Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
WASHINGTON, July 13 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday urged his supporters to stop attacking Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Justice Department’s recent findings regarding sex trafficking defendant Jeffrey Epstein.
“What is happening to my ‘boys’ and in some cases ‘girls’?” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “They are all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi who is doing a fantastic job! We are on the same team, MAGA, and I don’t like what is happening,” he added.
He urged his team “not to waste time and energy on Jeffrey Epstein, a man no one cares about.”
Trump’s defense comes amid a backlash over the Epstein files. On Monday, the Justice Department released a memo saying there was no evidence Epstein had a “client list” or was murdered, prompting disbelief in the findings and criticism of the investigation by Trump’s political allies.
For years, D. Trump and his supporters have been advocating for the release of Epstein’s client list. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Nearly 4,000 hikers from across China gathered on Saturday to compete in the 10th Jinfo Mountain hiking race, in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality.
Jinfo mountain, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site for its karst landscape, has attracted a growing number of hikers in recent years to experience its natural beauty of steep cliffs, gorges, peaks, caverns, stone forests and waterfalls.
Saturday’s event featured three race categories: competitive, fitness, and family. Competitors from competitive category navigated a challenging 14.5-kilometer mountain course, including vertical ascents and a high-altitude trail carved into cliffs.
Liu Jun of Hubei province won the men’s race in one hour and 32 minutes, while Chengdu’s Liu Jianhua claimed the women’s title in one hour and 55 minutes. Fitness and family group participants completed a six-kilometer scenic route that combined physical activity with natural sightseeing.
Jinfo Mountain is one of China’s top eco-tourism destinations, with forest coverage exceeding 95 percent and cool, oxygen-rich air during the summer months.
The race, launched in 2015, has grown into a signature national outdoor event, boosting tourism and local economies.
Sweden made the most of Germany defender Carlotta Wamser’s expulsion to sweep to a 4-1 win and secure top spot in their Group C clash on Saturday, with their opponents also going through to the quarter-finals as runners-up.
The Swedes finished top of the group with a perfect nine points from three games and will take on the runners-up in Group D, which features France, England, Netherlands and Wales.
The Germans will face the winners of Group D.
Friday’s encounter was the first time the Germans conceded four goals at a Women’s Euros and the Swedes were good value for their win, punishing virtually every mistake the Germans made.
Germany got off to a flying start, slicing Sweden open through the middle as Wamser slid the ball into the path of Jule Brand, who managed to slip it past Jennifer Falk despite the Swedish keeper getting a touch.
The Swedes struck back within five minutes, striker Stina Blackstenius expertly timing her run behind the defence and latching on to Kosovare Asllani’s ball before flashing a shot past Ann-Katrin Berger to level.
Though the Germans looked dangerous every time they crossed the halfway line, it was the Swedes who took the lead through Smilla Holmberg in the 25th minute, the fullback marauding into the box before losing control and then steering an attempted clearance into the net from a tight angle.
RED CARD
Germany’s challenge fell apart in the 32nd minute when Wamser was shown a straight red card for a deliberate handball to block a goal, and Fridolina Rolfo scored from the spot to make it 3-1 in her 100th international.
“The red card was decisive,” Germany coach Christian Wueck said. “We couldn’t fight back into the game with one less player on the pitch.”
Though the Germans made the odd dangerous foray in the second half, the Swedes exploited their numerical advantage and substitute Lina Hurtig put the game beyond reach with a close-range finish in the 80th minute.
“It’s very important to build on a good feeling and gain confidence, now we can look forward,” goalscorer Blackstenius said.
The Germans were disappointed with how the game turned out after such a good start.
“We started the game very well. We were fully in it and the better team,” Klara Buhl said.
“We then give the game away in 10 minutes, that’s incredibly bitter. We have to put that behind us as quickly as possible.”
The Swedes play their quarter-final in Zurich next Thursday, while the Germans will have two extra days of rest before playing their game in Basel on Saturday.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Backing British Industry: Government launches £2.5bn DRIVE35 programme to power UK auto investment and jobs
UK auto firms will benefit from a £2.5 billion commitment over the next decade that will support thousands of jobs and help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development.
UK auto sector boosted by £2.5 billion under DRIVE35, as government launches new and improved funding competitions, supporting projects which help the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing.
Package forms part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, which takes bold ambition to significantly increase business investment in the advanced manufacturing sector by 2035.
Government also announces over £300 million of investment for specific auto projects, supporting the UK’s thousands of high-value manufacturing jobs and delivering on the Plan for Change.
UK auto firms will benefit from a £2.5 billion commitment over the next decade that will support thousands of jobs and help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development.
Government is today announcing the launch of DRIVE35, comprising new and improved funding competitions that will support UK businesses. The programme will fund a wide spectrum of projects which help the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing – targeting established high-volume manufacturing and multi-billion-pound gigafactories, all the way to start-ups, prototypes and cutting-edge automotive innovation.
The new programme was announced in the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy. It will commit £2 billion in funding to 2030 alongside an additional £500m for research and development to 2035, signalling a ten-year commitment to UK automotive innovation.
The cash will provide certainty to the sector, give innovators the confidence to invest in the UK and will support the latest in research and development, unlocking capital investment in zero emission vehicles, batteries and their supply chains.
The automotive sector contributed £21.4 billion in GVA to the economy in 2024 and currently employs 132,000 people across all parts of the UK – including many highly-skilled, highly-paid roles, and apprenticeships. The transition to zero emissions is the biggest opportunity of the 21st century to attract investment, harness British innovation, and deliver growth for generations to come.
The UK was also the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and the third in the world with over 382,000 EVs sold – up a fifth on the previous year. There are now more than 82,000 public chargepoints in the UK – with one added every half an hour – ensuring that motorists are always a short drive from a socket.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:
We’re helping British carmakers get to the front of the pack by working hand in hand with investors to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK as we deliver our Plan for Change.
We’re taking action to back the industry for the future with the biggest set of announcements for the sector in the last decade. This includes securing a landmark trade deal with the US to bring down tariffs for British car manufacturers, measures in our modern Industrial Strategy to lower electricity prices and updating the ZEV mandate, supporting UK manufacturers to safeguard jobs, and secure the future of the sector.
Economic growth is our number one priority, and by funding our world leading auto sector we are creating the right conditions for increased investment, bringing growth, jobs, and opportunities to every part of the UK.
The funding announced today forms part of government’s bold ambition to significantly increase business investment in the advanced manufacturing sector by 2035, giving British firms an edge in the frontier industries of the future and driving growth across the UK.
DRIVE35 will build on previous successes with the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) and the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) R&D competitions, which between them leveraged over £6 billion of investment from the private sector, creating thousands of jobs across the UK economy.
The Department for Business and Trade today also announces over £300 million for specific UK automotive manufacturing firms and projects. This includes over £100 million of capital investment for UK automotive manufacturing via the ATF, approximately £140 million in combined Government and industry R&D investment, and £18 million from the new £150m Connected & Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder programme.
With Government support, Bolton is set to benefit from over £100 million in investment from Astemo Ltd., which will be vital to the production of electric vehicle (EV) components in the UK. This investment will produce new generations of electric inverters, supporting over 220 direct high-value jobs in the region and hundreds more in the wider UK supply chain.
The West Midlands will also welcome a recent £15 million investment from Dana to produce parts that are crucial for EV manufacturing. Dana’s investment will ensure skilled jobs in the region, supporting over 100 direct jobs over the long term.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said:
The creation of this dedicated automotive programme is further evidence of the sector’s importance to economic growth. Delivered as part of the Industrial Strategy, DRIVE35 has the potential to unlock investment and innovation in the UK, supporting jobs and creating wealth across the country. The importance of a long term, cross-government strategy with specific measures for automotive cannot be understated given the challenges facing the sector amid geopolitical uncertainty and fierce global competition. DRIVE35, and the wider measures identified in the Industrial Strategy, must now be implemented at pace to ensure the UK is amongst the leaders in next generation automotive technologies.
Ian Constance, CEO, Advanced Propulsion Centre UK and Zenzic said:
This new investment underlines the commitment from Government to secure advanced manufacturing in the UK. I am pleased that the APC, Zenzic, and its delivery partners are here to facilitate a new wave of funding in the automotive industry, supporting innovation, driving scale-up, and enabling transformation.
Today, we have announced projects receiving four types of grants that boost the UK’s leadership in automotive manufacturing. They will enable the rapid development of demonstrators featuring cutting-edge technology, accelerate ambitious SMEs, and support vital collaborative R&D innovation. This will encourage further investment in the UK’s growing zero-emission supply chain, safeguarding skilled jobs, building on the country’s reputation as a world-leader for technology.
Thanks to the wide range of eligible technologies under the new competitions, DRIVE35 funding will benefit UK auto businesses of all sizes and maturities, from small-scale innovators to large-scale established global companies. Through targeted investment for successful project applicants, the programme will create tens of thousands of new jobs, stimulate billions in economic growth and investment, and cut millions of tonnes CO2 emissions.
The programme will provide a more impactful offering for investors across three streamlined pillars: Transformation, Scale Up and Innovation. Tomorrow the government will open the following competitions across the DRIVE35 programme:
Automotive Transformation Fund: A new and improved capital funding offer under DRIVE35’s keystone Transformation pillar, supporting large-scale capital investments in the UK, and now with a widened technology scope.
Scale Up Feasibility Studies: R&D funding to support businesses with strategic thinking on opportunities to scale, creating a pipeline of exciting decision-ready auto projects for UK investment.
Innovation competitions: Through DRIVE35’s Collaborate and Demonstrate streams, we will build on over a decade of success to support both early-stage and late-stage R&D projects involving innovative technologies and processes.
DRIVE35 will continue the successes of the UK’s world-leading achievements in R&D. As an example, this government has recently committed a combined £70 million of R&D grant funding for over 50 innovative automotive projects. The programme will be delivered by DBT in partnership with APC UK and Innovate UK.
