Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A resident takes photos of a Labubu toy at the Taipa exhibition area of “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK” in south China’s Macao, June 6, 2025. The tourism office of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, together with China’s trendy toy maker POP MART, on Friday launched “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK,” a cultural tourism initiative with the unveiling of a 7-meter-high toy Labubu known for its toothy grin. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
The tourism office of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, together with China’s trendy toy maker POP MART, on Friday launched “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK,” a cultural tourism initiative with the unveiling of a 7-meter-high toy Labubu known for its toothy grin.
The office noted that, spanning 108 days from Monday to September 21, the event will bring POP MART’s globally popular characters, including Baby Molly, Crybaby Dimoo, and Labubu, to four iconic locations across Macao.
A special “pop station” was set up at Senado Square, featuring a pop-up shop and a Macao-themed Mega Space Molly Egg Tart installation, where visitors could collect themed postcards and stamps at each site.
Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the tourism office, stated to the media that POP MART has a vast resource in terms of the number of fans worldwide. “When people come to take photos with the figures, they are also walking around the city and seeing different kinds of elements related to the city,” she added.
Ms. Lin from Guangzhou was visiting Macao particularly for the event. Showing her two Labubu dolls and delicate decorations, she said she had only recently become familiar with the character and had become quite interested in the IP series.
The project integrated a regional e-payment consumption lucky draw, open to users from Macao, Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Visitors visit the Taipa exhibition area of “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK” in south China’s Macao, June 6, 2025. The tourism office of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, together with China’s trendy toy maker POP MART, on Friday launched “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK,” a cultural tourism initiative with the unveiling of a 7-meter-high toy Labubu known for its toothy grin. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
Guests attend the opening ceremony of “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK” in south China’s Macao, June 6, 2025. The tourism office of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, together with China’s trendy toy maker POP MART, on Friday launched “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK,” a cultural tourism initiative with the unveiling of a 7-meter-high toy Labubu known for its toothy grin. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
Residents pose for photos at the Taipa exhibition area of “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK” in south China’s Macao, June 6, 2025. The tourism office of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, together with China’s trendy toy maker POP MART, on Friday launched “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK,” a cultural tourism initiative with the unveiling of a 7-meter-high toy Labubu known for its toothy grin. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
In a wetland park in the industrial hub of Wuxi in Jiangsu Province, east China, an AI-powered system tracks bird species, among which is the critically endangered Baer’s pochard.
Installed at a biodiversity observatory in the district of Xinwu, the system can identify species and analyze population dynamics and behavioral patterns. Since its deployment in late 2024, the system has logged more than 30,000 bird activity video records.
“The large-scale appearance of Baer’s pochards reflects a significant improvement in the local ecosystem,” said Yin Songjiang, an official with the district’s ecology and environment bureau.
This project offers a glimpse into how one of the nation’s economic powerhouse provinces is leveraging smart technologies to protect the environment and biodiversity.
Jiangsu, a manufacturing heartland with a GDP of 13.7 trillion yuan (1.9 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2024, has been pioneering a new path that reconciles dense industrial development with vibrant biodiversity.
According to the Department of Ecology and Environment of Jiangsu Province, it has been redefining environmental stewardship with AI and digital tools, making ecological governance more precise, dynamic and effective.
TECH-DRIVEN POLLUTION CONTROL
In Jiangning District in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province, high-tech instruments track air pollutants like PM2.5 in real time.
“Airborne pollutants cannot escape the scrutiny of our automated systems,” said Wang Xin, deputy director of the Jiangning district department of ecology and environment. “Once detected, the pollution source is automatically reported, enabling swift and targeted pollution response.”
Official data show that Jiangsu saw 82.5 percent of its days with good air quality last year, a 4.6-percentage-point improvement year-on-year and the best record since 2013.
Local authorities have also beefed up efforts to monitor and tackle water pollution.
Along riverbanks in the city of Suzhou, compact monitoring outposts autonomously analyze pollutants and transmit data. Drones equipped with infrared and high-definition cameras monitor river temperatures and detect illicit wastewater discharges.
Taihu Lake, China’s third-largest freshwater lake, reported its best water quality in three decades in 2024. A smart dredging vessel capable of removing 5,000 cubic meters of nutrient-rich silt daily has helped suppress algal blooms.
A multilayered smart surveillance network, spanning satellite remote sensing, AI-powered hyperspectral drone imagery, and underwater sensors, tracks algae and dissolved oxygen in real time.
SMART BIODIVERSITY MONITORING
In Jiangsu’s biodiversity database, wildlife footage is updated in real time. A few clicks can reveal infrared footage of a Pere David’s deer — an endangered species now thriving in Yancheng, home to the world’s largest wild herd of the animal. From just 39 deer in 1986, the population there has soared to 8,216 today.
Jiangsu’s embrace of intelligent observation tools is redefining how species are tracked and studied.
In Nanjing’s Jiangxinzhou wetland park, 11 smart video stations help to monitor key species. Along the banks of the Yangtze River, the world’s third-longest river, night-vision laser cameras capture footage of the elusive Yangtze finless porpoise.
Nanjing has become the first city in China where this critically endangered freshwater mammal can be observed in the downtown area. In 2024, there were more than 1,800 sightings, a figure more than double that recorded five years ago.
According to the provincial department of ecology and environment, Jiangsu is home to 8,842 species, an extraordinary number for a heavily industrialized region.
These efforts have yielded tangible economic returns. In 2024, Jiangsu’s ecotourism destinations welcomed 300 million visitors, generating over 16 billion yuan in direct revenues.
The province has also passed a local regulation for biodiversity protection and plans to establish 20 AI-powered biodiversity observatories in key areas by the end of this year.
“These smart observatories will lay a solid foundation for long-term biodiversity monitoring and scientific research,” said Wu Jun, an official with the provincial ecology and environment department.
In a major boost to connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, regular services of the Vande Bharat Express between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra commence on Saturday.
The Northern Railway has confirmed that the semi-high-speed trains will operate six days a week, significantly reducing travel time between the Kashmir Valley and the prominent pilgrimage hub in Katra.
This development marks a transformative step in the region’s transport infrastructure.
The new Vande Bharat service will cut travel time between Srinagar and Katra to just three hours—less than half of the current six to seven hours required by road.
Two pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains—Train Nos. 26404/26403 and 26401/26402—will run on the newly inaugurated Srinagar–Katra–Srinagar route, with scheduled halts at Banihal.
These trains are specially designed to function in extreme winter conditions and are equipped with advanced heating systems, thermally insulated lavatories, heated windshields, and defrosting technology for improved driver visibility.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off the inaugural run of these trains, following the successful completion of the 272-kilometer Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project—a long-awaited engineering feat that includes the iconic Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge.
Until now, train services in the region were limited to the Banihal–Baramulla section in the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu–Udhampur–Katra section in the Jammu region.
The extension of Vande Bharat services will not only provide a faster and more reliable mode of transportation for residents and tourists but is also expected to facilitate easier access for pilgrims visiting the revered Vaishno Devi shrine.
With seamless all-weather operations and premium onboard amenities, the Vande Bharat Express promises to enhance the travel experience and strengthen regional connectivity, linking North India more closely with the Valley.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
As tours to China become more accessible and attractive, traveling and shopping in this country is becoming a new trend among foreign tourists. The practical advice – “When going to China, be sure to take an empty suitcase!” – has recently caused a heated discussion on foreign social networks. From “traveling around China” to “shopping in China”: the emotions of traveling and sweeping goods off the shelves make foreign guests unanimously exclaim: “Super!”
Simon and Mary, who came from Australia, are very interested in tech products, so they made Huaqiangbei (Shenzhen) the last stop of their trip. Very soon, they had a rich “catch”: phone accessories, fans, headphones and portable chargers filled two huge bags. In the guidebooks that foreign tourists share with each other, Huaqiangbei, a paradise of high technology and a place where you can haggle to your heart’s content, is gradually becoming a must-see, popular attraction.
After choosing the goods on the upper floors, you can go down and immediately arrange delivery. Huaqiangbei has all kinds of services: currency exchange, international logistics, tax refund on purchased goods, which is equivalent to a 10% discount. According to the seller of the Chinese-made drone store, they currently sell about 50 drones a week, half of which are purchased by foreign tourists. Data from the tax refund agency also shows that sales of Chinese smartphones and drones are in the lead, accounting for 38% of all tax refund requests.
Andy volunteers in Huaqiangbei. He believes that the current shopping boom among foreign tourists in Huaqiangbei is not only due to the low prices: “The range of goods here is truly amazing. There is a huge choice, for every budget. “Variety” is the word I would use to describe it. It’s really great!”
In case you missed it, California is the biggest “donor state” in the country — providing around $83 billion more to the federal government than it receives from the federal government — nearly three times as much as the next biggest “donor state.”
As a recent Bloomberg column stated: “It should go without saying California is critical to US economic dominance globally, accounting for more than 14% of US’s $28 trillion of GDP as measured by the World Bank and more than 50% greater than the next largest state by the size of its economy — Texas.”
Early this year, Paul Krugman, the 2008 Nobel Laureate in economics, wrote that California is “an economic and technological powerhouse” that “is literally subsidizing the rest of the United States, red states in particular, through the federal budget.” Without California, “America would be a lot poorer and weaker than it is.”
And according to most recent data (2022), California contributes nearly $700 billion to the federal government. Simply put, as California goes — so goes the country.
Key economic data
California is the world’s 4th largest economy, with an increasing state population — multiple years in a row — and recent record-high tourism spending. And for the second year in a row, leads the nation in Fortune 500 company headquarters.
California is number 1 in the nation for new business starts, access to venture capital funding, manufacturing, high-tech, and agriculture.
California is the leading agricultural producer in the country and is also the center for manufacturing output in the United States, with over 36,000 manufacturing firms employing over 1.1 million Californians.
The Golden State’s manufacturing firms have created new industries and supplied the world with manufactured goods spanning aerospace, computers and electronics, and, most recently, zero-emission vehicles.
Press releases, Recent news
Recent news
Jun 6, 2025
News LOS ANGELES – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement in response to widespread immigration raids by federal agents: Continued chaotic federal sweeps, across California, to meet an arbitrary arrest quota are as reckless as they are cruel. …
Jun 6, 2025
News Reduce the Risk campaign educates people about the 9 protection orders available What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced a comprehensive campaign to engage youth and community leaders on the available protection orders to keep Californians safer from gun…
Jun 5, 2025
News What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the Golden State Literacy Plan — a step-by-step strategy to improve student reading achievement across California, building on existing efforts and proposing bold new investments. The Golden State…
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
UK and India to bolster economic and migration ties as Foreign Secretary delivers on Plan for Change during visit
Bolstering economic and migration ties and delivering further growth opportunities for British businesses are set to be at the top of the Foreign Secretary’s visit to India this weekend.
Talks with the Indian Government to deepen and diversify the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries to deliver for working people in the UK.
Comes after historic Free Trade Agreement was agreed between the UK and India set to increase trade by more than £25bn every year.
Foreign Secretary will meet with Prime Minister Modi on his second visit to India to discuss ongoing economic and migration partnership
Bolstering economic and migration ties and delivering further growth opportunities for British businesses are set to be at the top of the Foreign Secretary’s visit to India this weekend.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy will travel to New Delhi to further advance an ambitious UK-India relationship during talks with the Indian Government, including Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, alongside government officials.
The visit follows the historic Free Trade Agreement signed between the two countries and will deliver on this government’s commitment to boost jobs and prosperity back in the UK, as part of the government’s Plan for Change. The new deal with India is expected to increase bilateral trade by over £25 billion every year, UK GDP by £4.8 billion, and wages by £2.2 billion each year in the long run, putting money back in the pockets of working people.
