up to Rs 5 lakh for the treatment of citizens above 70 years of age.
Shri Amit Shah said that the Modi government has spent 65 thousand crore rupees to build the health infrastructure in the country and has made arrangements to make every Primary Health Center (PHC) and Community Health Center (CHC) a complete unit. He said that for generic medicines, a network of more than 15 thousand Jan Aushadhi Centers has been created in the country and through these centres medicines are available up to 80 percent cheaper. Under Mission Indradhanush, arrangements have been made for free vaccination of children from birth to the age of 15 years and 1 crore 32 lakh mothers were also vaccinated. Shri Shah said that under the e-Sanjeevani app, the work of providing more than 30 crore 90 lakh digital medical consultations from big health institutions in rural areas across the country has been carried out. Shri Shah said that in 2014 there were 7 AIIMS in the country, today the number has reached 23, there were 387 medical colleges in 2014, today it stands at 780, there were 51 thousand MBBS seats which have increased to 1 lakh 18 thousand today and now 75 thousand more seats are going to be increased. Along with this, there were 31 thousand PG seats which have increased to 74 thousand today. He said that in 2014 the country’s health budget was 37 thousand crore rupees which has been increased to 1 lakh 27 thousand crore rupees by Prime Minister Modi today.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that over the past 10 years, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has created a comprehensive framework for the health of the country’s 1.3 billion citizens. He said, all countrymen should take good diet, adequate water, adequate sleep and regular exercise, the rest Modi government will take the responsibility of taking care of your health. Home Minister requested the corporate world of the country to give importance to the promotion of healthy liver in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and help the organizations working for healthy liver. He also appealed to the media to spread awareness about health along with entertainment. Shri Shah said that ILBS should tie itself up with AIIMS and major government hospitals across the country to make arrangements for guidance of liver patients and spread awareness about it.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has alerted the public about online booking frauds, especially those targeting religious pilgrims and tourists across the country. These frauds are being perpetrated through fake websites, deceptive social media pages, Facebook posts, and paid advertisements on search engines like Google.
These scams involve the creation of professional-looking but fake websites and social media profiles and WhatsApp accounts offering services such as:
Helicopter booking for Kedarnath, Chaar Dhaam
Guest house and hotel booking for pilgrims
Online cab/taxi service bookings
Holiday packages and religious tours
Unsuspecting individuals, upon making payments through these portals, often realize they have been duped when no confirmation or service is received, and the contact numbers go unreachable.
People are advised to exercise extreme caution:
Always verify the authenticity of websites before making any payments.
Verify before clicking on “sponsored” or unknown links on Google, Facebook, or WhatsApp.
Cross-check bookings only through official government portals or trusted travel agencies.
Report such websites immediately at the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal:www.cybercrime.gov.inor call 1930 in case of any frauds.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitates First Commercial Sea shipment of Indian pomegranates from Maharashtra to USA 14 Tons of Indian pomegranates exported from Ahilyanagar in Maharashtra to New York, USA
Posted On: 19 APR 2025 9:39AM by PIB Delhi
In a historic initiative towards introducing Indian Pomegranates to distant markets, a landmark commercial sea shipment of the prized Indian Bhagwa variety of Pomegranate has successfully arrived in New York, marking a significant milestone for India’s Fresh Fruits exports. With growing international demand for premium quality of Fresh Fruits, the arrival of this shipment heralds the potential of Indian Pomegranates becoming a preferred choice in the competitive U.S. market.
The Pomegranate season, which traditionally saw air freight as the primary mode of transportation, shifted gears in recent weeks to embrace the cost-effective and sustainable sea freight mode.
After India had been granted market access by USA for Pomegranates, during the season in 2023, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO – India) and National Research Centre for Pomegranate, Solapur (NRCP) successfully conducted the trial shipment of Pomegranate to USA by air.
Owing to the success of the static trial to enhance the shelf life of Pomegranates for up to 60 days by APEDA in collaboration with ICAR-National Research Centre for Pomegranate, India had successfully flagged off its first trial commercial sea shipment of Pomegranates comprising of 4200 boxes i.e. 12.6 tons to the U.S. in collaboration with InI Farms from Irradiation Facility Center (IFC), Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), Vashi, Navi Mumbai in February, 2024.
APEDA facilitated the USDA pre-clearance program for Pomegranates in December, 2024 which played a pivotal role in easing the logistical and regulatory hurdles for Indian agriculture exporters and enabled them to enter the U.S. market. APEDA’s proactive approach in inviting the USDA inspectors for the pre-clearance process three months in advance ensured the smooth and timely arrival of the shipment
The inaugural sea shipment of 4,620 boxes of Indian Pomegranates, weighing approximately 14 tons reached the U.S. East Coast in the second week of March, well within five weeks of the point of departure. The shipment was met with exceptional enthusiasm in New York. The arrival quality was reported as “excellent” and customers were captivated by the remarkable visual appeal and the superior eating quality of the Indian Bhagwa variety of Pomegranates.
Chairman, APEDA, Shri Abhishek Dev remarked, “Government of India has been at the forefront in promoting Indian fresh fruits for the global market. APEDA has been supporting the export of Indian fruits like Mangoes and Pomegranates to USA by funding the pre-clearance program. Indian farmers will achieve better realisation when their fruit gets exported to premium international markets like USA. Indian mangoes have already reached annual exports of around 3500 tons and we hope that Pomegranates will also reach such strong numbers in the years to come”.
This consignment was sent by Kay Bee Exports, a leading exporter of fruits and vegetables from Mumbai and a registered exporter with APEDA. The Pomegranates in this consignment were directly sourced from the farms of Kay Bee Exports, ensuring that the benefits of this export reach Indian farmers at the grassroots level.
“We are thankful to APEDA for facilitating exports of Indian Pomegranates to USA. APEDA’s efforts have ranged from securing market access to setting up export protocols, co-ordinating with multiple stake-holders and organising the pre-clearance program in conjunction with USDA. Kay Bee is specialised in Pomegranates and hope to offer the best fruit that India has to offer. Our customers expect the best fruit quality and we always strive to do so” said Mr. Kaushal Khakhar, CEO, Kay Bee Exports on the successful shipment.