Combined with industry funding, this totals £140 million in new investment for UK R&D. These projects will support technologies including batteries, energy storage, lightweighting and power electronics. Successful applicants include Mercedes and JLR.
Notes to editors:
The winners of the R&D competitions are as follows:
Mobilise: An SME accelerator programme for zero-emission vehicle-related technology, as well as innovations in connected and automated mobility (CAM), and automotive software.
Allye Energy – London
Antobot – South East, Chelmsford
Cellmine – Scotland, Livingstone
Drisq – West Midlands, Malvern
Electrify Everything Now – West Midlands, Worcester
Evie Autonomous – West Midlands, Stoke-On-Trent
High Temperature Material Systems (HTMS) – South West, Bristol
Infiniti Recycling – South East, Cambridge
Kuasasemi – Wales, Cardiff
Lightning Tree Advanced Materials – London
Minimalx – London
Muon Tech – West Midlands, Leamington Spa
Otaski Energy Solutions – North East, Gateshead
Saif Autonomy – South East, Cambridgeshire
Senergy Innovations – Northern Ireland, Carryduff
Super6 – London
Talos Consulting Services – South East, Banbury
Collaborate: Grants fund projects where companies, and academic institutions, form a consortium to take a product or process to commercial readiness. Please note, these are the lead partners only – there are several partners in each consortium.
Ionic Technologies International – Northern Ireland, Belfast
Mint Biomining – West Midlands, Coventry
Mercedes Amg High Performance Powertrains – East Midlands, Northamptonshire
Jaguar Land Rover – West Midlands, Coventry
Phinia Delphi UK – South West, Gloucestershire
Demonstrate: Grants are for companies that are earlier in their product or process development or need a short, sharp sprint to get where they want to be. Please note that these are the lead partners.
Cummins UK – Yorkshire And The Humber, Huddersfield
Oxlid – East Midlands, Nottingham
Thermulon – London
Expert Tooling & Automation – West Midlands, Coventry
Cool Van Ltd – North West – Barnoldswick
Jaguar Land Rover – West Midlands, Warwick
Batri – Wales, Bridgend
Magnetic Systems Technology – Yorkshire and the Humber, Rotherham
Leyland Trucks – North East, Leyland
Project Four Design – West Midlands, Warwick
Fluorok – South East, Oxford
Hydrostar UK – South West, Exeter
Lorillion – West Midlands, Coventry
Talos Consulting Services – South East, Banbury
Ford Motor Company – South East, Essex
Advanced Electric Machines – North East, Washington
Maeving – West Midlands, Coventry
Fering Technologies – London
Green Lithium Refining – North East, Teesside
Mercedes Amg High Performance Powertrains – East Midlands, Northamptonshire
Watt Electric Vehicle Company – South West, Worcester
Electrified Automation – South West, Bridgwater
Ulemco – North West, Liverpool
Clean Air Power Gt – East Midlands, Melton Mowbray
Donut Lab Development UK – South West, Chippenham
Electric Aviation Group – South West, Bristol
Project Four Design – West Midlands, Warwick
Altilium Metals – South West, Plymouth
Inetic – Southampton
Morris Commercial – West Midlands, Evesham
Ilika Technologies – South East, Hampshire
Mcmurtry Automotive – South West, Wotton-Under-Edge
Have you ever wondered how wild birds cope with baking hot afternoons and freezing cold mornings? Our new study has taken a close look at one of Africa’s most familiar birds – the helmeted guineafowl – and uncovered surprising answers about how they deal with extreme temperatures.
The helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) is a common sight across sub-Saharan Africa’s savannas and semi-arid regions. They are instantly recognisable with their spotted plumage, bony helmet, bare blue head, and loud cackling calls. These birds are famously social, often seen roaming in noisy flocks.
Helmeted guineafowl can endure air temperatures from -4°C up to 40°C in South Africa.
The idea that animals huddle to stay warm – known as social thermoregulation – is well documented in mammals and birds like penguins. This theory proposes that animals huddle together to conserve heat in cold conditions, but is this what guineafowl are doing?
Together with colleagues in Spain, we set out to find the answer because understanding whether birds group to keep warm or for other reasons helps ecologists uncover the true drivers of social behaviour. This can also inform how species will respond to changing climates and help guide conservation strategies.
We studied a wild population of guineafowl in South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve, a protected area near the Botswana border. It’s known for its sharp daily temperature fluctuations during winter, with cold, frosty mornings dropping to 0°C and sweltering afternoons reaching up to 40°C.
To spy on the birds without disturbing them, we set up a live-streaming webcam at a busy waterhole, recording their behaviour over an entire year. We watched how group size, body posture and daily routines shifted with the seasons and weather.
What we found was striking.
Our study challenges some common assumptions about how animals survive in extreme climates. Guineafowl don’t rely on cuddling for warmth like some penguins and some species of monkeys. Rather, they use behaviour – adjusting posture, timing their activity and changing group sizes according to food and safety needs – to navigate life’s temperature extremes.
This strategy may help them cope with the growing unpredictability of climate.
When they get together, it’s to exploit a food patch and nurture their offspring within close-knit social groups while foraging, or to fend off predators during coordinated mobbing behaviour.
What we found
The evidence we gathered shows that the guineafowl did not form bigger groups when temperatures dropped. There was no evidence they huddled together to stay warm. Even at night, when they roosted in trees, they perched in small family units – just two or three birds per branch.
Our findings suggest that the reason guineafowl form groups has more to do with food and safety.
During the dry winter months, when seeds and vegetation are scarce, the birds form large foraging flocks to help find food and stay safe from predators. More eyes mean better chances of spotting danger. This supports the widely recognised “many eyes” hypothesis, which shows that individuals in larger groups benefit from improved predator detection. But once the rains return and food becomes more plentiful and spread out, the guineafowl split into pairs or small groups to focus on breeding.
While group size wasn’t tied to temperature, the birds used clever body postures to handle both heat and cold. On chilly mornings below 17°C, they puffed out their collar feathers and tucked their bare necks deep into their bodies, creating a rounded, fluffy ball that trapped heat.
On warmer days, they stood tall with their necks fully extended, legs exposed, and feathers sleek to release excess heat. When temperatures soared above 30°C, they opened their beaks to pant, spread their wings slightly away from their bodies, and exposed bare skin to cool off, much as a dog pants on a hot day.
One of the most delightful behaviours observed was “sunning”. On frosty winter mornings, guineafowl would fly down from their roosts and stand facing the rising sun, fluffing their feathers and soaking up warmth before starting their day. It’s a simple, effective way to heat up after a cold night.
Another surprise was how rarely the birds drank water. Despite living in a dry environment, only about 2% of observed guineafowl visits were to the waterhole. In wet seasons, they likely get most of their moisture from eating green plants and insects. In the cold, dry season, when food is drier, drinking increased slightly, but still far less than expected.
They drank even less when it was both hot and windy, possibly because the noise of the wind makes it harder to detect predators when standing out in the open. Avoiding water during hot periods is usual among helmeted guineafowl, which typically avoid exposing themselves during peak heat due to increased predation risk and the physiological stress of extreme temperatures. Most galliforms (gamebirds) and terrestrial species favour early morning or late afternoon activity patterns, limiting mid-day exposure.
Every evening, the flock gathered at the same familiar “launching pad” near the waterhole and flew into nearby trees to roost. But once again, warmth wasn’t the reason for this behaviour. They roosted to avoid ground predators, not to share body heat. I have seen them for many years going into trees when predators or dogs chase them, unlike spurfowl and francolin just flying further on.
Why insights are useful
This research carries important lessons for understanding animal adaptation. Rather than relying on group warmth, guineafowl show how behavioural flexibility, adjusting posture, timing and habitat use, can buffer them against harsh conditions. It highlights how survival depends not just on temperature or water availability, but on having access to diverse habitat types: open grasslands for foraging and trees or dense bush for roosting and safety.
As climates shift and ecosystems change, understanding how animals like guineafowl cope with extremes will be crucial for conservation planning.
Johann van Niekerk does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Johann van Niekerk, Doctor, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa
Have you ever wondered how wild birds cope with baking hot afternoons and freezing cold mornings? Our new study has taken a close look at one of Africa’s most familiar birds – the helmeted guineafowl – and uncovered surprising answers about how they deal with extreme temperatures.
The helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) is a common sight across sub-Saharan Africa’s savannas and semi-arid regions. They are instantly recognisable with their spotted plumage, bony helmet, bare blue head, and loud cackling calls. These birds are famously social, often seen roaming in noisy flocks.
Helmeted guineafowl can endure air temperatures from -4°C up to 40°C in South Africa.
The idea that animals huddle to stay warm – known as social thermoregulation – is well documented in mammals and birds like penguins. This theory proposes that animals huddle together to conserve heat in cold conditions, but is this what guineafowl are doing?
Together with colleagues in Spain, we set out to find the answer because understanding whether birds group to keep warm or for other reasons helps ecologists uncover the true drivers of social behaviour. This can also inform how species will respond to changing climates and help guide conservation strategies.
We studied a wild population of guineafowl in South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve, a protected area near the Botswana border. It’s known for its sharp daily temperature fluctuations during winter, with cold, frosty mornings dropping to 0°C and sweltering afternoons reaching up to 40°C.
To spy on the birds without disturbing them, we set up a live-streaming webcam at a busy waterhole, recording their behaviour over an entire year. We watched how group size, body posture and daily routines shifted with the seasons and weather.
What we found was striking.
Our study challenges some common assumptions about how animals survive in extreme climates. Guineafowl don’t rely on cuddling for warmth like some penguins and some species of monkeys. Rather, they use behaviour – adjusting posture, timing their activity and changing group sizes according to food and safety needs – to navigate life’s temperature extremes.
This strategy may help them cope with the growing unpredictability of climate.
When they get together, it’s to exploit a food patch and nurture their offspring within close-knit social groups while foraging, or to fend off predators during coordinated mobbing behaviour.