The Foreign Secretary will also welcome progress in our migration partnership, including ongoing work on safeguarding citizens and securing borders in both countries. Addressing migration remains a top priority for the government – the Foreign Secretary is focused on working internationally with global partners to secure the UK’s borders at home.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:
India was one of my first visits as Foreign Secretary, and since then has been a key partner in the delivery of our Plan for Change. Our relationship has gone from strength to strength – securing our future technologies, adding over £25bn in trade every year between our countries and deepening the strong links between our cultures and people.
Signing a free trade agreement is just the start of our ambitions – we’re building a modern partnership with India for a new global era. We want to go even further to foster an even closer relationship and cooperate when it comes to delivering growth, fostering innovative technology, tackling the climate crisis and delivering our migration priorities, and providing greater security for our people.
The Foreign Secretary will also meet with leading figures in Indian business to discuss how we can unlock even greater investment by Indian business in the UK. Our investment relationship supports over 600,000 jobs across both countries, with over 950 Indian-owned companies in the UK and over 650 UK companies in India. In 2023-24, India was the UK’s second largest source of investments in terms of number of projects for the fifth consecutive year.
Talks will also take stock of progress, following a commitment by the UK and Indian Prime Ministers to take forward an ambitious UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The trade deal is a key example of the progress being made since the last meeting between the Foreign Secretary and his Indian counterpart. It follows the signing of the UK-India Programme of Cultural Cooperation Agreement in May and £400m of trade and investment wins boosting the British and the Indian economy at the Economic and Financial Dialogue in April.
The Foreign Secretary is also expected to address the recent escalation in tensions following the Pahalgam terrorist attack and how the welcomed sustained period of peace can be best supported in the interests of stability in the region.
The visit comes as some of India’s top business leaders endorsed the trade deal which will increase opportunities for trade and investment between the UK and India. It also comes ahead of the launch of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, which will make it quicker, easier and cheaper to do business in the UK.
Notes to Editors:
On 2 May, the UK and India signed a new UK-India Programme of Cultural Cooperation to boost collaboration across the arts and culture, creative industries, tourism and sport sectors. The agreement will open the door for increased UK creative exports to India and enable more partnerships between UK and Indian museums and cultural institutions, helping to grow UK soft power.
At the 13th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) in April, Chancellor Rachel Reeves welcomed £400m of trade and investment wins set to boost the British and the Indian economy and deliver economic growth and security for working people.
David Lammy travelled to India on his first official visit as Foreign Secretary in July last year, when he announced the landmark UK-India Technology Security Initiative. The initiative is delivering crucial collaboration on telecoms security and unlocking investment across emerging technologies – telecoms, critical minerals, AI, quantum, health/bio tech, advanced materials and semiconductors.
Bodies located near crashed car following search for tourists missing in Tasmania
Saturday, 7 June 2025 – 1:07 am.
Sadly, police can confirm two bodies, believed to be that of missing tourists Leannedra Kang and Takahiro Toya, have been located near a crashed vehicle in northeast Tasmania this evening. Inspector Luke Manhood said police located a car in water off Tebrakunna Road about 5.30pm on Friday, with the deceased pair found nearby a short time later. “At this early stage it appears they were travelling over a bridge when the vehicle has left the roadway and ended up in the water,” he said. “This is a tragic outcome, and our thoughts are with their families and loved ones.” “Our initial investigations suggest there are no suspicious circumstances, but further forensic examinations will now take place as is the usual process, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.” “We would like to thank community members for their efforts in providing information to assist in the search.”
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
June 06, 2025
RICHMOND – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge—the first such Refuge in the Chicago metropolitan area—to celebrate a major milestone in regional conservation. Durbin has championed Hackmatack for more than a dozen years, including by helping secure federal funding for the Refuge.
Durbin’s visit to Hackmatack highlights the recent acquisition of Tamarack Farms, the refuge’s largest acquisition, which connects to existing protected lands, and was made possible in part due to an earmark secured by Durbin in 2022.
“In 2012, I visited Hackmatack to officially designate the site as a National Wildlife Refuge. I am thrilled to return today to celebrate this historic expansion,” said Durbin. “The dream of protecting Tamarack Farms has now become a reality, and I was honored to secure an earmark that helped cover some of this acquisition. Hackmatack’s more than 11,000 acres are home to rare natural communities, unusual glacial landforms, high quality waters, and abundant native plants. Thanks to the work done by Friends of Hackmatack, Openlands, the Conservation Fund, McHenry County Conservation District, and Illinois Audobon Society, Illinoisans and Wisconsinites can enjoy these precious natural resources. I’ll continue advocating for the protection of this refuge on the federal level.”
“Hackmatack is more than a refuge for wildlife, it’s a refuge for people. With 80 percent of Americans living in metropolitan areas, the need for accessible nature has never been greater. Thanks to Senator Durbin’s leadership, dedicated grassroots advocates, and strong partnerships, this refuge stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when we work together: healthier communities, stronger local economies, and a deeper regional identity rooted in nature,” said Michael Davidson, President and CEO at Openlands.
“We were happy to have played a part in securing the 1,000 acres and are pleased to see that the plans put in place are moving forward to create habitat for threatened and endangered species of plants and wildlife, and to provide an opportunity in the future for the public to discover a new appreciation of nature here at the refuge,” said Jo Fessett, Executive Director at Illinois Audubon Society.
“Tamarack Farms will enable the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to dramatically expand public land access for residents and visitors of the region,” said Emy Brawley, VP Midwest for The Conservation Fund. “Senator Durbin’s steadfast support of Hackmatack has been key in achieving this top conservation priority and realizing the many benefits that will flow from it.”
To date, approximately 3,299 acres have been protected within the greater Hackmatack area, including 890 acres now owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Refuge provides vital habitat for 109 wildlife species of concern and serves as a key link in the regional conservation landscape. Hackmatack is poised to enhance McHenry County’s identity as a nature destination, contributing to a growing tourism sector generating $344 million in visitor spending and over 2,000 jobs.
Durbin worked with the Obama Administration’s then Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar to officially establish the area as a National Wildlife Refuge in 2012. In Fiscal Year 2022, Durbin secured a $500,000 earmark for additional land acquisition in Hackmatack—which was used for the acquisition and transfer some of the Tamarack Farms to the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
06.06.25
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME), reintroduced the Working Waterfronts Act, legislation which includes more than a dozen provisions aimed at boosting the workforce, energy and shoreside infrastructure, food security, and economies of coastal communities in Alaska and across the country. The bill will also support efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on coastal communities and strengthen federal conservation research projects.
In October 2022, Senator Murkowski began soliciting feedback from Alaskans to help draft the Working Waterfronts legislation. After a two-year period of close collaboration with stakeholders and colleagues in the Senate, she introduced the legislation for the first time in February of 2024.
“One of my priorities this Congress was reintroducing the Working Waterfronts Act, a comprehensive and collective effort to harness the potential of the blue economy for Alaska’s coastal communities,” said Senator Murkowski. “With 66,000 miles of coastline, it is vital Alaska strengthens our shoreside infrastructure and supports workforce development to ensure the sustainability and growth of our fisheries, tourism, and mariculture sectors. This legislation will provide essential resources for alternative energy initiatives, improve community processing facilities, and promote safety and wellness in the maritime workforce. Together, we can build a resilient future for our coastal communities while addressing climate change and preserving our precious marine ecosystems.”
“Maine’s coastal communities are changing. From a warming climate to an evolving economy, the Gulf of Maine faces both historic opportunities and challenges that will define our state’s success for generations,” said Senator King. “The Working Waterfronts Act would provide Maine’s working waterfronts up and down the coast with the necessary financial, energy and infrastructure resources to adapt to the rapidly shifting dynamics of natural disasters affecting economic and tourism operations. It would also help support the necessary workforce to sustain our coastal businesses. Thanks to my colleagues for working with me to ensure our waterfronts have the necessary tools and resources to thrive for years to come.”
“The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) thanks Senator Murkowski for her continued efforts to support Alaska’s commercial fishing industry, which provides tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic impact across the state. The Working Waterfronts Act would make impactful changes that are needed now, such as expanding access for fishermen and processors to USDA loans, grants for improving waterfront infrastructure that benefit commercial fishermen, and creating a new program to improve maritime workforce development. These changes, along with many others in the Act, provide needed help the Alaska seafood industry, a critical pillar of Alaska’s economy,” said Greg Smith, Communications Director at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI).
“Senator Murkowski’s Working Waterfronts Act highlights the key priorities vital to the future of Alaska’s seafood industry. From modernizing infrastructure to building a resilient workforce and supporting innovation, this bill addresses the real challenges facing our coastal communities. We’re proud to support this effort and stand with Senator Murkowski in securing a strong future for Alaska’s working waterfronts,” said Kristy Clement, CEO of Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation.
“Senator Murkowski’s Working Waterfronts Act is a comprehensive bill that invests in the modernization of our vital working waterfronts and the resiliency and success of our fishing and seafood industries,” said Robert Vandermark,executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network. “This bill champions crucial improvements to shoreside facilities and infrastructure that support thriving coastal economies and promotes the development of a stronger future workforce to ensure American fishing traditions can continue for generations. This legislation also supports research and stewardship of economically important ocean ecosystems and fisheries to help them endure in a changing climate. The Network supports the Working Waterfronts Act and thanks Senator Murkowski for listening to the needs of our fishing communities and providing a foresighted path to support their businesses and ways of life.”
“The seafood industry has always been a critical part of the Blue Economy, even before the phrase was coined. Alaska’s seafood industry produces an economic impact of $15 billion in the U.S. annually. Senator Murkowski’s wholistic approach to a thriving waterfront is visionary. The Working Waterfront Act supports and expands access to critical infrastructure and resources upon which the seafood industry relies. Specific to seafood harvesting and processing, the Working Waterfront Act incentives co-investment by providing access to USDA loan programs which will help American fishermen and processors compete with other countries – an excellent example of good domestic economic policy,” Julie Decker, President, Pacific Seafood Processors Association.
Bill Highlights:
Investing in Energy and Shoreside Infrastructure
Tax Credits for Marine Energy Projects supports projects that produce electricity from waves, tides, and ocean currents.
Fishing Vessel Alternative Fuels Pilot Program provides resources to help transition fishing vessels from diesel to alternative fuel sources such as electric or hybrid, and funds research and development of alternative fuel technologies for fishing vessels.
Rural Coastal Community Processing and Cold Storage Grant increases support for community infrastructure such as cold storage, cooperative processing facilities, and mariculture/seaweed processing facilities by establishing a competitive grant program through the Department of Commerce for rural and small-scale projects.
Working Waterfronts Development Act establishes a grant program for infrastructure improvements for facilities benefitting commercial and recreational fishermen, mariculturists, and the boatbuilding industry.
Boosting Maritime Workforce Development and Blue Economy
Maritime Workforce Grant Program establishes a Maritime Workforce Grant Program, directing the Maritime Administrator to award competitive grants supporting entities engaged in recruiting, educating, or training the maritime workforce.
Fishing Industry Safety, Health, and Wellness Improvement (FISH Wellness) Act expands the Coast Guard and CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fishing Safety Research and Training (FRST) Grant Program to include projects supporting behavioral health in addition to the projects currently supported dedicated to occupational safety research and training.
Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act establishes at least one ocean innovation cluster in each of the five domestic NOAA Fisheries regions, as well as the Great Lakes and Gulf of Mexico regions. The ocean cluster model fosters collaboration between different sectors – including public, private, and academic – within a geographic region to promote economic growth and sustainability in the Blue Economy.