“While Indian Pomegranates have always been recognized for their taste, this shipment has proven that with the right quality and consistency, Indian fresh fruits can meet the discerning tastes of the American consumer,” said a representative from the Indian export consortium. “We are delighted with the reception in the market and are confident that this successful arrival will pave the way for an increase in volumes in the coming seasons.”
Looking ahead, the industry is optimistic that with continued marketing efforts and strategic promotional campaigns, Indian Pomegranates can carve a niche for themselves in the premium U.S. market. In light of the growing success, industry stakeholders sought APEDA’s continued support in launching promotional campaigns for the Indian Pomegranate in the coming year, with the aim of educating U.S. consumers on the fruit’s exceptional eating quality and diverse culinary applications.
India, being the second-largest producer of horticulture crops, sees major Pomegranate production in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. APEDA has established Export Promotion Forums (EPF) specifically for Pomegranates, aimed at boosting exports and removing supply chain bottlenecks. These EPF forums include representatives from the Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, state governments, national referral laboratories and the top ten leading exporters, ensuring a collaborative effort in promoting Pomegranate exports.
In the financial year 2023-24, India exported 72,011 metric tons of Pomegranates worth USD 69.08 million. This year, there has been a significant growth in Pomegranate exports from India registering a growth of 21% with a value of USD 59.76 million in the period April – January, 2024-2025. Key export destinations include the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bangladesh, Nepal, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bahrain, Oman and USA.
Indian Pomegranates, particularly the Bhagwa variety, are renowned for their rich flavour, deep red colour and high nutritional value. These Pomegranates are packed with antioxidants and vital nutrients, making them a popular choice among health-conscious consumers worldwide.
The Government of India’s commitment to promoting the export of fresh fruits and vegetables, despite their perishable nature, is evident in their development of sea protocols to retain product attributes when exporting to long-distance destinations. This initiative not only reinforces India’s position in global markets but also directly supports Indian farmers by creating sustainable export opportunities.
The steady supply of high-quality fruit, coupled with continued marketing initiatives, will undoubtedly position Indian Pomegranates as a desirable choice for American consumers, ensuring their place on the U.S. retail shelves in years to come.
Since 2014, India has begun discussing its culture with pride – Shri Harivansh India’s cultural environment has transformed since 2014 – Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri
Posted On: 18 APR 2025 9:45PM by PIB Delhi
On the occasion of World Heritage Day (18 April), a compilation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches and thoughts on culture, titled ‘Sanskriti ka Panchva Adhyay’, was released at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). The book was released by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Pujya Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, the head of the Juna Akhara. The event was chaired by Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh, with IGNCA Chairman Shri Ram Bahadur Rai present as the Guest of Honour. IGNCA Member Secretary Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi also graced the occasion.
The book ‘Sanskriti ka Panchva Adhyay’ compiles Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s addresses on Indian culture, traditions, spiritual values, and cultural heritage delivered on various occasions. The foreword has been penned by Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, and the compilation has been curated by Dr. Prabhat Ojha. Published by Prabhat Prakashan, the book represents Prime Minister Modi’s vision of cultural resurgence as a central objective of his government.
On the occasion, Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj remarked that since 2014, innovation has been witnessed in every direction across the country and that a transformation in the atmosphere is evident. He lauded Prime Minister Modi’s cultural contributions, saying, “Since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, a definite change has occurred. People now discuss cultural subjects with greater depth and pride.” Citing an example, he said, “In 2008, an Indian guru residing in Europe made great efforts to establish an International Yoga Day and sought help from the Indian government. In 2016, Narendra Modi made it a reality. Today, 21st June is celebrated worldwide as International Yoga Day-a proof to his commitment to India’s cultural heritage.”
Shri Harivansh referred to Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s seminal work ‘Sanskriti ke Chaar Adhyay’, whose foreword was written by Jawaharlal Nehru. He said that had Dinkar been alive today, he would have revisited and revised parts of his work to enrich it further. Shri Harivansh added that after 1952, discussions around culture faded, but since 2014, they have re-emerged. “Post-2014, India has begun to speak about its culture and ancient heritage with pride, and this credit goes to the Prime Minister.” He concluded his speech by quoting a famous lines from Shri Raghubeer Narayan’s ‘Batojhiya’ song: “Sundar su bhoomi bhaiya Bharat ke deshwa mein, mor praan base him khoh re Batojhiya.”
Shri Ram Bahadur Rai highlighted two dimensions of Narendra Modi’s persona – that of a statesman and an administrator, and that of a spiritually inclined leader. Light-heartedly addressing the Prime Minister’s critics, he said, “Narendra Modi’s personality evokes chemical reactions in people -those with a positive outlook see his virtues, while the negative-minded remain entangled in criticism.” He added that various narratives are woven around Modi, but this book presents a distinct portrayal- that of a saint-hearted Prime Minister. “Among the vast repository of books written on the Prime Minister, this one stands out. It contains that brilliant Kohinoor which a saint offers to King Vikramaditya in the ‘Vetal Pachisi’ . That Kohinoor is India’s culture.”
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi highlighted the significance of the Prime Minister’s motto “Virasat bhi, Vikas bhi” (Heritage as well as Development). He noted the special importance of launching this book on World Heritage Day, stating that it presents the vision of a new India. Dr. Prabhat Ojha, the compiler of the book, introduced it, stating that it features 34 of the Prime Minister’s speeches, along with an appendix containing the reflections of two spiritual leaders, both of whom appear to endorse the Prime Minister’s cultural perspective. The programme was anchored by Shri Prabhat Kumar of Prabhat Prakashan, who also delivered the vote of thanks.
About the Book
Towards the end of his detailed foreword, Shri Ram Bahadur Rai writes: “If we are searching for the keyboard to the supercomputer of Indian culture, that quest begins and ends with this book. In this sense, this chapter is inspired by culture in the Modi era. It is also an invitation to a cultural journey.” This thought clearly articulates the objective behind publishing Prime Minister Modi’s cultural addresses in the form of a book.