What we found
The evidence we gathered shows that the guineafowl did not form bigger groups when temperatures dropped. There was no evidence they huddled together to stay warm. Even at night, when they roosted in trees, they perched in small family units – just two or three birds per branch.
Our findings suggest that the reason guineafowl form groups has more to do with food and safety.
During the dry winter months, when seeds and vegetation are scarce, the birds form large foraging flocks to help find food and stay safe from predators. More eyes mean better chances of spotting danger. This supports the widely recognised “many eyes” hypothesis, which shows that individuals in larger groups benefit from improved predator detection. But once the rains return and food becomes more plentiful and spread out, the guineafowl split into pairs or small groups to focus on breeding.
While group size wasn’t tied to temperature, the birds used clever body postures to handle both heat and cold. On chilly mornings below 17°C, they puffed out their collar feathers and tucked their bare necks deep into their bodies, creating a rounded, fluffy ball that trapped heat.
On warmer days, they stood tall with their necks fully extended, legs exposed, and feathers sleek to release excess heat. When temperatures soared above 30°C, they opened their beaks to pant, spread their wings slightly away from their bodies, and exposed bare skin to cool off, much as a dog pants on a hot day.
One of the most delightful behaviours observed was “sunning”. On frosty winter mornings, guineafowl would fly down from their roosts and stand facing the rising sun, fluffing their feathers and soaking up warmth before starting their day. It’s a simple, effective way to heat up after a cold night.
Another surprise was how rarely the birds drank water. Despite living in a dry environment, only about 2% of observed guineafowl visits were to the waterhole. In wet seasons, they likely get most of their moisture from eating green plants and insects. In the cold, dry season, when food is drier, drinking increased slightly, but still far less than expected.
They drank even less when it was both hot and windy, possibly because the noise of the wind makes it harder to detect predators when standing out in the open. Avoiding water during hot periods is usual among helmeted guineafowl, which typically avoid exposing themselves during peak heat due to increased predation risk and the physiological stress of extreme temperatures. Most galliforms (gamebirds) and terrestrial species favour early morning or late afternoon activity patterns, limiting mid-day exposure.
Every evening, the flock gathered at the same familiar “launching pad” near the waterhole and flew into nearby trees to roost. But once again, warmth wasn’t the reason for this behaviour. They roosted to avoid ground predators, not to share body heat. I have seen them for many years going into trees when predators or dogs chase them, unlike spurfowl and francolin just flying further on.
Why insights are useful
This research carries important lessons for understanding animal adaptation. Rather than relying on group warmth, guineafowl show how behavioural flexibility, adjusting posture, timing and habitat use, can buffer them against harsh conditions. It highlights how survival depends not just on temperature or water availability, but on having access to diverse habitat types: open grasslands for foraging and trees or dense bush for roosting and safety.
As climates shift and ecosystems change, understanding how animals like guineafowl cope with extremes will be crucial for conservation planning.
– Guineafowl can outsmart extreme temperatures: we spent a year finding out how – https://theconversation.com/guineafowl-can-outsmart-extreme-temperatures-we-spent-a-year-finding-out-how-260439
Source: The Conversation – Indonesia – By Adrian Perkasa, Peneliti Pascadoktoral, Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies
Indonesia’s plan to rewrite its official national history was initially met with positive responses, particularly for its goal of better serving the younger generation. But the project to reshape the country’s mainstream historical narrative soon ignited widespread controversy for overlooking underrepresented groups and reinforcing authoritarian tendencies.
However, backlash soon followed, with criticism intensifying after Culture Minister Fadli Zon’s controversial statement) dismissing the 1998 mass rapes as mere rumours.
Its treatment of historical narratives from regions beyond Java also remains insufficient — let alone its neglect of non-political and non-economic themes, such as the arts or sports.
Silent affirmation?
In response to the controversy, few formal statements have been made from either MSI or the historians involved in the project, apart from the minister and the project’s principal editor.
He argued that speaking from within, rather than criticising from the outside, demands greater courage and careful calculation – a stance he fears is likely to be overlooked.
As a history-and-culture researcher, his remarks reinforce the perception that many of the historians involved in the revision project are civil servants at state universities or individuals closely aligned with those in power.
In the context of Indonesia’s current national history revision project, it is worth revisiting comparisons between how national histories were written under Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines and Suharto in Indonesia.
Historians in both countries should be recognised as active agents with their own interests and authority — not as passive participants or easily influenced figures.
During Suharto’s regime, one historian even withdrew from the state-led national history writing project due to disagreements, particularly over methodological approaches.
The project’s director marginalised historian Sartono Kartodirdjo — who championed a multidimensional approach — in favour of a more linear, state-centric narrative. Sartono’s more holistic perspective made space for a broader range of historical actors, including farmers and other often-overlooked communities.
A similar precedent can be traced back to the early years of Indonesian independence, when the government initiated efforts to document the country’s national history in the 1950s. At the time, the National History Writing Committee — comprising prominent scholars — organised Indonesia’s first National History Seminar.
Yet the initiative failed to produce an official national history, partly due to the same kind of unresolved methodological debates that resurfaced during Suharto’s rule.
Given the failures and controversies surrounding Indonesia’s earlier attempt to produce an official national history, the current revision project demands critical re-evaluation — and, if necessary, a complete halt.
Merely involving more historians to boost representation is not an adequate solution either.
The core issue lies not in revising history, but in advancing Indonesian historiography. Rather than pushing ahead with an extensive national history rewrite, the government should prioritise fostering diverse local history initiatives — through programmes such as the Cultural Endowment Fund or the Indonesiana Fund.
This approach would enable a more comprehensive and representative account of Indonesian history — one that integrates local perspectives while remaining connected to national and global narratives.
Saya pernah dan masih berkolaborasi untuk riset dengan beberapa lembaga di lingkungan Kementerian Kebudayaan seperti Museum dan Cagar Budaya Nasional, Balai Pelestarian Kebudayaan, dan lainnya.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) — A total of 131,000 standard containers of cargo were shipped from east China’s Zhejiang Province via the Yixinou (Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe) route on China-Europe international rail freight services in the first half of 2025, up 11.1 percent year on year, according to data from Hangzhou Customs.
According to the official website of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, there are currently 26 regular cross-border routes within the framework of China-Europe rail freight transportation, linking Zhejiang Province with more than 160 cities in more than 50 countries on the Eurasian continent. The volume of goods sent by China-Europe trains maintains stable growth.
In order to ensure the steady growth of the range and quantity of goods transported along Yixinou routes, Hangzhou Customs has taken a series of measures to simplify customs clearance, such as opening a “green corridor” for China-Europe trains and pre-registration for customs clearance of goods on a 24/7 basis /24 hours a day, 7 days a week/.
The Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe international freight railway route was officially launched in November 2014. It starts in Yiwu, known as the “world supermarket,” passes through Xinjiang to Kazakhstan, crosses the territories of Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, France and ends in Madrid, Spain. The total length of the line is more than 13 thousand km. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Bitcoin rose to a record high on Friday, driven by demand from institutional investors and crypto-friendly policies from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, surged to a high of $117,581.10 during Asian trading on Friday, bringing its year-to-date gain to more than 25%. Bitcoin last traded at $117,563.11.
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Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
CHANGCHUN, July 13 (Xinhua) — The 22nd Changchun International Automobile Exhibition opened Saturday in Changchun, northeast China’s Jilin Province, with 118 domestic and foreign automobile manufacturers participating to showcase their latest achievements in automobile technology and future mobility solutions.
According to the organizers, this year the exhibition area of the event is 170 thousand square meters and includes four main exhibition pavilions, three thematic zones, two interactive zones and an open-air exhibition area.
The “Future Mobility” zone presents innovative transport solutions such as a flying car, two hydrogen-powered bicycles without spokes and unmanned aerial vehicles.
During the 10-day event, automakers are offering trade-in discounts, cash discounts and other promotions in addition to government consumer vouchers, as well as other related measures to further unlock consumer potential.
The exhibition will also feature a series of events, such as a road show of relevant organizations from Belt and Road Initiative countries and a forum on the development of intelligent new energy vehicles.
Known as the “cradle of China’s automobile industry,” Changchun witnessed the establishment of the country’s first automobile manufacturing plant in 1953. It is home to the headquarters of Chinese automaker giant FAW Group. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated four distinguished individuals nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu, lauding their contributions across diverse fields.
In a series of posts on X, PM Modi wished all four nominees – Ujjwal Nikam, C. Sadanandan Master, Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Dr. Meenakshi Jain – success in their parliamentary roles and expressed hope that their presence would bring valuable perspectives to the Rajya Sabha.
PM Modi hailed Ujjwal Nikam, a renowned legal expert, for his unwavering commitment to constitutional values and justice, acknowledging his key role in several high-profile legal cases.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Shri Ujjwal Nikam’s devotion to the legal field and to our Constitution is exemplary. He has not only been a successful lawyer but also been at the forefront of seeking justice in important cases. During his entire legal career, he has always worked to strengthen Constitutional values and ensure common citizens are always treated with dignity. It’s gladdening that the President of India has nominated him to the Rajya Sabha. My best wishes for his Parliamentary innings.”
PM Modi described C. Sadanandan Master as a symbol of courage and resilience, applauding his work as a teacher, social worker, and advocate for youth empowerment despite facing threats and violence.
“Shri C. Sadanandan Master’s life is the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice. Violence and intimidation couldn’t deter his spirit towards national development. His efforts as a teacher and social worker are also commendable. He is extremely passionate towards youth empowerment. Congratulations to him for being nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Rahstrapati Ji. Best wishes for his role as MP,” said PM Modi.
Recognising Harsh Vardhan Shringla’s diplomatic service, PM Modi noted his role in shaping India’s foreign policy and contributions during the country’s G20 Presidency.
“Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla Ji has excelled as a diplomat, intellectual and strategic thinker. Over the years, he’s made key contributions to India’s foreign policy and also contributed to our G20 Presidency. Glad that he’s been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President of India. His unique perspectives will greatly enrich Parliamentary proceedings,” said PM Modi.