Supporting Sustainable and Resilient Ecosystems
Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act enhances collaboration on ocean acidification research and monitoring through ongoing mechanisms for stakeholder engagement on necessary research and monitoring. This provision would also establish two Advisory Board seats for representatives from Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, Tribal organizations, and Tribal consortia affected by ocean acidification and coastal acidification.
Vegetated Coastal Ecosystem Inventory establishes an interagency working group for the creation and maintenance of a comprehensive national map and inventory detailing vegetated coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems. This inventory encompasses habitat types, species, ecosystem conditions, ownership, protected status, size, salinity and tidal boundaries, carbon sequestration potential, and impacts of climate change.
Marine Invasive Species Research and Monitoring provides resources and tools to mitigate the impact of invasive species and help limit their spread by authorizing research and monitoring grants for local, Tribal, and regional marine invasive prevention work. This includes training, outreach, and equipment for early detection and response to invasions.
The Government of Canada is committed to creating economic opportunities and benefits for Indigenous communities and protecting naturally and culturally treasured places in Canada, including through the advancement of infrastructure projects and impact and benefit plans.
Today, the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, on behalf of the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced a $16.5 million investment under Parks Canada’s National Park Establishment program to advance construction of a new office and cultural centre for the Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve in Northwest Territories. Construction of this landmark building fulfills a commitment in the Nááts’įhch’oh National Park ReserveImpact and Benefit Plan, will include a cultural centre exhibition, and will serve as Parks Canada’s primary operations base for the park reserve.
The ground-breaking event coincided with Tulita community’s annual “Fire Day,” which commemorates the devastating 1995 wildfire, also celebrated community collaboration, cultural leadership, and shared stewardship. Indigenous and community members from Tulita and Norman Wells gathered to speak of the cultural and regional significance of this long-anticipated milestone. The office and cultural centre will be a place for connection and cultural discovery, provide a space for community members to gather, facilitate meaningful visitor experiences, welcome Mackenzie River paddlers, and to share the rich history of the Sahtu Dene and Métis. The building will also house Parks Canada’s operational facility, where local staff will work to protect, present and celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve.
Investments in infrastructure, like the Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve office and culture centre project, benefit the community of Tulita by growing local economic development, boosting the tourism sector, and driving job creation. Infrastructure improvements in the Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve will deliver high-quality and meaningful experiences are for visitors and community members alike to connect with and discover the natural and cultural heritage of the Sahtu region and underscores the federal government’s commitment to northern communities and Indigenous partners.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)
Today, Congressional Arts Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Congressman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) led more than 120 of their colleagues in urging President Trump to restore National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant funding approved by Congress. The bipartisan push comes after the Trump Administration canceled NEA grants to hundreds of community organizations, many of which had already begun the projects for which they had been awarded.
“Many grantees are anchors in their communities, whether as employers and educators, prominent Main Street destinations, and tourist attractions,” the lawmakers wrote. “Lost grants will hurt budgets, contract programming, and may lead to layoffs – right as the crucial summer season kicks off for many organizations and small businesses.”
They further explained that the NEA underpins a $1.2 trillion cultural sector, representing 5.4 million jobs and a $36.8 billion trade surplus. “In short, the bang for our buck delivered by the NEA is too significant to ignore,” Pingree, Turner, and their colleagues said.
The full text of the letter is copied below and available here.
In addition to cancelling NEA funds already appropriated by Congress, the President has proposed eliminating the agency entirely in his budget.
Pingree recently penned an op-ed in the Portland Press Herald condemning President Trump’s attacks on arts and culture and warning that his actions mirror the authoritarian playbooks of regimes in Turkey and Hungary.
Pingree is Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, which oversees the NEA, and is an ex-officio member of the National Council on the Arts.
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Dear President Trump,
We write to express our deep concern about recent grant cancellations at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). These cancellations will have a resounding impact on communities in every part of the country, costing jobs and harming local economies. We urge you to direct their immediate reversal and restore full funding of the NEA as authorized by statute and approved by Congress.
The NEA is a small but efficient agency, using its modest resources to ensure that the benefit of federal funds reaches every Congressional district. The cancellation of hundreds of grants threatens a wide range of initiatives, from apprenticeship programs to youth engagement to economic development planning. Many grantees are anchors in their communities, whether as employers and educators, prominent Main Street destinations, and tourist attractions. Lost grants will hurt budgets, contract programming, and may lead to layoffs – right as the crucial summer season kicks off for many organizations and small businesses.
Our relatively minimal federal investment reaches Americans who would not otherwise benefit from the arts. In 678 counties across the country – primarily in rural areas – the Endowment does more to fund the arts than the top 1,000 foundations. And the benefit is not just local. It underpins the $1.2 trillion economic powerhouse that is the cultural sector, representing 5.4 million jobs and a $36.8 billion trade surplus. In short, the bang for our buck delivered by the NEA is too significant to ignore.
The NEA fulfills an essential role in our nation’s economic and cultural life, particularly as we look toward America250 celebrations next year. The Endowment’s support for local arts organizations remains a cornerstone of its statutory purpose and of its value to local communities across the country. We urge you to restore the full potential of that value by reversing grant cancellations to local arts organizations.
overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that work is beginning on a multi-faceted project to construct a roundabout, replace multiple culverts and resurface State Routes 17A and 94 in the Towns of Warwick and Goshen and the Villages of Warwick, Florida and Goshen, Orange County. In an area known for its apple festivals, black dirt farms, harness racing, and unique shopping experiences, this multi-community $30 million project will enhance traffic flow, prevent flooding while increasing resiliency, and enhance pedestrian facilities to meet the needs of this growing county in the Hudson Valley.
“This multi-faceted project is part of our ongoing commitment to create 21st Century transportation infrastructure that focuses on the needs of communities across the Hudson Valley,” Governor Hochul said. “By creating a state-of-the-art roundabout, miles of multi-modal access to town and village centers, and building for future tourism, we are enhancing safety and easing travel to the many popular destinations that this fast-growing region has to offer.”
The centerpiece of the project will be the 14 miles of roadway resurfacing, which will take place along State Routes 94/17A from the New Jersey state line to the Town of Goshen and State Route 94 to Durland Road. Striping with reflective epoxy paint will be added to increase the visibility of pavement markings during storms, further enhancing safety. Traffic signals and curb ramps at adjacent exits and entrances will also be upgraded.
Additionally, the project will construct a roundabout with decorative street lighting along State Route 94 at County Route 1A and Reservoir Road in the Town of Warwick to realign this intersection. The new roundabout will feature native landscaping and will be designed to reduce potential conflict points that motorists and pedestrians encounter, while creating fewer traffic backups. New crosswalks, sidewalks and other pedestrian accommodations will also improve access to nearby destinations.
Roundabouts are engineered to maximize safety and minimize congestion. Compared to some traditional intersections, traffic flows more freely through roundabouts, cutting congestion and commute times. Crashes at roundabouts tend to be less severe because they typically occur at slower speeds. Roundabouts also eliminate the need for electric-powered traffic signals. For tips on how to safely navigate a roundabout, check out this helpful instructional video available on DOT’s Youtube channel.
Strong, resilient infrastructure is important to the overall health of communities and this project will modernize drainage systems to better handle stormwater runoff and replace three culverts along State Route 94 and one along State Route 17A to prevent erosion and promote the health and habitat of local streams.
Upgrades to traffic signals, new crosswalks, sidewalk curb ramps, accessible pedestrian signal equipment, drainage and the implementation of new lane configurations will occur at the following intersections:
State Route 94 at 17A
State Route 94 at Colonial Avenue
State Route 94 at Meadow Road
State Route 94 at Reservoir Road
Staged construction is expected to include lane shifts, limited daily lane closures and minor detours. The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2027.
State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “There is no greater champion for infrastructure improvements in the Hudson Valley and across the state than Governor Hochul. Visitors come to Orange County for its natural beauty and tourism opportunities, and many have stayed over the years to live, work and raise a family, resulting in its growth. The investments we are making in infrastructure in the region accommodate this growth, and create enhanced mobility with pedestrian enhancements, a smoother ride and overall, a more resilient transportation system.”
Senator Chuck Schumer said, “Thanks to millions from my Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, we are paving the way for a safer future in the Hudson Valley. This will construct a new roundabout and resurface State Routes 17A and 94, improving traffic flow along this vital corridor and helping connect residents and visitors to Orange County’s famous apple festivals and black dirt farms all while creating jobs, jobs, jobs. I’m grateful that Governor Hochul is putting these federal dollars to good use to improve safety and connectivity for New Yorkers in the Hudson Valley.”
Representative Pat Ryan said, “When we modernize our infrastructure, we make life more accessible and efficient for Hudson Valley families while promoting critical economic development across the region. This project is a gamechanger for our community; delivering the safer streets, better storm systems, and improved traffic flow that Orange County families deserve. I’ll keep working with partners at every level of government to improve traffic safety, modernize outdated infrastructure, and bolster economic growth in every corner of the Hudson Valley.”
About the Department of Transportation
It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and supports the economic well-being of New York State. Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers! For more information, find us on Facebook, follow us on X or Instagram, or visit the NYSDOT website. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.
Although tropical reefs might look like inanimate rock, these colorful seascapes are built by tiny jellyfish-like animals called corals. While adult corals build solid structures that are firmly attached to the sea floor, baby corals are not confined to their reefs. They can drift with ocean currents over great distances to new locations that might give them a better chance of survival.
The underwater cities that corals construct are home to about a quarter of all known marine species. They are incredibly important for humans, too, contributing at least a trillion dollars per year in ecosystem services, such as protecting coastlines from wave damage and supporting fisheries and tourism.
Unfortunately, coral reefs are among the most vulnerable environments on the planet to climate change.
A healthy coral reef in American Samoa, left, experiencing coral bleaching due to a severe marine heatwave, center, and eventually dying, right. The Ocean Agency and Ocean Image Bank., CC BY-NC
I am a marine scientist in Hawaii. My colleagues and I are trying to understand how coral reefs might change in the future, and whether new coral reefs might form at higher latitudes as the tropics become too warm and temperate regions become more hospitable. The results lead us to both good and bad news.
Corals can grow in new areas, but will they thrive?
Baby corals can drift freely with ocean currents, potentially traveling hundreds of miles before settling in new locations. That allows the distribution of corals to shift over time.
Major ocean currents can carry baby corals to temperate seas. If new coral reefs form there as the waters warm, these areas might act as refuges for tropical corals, reducing the corals’ risk of extinction.
Scientists know from the fossil record that coral reef expansions have occurred before. However, a big question remains: Can corals migrate fast enough to keep pace with climate change caused by humans? We developed a cutting-edge simulation to find the answer.
Field and laboratory studies have measured how coral growth depends on temperature, acidity and light intensity. We combined this information with data on ocean currents to create a global simulation that represents how corals respond to a changing environment – including their ability to adapt through evolution and shift their ranges.
Then, we used future climate projections to predict how coral reefs may respond to climate change.
We found that it will take centuries for coral reefs to shift away from the tropics. This is far too slow for temperate seas to save tropical coral species – they are facing severe threats right now and in the coming decades.
How coral reefs form.
Underwater cities in motion?
Under countries’ current greenhouse gas emissions policies, our simulations suggest that coral reefs will decline globally by a further 70% this century as ocean temperatures continue to rise. As bad as that sounds, it’s actually slightly more optimistic than previous studies that predicted losses as high as 99%.
Our simulations suggest that coral populations could expand in a few locations this century, primarily southern Australia, but these expansions may only amount to around 6,000 acres (2,400 hectares). While that might sound a lot, we expect to lose around 10 million acres (4 million hectares) of coral over the same period.