This journey includes various milestones that the reader can interpret through these speeches. The speeches are arranged chronologically, beginning with the 2015 Independence Day address and concluding with one delivered on 20 October 2024 at the inauguration of the R.J. Shankar Eye Hospital in Varanasi. The first speech, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, discusses national issues, welfare schemes, and government achievements. The final one, naturally, touches on public health, but also includes the Prime Minister’s tribute to three Shankaracharyas of the Kanchi Kamakoti tradition.
Together, these 34 speeches cover a wide range of cultural contexts – from sacred shrines like Kedarnath, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, Kashi Vishwanath Mandapam, and Omkareshwar, to occasions such as the launch of various editions of the ‘Bhagavad Gita’, Guru Nanak Jayanti, the Global Buddhist Conference, the birth anniversary of Acharya Vijay Vallabh Surishwar Ji Maharaj, and the World Sufi Conference.
An excerpt from the Prime Minister’s address at the World Sufi Conference reads: ‘Rooted in the sacred Quran and Hadith, Sufism became the face of Islam in India. It flourished in India’s openness and pluralism, and by connecting with its ancient spiritual traditions, it evolved a uniquely Indian identity. Sufism helped shape a distinctive Islamic legacy in India.”
These speeches reflect a quest to identify the Indianness in various religious traditions. The appendix contains reflections by Acharya Shri Pragya Sagar Ji Maharaj and Shankaracharya Shri Shankar Vijayendra Saraswati Swami Ji of Kanchi Kamakoti. Both appear to affirm the cultural vision espoused by the Prime Minister.
WAVES 2025 Animation Film makers Challenge announces top 42 finalists WAVES brings to the fore a global showcase of original Animation, VFX, AR/VR & Virtual Productions
Talented finalists of animation film-making competition to pitch their projects in WAVES 2025
Posted On: 19 APR 2025 12:03PM by PIB Mumbai
: Mumbai, April 19, 2025
The finalists of the Animation Film Makers Competition (AFC) being held as part of the ‘Create in India Challenge Season-1’ of WAVES 2025 has been announced. The best 42 projects, focussing on original storytelling across the entire spectrum of animation, encompassing traditional animation, VFX, Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR), and virtual production, have made it to the final round. These talented participants will now have the opportunity to pitch their original projects during the WAVE Summit which will be held in Mumbai from May 1-4, 2025. The top 3 winners will each receive a cash prize of up to INR 5 Lakhs.
The selection of the top-42 finalists was the result of a rigorous nine-month evaluation process led by the Dancing Atoms team, in collaboration with the WAVES team. The dedicated efforts of the participants were complemented by the discerning expertise of an esteemed panel of national and international jury members, including:
● Anu Singh
● Farrukh Dhondy
● Dan Sarto
● James Knight
● Jan Nagel
● Gianmarco Serra
● Indu Ramchandani
The talented finalists, who will now have the opportunity to pitch their original projects in Mumbai, are: Abhijeet Saxena, Anika Rajesh, Anirban Majumder, Anuj Kumar Choudhary, Arundhati Sarkar, Atreyee Poddar, Bhagat Singh Saini, Bhagyashree Satapathy, Bimal Poddar, Catharina Dian Wiraswati S, Gadam Jagadish Prasad Yadav, Gargi Gawthe, Harish Narayan Iyer, Harshita Das, Hirak Jyoti Nath, Isha Chandna, Jacqueline C Ching, Jyothi Kalyan Sura, Khambor Batei Kharjana, Kishore Kumar Kedari, Kiruthika Ramasubramanian, Makam Neha, Martand Anand Ugalmugle, Nandan Balakrishnan, Piyush Kumar, Prasanth Kumar Nagadasi, Prasenjit Singha, Richa Bhutani, Rishav Mohanty, Rohit Sankhla, Sandhra Mary, Sangeeta Poddar, Segun Samson, Shreeyaa Vinayak Pore, Shreya Sachdev, Shrikant S Menon, Srikanth Bhogi, Shubham Tomar, Shweta Subhash Marathe, Sundar Mahalingam, Sukankan Roy, Triparna Maiti, Tuhin Chanda, Vamsi Bandaru, Vetriveare.
The potential economic impact of their projects is significant, with each animated VFX feature film capable of generating employment for 100-300 individuals. WAVES AFC 2025 represents a crucial investment in creative talents of India, fostering job creation and global opportunities. The competition’s ambition extends to fostering international co-productions.
This groundbreaking global initiative, supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and spearheaded by Dancing Atoms, marks the first time all four verticals of the AVGC sector are represented under one umbrella in such a competition.
WAVES AFC 2025 garnered an overwhelming response, receiving approximately 1900 registrations and 419 diverse entries from amateur enthusiasts, talented students, and seasoned professionals worldwide. This enthusiastic participation underscores the competition’s vital role in identifying and nurturing fresh creative voices within the animation industry.
Beyond showcasing talent, the initiative has prioritized mentorship at all stages. All contestants, regardless of their final selection, benefited from invaluable masterclasses led by renowned industry leaders such as Academy Award winner Guneet Monga, acclaimed producer Shobu Yarlagadda, and Saraswathi Buyyala. These sessions focused on refining pitching skills and navigating the complexities of the industry. These projects will be pitched to various OTT platforms and key industry players. Dancing Atoms Studios founder Saraswathi Buyyala is actively engaging with embassies from 17 countries (Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom) to facilitate collaborations for these top- 42 projects. In order to promote these projects, meetings are also being scheduled with prominent distributors. The top 42 projects represent a diverse spectrum, including 12 feature films, 9 TV series, 3 AR/VR experiences, and 18 short films, offering a rich variety for potential viewers and collaborators.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s crucial support has been instrumental in elevating AFC WAVES 2025 to its current stature. The dedication to fostering original storytelling within the animation, VFX, AR/VR, and virtual production sectors has provided invaluable resources and recognition, empowering emerging talent on a significant platform. This competition and its rigorous screening processes and enriching learning opportunities, underscored the government’s commitment to nurturing India’s creative potential in the dynamic world of animation. Each selected entry offers a unique narrative and showcases diverse creative approaches, including compelling international submissions. Going forward, the future of animation, VFX, AR/VR, and virtual production storytelling will unfold at WAVES AFC 2025.
The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.
Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.
WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The launching ceremony of Hong Kong Reading Week 2025 and 2025 Hong Kong Reading+ at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin was held today (April 19), marking the start of diverse reading activities of the second Hong Kong Reading Week (HKRW) from today until April 27. The event was held by the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Hong Kong Publishing Federation (HKPF).
The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, addressed the ceremony in a video message. The officiating guests at the ceremony included the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; the Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPC, Mr Su Rongcai; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; the Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Mrs Lowell Cho; and the President of the HKPF, Dr Elvin Lee.
Under the theme “Zoom/LIBRARY”, the HKRW offers an array of activities suitable for people of all ages. To tie in with the HKRW, the HKPF is holding the 2025 Hong Kong Reading+ at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin from April 18 to 27, with activities including author sharing sessions, an exhibition, music performances, and workshops. The HKPL will also introduce its electronic resources to the public and hold handicraft workshops at the venue.
To foster a reading habit among the public, the HKRW will hold about 450 online and on-site events, including “Reading Together for Half an Hour” activities on the Hong Kong Reading for All Day on April 23, an array of fun day activities at the Hong Kong Central Library on April 26 and 27, and a Pop-up Library@Hong Kong Reading Week at D·PARK in Tsuen Wan on April 27.
The HKPL, in collaboration with Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 5, has invited celebrities from various sectors, including artiste Alex Fong and Cantonese opera performer Law Kar-ying to share their reading experiences in short videos and audio clips.
Collaborating with the Art Promotion Office, the HKPL has selected a number of e-books and displayed a series of artistic and creative images with QR codes at various government venues. Members of the public can scan the QR codes and instantly read the e-books, and are encouraged to utilise the HKPL’s electronic resources.
During the HKRW, patrons borrowing physical library materials will receive a bookmark, and children aged 9 or below applying for library cards will receive a height metre.
All activities of the HKRW are free of charge, while seat reservations are required for some events. For details, please visit the website: www.hkpl.gov.hk/hkrw.
The 2025 Hong Kong Reading+ is one of the programmes of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2025. This year, the LCSD presents the third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, themed “More Than Joy”. For more information, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk/en.
The 2025 Asian Forum on Human Rights opens in Chongqing, southwest China, April 19, 2025. [Photo courtesy of the Human Rights Institute of the Southwest University of Political Science and Law] The 2025 Asian Forum on Human Rights opened in Chongqing, southwest China, on April 19, bringing together scholars to explore the relationship between technological advancements and human rights. The forum, hosted by the Southwest University of Political Science and Law (SWUPL), was organized under the theme “Science & Technology and Human Rights.” Jiang Jianguo, executive vice president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, said at the opening ceremony that Asian countries’ shared history, development realities and cultural traditions provide a foundation for human rights discussions. He emphasized continued efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind, placing human survival and development at the center of technological innovation. He urged greater application of technological advances in climate, food security and health care, ensuring that innovation benefits all of humanity. SWUPL President Lin Wei, who also serves as dean of its Human Rights Institute, spoke about how technology redefines the human experience. Lin said that if human rights are understood as “the conditions that make one human,” then technology is significantly expanding those conditions. However, Lin warned that technological innovation poses new challenges to human rights protection. He highlighted emerging technologies such as gene editing and brain-computer interfaces, which, if misused, could create a “biological class divide,” undermining equality and human dignity. Lin stressed the need to harmonize technological progress with human rights, affirming that the non-transferable bottom line of human values must be upheld to ensure technology liberates humanity rather than dehumanizes it. In his keynote address, Jayanath Colombage, director general of the Institute of National Security Studies of Sri Lanka, discussed artificial intelligence’s influence on human rights, particularly autonomous weapon systems. Colombage expressed concerns about the risks of autonomous weapon systems, which could lead to wrongful killings and indiscriminate attacks, threatening the fundamental right to life. He stressed that without the right to life, no other rights can be enjoyed. He called for international governance and regulation to establish legal and ethical standards for autonomous weapons deployment. Zamir Ahmed Awan, founding chair of the Global Silk Road Research Alliance think tank, examined the relationship between technological competition and justice. Awan said access to advanced technologies is a key component of human rights and criticized the United States for limiting opportunities for international students. He condemned the U.S. government’s recent cancellation of visas or legal status for more than 1,000 international students, calling it a human rights violation. In contrast, Awan praised the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Global Development Initiative for promoting international cooperation, sharing economic development experiences and cultivating high-tech talent through partnerships. A key highlight of the forum was the participants’ consensus that technology must be fundamentally oriented toward the protection of human rights. Participants said Asia needs to lead regional collaboration on human rights issues in emerging technologies. They called for efforts to build an equitable and inclusive global science and technology framework that advances the fulfillment of human rights. The forum also included three parallel sessions on emerging human rights issues in Asia, technology for good and other topics. This year’s forum builds on the inaugural Asian Forum on Human Rights held at Renmin University of China in 2022. The first forum centered on the theme of “Environment & Climate Change and Human Rights,” underscoring the vital link between environmental challenges and human rights.
Guests visit a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War held at the Chinese Embassy in Moscow, Russia, April 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)
A photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War was held at the Chinese Embassy in Russia on Friday.
The exhibition features 60 photos showcasing the arduous struggles of the Chinese people against Japanese invaders, the combat operations by Soviet volunteer air squadrons in China, the battles of the Soviet Red Army against the Japanese Kwantung Army in Northeast China and military exchanges between China and Russia in recent years.
“The exhibition is very impressive. I am so delighted to see so many well-preserved file photos,” Russian sinologist Yuri Tavrovsky told Xinhua.
He hopes that these historical photos could be fully utilized to better tell the touching stories of the two peoples fighting side by side in war and their mutual support.
The photo exhibition was supported by the Chinese embassy and co-organized by the Eurasia Regional Bureau of Xinhua News Agency, the China Image Group and Zhongchengtong International Investment Co., Ltd.
A visitor is pictured during a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War held at the Chinese Embassy in Moscow, Russia, April 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)
More than 400 people attended the event, among them were representatives of the descendants of Russian veterans who supported China in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Representatives from Russia’s political, military, academic and media circles, as well as non-governmental organizations, attended as well.