PM Modi also praised Dr. Meenakshi Jain, a noted historian and scholar, for her impactful work in the fields of education, literature, history, and political science.
“It’s a matter of immense joy that Dr. Meenakshi Jain Ji has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Rashtrapati Ji. She has distinguished herself as a scholar, researcher and historian. Her work in the fields of education, literature, history and political science have enriched academic discourse significantly. Best wishes for her Parliamentary tenure,” said PM Modi.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday shared an update on the Axiom-4 International Space Station (ISS) Mission and said that the astronauts are expected to splash down on Earth on July 15 at 3:00 p.m. (Indian time).
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, currently on board the ISS, along with three other crew members – Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Tibor Kapu – will undock inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from the Harmony module’s space-facing port for a return to Earth.
In a post on X, Jitendra Singh said, “As of now, undocking has been scheduled for tomorrow, 14th July at 4:30 PM IST. Arrival back to earth…. splash down scheduled for 15th July at 3:00 PM IST.”
“These timings have a margin window of approximately 1 hour. Further update, if any, shall be shared accordingly,” he added.
A splashdown is expected several hours after the undocking, near the coast of California in the Pacific Ocean.
IAF Group Captain Shukla is on a 14-day mission to the ISS. He became the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian astronaut after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who went to space in 1984.
On the orbital post, Shukla carried out seven India-specific experiments, taking a major step in advancing India’s Gaganyaan human space flight mission.
These included experiments to decode muscle loss, developing a brain-computer interface, and sprouting green gram and fenugreek seeds in space, among others.
The four astronauts completed experiments that included the Indian strain of Tardigrades, focusing on survival, revival, reproduction, and transcriptome: Myogenesis, which studied the impact of the space environment on human muscle cells; sprouting of methi and moong seeds, with relevance to crew nutrition; and the Cyanobacteria experiment, which studied the growth of two varieties with relevance to life support systems.
The experiments represent a significant leap in space science and technology, contributing critical knowledge to support Gaganyaan, Bhartiya Antariksha Station, and future planetary missions.
After landing, Shukla, along with other crew members, will undergo a rehabilitation programme (about seven days) under the supervision of the Flight Surgeons to adapt back to Earth’s gravity.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) — A large-scale presentation of forestry products from Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province under the brand “Nine Treasures and Eighteen Delicacies” was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, the other day. The event is in line with the strategy of the CPC Provincial Committee and the Heilongjiang Provincial Government to “Globally Promote Heilongjiang Quality Products” aimed at deepening international exchanges and expanding the development prospects of the industry.
According to the website of the Heilongjiang Provincial People’s Government, participation in the exhibition is an important step in deepening the integration of the Belt and Road Initiative and promoting dual /domestic and international/ circulation. The product line of “Nine Treasures and Eighteen Delicacies” is purposefully developing the Eurasian market, creating international sales channels and actively promoting Heilongjiang brands on the world stage.
The exhibition featured forest fruits, mushrooms, medicinal plants, forest livestock products and birch sap drinks. These environmentally friendly food products, which had previously received recognition at the Harbin Trade Fair and the World Forestry Conference, attracted considerable attention due to their natural properties. Of particular interest was the innovative tea drink project, which uses birch sap as a raw material for the first time in China.
As part of the business program, a seminar on “Trade and Investment Cooperation between China and Russia in the New Era” was held, where the Forestry and Grassland Administration of Heilongjiang Province put forward a concept of bilateral cooperation based on commodity trade, resource complementarity and green transformation. The parties agreed to focus on research and deep processing of forest products, expansion of export-import operations, carbon trading, and will also consider prospects for cooperation in the development of forest tourism and the creation of cross-border forest industry parks.
The Nine Treasures and Eighteen Delicacies Forest Products Development Association reached agreements with Russian enterprises, thereby creating a channel for Chinese forest products to enter the Russian market. These agreements will strengthen the influence of Chinese brands in Russia and open a new chapter in bilateral cooperation in the field of forest products.
It should be noted that Heilongjiang Province has exceptional ecological potential: more than 700 kinds of forest food products and unique ecosystem resources form a solid foundation for the development of the industry. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
The European Union said on Saturday it was ready to retaliate to defend its interests if the United States pressed ahead with imposing a 30% tariff on European goods from August 1.
U.S. President Donald Trump latest salvo surprised the bloc, the United States’ largest trading partner, which had hoped to avoid an escalating trade war after intense negotiations and increasingly warm words from the White House.
Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU executive which handles trade policy for the 27 member states, said the bloc was ready to keep working towards an agreement before August 1,but was willing to stand firm.
“We will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required,” she said of possible retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods entering Europe.
EU ambassadors will discuss next steps on Sunday, before trade ministers meet in Brussels on Monday for an extraordinary meeting. They will need to decide whether to impose tariffs on 21 billion euros of U.S. imports in retaliation against separate U.S. tariffs against steel and aluminium, or extend a suspension which lasts until the end of Monday.
The EU has so far held back from retaliating against the U.S., although it has readied two packages that could hit a combined 93 billion euros of U.S. goods
European capitals swiftly backed von der Leyen’s position.
German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche called for a “pragmatic outcome to the negotiations”.
Trump’s proposed tariffs”would hit European exporting companies hard. At the same time, they would also have a strong impact on the economy and consumers on the other side of the Atlantic,” she said.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on X that the European Commission needed more than ever to “assert the Union’s determination to defend European interests resolutely”.
Retaliation might need to include so-called anti-coercion instruments if Trump did not back down, Macron said.
The tool, drawn up during Trump’s first term and used against China, allows the EU to go beyond traditional tariffs on goods and impose restrictions on trade in services, if it deems that a country is using tariffs to force a change in policy.
Spain’s Economy Ministry backed further negotiations but added that Spain and others in the EU were ready to take “proportionate countermeasures if necessary”.
Trump has periodically railed against the European Union, saying in February it was “formed to screw the United States”.
His biggest grievance is the U.S. merchandise trade deficit with the EU, which in 2024 amounted to $235 billion, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The EU has repeatedly pointed to a U.S. surplus in services, arguing it in part redresses the balance.
RETALIATION
Combining goods, services and investment, the EU and the United States are each other’s largest trading partners by far. The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU said in March the trade dispute could jeopardise $9.5 trillion of business in the world’s most important commercial relationship.
Bernd Lange, head of the European Parliament’s trade committee said he was now convinced the first stage of countermeasures should come into force on Monday, followed quickly by the second package.
Trump has said he would mirror any retaliatory moves.
Still, Trump has repeatedly announced sweeping tariffs in recent months, only to row back or suspend them before his own self-imposed deadlines. The expectation that he will again relent has led to increasingly muted responses on financial markets, which have recovered since plunging after his initial “Liberation Day” announcement of big global tariffs in April.
Three EU officials who spoke on condition on anonymity said they saw Trump’s latest threats as a negotiating ploy.
Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING, said Trump’s move suggested that months of negotiations remained deadlocked and that the situation was inching towards a make-or-break moment for the transatlantic trade relationship.
“The EU will now have to decide whether to budge or to play hardball,” he said. “This will bring market volatility and even more uncertainty.”
Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, noted that the brunt of the U.S. tariffs, if implemented, would be felt by U.S. consumers.
However, there would also be clear repercussions for the euro area economy, already struggling with weak growth.
The European Central Bank had used a 10% tariff on EU exports to the United States as the baseline in its latest economic projections, which put output growth in the euro area at 0.9% this year, 1.1% in 2026 and 1.3% in 2027.
It said a 20% U.S. tariff would curb growth by 1 percentage point over the same period and also pull down inflation to 1.8% in 2027, from 2.0% in the baseline scenario. It did not even offer an estimate for the possibility of a 30% tariff.
Iran plans to cooperate with the U.N. nuclear watchdog despite restrictions imposed by its parliament, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Saturday, while stressing that access to its bombed nuclear sites posed security and safety issues.
A new law passed in Iran following last month’s Israeli and U.S. bombing campaign stipulates that inspection of Iran’s nuclear sites by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) needs approval by the Supreme National Security Council, Iran’s top security body.
The Israeli and U.S. strikes targeted a nuclear programme which Western countries have long said was aimed at building an atomic weapon. Iran has long said its nuclear programme is purely peaceful.
Any negotiations over Iran’s future nuclear programme are likely to require its cooperation with the IAEA, which angered Iran last month by declaring on the eve of the Israeli strikes that Tehran was violating non-proliferation treaty commitments.
“The risk of spreading radioactive materials and the risk of exploding leftover munitions … are serious,” state media cited Araqchi as saying. “For us, IAEA inspectors approaching nuclear sites has both a security aspect … and the safety of the inspectors themselves is a matter that must be examined.”
While Iran’s cooperation with the nuclear watchdog has not stopped, it will take a new form and will be guided and managed through the Supreme National Security Council, Araqchi told Tehran-based diplomats.
“The IAEA’s requests for continued monitoring in Iran will be … decided on a case-by-case basis by the Council with consideration to safety and security issues,” Araqchi said.
Iran will not agree to any nuclear deal that does not allow it to enrich uranium, Araqchi reiterated. Iran would only agree to talks limited to its nuclear programme and not encompassing defence issues such as its missiles.
Axios cited sources on Saturday as saying Russian President Vladimir Putin had voiced support for the idea of an accord in which Tehran would bebarred from enriching uranium. Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim quoted an “informed source” as saying Putin had not sent any such message to Iran.
Speaking to the state news agency IRNA, Araqchi said Iran was carefully considering the details of any renewed nuclear talks with the U.S. and seeking assurances that Washington would not again resort to military force. “We are in no hurry to enter into unconsidered negotiations,” he added.
Araqchi also said any move by Britain, France and Germany to reimpose international sanctions on Iran through a so-called “snapback” mechanism under an earlier nuclear deal would “end Europe’s role” in Iran’s nuclear issue.