In other words, we are unlikely to see significant new tropical-style coral reefs forming in temperate waters within our lifetimes, so most tropical corals will not find refuge in higher latitude seas.
Even though the suitable water temperatures for corals are forecast to expand poleward by about 25 miles (40 kilometers) per decade, corals would face other challenges in new environments.
Our research suggests that coral range expansion is mainly limited by slower coral growth at higher latitudes, not by dispersal. Away from the equator, light intensity falls and temperature becomes more variable, reducing growth, and therefore the rate of range expansion, for many coral species.
It is likely that new coral reefs will eventually form beyond their current range, as history shows, but our results suggest this may take centuries.
Fish hide out in the safety of Kingman Reef, in the Pacific Ocean between the Hawaiian Islands and American Samoa. Coral reefs provide protection for many species, particularly young fish. USFWS, Pacific Islands
Scientists have used human-assisted migration to try to restore damaged coral reefs by transplanting live corals. However, coral restoration is controversial, as it is expensive and cannot be scaled up globally. Since coral range expansion appears to be limited by challenging environmental conditions at higher latitudes rather than by dispersal, human-assisted migration is also unlikely to help them expand more quickly.
Importantly, these potential higher latitude refuges already have rich, distinct ecosystems. Establishing tropical corals within those ecosystems might disrupt existing species, so rapid expansions might not be a good thing in the first place.
Despite enthusiasm for coral restoration, there is little evidence to suggest that methods like this can mitigate the global decline of coral reefs.
As our study shows, migration would take centuries, while the most severe climate change harm for corals will occur within decades, making it unlikely that subtropical and temperate seas can act as coral refuges.
What can help corals is reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are driving global warming. Our study suggests that reducing emissions at a faster pace, in accordance with the Paris climate agreement, could cut the coral loss by half compared with current policies. That could boost reef health for centuries to come.
This means that there is still hope for these irreplaceable coral ecosystems, but time is running out.
Noam Vogt-Vincent receives funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
June 6, 2025 Thunder Bay, OntarioEmployment and Social Development Canada
The Government of Canada is creating up to 6,000 more Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) opportunities to help build a strong Canadian economy and secure good jobs for youth. CSJ provides a first job experience for Canadian youth that can help shape their future education, training, and career choices.
While CSJ was on track to create 70,000 jobs for youth this summer, Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, today announced up to 6,000 more Canada Summer Jobs opportunities. This will unlock new opportunities for Canadian youth and help our country build the strongest economy in the G7.
The Minister made the announcement during a visit to Wataynikaneyap Power’s head office on Fort William First Nation in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Wataynikaneyap Power is leading the Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project, which is a partnership of 24 First Nations working together to connect 17 remote communities currently powered by diesel. The organization has already hired an electrical engineering technologist thanks to funding from the Canada Summer Jobs program.
The 2025 Canada Summer Jobs hiring period is well underway in communities across Canada. From now until July 21, 2025, young job seekers between the ages of 15 and 30 can find local job opportunities on the Job Bank website and mobile app. Youth can apply for summer jobs in fields that interest them, such as the recreation sector, the food industry and marketing and tourism. Jobs are also available in a variety of high-demand and growing fields, including housing construction and environmental protection.
Congressmen Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) and Randy Fine (R-FL-06) reintroduced the Visa Overstays Penalties Act to close dangerous immigration loopholes and hold accountable those who abuse the legal entry system.
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressmen Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) and Randy Fine (R-FL-06) reintroduced the Visa Overstays Penalties Act to close dangerous immigration loopholes and hold accountable those who abuse the legal entry system.
“East Texans understand that illegal immigration doesn’t stop at the border,” said Rep. Moran.“Thousands have entered the U.S. legally, only to overstay their visas and remain here unlawfully. This bill reclassifies visa overstays as ‘illegal entry’ and imposes serious penalties to help restore law and order.”
The legislation would impose up to six months of jail time for first-time offenders and civil fines starting at $500—doubling with each violation. Several 9/11 hijackers overstayed visas, as did Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the suspect in the recent Boulder, Colorado, terror attack.
“As we all know, the failed policies of the former Biden-Harris Administration turned every state into a border state,” Moran added.“We cannot allow that era of lawlessness to ever return. We must build on President Trump’s historic momentum to secure and protect our border. Visa overstays must carry real consequences—and this legislation delivers on restoring peace and justice.”
Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL-06) said, “The only place a foreigner should be the day their visa expires is on a plane out of our country. If you’re not, congratulations—you’re now a criminal alien. Being a criminal has consequences, and this bill adds teeth to existing immigration laws to deter and discourage foreign visitors from violating American law. This law makes preventable tragedies like the antisemitic Muslim terrorist attacks in Boulder less likely and makes our communities safer overall. I’m proud to work with Congressman Moran to co-lead this bill, and I’m looking forward to seeing it passed in the House again.”
“In 2023, Mohamed Soliman overstayed his tourist visa but was never deported; two years later, he launched an antisemitic terrorist attack that maimed 15 innocent American citizens,” said Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX-11), Chairman of the Republican Study Committee.“This man should have never even been in our country—and yet he was, because the Biden Administration refused to enforce our laws. I’m thankful to Congressman Moran for his leadership in reintroducing the Visa Overstays Penalties Act, which will criminalize the act of overstaying a visa and guarantee that terrorists like Soliman are never again able to illegally remain in our country.”
Background:
The legislation is being co-led by Congressman Randy Fine (R-FL-06), reinforcing its national importance and broad Republican support.
The Visa Overstays Penalties Act includes:
Reclassification of Visa Overstays: Overstaying a visa for more than 10 days would be classified as “illegal entry,” aligning it with unauthorized border crossings.
Criminal Penalties:
o First Offense: Up to six months of imprisonment.
o Subsequent Offenses: Up to two years of imprisonment.
Civil Penalties:
o First Violation: Fines ranging from $500 to $1,000.
o Repeat Violations: Fines doubling from the initial amount.
This legislation aims to address security concerns by ensuring that visa overstays are met with the necessary legal consequences, thereby reinforcing the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.
The Visa Overstays Penalties Act was originally included as part of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, which passed the United States House of Representatives with a 219-213 vote last Congress.
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Related Coverage: Exclusive: Reps. Moran, Fine Introduce Visa Overstays Penalties Act in Wake of Boulder, Colorado Terrorist Attack — Breitbart News
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 6 (Xinhua) — China’s foreign trade in services grew rapidly in the first four months of 2025, with travel-related services registering a sharp uptick, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed Friday.
According to the agency, the volume of foreign trade in services in the country during the reporting period exceeded 2.63 trillion yuan (about 366.1 billion US dollars), increasing by 8.2 percent year-on-year.
In particular, service exports reached nearly 1.13 trillion yuan, up 14.6 percent from a year earlier, while imports grew 3.9 percent to exceed 1.5 trillion yuan, leaving a trade deficit of 375.02 billion yuan.
Trade in tourism-related services continued its rapid growth momentum, rising 14.7 percent year on year to 756.78 billion yuan, the data showed.
At the same time, the volume of trade in knowledge-intensive services showed a 5.5 percent increase year-on-year and approached the mark of about 1.02 trillion yuan. –0–
Media Release Date: June 6th 2025 Economic Development Committee looks to boost inter island and regional travel for 2025 and beyond
The Economic Development Committee (EDC) has made provision of transport links to and from the island a key objective over the first six months of 2025. EDC has continued its subsidised support to Alderney Ferry Services, which has moved over 10,000 passengers between Alderney and Guernsey since its establishment 3 years ago. This has proved in recent years that it is essential to the island both economically and socially and bolsters the tourism and visitor offering. This renewed agreement could also run till 2027 subject to review by both parties.
The Committee has also undertaken a tender process for a sea link service on the largely unexploited Jersey route. Water Taxi CI was selected as the operator for the route for 2025 with a view to extending to 2026, the operator is currently undertaking a marketing campaign in Jersey working with Visit Alderney.
Chair of Economic Development Stuart Clark said: “As a first step, ensuring the ferry service between Alderney and Guernsey continued was of paramount importance for the Committee. It supports the visitor economy and residents alike, whilst complementing the air services provided by Aurigny on the lifeline routes, which are provided under the public service obligation”
He added, “A successful tender process for the Jersey route is also a great step forward in developing inter-island connectivity. We’re pleased that Water Taxi CI is committing to an intense marketing campaign to ramp up the service and there has been an encouraging amount of traction on social media since the States of Alderney’s announcement about the service on 23rd May”.
Breaking new ground, The Committee has also struck agreement with the Government of Jersey and Ports of Jersey, working on a joint venture which provides limited subsidy support to Finistair, an airline out of France, operating between Alderney and Brest via Jersey on a trial basis between June and August this year.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our island, not only in respect of inter-island travel, but for regional connectivity too. We’re of the view that Finistair and Water Taxi Ci will complement one another and provide us valuable data for the demand on this route, without detracting in any material way from the two critically important PSO lifeline routes operated by Aurigny. It demonstrates Alderney’s desire to encourage economic revitalisation by improving connectivity to and from the island, as has been expressed in several States’ debates on Alderney’s connectivity in Guernsey.”
The Government of Jersey’s Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said: “I am pleased to have worked with the States of Alderney to improve the links between our islands by delivering a new air route for this summer. I look forward to continuing to build on these links to find new areas of cooperation and learn from each other in areas such as tourism, heritage and energy.”
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
Three groups, more than 100 students, successfully completed the MBA program. Over a year and a half, they completed 16 educational modules, including two on-site ones: to China and to Lake Baikal. The 2025 graduates include entrepreneurs, founders of successful businesses, and top managers of leading Russian companies: Sber, VTB, Rostelecom, NOVATEK, Rosatom, Yandex.Technologies, Almaz-Antey Concern, SKB Kontur, Belkacar, SONET Group, and others.
First Deputy Director of the Higher School of Business
“The MBA program not only provides knowledge, but also strong networking in the leadership community; for a modern entrepreneur and top manager, it is extremely important to remain in the educational environment and continue learning throughout life.”
The updated MBA program of the HSE Graduate School of Business covers key areas of modern management: from strategic management and corporate finance to marketing, operations management and innovation, including the use of AI in business.
All graduates note an important advantage of the HSE Graduate School of Business: a very strong team of teachers, which unites both practitioners, leaders of successful businesses, and outstanding representatives of academic science from across the HSE University.
Positioning itself as a first-choice business school, HSE has invested a lot of effort into developing its MBA program, including innovative educational formats: business simulations, interactive projects, group assignments to develop practical skills and networking among program students.
The hallmarks of the MBA program at the Higher School of Business at the National Research University Higher School of Economics are effective on-site modules. The leadership intensive is traditionally held on Lake Baikal and is aimed at developing team management skills, crisis management, and the ability to make decisions under stress and in situations of uncertainty.
And the recent overseas module was organized jointly with Fudan University, one of the leading centers of business education in Asia. The university is among the best universities in China and Asia, widely recognized for its high level of teaching, quality of scientific research and international programs in the field of economics and management. The overseas modules are the leaders in the most positive feedback from the program participants.
The final part of the program was the defense of final projects. Participants presented solutions for a wide range of industries: from energy and tourism to industrial production and digital services. Among the initiatives: development of a new data management product, launch and development of a business community, a service for generating income from excess energy capacity, a strategy for bringing self-propelled electric lifts to market.
The graduation ceremony took place at the HSE campus. The graduates were congratulated by the program teachers and the business school management.