More than 20 Chinese and Malaysian think tank experts and scholars gathered in the Malaysian capital on April 17 for the “Envisioning the Future: Kuala Lumpur Dialogue,” focusing on new opportunities for economic cooperation between the two nations.
Yu Yunquan, vice president of China International Communications Group and president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, speaks at the “Envisioning the Future: Kuala Lumpur Dialogue” held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of ACCWS]
The event was co-organized by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS) and the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research, with support from the Fusion Institute, Malaysia-China Welfare Advisory Society and Bait Al-Amanah. About 200 participants from government agencies, think tanks, universities and businesses from both countries attended.
Yu Yunquan, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG) and president of the ACCWS, said in his opening speech that think tanks, as thought leaders, public opinion shapers and exchange facilitators, can strengthen China-Malaysia and China-ASEAN cooperation by researching practical approaches for development strategy alignment, guiding mutual public understanding between the two countries, and building multilateral dialogue platforms.
“CICG is ready to work with its Malaysian partners to enhance information dissemination, knowledge sharing and youth exchanges, strengthening people-to-people bonds for building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future,” Yu said.
Datuk Dr. Pamela Yong, chairwoman of the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy, speaks at the “Envisioning the Future: Kuala Lumpur Dialogue” held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of ACCWS]
Datuk Dr. Pamela Yong, chairwoman of the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy, said current protectionist trends and growing geopolitical competition among major powers highlight ASEAN’s urgent need for strategic reassessment.
“Diversification serves as a shield against uncertainty, creating opportunities, stimulating growth and enhancing resilience,” she said. “China remains a crucial partner for Malaysia and ASEAN in pursuing strategic diversification. Both sides should fully explore cooperation potential in the digital economy, green development and connectivity to achieve inclusive regional prosperity.”
YB Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong, Malaysian lawmaker, Malaysian Chinese Association president and former transport minister, said China-Malaysia relations show rare clarity and predictability amid global geopolitical fragmentation and rising protectionism.
“With the gradual alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and Malaysia’s national development plans, I have confidence that both nations will continue working together as key anchors for regional peace and progress,” he said.
He also proposed establishing the “Envisioning the Future” dialogue as a permanent annual platform for think tank cooperation and exchanges between the two countries.
In his keynote speech, former Chinese Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao said China and Malaysia are leveraging their digital and green economies as engines to jointly implement the strategic consensus between their leaders on building a community with a shared future, accelerating cooperation for a “new golden 50 years.”
“China’s deepening trade with Malaysia and ASEAN reflects the inclusive, equitable and shared development path of economic globalization, proving that protectionist backpedaling cannot reverse the historical trend of globalization,” he said.
Zhu suggested advancing the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 and regional financial safety net, while steadily enhancing the Chiang Mai Initiative’s effectiveness in addressing potential liquidity shocks and maintaining regional economic growth momentum.
Hu Zhengyue, former assistant minister of foreign affairs of China, said in his keynote speech that China-Malaysia trade has grown nearly twentyfold over the past two decades, now accounting for one-fifth of total China-ASEAN trade.
“The achievements in China-Malaysia cooperation stem from four pillars, which are strong political relations as the foundation, robust people-to-people networks as the bridge, substantial market demand as the base, and regional collaboration as the driving force,” he said. “With certain major powers’ policies potentially causing severe global governance failures, China must coordinate responses with both ASEAN and Malaysia to maintain positive trade momentum, upgrade industrial cooperation, tap infrastructure and tourism potential, and better safeguard shared interests to expand our cooperation.”
Participants listen to speeches during the “Envisioning the Future: Kuala Lumpur Dialogue” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of ACCWS]
Experts also participated in two plenary sessions and a roundtable discussion. The sessions focused on regional cooperation and economic revitalization to advance ASEAN’s stability and prosperity, along with cultural integration and intellectual exchange through education and the arts. The roundtable discussion explored joint efforts toward peaceful development.
Chinese and Malaysian experts agreed that strengthened China-Malaysia coordination and deeper regional cooperation would help ASEAN address geopolitical challenges while advancing economic integration and sustainable development.
China and ASEAN can strengthen regional resilience and create mutual benefits by expanding their collaboration in digital technology, green economy and connectivity despite current global uncertainties, experts said.
They stressed enhancing cultural-educational ties through resource-sharing, youth exchanges, university research and arts cooperation to strengthen regional cultural affinity. Multi-faceted people-to-people exchanges are crucial for building trust and supporting a united, inclusive Asian community with a shared future, they noted.
Yu concluded the dialogue event by expressing hope that amid complex global changes, think tanks should uphold the principle of seeking common ground while shelving differences, finding consensus amid divergences and resolving disputes through shared understanding. He stated that China and Malaysia think tanks must deepen cooperation to inject certainty and new momentum into bilateral collaboration.
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 20, 2025.
Mediawatch: Jailed Australian foreign correspondent’s life spread across the big screen By Colin Peacock, RNZ Mediawatch presenter In 1979, Sam Neill appeared in an Australian comedy movie about hacks on a Sydney newspaper. The Journalist was billed as “a saucy, sexy, funny look at a man with a nose for scandal and a weakness for women”. That would probably not fly these days — but as
Palestinian solidarity vigil at Easter in NZ as Israeli bombing rages in Gaza Asia Pacific Report Peaceful protesters in Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest city Auckland held an Easter prayer vigil honouring Palestinian political prisoners and the sacrifice of thousands of innocent lives as relentless Israeli bombing of displaced Gazans in tents killed at least 92 people in two days. Organisers of the rally for the 80th week since
Did Australia back the wrong war in the 1960s? Now Putin’s Russia is knocking on the door ANALYSIS: By Ben Bohane This week Cambodia marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Phnom Penh to the murderous Khmer Rouge, and Vietnam celebrates the fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese forces in April 1975. They are being commemorated very differently; after all, there’s nothing to celebrate in Cambodia. Its capital Phnom Penh was
Trump executive orders roll back ocean fisheries protections in Pacific By Gujari Singh in Washington The Trump administration has issued a new executive order opening up vast swathes of protected ocean to commercial exploitation, including areas within the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. It allows commercial fishing in areas long considered off-limits due to their ecological significance — despite overwhelming scientific consensus that marine
The United States will roughly halve its troops in Syria to less than 1,000 in the coming months, said a U.S. military official on Friday.