Under the terms of a U.N. resolution ratifying a 2015 nuclear pact, the three European powers could reimpose United Nations sanctions against Tehran by October 18, 2025.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The 2025 Tour of Magnificent Qinghai is not only a road cycling spectacle, but a crucial platform for China’s Qinghai Province to showcase its plateau ecological protection, cultural tourism integration, and rural revitalization efforts.
From the canola flower fields of Menyuan to the snow-capped mountains and grasslands of Qilian, from the intangible cultural heritage of the Tu ethnic group in Huzhu to the magnificent scenes of nomadic horse teams cheering on the riders, the event paints a vibrant new picture of the plateau where ecology and culture are intertwined.
HIGH ALTITUDE, CHALLENGING RACES, SPECTACULAR SCENERY
With the sound of the starting gun, the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai opened on July 6 in the ancient plateau city of Xining, capital of Qinghai Province.
An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 18, 2024 shows a view of the Erlangjian scenic area at Qinghai Lake in northwest China’s Qinghai Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
Formerly known as the Tour of Qinghai Lake, the event was rebranded in 2025 as the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai. First held in 2002, the high-altitude race is recognized as one of Asia’s premier road cycling events, known for its punishing terrain and average elevation of 3,000 meters.
The 2025 edition features eight stages totaling 1,400 kilometers and has attracted 154 professional riders from 11 countries and regions. The event, with a maximum altitude of 3,869m, concludes in Haiyan County on July 13.
Over 24 years of development, the event has steadily advanced from a 2.5-category race to one of Asia’s top road cycling events, and now ranks as a UCI ProSeries race.
Luo Dongchuan, Governor of Qinghai Province, said in his opening speech that the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai, with its unique charm of high altitude, challenging courses, and spectacular scenery, has become one of the most challenging and visually appealing road cycling events in the world.
Cyclists compete during the Stage 5 of the 1st Tour of Qinghai Lake, July 31, 2002. [Photo/Xinhua]
“It has become a benchmark event leading the development of cycling in China, a splendid window showcasing a beautiful China and the construction of a strong sporting nation,” Luo added.
Luo further noted, “It demonstrates the open, inclusive, and pioneering spirit of the people of all ethnic groups on the Qinghai Plateau.”
In a message to the opening ceremony, David Lappartient, President of the International Cycling Union (UCI), stated that the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai has been an important part of the UCI racing history since 2002.
“Formerly part of the UCI Asia Tour, it is now a UCI ProSeries event and continues to attract top-quality teams and athletes to race through the province of Qinghai, known for its beautiful Qinghai Lake,” Lappartient added.
“All those who embark on the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai are aware that the road will be tough, but beautiful and rewarding,” he noted.
Li Zisen of Qinghai Tianyoude celebrates victory after the Stage 8 of the 20th Tour of Qinghai Lake, July 18, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
From his hometown in Yunnan Province to Qinghai, from one plateau to an even higher one, Li Zisen arrived at the Duoba National Plateau Training Base in Qinghai in 2013 to begin a new journey.
Li, now 27, cannot remember how many times he has ridden the training route of Duoba Base – Riyue Mountain – Xihai Town – Qinghai Lake. In several editions of the Tour of Qinghai Lake, he claimed the Blue Jersey for best Asian rider, and is currently competing in this year’s Tour of Magnificent Qinghai.
With excellent physical condition and rigorous training, Li has gradually gained recognition at both domestic and international cycling events. “Each honor has given me more confidence,” Li said before this year’s event.
PASSION AND ECOLOGY IN HARMONY
Qinghai Province is home to numerous lakes and diverse wildlife in the headwaters of the Three Rivers – the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang – making it the “Water Tower of China.” The region is dedicated to building an international ecological civilization highland.
An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 23, 2024 shows Mount Gangshika in Menyuan Hui Autonomous County, northwest China’s Qinghai Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
The Tour of Magnificent Qinghai is a “green calling card” showcasing Qinghai’s ecological civilization construction. This year’s race passes through the Twelve Turns of Huzhu, the picturesque Zhuoer Mountain, and the vast Jin Yintan (Golden and Silver Beach), showcasing Qinghai’s harmonious coexistence between mankind and nature.
“The Tour of Magnificent Qinghai has witnessed Qinghai’s determination to protect the headwaters, but more importantly, through ‘green’ sports, the organizing committee is sending a strong signal to the outside world about protecting the Sanjiangyuan (Three Rivers Source), Qinghai Lake, and even the ecological environment along the route,” said Wang Xia, Director of the Qinghai Provincial Sports Bureau.
The Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture’s Menyuan and Qilian Counties, where this year’s race passes through, are important parts of the Qilian Mountains National Park.
Seeing the majestic Gangshika Snow Mountain and the canola flower fields along the route, Swiss rider Simon Pellaud said, “These flower fields remind me of my hometown. Qinghai is a romantic place.”
This photo taken on July 21, 2022 shows a view of the Mount Geladandong in the source region of the Yangtze River in northwest China’s Qinghai Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
Since 2017, the national park has seen a 15 percent improvement in vegetation and ecological quality, with 60 percent of degraded grassland effectively restored. Water conservation capacity and hydrological runoff have also improved significantly, while vegetation has increased its carbon dioxide absorption by 19 percent and oxygen release by 20 percent.
From late May to early August, Qinghai Lake’s naked carp enter their spawning season. Tens of thousands of these fish swim upstream into the freshwater rivers feeding the lake, creating a striking natural spectacle known as “half river clear water, half river fish.”
As the most classic stage of the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai, Qinghai Lake, China’s largest inland saltwater lake, is writing a new chapter in its development as a national wetland park, emphasizing the integrated protection of mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes and grasslands.
Today, the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai has become a driving force for promoting high-quality development in Qinghai, which is emerging as a world-class salt lake industry hub, a national clean energy industry highland, an international eco-tourism destination, a green and organic agricultural and livestock product export base, and a demonstration zone for coordinated development of computing power and electricity.
An aerial drone photo taken on April 23, 2024 shows a photovoltaic project in Delingha, northwest China’s Qinghai province. [Photo/Xinhua]
Salt lake resources support the dual strategies of food security and new energy transition. Qinghai’s installed capacity and power generation from renewable energy sources rank among the highest nationwide.
PLATEAU CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT
Qinghai is a homeland of multi-ethnic groups living in harmony. The Han, Tibetan, Hui, Mongolian, Tu and Salar ethnic groups are as closely united as pomegranate seeds. The Tour of Magnificent Qinghai has become a “friendship bridge,” fostering cultural exchanges and showcasing rural revitalization on the plateau.
20-year-old Guo Kuanzhang from Lusha’er Town, Huangzhong District, Xining City, has been learning stilt-walking from his father since childhood. Before the start of the second stage in Duoba Base on July 7, Guo and his companions performed “aerial dances” on 2.5-meter stilts for the cyclists and spectators.
In the Hehuang Valley, the traditional Shehuo folk performance occurs every Spring Festival, with stilt walking a major highlight. Lusha’er stilt walking is listed as an intangible cultural heritage of Qinghai Province.
“Practicing stilts has given me a new understanding of courage and strength, and I also wish the cyclists the best of luck,” said Guo.
Folk artists perform during a Shehuo parade in Xining, northwest China’s Qinghai Province, Feb. 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Along the way, the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai has witnessed various regions developing characteristic industries.
The name of Dongge’er in Shinaihai Town, Gonghe County, means white conch in Tibetan. The fish-watching platform resembles a white conch lying quietly in the curved bay where tens of thousands of naked carp revel.
The Dongge’er Fish Watching Platform is the collective economy of six villages in Shinaihai Town. In July 2023, the villages established a cultural tourism company which built a 450-square-meter tent food city opposite the fish watching platform, creating dozens of shops selling characteristic agricultural and livestock products such as yak jerky, yogurt and wolfberries. The vast majority of local herders have now become shopkeepers to serve the booming trade.
Haiyan County’s Xihai Town, the final stage of this year’s race, is situated in the heart of Jin Yintan Grassland. Local official Xie Xiaoling said that the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai has significantly promoted the growth of the local cycling industry, with 16 cycling clubs and over 12,000 bicycles now present in the area.
A female Tibetan antelope is seen at the Drolkar Lake area in Hoh Xil, northwest China’s Qinghai Province, June 18, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Reflecting on the region’s cultural history, Chinese composer Wang Luobin created the timeless song “In That Distant Place” on the Jin Yintan Grassland in 1940, spreading Western Chinese folk music around the world.
Today, with the steady advancement of ecological protection and sustainable development, Qinghai is no longer a remote region but a shining example of a modern, eco-friendly plateau. The “green” cycling race continues to paint a vivid new picture of Qinghai’s development and harmony with nature.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
This undated photo provided by the Institute of Animal Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences shows a somatic cell-cloned dzo in Qushui County of Lhasa, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
Chinese scientists have announced the birth of the world’s first somatic cell-cloned dzo in China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. This marks a critical breakthrough in high-altitude breeding technology, which is vital for improving plateau livestock and protecting endangered species.
The newborn male calf, weighing 26 kilograms, was delivered via caesarean section. Rigorous genetic testing confirmed it is an exact genetic replica of the donor dzo. It has now survived for over two months in good health, the Science and Technology Daily reported on Friday.
This achievement was made by a collaborative team from the Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS) under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the academy of agricultural and animal husbandry sciences and the animal husbandry and veterinary station in Xizang, as well as China Agricultural University, and Northeastern University.
The team said the test was approved by relevant authorities and complied with ethical norms.
“This marks the first successful application of somatic cell cloning in situ on the plateau specifically for the conservation and utilization of locally adapted genetic resources,” said Yu Dawei, a researcher with the CAAS-IAS who led the research team.
The dzo, a hybrid resulting from crossing female yaks and male cattle, is uniquely adapted to the harsh Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and offers superior economic benefits.