Head of the MBA program at the Higher School of Business, National Research University Higher School of Economics
“Our program is an intensive path of personal and professional transformation. We see how students change over the course of a year and a half: their confidence grows, their horizons expand, their ability to make strategic decisions strengthens. It is especially valuable that they leave the program with a clear understanding of their role in business and with a readiness for new challenges.”
During their studies, participants not only expanded their professional horizons, but also built new strong horizontal connections—the alumni community remains one of the program’s key resources.
Ekaterina Artemenkova
Director of the Financial Department, Insurance Company “Guardia”
“I asked my classmates to name three associations with the program and collected them in a word cloud. The most frequent word turned out to be unexpected, but very accurate – “pleasure”. In the program, we learned to enjoy studying, communicating, challenges. And, perhaps, the main thing we learned was the ability to maintain inner calm in the most stressful situations and to see opportunities even in difficulties.”
Andrey Dementyev
Founder of the family project “Elephant Park” in Sochi
“Over these one and a half years, we have not only mastered the tools of strategic management, Agile and financial analysis – we have learned to see value in people, in the team, in the environment. We have learned from each other, admired, supported – and it is in this atmosphere that ideas, projects and a real team are born.”
Olga Komleva
Director of IT Solutions Department, SONET Group of Companies
“This morning, when I was driving to the airport, I was thinking that this is my last trip as part of the MBA program. It is a warm sadness and great pride at the same time. We have gained knowledge, found friends, and most importantly, made the right choice by coming here. I would like to wish everyone not to lose interest, to study and move forward.”
The graduation of the HSE Graduate School of Business MBA program has become a significant contribution to the preparation of innovative responsible leaders who change organizations and the world. Start of a new cohort MBA programs is scheduled for this fall and the admissions campaign has already begun.
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.
The Spanish economy has been performing strongly, supported by services exports and labor force growth. Growth is expected to remain significantly above the euro area average in the near term, before slowing gradually as its recent drivers normalize and demographic aging intensifies. Most risks are to the downside, including from a further escalation of trade measures and domestic political fragmentation.
The authorities should seize the growth momentum to more swiftly rebuild fiscal space and reduce sovereign debt risks through a clearer consolidation strategy grounded in well-identified tax increase and spending reduction priorities. Additional measures should also be taken to address fiscal pressures from rising future pension expenditures, and to improve the pension system’s safeguard clause.
Raising productivity is key to boosting income per capita gains, which have been modest since the pandemic. This should be achieved through a new wave of reforms to facilitate firms’ scaling-up and strengthen innovation.
Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the Article IV Consultation for Spain.[1] The authorities have consented to the publication of the Staff Report prepared for this consultation.[2]
With a growth rate of 3.2 percent in 2024, Spain has been one of the fastest-growing economies in the euro area. Growth has been fueled by robust services exports and labor force growth, including due to immigration. Because high GDP growth has been accompanied by high employment growth, GDP per capita gains have been more modest. Despite recent progress, Spain still has one of the lowest employment rates in Europe, and a persistent gap in (hourly labor) productivity vis-à-vis the euro area and—even more so—the US.
Growth is projected to reach 2.5 percent in 2025 before slowing to 1.8 percent in 2026 as export and working-age population gains normalize. Growth will be primarily supported by private domestic demand, including due to a decline in the household saving rate and a pickup in investment. Inflation is projected to decline further and return close to the ECB’s target by end-2025.
The Spanish economy has continued to outperform the euro area but per-capita income gains have been more modest. Two major drivers of Spain’s strong growth have been, on the supply side, labor force growth, and on the demand side, services exports. Labor force growth has particularly benefitted from recent migration inflows, which have risen sharply above pre-pandemic levels. Services exports have been fueled by the strong post-COVID recovery in tourism, but also by improvements in the performance of Spanish exporters in non-tourism services. Amid strong exports and still subdued imports, the external position in 2024 is preliminarily assessed to be stronger than implied by medium-term fundamentals and desirable policies. Because high GDP growth has been accompanied by high employment growth, GDP per capita gains have been more modest. Still, Spain reduced its per-capita income gap vis-à-vis the highest-income euro area economies by over 3 percentage points during 2022-24, helped by an acceleration in productivity growth. Despite recent progress in reducing the unemployment rate, it remains the highest in the euro area at about 11 percent. Looking through recent volatility, disinflation has continued to proceed steadily.
Growth is projected to remain robust in the near term and to slow gradually thereafter as its recent drivers normalize, with risks predominantly to the downside. Growth should remain strong at 2.5 percent in 2025 before declining to about 1.8 percent next year, close to its medium-term potential. On the demand side, tourism is expected to expand at a slower rate, while a weaker global environment—including elevated trade policy uncertainty and US tariffs—will also weigh on external demand. This drag is expected to be partly offset by robust domestic demand, including a pick-up in investment. On the supply side, a gradual slowdown in net migration and demographic aging will slowly weigh on labor force gains. Key downside risks include an escalation of trade measures, particularly those involving the EU, and domestic political fragmentation, which could hamper the response of fiscal policy in the event Spain’s deficit reduction fell short of its commitments or market concerns about sovereign risks were to emerge.
The authorities should seize upon the strong growth momentum to more swiftly rebuild fiscal space and reduce sovereign debt risks, in the context of an enhanced medium-term fiscal plan. Staff projects that, in the absence of further consolidation measures besides social security contribution increases from the 2021-2023 pension reforms and the non-indexation of PIT brackets (about 1 percent of GDP overall over 2025-29), the deficit would stabilize above 2 percent of GDP by 2030, while the debt-to-GDP ratio would remain above 90 percent before rising again in the longer term as fiscal pressures from aging intensify. Weighing fiscal risks on the one hand, and the economy’s strong cyclical position on the other, staff recommends frontloading the authorities’ planned 3 percent of GDP adjustment over 2025-2029 rather than 2025-2031. This effort, which would require about 2 percentage points of GDP in new measures, should be underpinned by an enhanced medium-term fiscal plan that lays out well-identified tax increase and spending reduction priorities. Harmonizing VAT and enhancing environmental taxation would deliver the recommended effort while reducing economic distortions. Given the widening projected gap between pension expenditures and social security contributions over the coming decades, pension reforms should also be undertaken, prioritizing employment-friendly options. Should downside risks materialize, fiscal policy should remain flexible, letting automatic stabilizers play out. Temporary discretionary support should be considered only in the event of a severe shock and provided sovereign funding costs remain low.
Systemic risks in the financial system remain low but ongoing efforts to further bolster its resilience should be maintained. Banks are well-capitalized, liquid, and profitable, though capital ratios are still somewhat below euro area peers. Household and corporate balance sheets are sound, supported by low debt and rising incomes. The rapid growth in house prices has eroded affordability and should be primarily addressed through measures that stimulate housing supply. While it does currently not raise financial stability risks, pre-emptive borrower-based measures should be considered if there were early signs of an easing in lending standards. Staff supports the ongoing phasing-in of the one-percent positive neutral CCyB and encourages continued implementation of other 2024 FSAP recommendations to further enhance resilience.
Fostering income-per-capita convergence toward higher-income advanced economies requires further raising the employment rate and boosting productivity. Despite recent progress, Spain still has one of the lowest employment rates in Europe, and its (hourly labor) productivity gap vis-à-vis the euro area—which has itself been falling behind the US—remains about as wide as it was 25 years ago. Enhancing activation policies and financial incentives for jobseekers is key to durably reducing unemployment to single digits. The planned reduction of the working week in the private sector should be carefully designed to mitigate adverse effects on output and workers’ incomes, with a major role for collective bargaining including in setting the level and remuneration of overtime. Closing the productivity gap will require reforms that facilitate firms’ scaling-up and innovation. These include completing both the Spanish and EU single markets for goods and services, streamlining firm size-related tax and regulatory thresholds, boosting venture capital through progress toward the CMU complemented by domestic incentives, and promoting excellence in higher education—including through greater autonomy and performance-based funding of universities.
Sources: IMF, World Economic Outlook; data provided by the authorities; and IMF staff estimates.
1/ The projections incorporate spending financed by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (including the grant and the loan component) amounting to about 0.7, 1.7, 1.3 and 0.3 percent of GDP from 2024 to 2027.
[1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.
[2] Under the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, publication of documents that pertain to member countries is voluntary and requires the member consent. The staff report will be shortly published on the www.imf.org/en/Countries/ESP page.
[3] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.
Headline: Chimney Rock State Park to Reopen June 27
Chimney Rock State Park to Reopen June 27 jejohnson6
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and N.C. State Parks announced today that Chimney Rock State Park and the Chimney Rock attraction will reopen to visitors on Friday, June 27, exactly nine months after Hurricane Helene devastated the surrounding communities.
“Chimney Rock is a western North Carolina jewel,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Reopening the state park will draw tourists back to this area. I am pleased that DNCR, DOT, and local leaders in Chimney Rock were able to get this park open for people to enjoy and so local businesses can thrive.”
Access to the park has been limited since September 2024 due to the loss of the park entrance bridge. The N.C. Department of Transportation recently completed work on a temporary bridge and repairs to the park’s roads.
“The reopening of this iconic park is another positive step toward recovery in western North Carolina,” said N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “We could not reopen Chimney Rock without the swift work of the N.C. Department of Transportation and the leadership from Governor Josh Stein and his recovery team.”
“We are grateful for the strong partnership with the local communities and their leadership, along with Chimney Rock Management,” said State Parks Director Brian Strong. “We are so excited to welcome visitors back to Chimney Rock State Park.”
Park hours and additional details will be announced soon. Advance reservations will be required to access the Chimney Rock attraction; the ticketing reservation system atchimneyrockpark.comwill go live approximately one week prior to the reopening. Capacity will be limited due to ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts in the area.
Located in Rutherford County, Chimney Rock State Park offers some of North Carolina’s most dramatic mountain scenery, overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. For a fee, visitors can take an elevator or hike to the top of the park’s namesake, a 315-foot freestanding rock spire. James Ledgerwood is the park superintendent.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Frederic Lemieux, Professor of the Practice and Faculty Director of the Master’s in Applied Intelligence, Georgetown University
A woman places flowers outside the Boulder, Colo., courthouse after an attack that injured 12 people. David Zalubowski/AP Photo
On June 3, Soliman’s family, who lived with him in Colorado Springs, were detained by federal immigration authorities. Soliman’s wife and five children were placed in expedited removal proceedings.
Whether an attack like the one in Boulder is considered an act of terrorism or a hate crime changes the way a suspect is charged and sentenced.
Let’s look at how these two terms differ.
What is a hate crime?
Hate crimes are crimes motivated by bias on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity. In some states, gender, age and gender identity are also included. Hate crime laws have been passed by 47 states and the federal government since the 1980s, when activists first began to press state legislatures to recognize the role of bias in violence against minority groups. Today, only Arkansas, South Carolina and Wyoming do not have hate crime laws.
Colorado’s 2024 statute prohibits bias-motivated attacks based on a wide variety of categories, from ancestry to gender identity.
In order to be charged as a hate crime, attacks – whether vandalism, assault or killings – must be directed at individuals because of the prohibited biases. Hate crimes, in other words, punish motive; the prosecutor must convince the judge or jury that the victim was targeted because of their race, religion, sexual orientation or other protected characteristic.
If the defendant is found to have acted with bias motivation, hate crimes often add an additional penalty to the underlying charge. Charging people with a hate crime, then, presents additional layers of complexity to what may otherwise be a straightforward case for prosecutors. Bias motivation can be hard to prove, and prosecutors can be reluctant to take cases that they may not win in court.
Dylann Roof, who killed nine worshipers at a Black church in South Carolina in 2015, was convicted of 33 charges, including hate crimes. Grace Beahm-Pool/Getty Images
What is terrorism?