“Today the secretary of defense directed the consolidation of U.S. forces in Syria,” said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell in a statement, “This deliberate and conditions-based process will bring the U.S. footprint in Syria down to less than 1,000 U.S. forces in the coming months.”
He added that the U.S. Central Command will “remain poised to continue strikes against the remnants of IS in Syria.”
Over 5,000 U.S. troops have been deployed in Iraq to support the Iraqi forces during the battles against the Islamic State (IS) militants since 2014.
The troops were part of the U.S.-led international coalition against IS targets in both Iraq and Syria.
The Syrian government has repeatedly accused the U.S. forces of stealing Syrian oil and depriving the Syrians of their own resources amid a harsh economic situation caused largely by the U.S. sanctions.
The U.S. forces have established various bases in the oil-rich areas in northeastern Syria’s Al-Hasakah province and took control of the oil and gas fields there.
In 1979, Sam Neill appeared in an Australian comedy movie about hacks on a Sydney newspaper.
The Journalist was billed as “a saucy, sexy, funny look at a man with a nose for scandal and a weakness for women”.
That would probably not fly these days — but as a rule, movies about Australian journalists are no laughing matter.
Back in 1982, a young Mel Gibson starred as a foreign correspondent who was dropped into Jakarta during revolutionary chaos in The Year of Living Dangerously. The 1967 events the movie depicted were real enough, but Mel Gibson’s correspondent Guy Hamilton was made up for what was essentially a romantic drama.
There was no romance and a lot more real life 25 years later in Balibo, another movie with Australian journalists in harm’s way during Indonesian upheaval.
Anthony La Paglia had won awards for his performance as Roger East, a journalist killed in what was then East Timor — now Timor-Leste — in December 1975. East was killed while investigating the fate of five other journalists — including New Zealander Guy Cunningham — who was killed during the Indonesian invasion two months earlier.
The Correspondent has a happier ending but is still a tough watch — especially for its subject.
Met in London newsrooms I first met Peter Greste in newsrooms in London about 30 years ago. He had worked for Reuters, CNN, and the BBC — going on to become a BBC correspondent in Afghanistan.
He later reported from Belgrade, Santiago, and then Nairobi, from where he appeared regularly on RNZ’s Nine to Noon as an African news correspondent. Greste later joined the English-language network of the Doha-based Al Jazeera and became a worldwide story himself while filling in as the correspondent in Cairo.
Actor Richard Roxburgh as jailed journalist Peter Greste in The Correspondent alongside Al Jazeera colleagues Mohammed Fahmy and Baher Mohammed. Image: The Correspondent/RNZ
Greste and two Egyptian colleagues, Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy, were arrested in late 2013 on trumped-up charges of aiding and abetting the Muslim Brotherhood, an organisation labeled “terrorist” by the new Egyptian regime of the time.
Six months later he was sentenced to seven years in jail for “falsifying news” and smearing the reputation of Egypt itself. Mohamed was sentenced to 10 years.
Media organisations launched an international campaign for their freedom with the slogan “Journalism is not a crime”. Peter’s own family became familiar faces in the media while working hard for his release too.
Peter Greste was deported to Australia in February 2015. The deal stated he would serve the rest of his sentence there, but the Australian government did not enforce that. Instead, Greste became a professor of media and journalism, currently at Macquarie University in Sydney.
Movie consultant Among other things, he has also been a consultant on The Correspondent — now in cinemas around New Zealand — with Richard Roxborough cast as Greste himself.
Australian professor of journalism Peter Greste …. posing for a photograph when he was an Al Jazeera journalist in Kibati village, near Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on 7 August 2013. Image: IFEX media freedom/APR
“I eventually came to realise it’s not me that’s up there on the screen. It’s the product of a whole bunch of creatives. And the result is … more like a painting rather than a photograph,” Greste told Mediawatch.
“Over the years I’ve written about it, I’ve spoken about it countless times. I’ve built a career on it. But I wasn’t really anticipating the emotional impact of seeing the craziness of my arrest, the confusion of that period, the claustrophobia of the cell, the sheer frustration of the crazy trial and the really discombobulating moment of my release.
“But there is another very difficult story about what happened to a colleague of mine in Somalia, which I haven’t spoken about publicly. Seeing that on screen was actually pretty gut-wrenching.”
In 2005, his BBC colleague Kate Peyton was shot alongside him on their first day in on assignment in Somalia. She died soon after.
“That was probably the toughest day of my entire life far over and above anything I went through in Egypt. But I am glad that they put it in [The Correspondent]. It underlines … the way in which journalism is under attack. What happened to us in Egypt wasn’t a random, isolated incident — but part of a much longer pattern we’re seeing continue to this day.”
Supporters of the jailed British-Egyptian human rights activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah take part in a candlelight vigil outside Downing Street in London, United Kingdom, as he begins a complete hunger strike while world leaders arrive for COP27 climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022. Image: RNZ Mediawatch/AFP
‘Owed his life’ Greste says he “owes his life” to fellow prisoner Alaa Abd El-Fattah — an Egyptian activist who is also in the film.
“There’s a bit of artistic licence in the way it was portrayed but . . . he is easily one of the most intelligent, astute and charismatic humanitarians I’ve ever come across. He was one of the main pro-democracy activists who was behind the Arab Spring revolution in 2011 — a true democrat.
“He also inspired me to write the letters that we smuggled out of prison that described our arrest not as an attack on … what we’d actually come to represent. And that was press freedom.
“That helped frame the campaign that ultimately got me out. So, for both psychological and political reasons, I feel like I owe him my life.
“There was nothing in our reporting that confirmed the allegations against us. So I started to drag up all sorts of demons from the past. I started thinking maybe this is the universe punishing me for sins of the past. I was obviously digging up that particular moment as one of the most extreme and tragic moments. It took a long time for me to get past it.
“He’d been in prison a lot because of his activism, so he understood the psychology of it. He also understood the politics of it in ways that I could never do as a newcomer.”