In addition to their impressive dairy output, dzos are known for their high meat yield efficiency, rich nutritional value, and strong draft capabilities, making them significantly more economically valuable than conventional plateau cattle species.
However, the critical roadblock to fully realizing these advantages is the infertility of male dzos, which hinders the natural propagation of their desirable genetics.
Advanced bovine embryo production and transfer techniques essential for breeding have also been underdeveloped in Xizang. Therefore, dependence on repeated artificial crossing has increased costs and hindered large-scale industrialization.
The researchers extracted somatic cells from the ear of a nine-year-old adult dzo. The cell nucleus was then transferred into an enucleated cattle egg cell to create a cloned embryo.
This embryo was implanted into a surrogate dzo cow, which carried the pregnancy through the challenging high-altitude conditions, including low temperatures and reduced oxygen levels.
It finally gave birth to a male calf on May 12 at a county experiment station in the regional capital Lhasa.
“This precise cloning technology allows the stable inheritance of desirable traits like high yield and environmental resilience. It paves the way for mass propagation of high-quality breeding stock,” said Yu.
Cloning in high-altitude, low-oxygen environments presents extraordinary scientific challenges.
“Our team overcame these difficulties through key technical innovations, including developing a specialized plateau-adapted embryo culture system, ensuring early development through precise control of parameters like temperature and pH,” said Yu, adding that the research team also optimized protocols for surrogate mother selection to improve pregnancy success rates.
Beyond dzos, the validated system makes the gene banking and potential future restoration within their native habitat of other endangered plateau species, such as Tibetan antelope and wild yaks, a tangible possibility, according to Yu. “It is expected to establish a crucial technological safeguard for highland biodiversity.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China attaches great importance to the use of the Tibetan language, as evidenced by the recent publication of a key bilingual dictionary.
On Friday, the Han-Tibetan version of the Modern Chinese Dictionary, compiled and translated over 13 years, was jointly published by China Tibetology Publishing House and The Commercial Press, according to the ethnic and religious affairs commission of Qinghai Province.
Against the backdrop of rapid social development, Tibetan people have shown a growing desire to learn the national standard Chinese (Han language) while also preserving their own. However, authoritative and user-friendly Han-Tibetan reference books have been scarce, prompting Qinghai — a province with a large Tibetan population — to launch the translation project.
The three-volume dictionary has over 70,000 Chinese entries and 200,000 Tibetan entries, totaling more than 10 million characters. While featuring vocabulary, explanations and example sentences with concise, accurate and practical translations, it also integrates word forms and meaning transformations in line with Tibetan grammatical rules.
This dictionary serves as an authoritative language tool in Tibetan-inhabited areas, providing valuable resources for education and cultural exchange and contributing to China’s efforts in promoting ethnic exchanges and integration, according to the commission.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement of sweeping 30 percent tariffs on European Union (EU) exports on Saturday has provoked a fierce backlash across the bloc, with officials and industry leaders demanding a strong and united response amid continued trade talks.
The proposed tariffs, set to take effect on Aug. 1, target EU imports and were justified by Trump as a correction of a “far from reciprocal” trade relations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Saturday that the tariffs would “disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.”
While emphasizing the EU’s continued commitment to a negotiated solution, she said the bloc “will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.”
European lawmakers and national leaders voiced growing frustration, with many urging immediate retaliatory steps.
Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s committee on international trade, said the U.S. letter is “both impertinent and a slap in the face” after weeks of negotiations.
He urged the EU to begin retaliatory measures on Monday as scheduled, stating that “the period of waiting is over.”
European Council President Antonio Costa said the tariffs would drive inflation, fuel uncertainty and stall growth. “The EU remains firm, united and ready to protect our interests,” he said, urging progress toward a “fair agreement” with Washington.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “strong disapproval” of the U.S. move, and said the EU must speed up preparing “credible countermeasures” using all tools, including anti-coercion, available if talks fail.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned the move as a “unilateral escalation,” and said the EU is prepared to respond with tough countermeasures if necessary.
“Everyone loses out from an escalated trade conflict, and it will be U.S. consumers who pay the highest price,” he warned.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala criticized the U.S. tariffs for negatively impacting transatlantic trade and called for “unity and determination” to protect the EU’s interests.
European industries voiced alarm over the fallout, particularly in sectors tightly integrated with the U.S. market.
Germany’s major industry lobby group, the BDI, called the U.S. move “an alarm signal,” warning that it could derail recovery and undermine innovation on both sides of the Atlantic.
“Tariffs as a means of exerting political pressure lead to higher costs, jeopardize jobs and undermine international competitiveness, both in Europe and in the United States,” said Wolfgang Niedermark, a senior BDI executive.
Isabel Schnabel, a European Central Bank board member, said the tariffs could trigger medium-term inflation and supply chain shocks.
The automotive sector, which is already deeply integrated with the EU and the U.S., is already feeling the pain.
Slovakia, one of Europe’s top car-exporting nations, reported a noticeable drop in orders for the coming third quarter. Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said relocating production to the U.S. was not feasible in the short term and emphasized that the damage had already begun.
The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) said the cost to manufacturers was already in the billions and climbing daily.
“It is regrettable that there is a threat of a further escalation of the trade conflict,” said VDA President Hildegard Mueller.
“The costs for our companies are already in the billions, and the sum is growing every day,” she said, noting that suppliers were also significantly affected by the import duties.
Emanuele Orsini, president of Confindustria, Italy’s major association representing manufacturing and service companies, condemned the U.S. approach as “unpleasant,” while Paolo Mascarino, president of the Italian food and drink industry federation Federalimentare, said the tariffs “exceed any threshold of tolerability” and would trigger significant drops in exports.
Dan O’Brien, chief economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs, said the U.S. move was “provocative” and significantly raised the risk of a wider economic confrontation between the two economies.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday spoke to reporters about the South China Sea issue in response to questions while attending annual ASEAN Plus foreign ministers’ meetings in Kuala Lumpur.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the South China Sea issue is discussed every year at the meetings, and this year was no exception. “What struck me most this time is the clear temperature difference between regional countries and a few countries from outside the region.”
At the China-ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting, the discussion on the South China Sea was held in a more calm and confident manner, becasse compared with other seas in the world, the South China Sea is clearly stable. There are no problems with freedom of navigation and overflight, Wang said
Some countries outside the region continue to make irresponsible remarks about the South China Sea. Although their tone has notably softened this year, they have not stopped, he said, adding tt seems they fear the South China Sea will not be chaotic. Regional countries are now well aware of these “old tricks.”
Wang said he proposed that a new narrative should be built for the South China Sea. We should not always associate the South China Sea with friction, conflict, or confrontation, but with peace, stability, and cooperation. This should become the mainstream narrative in the future, stated the Chinese foreign minister.
China and ASEAN countries are working toward this direction, he said, adding there is still one country that seems out of sync with the others, but I believe it will come to eventually understand. Acting as a pawn for others will only lead to being sacrificed.
Wang said that China and ASEAN countries have agreed to upgrade the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) by formulating a Code of Conduct (COC) that is effective, substantive, and consistent with international law.
All sides also agreed to strive to conclude the COC as scheduled next year, he said. In the next stage, consultations will become more frequent, and the process will speed up. We have the confidence, capability, and wisdom to maintain stability in the South China Sea, remove external interference, and jointly build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation.
Wang emphasized that during the meetings, he also elaborated on China’s position regarding the so-called South China Sea arbitration case. This arbitration case has serious flaws in terms of fact-finding and application of law. It carried out actions that violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea under the name of the convention itself, and its damage to regional peace and stability as well as the maritime order has become increasingly evident.
Wang stated that we must ask: if compulsory arbitration can be abused, is there still value in diplomatic efforts? Should bilateral consultations be abandoned? Do commitments under the DOC still count? If territorial sovereignty and maritime demarcation issues are submitted for arbitration, should the exclusive declarations under the convention still be respected? Does an agreement between China and the Philippines to resolve disputes through dialogue still hold? And if all islands and reefs in the South China Sea are denied maritime entitlements, should the world’s maritime map be redrawn?
In fact, this so-called arbitration case is a political manipulation and should be thrown into the trash heap of history, Wang said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A Hongqi Tiangong 05 electric car is displayed at the 22nd Changchun International Auto Expo in Changchun, northeast China’s Jilin Province, July 12, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
The 22nd Changchun International Auto Expo opened Saturday in Changchun, capital of northeast China’s Jilin Province, bringing together 118 auto companies around the world to showcase the latest advancements in automotive technology and future mobility solutions.
This year’s expo spans 170,000 square meters, featuring four main exhibition halls, three featured zones, two interactive experience areas and an outdoor exhibition area, according to the organizers.
The future mobility section showcases innovative transportation solutions, such as a flying car, two spokeless hydrogen-powered bicycles, and drone-based application scenarios.
During the 10-day event, automakers are offering trade-in discounts, cash rebates, and other promotions, in addition to government consumption vouchers, to stimulate consumer demand.
The expo will also host a series of activities, such as a Belt and Road automotive road show and a forum on new energy intelligent vehicle development.
Known as the “cradle of China’s automotive industry,” Changchun witnessed the establishment of the country’s first automobile workshop back in 1953. It is home to China’s automaker giant, FAW Group.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ANKARA, July 13 (Xinhua) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday declared a “new page” in Turkey’s history as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) begins the process of disarmament.
“As of yesterday, the 47-year-old terror has entered the phase of cessation. Turkey has begun to close a long, painful chapter filled with pain and tears,” Erdogan said, addressing members of his ruling Justice and Development Party in the Kizilcahamam district of Ankara province.
A group of PKK militants burned their weapons in a symbolic ceremony in Iraq’s northern Sulaymaniyah province on Friday.
“From now on we will sit down and talk – not with weapons or violence, not about conflicts, but about unity, brotherhood and personal dialogue, removing the obstacle of terror,” he said.