Terrorism is a violent tactic – a strategy used to achieve a specific end.
This strategy is often used in asymmetric power struggles when a weaker person, or group, is fighting against a powerful nation-state. The violence is aimed at creating fear in the targeted population.
Terrorists often justify their bloody acts on the basis of perceived social, economic and political unfairness. Or they take inspiration from religious beliefs or spiritual principles.
Many forms of terrorism were inspired by struggle between races, the rich and poor, or political outcasts and elites.
How different terrorist groups act is informed by what they are trying to achieve. Some adopt a reactionary perspective aimed at stopping or resisting social, economic and political changes. Others adopt a revolutionary doctrine and want to provoke change.
In the United States, terrorism attacks were in sharp decline from 1970 to 2011, decreasing from approximately 475 incidents a year to fewer than 20.
Data compiled by the Center for Strategic and International Studies shows right-wing terrorist attacks and plots grew substantially during the past decade, with right-wing extremists being responsible for the majority of attacks and plots each year since 2011, except for 2013. There were 44 incidents in 2019 alone.
Terrorism is not a successful tactic. American University professor Audrey Cronin studied 457 terrorist groups worldwide going back to 1968. The groups lasted an average of eight years before they lost support or were dismantled. No terrorist organizations that she studied were able to conquer a state, and 94% were unable to achieve even one of their strategic goals.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Northeast India is rapidly emerging as a powerhouse of economic growth and connectivity, driven by transformative infrastructure projects and strategic investments, according to a recent Press Information Bureau release. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Act East” policy and “Transformation by Transportation” vision, the region is shedding its historical isolation to become a beacon of inclusive development.
Significant budgetary allocations have fueled infrastructure advancements, addressing long-standing gaps in connectivity. The North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), restructured in 2022-23 and extended until 2026, has supported projects in roads, power, water supply, and other critical sectors. The Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE), launched in 2022 with a Rs 6,600 crore outlay, is driving sustainable development aligned with PM GatiShakti, focusing on infrastructure, social development, and livelihood opportunities for youth and women.
Iconic projects like the Bogibeel Bridge, inaugurated in 2018, and the development of 10 greenfield airports over the past 11 years have revolutionized connectivity, boosting tourism in the region. The introduction of Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) waterway services on the Brahmaputra River, connecting Dhubri, Hathsingimari, and Guwahati, has enhanced logistics efficiency. A Rs 4,136 crore scheme approved in August 2024 for hydroelectric projects will support 15,000 MW of capacity by 2031-32, funded through the Ministry of Power’s Gross Budgetary Support.
Economic development has been a key focus, with 974 industrial units registered under NESIDS and Rs 1,010.99 crore disbursed for developmental packages by March 31, 2025, including Rs 400 crore in 2024-25. The Rising North East Investors Summit, held on May 23-24, 2025, drew Rs 4.3 lakh crore in investment interest from over 80 countries, positioning the region as India’s next economic hub. The summit highlighted a decade-long investment of Rs 21,000 crore in the Northeast’s education sector. Additionally, 126 Externally Aided Projects worth Rs 1,35,487.85 crore have been supported since 2017, further catalyzing growth.
The agricultural sector is thriving, with the region poised to lead India’s edible oil production and organic farming. The North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC) has expanded its product range from 38 to 78, introducing innovative items like Organic Tea Box and Sumac Berry Powder. The Van Dhan Vikas Yojana has empowered 3.3 lakh tribal gatherers through 19,155 self-help groups, while 434 Farmer Producer Companies have benefited 2.19 lakh farmers across 1.73 lakh hectares. The agarwood sector has seen a six-fold increase in export quotas, with simplified processes enhancing value chain development in Assam and Tripura.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HANGZHOU, June 6 (Xinhua) — Young representatives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries visited Yucun Village in Anji County, east China’s Zhejiang Province, on Wednesday.
This small mountain village, widely known for its concept of “emerald waters and green mountains are priceless treasures”, is now becoming an important window for the exchange of eco-civilization construction experiences between China and foreign countries.
Young representatives of political, academic and media circles from Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and other countries gathered together to participate in the event organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAF) and entitled “Exploring the Path of Common Prosperity”.
At the entrance to Yucun Village, they stopped to capture the clean, quiet streets and picturesquely located rural houses.
Yucun used to live off stone mining, which led to the exposure of the mountain slopes and soil erosion. Guided by the concept of “emerald waters and green mountains are priceless treasures,” the villagers voluntarily abandoned the old way of “digging mountains and selling stone” and embarked on a new path that prioritizes ecology and green development.
Since 2005, Yucun has been actively developing new forms of economy such as rural tourism and creative agriculture.
In 2024, the total operating income of the village reached 11.316 million yuan. Anji County also established a county-level platform for purchasing and trading bamboo forest carbon credits, which increased the annual trading volume of carbon credits to 350 thousand tons, bringing long-term benefits to farmers.
The guide, using an old photograph and a new panorama of the village as a basis, told the young guests in detail about the path of transformation of the village. At the foot of the green mountains, surrounded by greenery, the youth listened, asked questions, trying to catch the pulse of green development.
“This path has similarities with the development of some mountainous areas in our country,” said the young man from Uzbekistan. In recent years, Uzbekistan has also been exploring new models for integrating ecotourism and traditional agriculture, and Yucun’s experience here could not have come at a better time.
Entering the Anji County Exhibition Center of “Replacing Plastic with Bamboo”, young people looked closely at the exquisite bamboo products: disposable straws, biodegradable chopsticks, bamboo fiber clothing… Everywhere, greenery and ingenious design made people linger, tradition intertwined with modernity, and the green concept organically intertwined with daily life.
The delegation also visited green industry projects such as local guest houses, residential complexes for young highly qualified personnel, and a tourist center.
In recent years, China’s cooperation with SCO countries in areas such as ecological agriculture, clean energy and environmental management has been expanding. From green industry to green finance, from environmental training to policy dialogue, “green” has become an important link in the exchange of experience and mutual learning between China and other countries. -0-
Colombo (Agenzia Fides) – “Tourism in Sri Lanka is experiencing a robust recovery. This is a benefit for the entire country: we are showing the beauty of our island. We see that the general trend in the country’s economy and society is now positive. It will take some time to fully overcome the crisis of the last three years, but there are encouraging prospects,” Fr. Basel Fernando, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Sri Lanka, told Fides. According to official figures from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the country will welcome a record number of visitors in 2025: 250,000 visitors in January alone, a new record, and in May 2025, tourism grew by 20% compared to the previous year. In the first five months of 2025, the authority predicts that total visitors exceed the 1 million mark, with a forecast of more than 2 million compared to the previous year. Father Fernando notes to Fides: “We are in a phase of recovery and hope, which is evident at the political, social, and economic levels,” Father Fernando continued. “The new president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, elected last fall, has a large majority in parliament; the people supported him primarily to stop corruption. The serious crisis we have plunged into was also due to corruption, with its roots in past mismanagement,” he noted. “Now,” he continued, “the country is saving money, there is no waste of public funds, and there is more prudence.” In addition, “the government has allocated a larger share of the budget to areas such as education and poverty reduction: the poor are receiving greater attention, and thanks to the gradual economic recovery, inflation is under control and the purchasing power of wages is stable. All these social and economic developments create a positive climate and give people real hope for greater prosperity.” Hope, however, according to the National Director, “also shapes the spiritual sphere, the inner being of every person: we see this in the Catholic community when we celebrate the Jubilee of Hope,” he says. “We are here at the level of an inner and spiritual renewal: we are rediscovering hope in our hearts so that we can transmit hope beyond the Church to society, working for peace, justice, goodness, and the witness of charity. It is a time of inner renewal, but then the effects of this hope are felt in our relationships with our neighbors, externally. Let us remember the Jubilee of the Year 2000 and renew the commitment we made at the beginning of the new millennium: to proclaim the Gospel to all creation.”Father Fernando concludes: “The renewal of the Church and of humanity begins with each individual, with the personal conversion of each person, with closeness and personal fidelity to Christ. Here in Sri Lanka, we feel the effects of secularization in the Church and in society as well. The Jubilee, therefore, begins with the transformation of the heart of each person.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 6/6/2025)
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The US state of Montana has become the first in the country to let patients try experimental drugs – even if they are not terminally ill.
The new law allows doctors to refer patients to licensed “experimental treatment centres”, where they can access drugs that have only passed phase 1 clinical trials – the earliest stage of testing in humans.
This goes far beyond existing federal law, which only allows terminally ill patients to access such drugs under the Right to Try Act, passed in 2017.
Montana already had a fairly permissive right to try law, which was originally designed to let terminally ill patients access treatments that hadn’t yet received full approval by the drug regulator.
In 2023, that law was expanded to include patients with any medical condition. The latest law goes even further, creating a formal system for clinics to offer these experimental treatments.
According to an article in MIT Technology Review, the new law was shaped and promoted by a group of longevity advocates – a mix of scientists and influencers who are focused on extending human life.
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Before new medicines reach the market, they usually go through several stages of testing. A phase 1 trial is the first step in human studies and is designed to find a safe dose and spot early side-effects. It typically involves a small group – between 20 and 100 people – and does not prove the drug works.
Only around 12% of drugs that enter phase 1 trials go on to gain full approval. Many fail due to safety issues or lack of effectiveness.
Montana’s new law allows access to these early-stage treatments with a doctor’s recommendation – even for patients who are not terminally ill. Clinics must be licensed as experimental treatment centres, and 2% of their profits must be used to help low-income patients access these therapies.
Supporters say it gives people more control over their own health and could help boost innovation in areas like cancer, neurodegenerative disease and age-related decline. There is also hope it could turn Montana into a destination for medical tourism, attracting biotech investment.
But critics warn that the move could put vulnerable patients at risk.
Drugs in phase 1 trials may be safe enough to test – but their long-term effects are still unknown, and they may not work. There are also concerns over whether insurers will cover complications, since the drugs are not approved. Legal protections for both patients and doctors remain unclear.
And in South America, some countries allow patients to keep receiving experimental drugs after trials end – but not to start them outside of a trial.
Montana’s decision marks a bold new approach in the continuing debate over patient rights. It raises big questions about safety, ethics, regulation and the role of government in balancing innovation with public health. It could end up being a model for other states – or a cautionary tale.
Dipa Kamdar does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ULAN BATOR, June 6 (Xinhua) — Mongolia received a record 66,360 foreign tourists in May 2025, local media reported on Friday, citing data from the country’s Professional Tourism Association.
This figure increased by 5,462 people compared to the same period of the previous year.
Currently, Mongolia’s economy relies heavily on mineral resource exports. Tourism promotion is considered a priority for diversifying the country’s economy and increasing the competitiveness of its tourism sector in the global competitive environment.
By 2028, Mongolia plans to welcome a total of 2 million foreign tourists as part of its policy to support the tourism sector under the official slogan “Go Mongolia”.
According to the country’s National Statistical Committee, more than 727.4 thousand foreign tourists visited Mongolia in 2024. –0–
In a landmark visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off new Vande Bharat trains and inaugurated two major railway bridges—the Chenab Rail Bridge and the Anji Khad Bridge—marking a pivotal moment in the region’s rail connectivity journey. The event highlighted more than a decade of sustained investment in railway infrastructure aimed at expanding access, improving mobility, and unlocking economic opportunity across the Union Territory.
The Chenab Rail Bridge, now recognised as the world’s highest railway arch bridge, towers 359 metres above the riverbed—rising 35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower. Spanning 1,315 metres, this engineering marvel is a critical part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), one of India’s most ambitious transport projects. Designed to withstand extreme weather and seismic activity, the bridge is built to endure wind speeds of up to 260 kilometres per hour and has an expected lifespan of 120 years. Structural steel capable of withstanding temperatures from minus 10 to 40 degrees Celsius and cutting-edge Tekla software for structural precision were used in its construction.