“Unfortunately, he is still there. He should have been released on September 29th last year. His mother launched a hunger strike in London . . . so I actually joined her on hunger strike earlier this year to try and add pressure.
“If this movie also draws a bit of attention to his case, then I think that’s an important element.”
Another wrinkle Another wrinkle in the story was the situation of his two Egyptian Al Jazeera colleagues.
Greste was essentially a stranger to them, having only arrived in Egypt shortly before their arrest.
The film shows Greste clashing with Fahmy, who later sued Al Jazeera. Fahmy felt the international pressure to free Greste was making their situation worse by pushing the Egyptian regime into a corner.
“To call it a confrontation is probably a bit of an understatement. We had some really serious arguments and sometimes they got very, very heated. But I want audiences to really understand Fahmy’s worldview in this film.
“He and I had very different understandings of what was going … and how those differences played out.
“I’ve got a hell of a lot of respect for him. He is like a brother to me. That doesn’t mean we always agreed with each other and doesn’t mean we always got on with each other like any siblings, I suppose.”
His colleagues were eventually released on bail shortly after Greste’s deportation in 2015.
Fahmy renounced his Egyptian citizenship and was later deported to Canada, while Mohamed was released on bail and eventually pardoned.
Retrial — all ‘reconvicted’ “After I was released there was a retrial … and we were all reconvicted. They were finally released and pardoned, but the pardon didn’t extend to me.
“I can’t go back because I’m still a convicted ‘terrorist’ and I still have an outstanding prison sentence to serve, which is a little bit weird. Any country that has an extradition treaty with Egypt is a problem. There are a fairly significant number of those across the Middle East and Africa.”
Greste told Mediawatch his conviction was even flagged in transit in Auckland en route from New York to Sydney. He was told he failed a character test.
“I was able to resolve it. I had some friends in Canberra and were able to sort it out, but I was told in no uncertain terms I’m not allowed into New Zealand without getting a visa because of that criminal record.
“If I’m traveling to any country I have to say … I was convicted on terrorism offences. Generally speaking, I can explain it, but it often takes a lot of bureaucratic process to do that.”
Greste’s first account of his time in jail — The First Casualty — was published in 2017. Most of the book was about media freedom around the world, lamenting that the numbers of journalists jailed and killed increased after his release.
Something that Greste also now ponders a lot in his current job as a professor of media and journalism.
Ten years on from that, it is worse again. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says at least 124 journalists and media workers were killed last year, nearly two-thirds of them Palestinians killed by Israel in its war in Gaza.
The book has now been updated and republished as The Correspondent.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Three Chinese industrial associations have voiced strong opposition to the restrictive measures imposed by the United States, following a Section 301 investigation into China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors.
The U.S. move will severely undermine the interests of logistics providers, ship and cargo owners, importers and exporters, and consumers in both countries, harming China-U.S. economic and trade exchange, the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing said in a statement on Saturday.
The move is likely to raise international logistics costs, undermine the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and endanger global economic growth, the federation said.
It urged its members, along with global peers in the logistics, purchasing and supply chain industries, to strengthen cooperation to safeguard the stability and smooth operations of global industrial and supply chains in the face of the challenges posed by U.S. trade protectionism.
Echoing the federation’s remarks, the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry said that the U.S. measures are based on false accusations and flawed investigations, calling them an “unjustified attack” on China’s shipbuilding industry and a “blatant violation” of international trade rules.
The association warned that instead of reviving the U.S. shipbuilding industry, such measures will likely drive up international shipping costs and further exacerbate inflationary pressures in the United States — ultimately harming the livelihoods of the American people.
Moreover, the China Shipowners’ Association emphasized the critical role that Chinese shipowners play in maintaining the smooth operations of the global supply chain.
It noted that Chinese shipping companies adhere strictly to international trade norms, and have consistently provided stable and reliable logistics services to support global trade, including trade with the United States.
It said that United States should halt its politically driven investigations and discriminatory measures to avoid bringing further damage to the global maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors.
Three Chinese industrial associations have voiced strong opposition to the restrictive measures imposed by the United States, following a Section 301 investigation into China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors.
The U.S. move will severely undermine the interests of logistics providers, ship and cargo owners, importers and exporters, and consumers in both countries, harming China-U.S. economic and trade exchange, the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing said in a statement on Saturday.
The move is likely to raise international logistics costs, undermine the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and endanger global economic growth, the federation said.
It urged its members, along with global peers in the logistics, purchasing and supply chain industries, to strengthen cooperation to safeguard the stability and smooth operations of global industrial and supply chains in the face of the challenges posed by U.S. trade protectionism.
Echoing the federation’s remarks, the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry said that the U.S. measures are based on false accusations and flawed investigations, calling them an “unjustified attack” on China’s shipbuilding industry and a “blatant violation” of international trade rules.
The association warned that instead of reviving the U.S. shipbuilding industry, such measures will likely drive up international shipping costs and further exacerbate inflationary pressures in the United States — ultimately harming the livelihoods of the American people.
Moreover, the China Shipowners’ Association emphasized the critical role that Chinese shipowners play in maintaining the smooth operations of the global supply chain.
It noted that Chinese shipping companies adhere strictly to international trade norms, and have consistently provided stable and reliable logistics services to support global trade, including trade with the United States.
It said that United States should halt its politically driven investigations and discriminatory measures to avoid bringing further damage to the global maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Parents get 95 hours back as free Breakfast Clubs are rolled out
First 750 breakfast clubs to rollout from Tuesday, delivering on government’s manifesto commitment and promise to put more money in working people’s pockets
Tens of thousands of working parents will, from Tuesday, be supported with more flexibility and choice from the rollout of free breakfast clubs across England, as the government delivers on its promise of 30 minutes of free childcare every day.
As children return from the Easter holidays, the first 750 schools across the country are set to begin offering free breakfast clubs. This will help parents get up to 95 hours back a year – giving them more support at a crucial time in the morning as they balance busy lives of work and childcare.
New government data shows that over half of parents would use this time to juggle parenting with working, training or studying.