According to Turkey’s semi-official Anadolu Agency, the disarmament ceremony was attended by Iraqi officials, representatives of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization, the Kurdistan Regional Government, security forces, civil society organizations and media.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than four decades.
Türkiye regularly carries out military operations against PKK militants in northern Iraq, where the group has its hideouts. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Police are investigating after a 13 year old boy was injured in a motorbike crash on an East Coast fire trail yesterday. Police were notified by Ambulance Tasmania about 11.30am in relation to a boy being injured in a motorbike crash and needing to be airlifted to Hobart. The boy is believed to have been riding on fire trails with family members when he came off the bike. After the crash, the boy was able to ride back to the Chain of Lagoons, and from there was airlifted to Hobart with serious but non life threatening injuries. Members of the public are reminded that fire trails and forest roads are public streets and drivers must be licensed and using registered vehicles. The road rules apply on these roads as they do on any other. Anyone with information about the incident should contact St Helens Police on 131444.
New Caledonia’s pro-and-anti-independence parties have committed to an “historic” deal over the future political status of the French Pacific territory, which is set to become — for the first time — a “state” within the French realm.
The 13-page agreement yesterday, officially entitled “Agreement Project of the Future of New Caledonia”, is the result of a solid 10 days of difficult negotiations between both pro and anti-independence parties.
They have stayed under closed doors at a hotel in the small city of Bougival, in the outskirts of Paris.
French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls (centre) shows signatures on the last page of New Caledonia’s new agreement. Image: RNZ Pacific/FB
The talks were convened by French President Emmanuel Macron after an earlier series of talks held between February and May 2025 failed to yield an agreement.
After opening the talks on July 2, Macron handed over them to his Minister for Overseas, Manuel Valls, to oversee. Valls managed to bring together all parties around the same table earlier this year.
In his opening speech earlier this month, Macron insisted on the need to restore New Caledonia’s economy, which was brought to its knees following destructive and deadly riots that erupted in May 2024.
He said France was ready to study any solution, including an “associated state” for New Caledonia.
During the following days, all political players exchanged views under the seal of strict confidentiality.
While the pro-independence movement, and its Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), remained adamant they would settle for no less than “full sovereignty”, the pro-France parties were mostly arguing that three referendums — held between 2018 and 2021 — had already concluded that most New Caledonians wanted New Caledonia to remain part of France.
Those results, they said, dictated that the democratic result of the three consultations be respected.
Group photo of participants at the end of negotiations. Image: Philippe Gomes
With this confrontational context, which resulted in an increasingly radicalised background in New Caledonia, that eventually led to the 2024 riots, the Bougival summit was dubbed the “last chance summit”.
In the early hours of Saturday, just before 7 am (Paris time, 5 pm NZ time), after a sleepless night, the secrecy surrounding the Bougival talks finally ended with an announcement from Valls.
He wrote in a release that all partners taking part in the talks had signed and “committed to present and defend the agreement’s text on New Caledonia’s future.”
Valls said this was a “major commitment resulting from a long work of negotiations during which New Caledonia’s partners made the choice of courage and responsibility”.
The released document, signed by almost 20 politicians, details what the deal would imply for New Caledonia’s future.
In its preamble, the fresh deal underlines that New Caledonia was “once again betting on trust, dialogue and peace”, through “a new political organisation, a more widely shared sovereignty and an economic and social refoundation” for a “reinvented common destiny.”
New Caledonia’s population will be called to approve the agreement in February 2026.
If approved, the text would be the centrepiece of a “special organic law” voted by the local Congress.
It would later have to be endorsed by the French Parliament and enshrined in an article of the French Constitution.
What does the agreement contain? One of the most notable developments in terms of future status for New Caledonia is the notion of a “State of New Caledonia”, under a regime that would maintain it as part of France, but with a dual citizenship — France/New Caledonia.
Another formulation used for the change of status is the often-used “sui generis”, which in legal Latin, describes a unique evolution, comparable to no other.
This would be formalised through a fundamental law to be endorsed by New Caledonia’s Congress by a required majority of three-fifths.
The number of MPs in the Congress would be 56.
The text also envisages a gradual transfer of key powers currently held by France (such as international relations), but would not include portfolios such as defence, currency or justice.
In diplomacy, New Caledonia would be empowered to conduct its own affairs, but “in respect of France’s international commitments and vital interests”.
On defence matters, even though this would remain under France’s powers, it is envisaged that New Caledonia would be “strongly” associated, consulted and kept informed, regarding strategy, goals and actions led by France in the Pacific region.
On police and public order matters, New Caledonia would be entitled to create its own provincial and traditional security forces, in addition to national French law enforcement agencies.
New Caledonia’s sensitive electoral roll The sensitive issue of New Caledonia’s electoral roll and conditions of eligibility to vote at local elections (including for the three Provincial Assemblies) is also mentioned in the agreement.
It was this very issue that was perceived as the main trigger for the May 2024 riots, the pro-independence movement feared at the time that changing the conditions to vote would gradually place the indigenous Kanak community in a position of minority.
It is now agreed that the electoral roll would be partly opened to those people of New Caledonia who were born after 1998.
The roll was frozen in 2007 and restricted to people born before 1998, which is the date the previous major autonomy agreement of Nouméa was signed.
Under the new proposed conditions to access New Caledonia’s “citizenship”, those entitled would include people who already can vote at local elections, but also their children or any person who has resided in New Caledonia for an uninterrupted ten years or who has been married or lived in a civil de facto partnership with a qualified citizen for at least five years.
Provincial elections once again postponed One of the first deadlines on the electoral calendar, the provincial elections, was to take place no later than 30 November 2025.
It will be moved once again — for the third time — to May-June 2026.
A significant part of the political deal is also dedicated to New Caledonia’s economic “refoundation”, with a high priority for the young generations, who have felt left out of the system and disenfranchised for too long.
One of the main goals was to bring New Caledonia’s public debts to a level of sustainability.
In 2024, following the riots, France granted, in the form of loans, over 1 billion euros (NZ $1.9 billion) for New Caledonia’s key institutions to remain afloat.
But some components of the political chessboard criticised the measure, saying this was placing the French territory in a state of excessive and long-term debt.
Group photo of participants at the end of negotiations with the signed agreement. Image: Philippe_Gomes/RNZ Pacific
Strategic nickel A major topic, on the macro-economic side, concerns New Caledonia’s nickel mining industry, after years of decline that has left it (even before 2024) in a state of near-collapse.
Nickel is regarded as the backbone of New Caledonia’s economy.
A nickel “strategic plan” would aim at re-starting New Caledonia nickel’s processing plants, especially in the Northern province, but at the same time facilitating the export of raw nickel.
There was also a will to ensure that all mining sites (many of which have been blocked and its installations damaged since the May 2024 riots) became accessible again.
Meanwhile, France would push the European Union to include New Caledonia’s nickel in its list of strategic resources.
New Caledonia’s nickel industry’s woes are also caused by its lack of competitiveness on the world market — especially compared to Indonesia’s recent rise in prominence in nickel production — because of the high cost of energy.
Swift reactions, mostly positive
New Caledonian politicians Sonia Backès (left to right), Nicolas Metzdorf, Gil Brial and Victor Tutugoro. Image: Nicolas Metzdorf/RNZ Pacific
The announcement yesterday was followed by quick reactions from all sides of New Caledonia’s political spectrum and also from mainland France’s political leaders.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou expressed “pride” to see an agreement “on par with history”, emerge.
“Bravo also to the work and patience of Manuel Valls” and “the decisive implication of Emmanuel Macron,” he wrote on X-Twitter.
From the ranks of New Caledonia’s political players, pro-France Nicolas Metzdorf said he perceived as one of the deal’s main benefits the fact that “we will at last be able to project ourselves in the future, in economic, social and societal reconstruction without any deadline.”
Metzdorf admitted that reaching an agreement required concessions and compromise from both sides.
“But the fact that we are no longer faced with referendums and to reinforce the powers of our provinces, this was our mandate”, he told public broadcaster NC La 1ère.
“We’ve had to accept this change from New Caledonia citizenship to New Caledonian nationality, which remains to be defined by New Caledonia’s Congress. We have also created a completely new status as part of the French Republic, a sui generis State”, he noted.
He said the innovative status kept New Caledonia within France, without going as far as an “associated state” mooted earlier.
“At least, what we have arrived at is that New Caledonians remain French”, pro-France Le Rassemblement-LR prominent leader Virginie Ruffenach commented.
“And those who want to contribute to New Caledonia’s development will be able to do so through a minimum stay of residence, the right to vote and to become citizens and later New Caledonia nationals”
“I’m aware that some could be wary of the concessions we made, but let’s face it: New Caledonia nationality does not make New Caledonia an independent State . . . It does not take away anything from us, neither of us belonging to the French Republic nor our French nationality,” Southern Province pro-France President Sonia Backès wrote on social media.
In a joint release, the two main pro-France parties, Les Loyalistes and Rassemblement-LR, said the deal was no less than “historic” and “perennial” for New Caledonia as a whole, to “offer New Caledonia a future of peace, stability and prosperity” while at the same time considering France’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
From the pro-independence side, one of the negotiators, Victor Tutugoro of UNI-UPM (Progressist Union in Melanesia) said what mattered was that “all of us have placed our bets on intelligence, beyond our respective beliefs, our positions, our postures”.
“We put all of these aside for the good of the country.”
“Of course, by definition, a compromise cannot satisfy anyone 100 percent. But it’s a balanced compromise for everyone,” he said.
“And it allows us to look ahead, to build New Caledonia together, a citizenship and this common destiny everyone’s been talking about for many years.”
Before politicians fly back to New Caledonia to present the deal to their respective bases, President Macron received all delegation members last evening to congratulate them on their achievements.
During the Presidential meeting at the Elysée Palace, FLNKS chief negotiator Emmanuel Tjibaou (whose father Jean-Marie Tjibaou also struck a historic agreement and shook hands with pro-France leader Jacques Lafleur, in 1988), stressed the agreement was one step along the path and it allows to envisage new perspectives for the Kanak people.