Nearby, the Anji Khad Bridge stands as India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. Stretching 725 metres across the Anji River valley and supported by 96 high-tensile cables, the bridge is anchored by a 193-metre-tall inverted Y-shaped pylon. Set against the dramatic Himalayan landscape, the structure was completed in a record time of 11 months. Over 8,200 metric tonnes of structural steel were used in its construction, making it a resilient and strategic link in the Katra–Banihal section of the USBRL. The bridge has been engineered to withstand tremors, high wind loads and shifting topography, providing a vital connection in a region marked by seismic and geological volatility.
The rail network in Jammu and Kashmir has undergone a radical transformation over the past 11 years. Once hindered by geography and conflict, the region’s integration into the national railway grid is now nearly complete. The USBRL project, which cuts across 272 kilometres of rugged Himalayan terrain, includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 kilometres and 943 bridges that connect isolated communities. Constructed at a cost of ₹43,780 crore, it represents one of the most challenging infrastructure undertakings in India’s post-independence era.
To maximise the benefit of this enhanced connectivity, the Vande Bharat Express will soon operate between Jammu and Srinagar. Designed for sub-zero conditions, the train is equipped with heated windshields, insulated toilets and advanced heating systems to withstand temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. A snow removal train will operate ahead of it during harsh winters, and seismic dampers have been installed to ensure safety along the route.
The journey between Katra and Srinagar, which previously took more than five hours, will now be reduced to approximately three, a shift that is expected to bring substantial gains in tourism, trade and accessibility. Full electrification of railway lines in the region further strengthens this transformation, aligning with broader goals of energy efficiency and sustainability.
In addition to new services and engineering breakthroughs, the government has focused on modernising stations and expanding pilgrimage routes. In 2014, the commissioning of the Udhampur–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra rail section opened a 25.6 km link built at a cost of ₹1,132.75 crore. It features 10.9 km of tunnels, 36 bridges and a modern Katra station, constructed with dedicated facilities including public conveniences and a footbridge for local residents. That same year, the Shri Shakti AC Superfast Express was introduced to connect New Delhi with the shrine town, enhancing accessibility for pilgrims.
More recently, in February 2024, a 48-km stretch between Banihal, Khari, Sumber and Sangaldan was inaugurated, along with the electrification of the 185.66-km Baramulla–Srinagar–Banihal–Sangaldan section. Prime Minister Modi flagged off the valley’s first electric train, marking a shift towards cleaner and more efficient rail operations. The Banihal–Sangaldan section features ballast-less tracks to ensure smoother rides.
In January 2025, Indian Railways conducted safety inspections on the 111-km Banihal–Katra section, featuring 97 km of tunnels and four major bridges. Once operational, this will complete the Jammu–Srinagar rail link. Jammu station is also being redeveloped to include eight platforms and upgraded passenger amenities. A dedicated railway division with headquarters in Jammu was created in the same month, carved out from the Ferozepur Division. It will oversee operations in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and parts of Punjab, enhancing administrative efficiency and service delivery.
The T-50 tunnel, a 12.77-km stretch connecting Khari and Sumber, is now the longest transportation tunnel in India and plays a critical role in the USBRL network. Constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method, the tunnel includes a parallel escape tunnel and cross-passages every 375 metres for safety. Extensive geological challenges were met with strategic engineering solutions, including the construction of multiple adits to fast-track completion. The installation of CCTV cameras every 50 metres, monitored from a central control room, ensures operational safety.
To support these developments, Indian Railways also laid 215 km of approach roads to ensure access to remote construction sites. These roads have brought ancillary benefits by improving rural connectivity and enabling economic activity in previously inaccessible areas.
As part of its broader modernisation strategy, the Ministry of Railways has included four Jammu and Kashmir stations—Budgam, Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Udhampur—under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. This initiative aims to deliver enhanced passenger services and drive integrated urban development.
In the Union Budget for 2025–26, the Centre allocated ₹844 crore specifically for railway development in Jammu and Kashmir. The funding is aimed at accelerating ongoing projects and strengthening rail infrastructure across the region.
The confluence of infrastructure upgrades, strategic investments and technical innovation over the past decade is reshaping Jammu and Kashmir’s transport landscape. The region, once isolated by mountains and weather, is now poised to emerge as a vital link in India’s national rail network, offering faster, cleaner and more inclusive mobility for its people.
This report is provided by Earth Negotiations Bulletin/International Institute for Sustainable Development. View the original reporthere.
Finance is critical to implementation of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), but investments have not kept pace with rising demands, and aid budgets are shrinking worldwide. In many sessions through the day, delegates focused attention on financing a wide range of needs, including school safety, measures to deal with extreme heat, and nature-based solutions (NbS).
High-level dialogue
What will it take to scale DRR financing solutions at the national and local level?
Journalist Mayowa Adegoke moderated the session.
Stine Renate Håheim, State Secretary to Minister of International Development, Norway, emphasized DRR financing as a high priority, saying, “it is better to prevent than repair afterwards.” She noted that one in three people globally-most in cities or highly vulnerable areas-are not covered by Early Warning Systems (EWS).
Hans Sy, CEO, SM Prime Holdings, explained his company’s investment in resilient building construction, such as building on concrete pillars to allow free flow of floodwaters. He stressed that risk-informed decisions based on science and technology “makes good business sense.”
Fatima Yasmin, Asian Development Bank (ADB), said the Bank regards DRR as a critical priority investment, particularly through supporting policy making, planning, advising on innovative investments, and incentivizing preparedness. On scaling DRR investments, she said financing should be fast, flexible and forward-looking.
Rob Wesseling, CEO, Co-operators Group, said no path to net zero emissions is possible without investment in both prevention and recovery. He encouraged governments to utilize the risk information gathered by insurance companies over decades to assist with decision making.
On mobilizing private sector investment, Velenkosini Fiki Hlabisa, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, South Africa, stressed that every cent invested in resilience and preparedness saves lives and livelihoods.
View of the panel during the Multi-Stakeholder Plenary. Source: IISD/ENB | Anastasia Rodopoulou.
Ministerial roundtable
Inclusive comprehensive school safety-strengthening resilience for children and youth in all hazards
The event, which convened 36 ministries, was co-chaired by Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head, UNDRR, and Paul Steffen, Deputy Director, Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland.
In opening remarks, Kishore encouraged delegates to endorse the Comprehensive School Safety Framework 2017 (CSSF), noting only 80 countries have done so, and for countries to make schools heat-resilient.
On school safety policies, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Saint Lucia recognized the CSSF. Portugal highlighted its DRR working group on children and youth. Brunei Darussalam, Kenya, and Portugal recognized the fundamental rights of children to safe school environments. Colombia highlighted its Law on Teaching for Sustainability, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management. Republic of Korea described its 2020 Child Safety Management Act.
Many countries identified education programming as fundamental to reducing risk and developing children as agents of change in their homes and communities. Malaysia, Uganda, Russia, Algeria and others described homegrown examples of such programmes, for example, student leadership groups and First Aid skills training.
Leaders from around the globe express their shared commitment to making schools safer and more resilient to disasters. Source: IISD/ENB | Anastasia Rodopoulou.
Several countries, including Greece, Kenya and Cuba, recognized the importance of social support to children experiencing disaster and loss, and the ensuing mental and emotional health impacts. The Holy See flagged the need for spiritual care of those “who have seen whole lives swept away.”
Most countries discussed sustainable and resilient school infrastructure, including standards for new or retrofitted buildings. Belgium, Republic of Moldova, and Singapore highlighted energy efficiency and climate resilience. On heat stress in schools, Singapore flagged cooling strategies and energy-efficient fans. Tunisia described its sustainable school network that integrates climate change, disaster risk, and biodiversity objectives. Spain said new schools need to be “climate shelters.” Bangladesh noted the construction of more than 5,000 cyclone-resistant schools.
Multistakeholder plenary
Investments in reducing risk and building resilience to accelerate investments in sustainable development
Kishore introduced the session, which was co-chaired by Paul Steffen, Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland, and Paola Albrito, UNDRR. Kishore noted less than 1% of national budgets is allocated to DRR.
Countries presented their national commitments, such as Australia’s Disaster-Ready Fund, which is providing up to AUD 1 billion (USD 648 million) over five years for locally-identified needs, and Switzerland’s DRR commitment of more than CHF 2 billion (USD 2.5 billion) annually. Many expressed appreciation for international support, including for Moldova’s local adaptation plans in 38 communities, and Samoa’s community-based disaster risk management activities. Peru highlighted its introduction of budget flexibility for regional and local authorities, enabling rapid response to imminent hazards.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) reported that only 3% of all development assistance is allocated to agricultural DRR measures, even while these deliver significant returns in ensuring food security. Swiss Re highlighted the role of insurance in informing risk and mitigation measures, noting the availaility of parametric insurance, for example, against extreme heat events and flooding. The Resilience Action Fund showcased the work of the International Finance Corporation in developing the Building Resilience Index as a world-first metric for assessing the safety and risk of buildings for insurers and construction developers. The Latin America and the Caribbean Development Bank (CAF), India, and the UK welcomed innovative initiatives, such as a new center on extreme events, establishment of risk pools, and the use of AI to identify flood threats.
Delegates affirmed regional solidarity, demonstrated in Tunisia’s hosting of the Africa-Arab Platform for DRR in 2023, and Iran’s hosting of three regional organizations, including a Regional Center for Urban Water Management. Albania welcomed its responsibilities under the EU Civil Protection Code for cooperation among EU countries and other partners, which, he noted, enables access to advanced DRR solutions.
The International Organization for Migration highlighted its 2024 launch of Climate Mobility Innovation Labs for the Africa and Asia regions to develop solutions to climate-related mobility.
Steffen urged all present to accelerate investment in DRR, and to engage the private sector as key partners.
Moderator, Juli Trtanj, Co-Chair, Gobal Heat Health Information Network, opened the session. Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), called heat a “silent killer” because it is the least managed of all climate hazards. She said 50% of countries have heat warning systems in place but only 26 have dedicated Heat Health EWS. She identified three priorities: integrating heat risk into climate and DRR governance, heat EWS, and implementation using risk information and data.
In his keynote, Pramod Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, India, said heat threatened public health, economic stability, and the ecological resilience of cities and communities. He underscored UNDRR’s Common Framework on Extreme Heat Risk Governance and drew attention to India’s national guidelines on heat wave management, which decentralized more than 250 heat action plans in 23 states. He called for scaling hospital and primary health care preparedness and resilience and noted India is adopting a long-term heat wave mitigation strategy, including roof-cooling technologies, passive cooling centers, revival of traditional water bodies, and improved thermal comfort and livability of informal settlements.
In a panel discussion, Benoît Faraco, Ambassador, Climate Negotiations for Decarbonized Energies and for the Prevention of Climate Risks, France, urged being modest since we are still discovering impacts and avoiding maladaptation. Ousmane Ndiaye, Director General, African Center for Meteorological Application for Development, stressed the links between heat waves, energy crises, and health care demand. Rosa Galvez, Senator, Canada, spoke about lived experience saying, “We cannot adapt forever – we must work on the causes.” Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said extreme heat is a humanitarian crisis. On involving the financial sector, Mia Seppo, Assistant Director General, International Labour Organization, discussed climate risk insurance, just transition principles, and access to essential services. Mishra advised that industry protect labor from heat risk.
Source: IISD/ENB | Anastasia Rodopoulou.