The free breakfast clubs will save parents up to £450 a year and come alongside a raft of measures from government to provide parents with greater choice and help with the cost of living, such as a cap on school uniform costs and expanding free childcare for under-fives to 30 hours per week.
It comes as major employers like British Airways, Accenture and Rigby Group back the clubs to support parents to work more flexibly.
The rollout delivers on the government’s manifesto promise to ensure state schools offer free breakfast clubs to all pupils, while supporting its Plan for Change milestone to ensure tens of thousands more children start school ready to learn.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:
Free breakfast clubs are at the heart of our Plan for Change, making working parents’ lives easier and more affordable, while breaking down barriers to opportunity for every child.
From Tyneside to Truro, England is one of the first countries in Europe to open universal free breakfast clubs, saving parents up to £450 per year and making sure every child starts school ready to learn.
This government is delivering on our promises to working parents, rolling out free breakfast clubs, school-based nurseries, and giving every child across the country the best start in life.
Across the country, school leaders have seen breakfast clubs drive improvements in attendance, attainment and behaviour.
This government is going further and faster, using the 750 free breakfast clubs as a key tool to tackle barriers to learning in schools, with 500,000 primary school pupils missing at least one day of school every fortnight last year, 1 in every 3 pupils not ready to start school at age 5 and 1 in every 50 pupils suspended at least once.
Sean Doyle, Chairman and Chief Executive, British Airways said:
We welcome the Government’s new free Breakfast Club initiative and any effort to support children’s health and learning, while providing more flexibility for working parents and reducing their childcare costs.
Shaheen Sayed, Head of Accenture in the UK, Ireland and Africa, said:
As a major employer in the UK flexibility is a priority, and we understand the importance of creating an environment where everyone can achieve a healthy work-life balance.
We welcome the government’s roll out of 750 new free breakfast clubs across the country as a targeted investment in the future of the workforce and a major step to reducing pressures on working families.
Breakfast clubs not only improve educational outcomes for children but also enable greater workforce participation, allowing working parents and carers to achieve their professional and personal aspirations.
Steve Rigby Co-CEO, Rigby Group said:
As the West Midlands’ largest philanthropic family working with disadvantaged children, we wholeheartedly support the government’s rollout of breakfast clubs.
Breakfast clubs provide support to parents, improve attendance and provide an important start to young people in the start of their school day.
St Benedict’s Primary School, which currently offers breakfast club provision, is going to be one of the early adopter schools to expand the benefits of the club.
Emma Nott, Head Teacher at St Benedict’s Primary School said:
For us, the funding will help us to offer breakfast clubs for free – which is crucial to encourage take up and for more children to reap the benefits.
Our fantastic staff truly believe in this policy, and we are already seeing children’s attendance increase as a result of the club.
It also gives pupils time to adjust between home and school life, especially on a Monday morning, prioritising this for 30 minutes makes a whole world of difference.
Too many children’s life chances have been scarred by poverty, with a third of children leaving primary school without fundamental reading, writing and maths skills, this increases to over half for disadvantaged pupils.
This government has set out a clear commitment to break down barriers to opportunity for every child, with breakfast clubs proven to boost children’s reading, writing and maths by an average of two months.
Craig Jones, Director of the Junior Adventures Group and the PVI Network:
We can see the positive impact enriching breakfast clubs can have on children and families lives, providing a positive, active start to the day and supporting families with work-life balance.
As PVI providers we are excited about the launch of the early adopter scheme and are fully supportive of providing valuable feedback and innovative delivery models during this ‘test & learn’ phase of the free breakfast club offer.
Free breakfast clubs in the early adopter schools will shape the future of the national breakfast club policy, contributing directly to its implementation. Further details on the national roll out of the breakfast clubs programme will follow in due course.
Mr Tong and his family of four live in an old building in Cheung Sha Wan where a fire previously broke out in their building. The fire occurred directly above Mr Tong’s apartment and even though firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze, he explained that he was deeply troubled by having to deal with the aftermath.
“When I got home, water was pouring from the ceiling. The floor was flooded, and even the walls and door were saturated with water.
“The dripping lasted for hours. I kept mopping, but the ceiling was badly damaged. Paint and concrete peeled off. The door deformed and could not lock anymore. I felt helpless.”
Thankfully, the Cheung Sha Wan Sub-district Care Team came to Mr Tong’s aid swiftly.
Rapid support
On the night of the fire, members of the care team immediately arrived at the scene to assist affected residents. After the fire was extinguished, the team conducted home visits and discovered Mr Tong’s situation.
Sham Shui Po District Cheung Sha Wan Sub-district Care Team Captain Kathy Li pointed out that as residents returned to their units, the care team, together with the district councillor, conducted home visits to assess the impact, focusing on the fire-affected floors and units below.
During such visits, they discovered Mr Tong’s apartment, which was experiencing severe water damage.
Subsequently, the care team arranged a free inspection of the apartment for Mr Tong. During the inspection, the surveyor provided him with a detailed assessment of the damage.
“I am really thankful for the support provided by the care team,” Mr Tong said.
Benevolent purpose
As of the end of January, care teams across Hong Kong had conducted home visits to about 390,000 households. Additionally, they have provided more than 40,000 instances of basic home services and other support services, and organised over 20,000 district activities.
In order to highlight the selfless dedication of the care teams and provide a platform for the 452 care teams in the city to share their experiences, an appreciation event was held.
While officiating at the event, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki underlined the Government’s commitment to enhancing support for the care teams.
He emphasised that the teams have played a vital role, not only in promoting activities and services but also in assisting the Government during emergencies. Their contributions have been widely recognised and praised by the community.
In last year’s Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced that the Government will regularise the establishment of care teams and increase funding by 50% in the next term of service in support of their work.
The Chief Secretary said the Government hopes that with the additional resources, the care teams can expand their reach and provide even more comprehensive support to those in need.
Selfless care
At the event, Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak also expressed her gratitude to the care teams for their unwavering dedication.
She stressed that they are all volunteers, and that the Government’s funding goes directly towards benefitting residents with services and essential supplies.
She also pointed out that their work embodies the spirit of genuine care, found in the smallest but most meaningful details, which form the foundation of a harmonious community.