A sign of the changing times, but in a striking parallel — 37 years after his father’s historic handshake with Lafleur, Emmanuel Tjibaou (whose father was shot dead in 1989 by a radical pro-independence partisan who felt the independence cause had been betrayed — did not shake hands, but instead fist pumped with pro-France’s Metzdorf.
In a brief message on social networks, the French Head of State hailed the conclusive talks, which he labelled “A State of New Caledonia within the (French) Republic,” a win for a “bet on trust.”
“Now is the time for respect, for stability and for the sum of good wills to build a shared future.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Signatures on the last page of New Caledonia’s new agreement. Image: Philippe Dunoyer/RNZ Pacific
New £63 million boost for Britain’s electric vehicle revolution
Funding will help to build a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport.
major boost to charging investment to break down barriers to electric vehicle ownership and boost charging infrastructure across the UK, cutting costs for families, businesses and the public sector
£63 million package to support at-home charging for households without driveways, transition NHS fleets to save millions for the health service in England, create thousands of chargepoints at business depots across the UK
builds on £400 million invested in charging infrastructure and recent Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate updates to kickstart economic growth, create thousands of green jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets as part of the Plan for Change
Drivers across England are set to benefit as the government today (13 July 2025) announces a £63 million investment package to supercharge Britain’s electric vehicle infrastructure, driving down charging costs and putting money back in the pockets of working people as part of the Plan for Change.
A pioneering £25 million scheme for local authorities will expand access to cheaper at-home charging. This will provide access to cheaper household rates, allowing consumers to save up to £1,500 a year compared to running a petrol or diesel car, transforming how thousands of households without driveways power up their electric cars.
The innovative cross-pavement technology will allow cables to run safely beneath pavements, connecting homes directly to parked vehicles, enabling more families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates for as little as 2 pence per mile even if they don’t have a driveway.
The fund is the latest move to bolster the UK’s growing charging network which has reached a record 82,000 public chargepoints, with a further 100,000 expected to be installed as a result of the government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund and £6 billion of private investment committed to 2030.
To ensure the savings the EV transition can bring are felt in the public sector too, the NHS in England is also receiving a major sustainability upgrade with an £8 million fund to power the electrification of ambulances and medical fleets across over 200 NHS sites, saving millions in costs which can be invested into patient care.
Standing firmly on the side of British drivers, this latest investment is part of our major plan to support motorists, including a record £1.6 billion invested to tackle potholes and bring down and frozen fuel duty at 5p until Spring 2026, saving the average motorist £50 to £60 over the year.
This investment underpins the government’s Plan for Change mission to kickstart economic growth and make life easier for working people, ensuring the transition to net zero delivers for working families whilst creating good jobs and driving economic growth across all regions of the UK.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
We are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, so we are tackling that head on so that everyone – whether or not they have a driveway – can access the benefits of going electric.
Our investment is about more than just charging points – it’s about charging up Britain’s economy. I’m proud that through this boost, we are helping deliver cheaper bills for families, massive savings for the NHS to reinvest in patient care, and thousands of new green jobs.
This is what our Plan for Change mission to kickstart Britain’s economy looks like in practice. We’re not just boosting charging infrastructure, we’re building a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport, whilst creating thousands of good jobs across the country.
In a pioneering move to help EV drivers plug into the rapidly expanding charging network, government is also modernising EV charging signage on major roads. EV charging hubs have more than doubled since the beginning of 2023 and immediate changes will allow larger EV charging hubs to be signposted from major A-roads for the first time. Government is committed to boosting charging for long journeys, with £400 million announced in the Spending Review to support charging infrastructure, including on the strategic road network.
Alongside the boosts for electric car drivers, the government is also launching a major new grant scheme to help businesses install charging points at depots nationwide, supporting the nation’s heavy goods vehicles, vans and coach drivers in the transition to zero emissions.
The action follows recent updates to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate to make it easier for the sector to switch to electric as part of government’s ongoing work to back British manufacturing. With over 1.2 million people employed in the freight and logistics sector in the UK alone, today’s announcement is the latest move to keep industry at the forefront of international competition in the face of global economic headwinds.
Over 1,200 new charging sockets will deliver a more efficient, modern health system whilst generating millions in cost savings over the next two decades for the taxpayer on maintenance and fuel costs – valuable savings that can be prioritised for patient care and help rebuild the NHS.
Owning and buying an EV is becoming increasingly cheaper, with 2 in 5 of used electric cars sold at under £20,000 and 34 brand new electric cars are available from under £30,000.
The UK was also the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and the third in the world with over 382,000 EVs sold – up a fifth on the previous year. There are now more than 82,000 public chargepoints in the UK – with one added every 30 minutes – ensuring that motorists are always a short drive from a socket.
Health Minister Karin Smyth said:
This is a win-win: cheaper travel for the NHS and cleaner air for our communities.
As part of our Plan for Change, we’re investing in green energy to build an NHS fit for the future — cutting pollution and saving millions in fuel costs.
Edmund King, AA president, said:
There are more public chargers than people realise, but they are often hidden in plain sight. Increasing signs for the public network is vital to help the EV transition as it will create confidence for drivers both now and in the future.
It is great to see more support for those without off-street parking so that they can also benefit from the EV revolution.
Delvin Lane, CEO, InstaVolt said:
We are pleased that the government has taken the crucial step of delivering official EV charging signage on the strategic road network – a move we believe will improve consumer confidence and bolster EV adoption. This marks a major milestone for the EV industry and drivers across the UK.
At InstaVolt, we have been relentless in our campaigning and have built a strong, collaborative relationship with the government to push this initiative forward. Our opinion research suggests that the rollout of clear, official signage will make a significant difference—helping EV drivers easily locate public charging points while on the move, and reassuring those considering making the switch to electric vehicles.
For years, we have emphasized that the UK’s public EV infrastructure, so critical to mass adoption, is already largely in place, and now this signage will finally showcase it to drivers in a visible, accessible way.”
As the UK’s largest ultra-rapid public charging network with over 2,000 chargers nationwide, InstaVolt is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation and excited to see how these signs will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.
Ian Johnston, CEO, Osprey:
Signage impacts all the UK’s drivers because consumers need to see it to believe it. Osprey have tirelessly highlighted the benefit that clear EV road signage would bring to drivers looking to make the switch and to the charging businesses installing the critical infrastructure underpinning transport decarbonisation.
This is a welcome first step and we look forward to continuing to work closely with ministers and officials to achieve clear signage for the hundreds of high-quality EV charging hubs being opened across the nation.
NHS Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Gormley said:
The NHS has already implemented hundreds of projects that reduce emissions and drive significant cost savings, all while improving patient care.
This new £8 million investment, across 62 NHS Trusts and around 224 sites, supports the renewed commitment in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to deliver a more sustainable NHS while also helping hospitals to save millions on fuel and maintenance costs and reducing air pollution. These savings can be reinvested directly into frontline care, ensuring the NHS continues to deliver for our patients and communities.
Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK said:
With 82,000 public charge points already installed across the UK, this positive action on strategic road signage will help more drivers see the extensive charging network that’s rapidly being built across the country. This has been a priority for our industry and will boost consumer confidence in making the switch to electric vehicles.
Our members are investing £6 billion to ensure the deployment of charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand. Today’s announcement shows government recognising the vital role charging plays in the transition, and we look forward to working together to maintain the UK’s position as Europe’s leading EV market.
The Government is committed to improving the effectiveness of district governance and one of the key issues of focus is improving the environment of public housing estates and creating comfortable homes.
Diligent efforts With this in mind, the Housing Bureau announced the launch of a resident-oriented “Well-being design” guide last year, which serves as a reference for the improvement works of existing estates.
Assistant Director of Housing Michael Hong said each year about 10 estates will be selected to undergo minor improvement works.
“In general, the minor improvement works will include enhancements of the recreation facilities as well as the pedestrian routing.
“We also have five estates to carry out theme-based estate improvement works.”
Improving public spaces and amenities of public housing estates requires diligent efforts to address residents’ daily needs through practical actions. This approach leads to tangible improvements within the community.
Recently, the improvement works in Ping Shek Estate have ensured that residents enjoy a comfortable living environment. Kung Fu Court is one of the success stories.
“In Kung Fu Court, in the past, it was only green in colour. So we added some colours to it. We also added a 100m trail on the court so that elderly residents can walk or run along the trail.
“There is a kindergarten nearby, we can see that the kids can enjoy these very fun areas.
“Every day, they will come out and have some activities. And we can see the smile on their faces.”
Important input Citizens can also play their part in promoting well-being at public housing estates.
In an effort to revitalise Chak On Estate’s public spaces, the Housing Bureau organised the “Let’s Go Well-being Chak On” Design Competition in January.
The competition was divided into two categories that include the “students” group and the “emerging” group, covering four public spaces: Chak On Plaza – Estate Stage; Communal space – Cultural & Recreational Room; Estate landmark – Sunset Plaza; and Intergeneration Fitness Playscape.
A group of master’s degree students majoring in urban design gathered extensive feedback from residents through workshops and interviews.
Their efforts allowed them to excel in the competition and ultimately win.
“Let’s Go Well-being Chak On” Design Competition (Students Category) winning team member Gia He said her team spoke to estate residents to hear their user experience and input on the design when creating their design.
“They told us their stories of this community, their life. We were touched by their love for their life and also their love for this community.
Miss He added that the team’s design was mainly based on the residents’ requests.
“The area is mostly suitable for them to use, like they have a comfortable seating area, an area for them to talk with each other or play with their children or play chess, anything they want to do.”
The winning projects will serve as a reference for the detailed design of the improvements to Chak On Estate.
Miss He and her teammates are currently working as interns at a design consultancy.
Under the guidance of professional consultants and relevant departments, the design plan was optimised in hopes of overcoming technical difficulties.
She added that they will do their utmost to transform the design project from the drawing board to reality.