Special session
Comprehensive approaches to reduce loss and damage-bridging climate action and DRR
Fatou Jeng, Former Climate Advisor to the UN Secretary-General and Member of the Early Warnings for All Advisory Panel, moderated the session.
Ralph Regenvanu, Minister for Climate Change, Adaptation, Meteorology and Geo Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management, Vanuatu, appreciated the support from the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) and the Santiago Network, which combined forces to launch the inaugural integrated loss and damage and DRR initiative in Vanuatu.
Kishore noted that, while many DRR practices are now in place, these need to be updated to deal with climate system changes and the associated risks, uncertainty, and volatility.
Benoît Faraco, argued that the distinction between loss and damage, and DRR, is theoretical, and remains irrelevant to people on the ground who want response, prevention, action, and solidarity to alleviate their situation.
Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, Executive Director, FRLD, emphasized the need to look at how interventions can be most impactful, stressing that solutions must be country-led, and recognize Indigenous groups and civil society participants. He expressed awareness that the FRLD must be “nimble, accessible, flexible and built on partnerships, always ensuring no one is left behind.”
Carolina Fuentes Castellanos, Director, Santiago Network Secretariat, elaborated on how the network is supporting countries to accelerate loss and damage, using Vanuatu’s experience to demonstrate how the Network can accelerate fund distribution and support with bold and transformative support.
Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General, IFRC, cautioned that the terms loss and damage represent different meanings to communities, but the bottom line is to ensure the funds really reach the local level.
Thematic Sessions
Catalyzing governance solutions for disaster and climate-related displacement
Irwin Loy, The New Humanitarian, moderated this session.
John Mussington, activist and displaced person, Antigua & Barbuda, described his work of founding the community network, Stronger Caribbean Together, with others displaced by “disaster capitalism”, as storm-damaged sites are cleared for tourism development.
Sakiasi Ditoka, Minister of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Fiji, highlighted the 2023 Pacific Regional Mobility Framework and Fiji’s own planned relocation guidelines.
Zahra Abdi Mohamed, Director-General, National Center for Rural Development and Durable Solutions, Somalia, described Somalia’s National Transformation Plan that prioritizes anticipatory action and climate-smart livelihoods, responding to the needs of long-term displaced communities.
Fatimah Zannah Mustapha, community representative, Nigeria, called for centering the voices of local women in decision making by removing barriers, “whether digital, linguistic, or cultural.” Claudinne Ogaldes Cruz, Executive Secretary, National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED), Guatemala, noted that many Guatemalan households are women-led and have the knowledge to inform decision making.
Robert Piper, former UN Secretary-General’s Advisor on Solutions to Internal Displacement, said line ministries responsible for decisions on land use and building codes-“those who are responsible for dealing with the failure to prevent”-must become deeply involved in the governance of disaster displacement.
Leveraging Values of Nature for Resilience: Moderated by Cecilia Aipira, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the session addressed the role of nature-based solutions (NbS) in DRR.
In his keynote, Mohammed-Yahya Lafdal, General Director, National Environment and Coastline Observatory, Mauritania, highlighted the increase in tree cover through reforestation and restoration, taking into account Indigenous knowledge and solutions, and the development of barrier systems for water distribution and management in desert areas. He emphasized how addressing land degradation and rehabilitation has been Mauritania’s best solution for increasing resilience.
Rodrigo Hernández Escobar, Representative of the Latin American and Caribbean Indigenous Knowledge & DRR Network, highlighted political will and respect for Indigenous cosmovision and territories as key elements for leveraging traditional knowledge into programmes supporting NbS. Isaac Luwaga Mugumbule, Head of Landscaping, Kampala Capital City Authority, Uganda, stated that NbS are context-specific and require community involvement to be sustained.
Professor Satoru Nishikawa, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), stressed the need for scientific numerical quantification, analysis, and testing on the strengths and durability of NbS. Swenja Surminski, London School of Economics, noting that NbS “are not silver bullets,” stressed the need to work with nature, drawing attention to NbS co-benefits. Oliver Schelske, Swiss Re Institute, noting the absence of standardized values for nature, emphasized that even if “not everything is insurable,” investing in nature makes sense from an insurance perspective, as it reduces risks to the asset being insured.
On the prerequisites for NbS to be viable, speakers mentioned common sense, co-benefit considerations, identifying the number of protected lives, and conducting independent auditing.
Thematic Sessions as visual summaries capturing key messages and insights. Source: IISD/ENB | Anastasia Rodopoulou.
Side event
Inclusive comprehensive school safety—Strengthening resilience for children and youth in all hazards
This side event, organized and facilitated by the Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector (GADRRRES), showcased school safety and resilience programmes from Central Asia, the Pacific region and the Caribbean.
Anja Nielsen, Co-Chair, GADRRRES, gave an overview of CSSF, noting the all-hazards, all-risks approach that includes environmental, climate change, and biological health risks, technical threats, and other everyday risks. She elaborated on the global school safety survey, representing 350 million school-aged children, and highlighted, among other concerns, that significant infrastructure investment is needed to better protect children and teachers from natural hazards, with most suffering from funding constraints.
Education administrators from Saint Lucia, Tonga, and Kyrgyzstan described CSSF activities and outcomes from their regions, and emphasized: involving the children actively in school safety is a game changer; collaboration is the essence of resilience, requiring whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches; and building capacity at all levels, particularly teachers, for comprehensive school safety is key.
IISD’s summary
The summary report of the meeting will be available on Monday, 9 June 2025, here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday strongly condemned Pakistan’s repeated attempts to destabilise peace and progress in the region, asserting that such acts would not derail India’s development push in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a public gathering in Katra, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple infrastructure projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore. These include the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji.
He said that tourism has emerged as a key driver of economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir, creating jobs and fostering unity. “Tourism generates employment and strengthens bonds between people. But Pakistan seeks to destroy this progress,” he said. PM Modi accused Pakistan of deliberately targeting the tourism sector, which has seen record-high visitor footfall in recent years, to hurt the earnings of local workers such as porters, horse riders, guides, and shopkeepers.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Adil, a young man who died while resisting the attackers. “Adil was working hard to support his family. He stood up to terrorists and lost his life in the process. His courage will always be remembered,” he said.
Highlighting the shift in public sentiment, PM Modi said that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are now determined to confront terrorism head-on. He recalled how the decades-long militancy in the Valley had scorched schools, hospitals, and even disrupted free and fair elections. “Generations lost their dreams, and many came to accept violence as their fate. But today, this has changed,” he said.
He noted that the current atmosphere reflects a profound transformation. “Kashmiri youth today take pride in the sight of thriving markets, lively cinema halls, and new shopping malls. They dream of bringing back film shoots and transforming Jammu and Kashmir into a sports hub,” he said, citing the Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela, the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, and Eid celebrations as signs of the region’s renewed energy.
PM Modi also recalled the military action carried out by India on May 6, named Operation Sindoor, which he said dealt a decisive blow to Pakistan-based terror networks. “The terror infrastructure built over decades was reduced to ruins within minutes. Pakistan never imagined such a bold response,” he said, adding that the operation would remain a reminder of Pakistan’s humiliation.
He alleged that in retaliation, Pakistan targeted civilian areas in Jammu, Poonch, and other districts. “They shelled schools, hospitals, temples, mosques, and gurdwaras. The world witnessed their cruelty,” PM Modi said, praising the courage and unity displayed by residents in the face of cross-border aggression. He assured the affected families that the country stood with them in full solidarity.
PM Modi announced that families who lost loved ones in cross-border firing have already been provided appointment letters for government jobs. He also said that the government had previously extended financial aid for home repairs in shelling-hit areas, and that this assistance would now be increased. Severely damaged houses will receive ₹2 lakh, while partially damaged homes will be granted ₹1 lakh in additional support.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s recognition of border residents as the “nation’s frontline protectors”. Over the past decade, nearly 10,000 new bunkers have been built in the region, he said, noting their importance during recent escalations. Modi further announced the formation of two new Border Battalions in Jammu and Kashmir and confirmed the establishment of two Women Battalions to strengthen both security and women’s participation in the armed forces.
PM Modi concluded his address by declaring that no obstacle would be allowed to hinder the aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth. “If anyone dares to threaten their dreams, they will have to face me first,” he said.
EIB to advise Burgas on plan to create top scientific centre that will serve city’s four universities.
Due to open in 2027, new campus will feature research and data facilities as well as student housing and sports premises.
EIB to help develop economic model for site as Burgas seeks to attract researchers and students from around world.
The Bulgarian city of Burgas will develop a state-of-the-art scientific campus and seek to attract Bulgarian and international researchers and students with guidance from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The new campus is due to open its doors in 2027 and serve four universities in Burgas, Bulgaria’s fourth-largest city and a major industrial and tourist hub on the Back Sea.
The agreement involves the EIB’s advisory services. EIB Advisory Head of Public & Infrastructure Finance Division Julien Chebbo and Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov signed the accord today in the city.
Burgas has a population of more than 200,000 and is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in Bulgaria. The new campus will feature centres for research and development and data as well as housing and sporting facilities.
“Creating a quality space for studying, working and living is key to attract young people and retain talent in cohesion regions,” said EIB Vice-PresidentKyriacos Kakouris. “We are pleased to support Burgas in structuring a viable economic model for the new campus, which will enhance the city’s position in the higher-education landscape, promoting innovation and economic growth.”
The municipality of Burgas has completed a design for the campus and designated land plots for it. EIB Advisory will propose and evaluate financing options and help devise an appropriate management and governance structure for the campus. The expertise is being mobilised under the European Commission’s InvestEU Advisory mandate.
“This is an extremely important project to attract young people by providing opportunities for broad-spectrum education and development,” said BurgasMayor Dimitar Nikolov. “This requires a modern environment that seamlessly combines opportunities for education and science with quality living quarters. This setting will inspire and nurture the development of specialists in various academic fields and the attainment of top scientific achievements.”
The new agreement follows other EIB Advisory support for Burgas including a comprehensive feasibility study in 2022-2023 for a new children’s hospital. In September 2023, the EIB then approved a €12.8 million loan for Burgas to co-fund the hospital.
Background information
About the EIB
The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. The EIB finances investments in eight core priorities that support EU policy objectives: climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.
The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.
In addition to financing, the EIB offers advisory services that help public and private partners develop and implement high-quality, investment-ready projects. In 2024 alone, EIB advisory teams helped mobilise over €200 billion of investments across Europe and beyond.
About the InvestEU Advisory Hub
The InvestEU programmeprovides the EU with long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery and growth. It helps mobilise private investments for the EU’s policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. InvestEU brings together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient and more flexible.
The InvestEU Advisory Hub is the central entry point for project promoters and intermediaries seeking advisory support and technical assistance related to centrally managed EU investment funds. Managed by the European Commission and financed by the EU budget, the InvestEU Advisory Hub connects project promoters and intermediaries with advisory partners, who work directly together to help projects reach the financing stage.
EIB Advisory provides technical and financial expertise to support the development of sustainable and bankable projects in various sectors. In Bulgaria, EIB experts are assisting public authorities and businesses in preparing infrastructure investments in energy, energy efficiency, healthcare, transport and the environment, improving project planning and enhancing access to funding through tailored services and capacity building.
About the Municipality of Burgas
The Municipality of Burgas is the fourth-largest municipality in Bulgaria and the city of Burgas is the biggest city in south-eastern Bulgaria. Surrounded by three lakes and the Black Sea, the fast-developing city serves as a commercial and transport hub in the country. Burgas is an important centre for sea tourism with facilities and transport connections to the resorts on the South Black Sea coast.
