Source: New Zealand Police
A person has died after a single-vehicle crash on Springs Road, between Kerwyn Avenue and Smales Road, last night.
Emergency services were called at around 10:40pm after a vehicle rolled.
Sadly, one person, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Police will be ensuring support to the victim’s family.
ENDS.
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Rosneft
Headline: China Moves Towards Full Energy Independence to Become Major Energy Exporter – Rosneft CEO
China is moving towards full energy independence and will turn from an importer to a major energy exporter in the foreseeable future, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said in his report at the Energy Panel of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
He noted that China is a unique example of a competent approach to energy system development – the country now accounts for a third of the world’s investments in the energy sector.
“In my opinion, China, which has already ensured its energy security, is confidently moving towards complete energy independence, forming a stable energy balance based on its own resources. There is no doubt, taking into account the persistence and professionalism of the Chinese comrades, that in the foreseeable future they will achieve the desired result, which will turn China from an importer of energy resources into a major energy exporter,” said the CEO of Rosneft.
According to Igor Sechin, in recent years it is in China that the largest amount of new renewable energy capacity has been commissioned and more than 70% of the world’s capacity for the production of equipment for the “green” economy is located. This applies to the entire value chain: from critical minerals to the production of high-tech equipment that has no analogues in Western countries.
Rosneft’s CEO also noted China’s efforts in increasing investments in related infrastructure: investments in power grids increased by 15% last year and may double this year. “investments in rechargeable batteries have grown almost fivefold to $11 billion. As of today, the total capacity of such batteries in China exceeds 35 GW , which amounts to two-thirds of the entire global capacity,” Igor Sechin said.
At the same time, China has never given up fossil fuels. Over the last five years, the country has outpaced the rest of the world in terms of commissioning new coal-fired generation capacity. “Today, coal accounts for almost 60% of China’s electricity generation. Last year alone, China issued permits for about 100 gigawatts of new coal-fired power generation, the highest in a decade, which should strengthen coal’s role in the grid,” emphasized the CEO of Rosneft.
China’s efforts to strengthen its own energy security have drawn a barrage of criticism, often disguised as concern for the environment. “As the outstanding Chinese strategist and thinker Sun Tzu aptly noted two and a half thousand years ago: ‘The more brilliant your plan, the fewer people will agree with it,’” the Rosneft CEO added.
According to Sechin, China’s coordinated approach to energy security is particularly clear from the example of electric cars. The growth of their sales led to a significant slowdown in demand for motor fuel last year, and “the continuation of this trend may have a significant reversing effect on the balance of the oil market”.
An important part of China’s strategy to reduce its dependence on energy imports is the processing of coal into synthetic fuels and chemical products. “Chinese companies are investing billions of dollars in the development of this industry. According to experts, today in China 40 million tons of coal is used to produce synthetic fuels and more than 260 mln tons for ammonia and methanol production,” Igor Sechin concluded.
Department of Information and Advertising
Rosneft Oil Company
June 21, 2025
Source: Rosneft
Headline: China Moves Towards Full Energy Independence to Become Major Energy Exporter – Rosneft CEO
China is moving towards full energy independence and will turn from an importer to a major energy exporter in the foreseeable future, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said in his report at the Energy Panel of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
He noted that China is a unique example of a competent approach to energy system development – the country now accounts for a third of the world’s investments in the energy sector.
“In my opinion, China, which has already ensured its energy security, is confidently moving towards complete energy independence, forming a stable energy balance based on its own resources. There is no doubt, taking into account the persistence and professionalism of the Chinese comrades, that in the foreseeable future they will achieve the desired result, which will turn China from an importer of energy resources into a major energy exporter,” said the CEO of Rosneft.
According to Igor Sechin, in recent years it is in China that the largest amount of new renewable energy capacity has been commissioned and more than 70% of the world’s capacity for the production of equipment for the “green” economy is located. This applies to the entire value chain: from critical minerals to the production of high-tech equipment that has no analogues in Western countries.
Rosneft’s CEO also noted China’s efforts in increasing investments in related infrastructure: investments in power grids increased by 15% last year and may double this year. “investments in rechargeable batteries have grown almost fivefold to $11 billion. As of today, the total capacity of such batteries in China exceeds 35 GW , which amounts to two-thirds of the entire global capacity,” Igor Sechin said.
At the same time, China has never given up fossil fuels. Over the last five years, the country has outpaced the rest of the world in terms of commissioning new coal-fired generation capacity. “Today, coal accounts for almost 60% of China’s electricity generation. Last year alone, China issued permits for about 100 gigawatts of new coal-fired power generation, the highest in a decade, which should strengthen coal’s role in the grid,” emphasized the CEO of Rosneft.
China’s efforts to strengthen its own energy security have drawn a barrage of criticism, often disguised as concern for the environment. “As the outstanding Chinese strategist and thinker Sun Tzu aptly noted two and a half thousand years ago: ‘The more brilliant your plan, the fewer people will agree with it,’” the Rosneft CEO added.
According to Sechin, China’s coordinated approach to energy security is particularly clear from the example of electric cars. The growth of their sales led to a significant slowdown in demand for motor fuel last year, and “the continuation of this trend may have a significant reversing effect on the balance of the oil market”.
An important part of China’s strategy to reduce its dependence on energy imports is the processing of coal into synthetic fuels and chemical products. “Chinese companies are investing billions of dollars in the development of this industry. According to experts, today in China 40 million tons of coal is used to produce synthetic fuels and more than 260 mln tons for ammonia and methanol production,” Igor Sechin concluded.
Department of Information and Advertising
Rosneft Oil Company
June 21, 2025
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 21 — China’s disaster management and strategic reserves authorities said Saturday that a batch of relief supplies had been dispatched to the flood-hit Hunan Province in central China.
These supplies comprised 81,500 items such as tents, folding beds, quilts and mattresses, and will help in effectively relocating affected residents and ensuring their basic living needs, according to the National Disaster Reduction Commission, the Ministry of Emergency Management and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.
Severe flooding has recently struck this province, with the city of Zhangjiajie and the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture among the areas hit hardest. Notably, a Level-IV emergency response to flooding has been activated.
China has a four-tier emergency response system for flood control, with Level I being the most severe.
Source: City of Oxford
At about 4am this morning (21 June), a vehicle struck a ground-floor flat in St Aldate’s, Oxford.
We evacuated three of our tenants from the building and have arranged alternative accommodation for them over the weekend.
A structural engineer visited the site this morning and has confirmed that the building is safe. Further investigations will take place on Monday (23 June) to determine what repair work is needed before our tenants can return to their homes.
We’d like to thank our colleagues at ODS for their swift response in securing the building, and the manager of The Head of the River pub for kindly offering a place for our tenants to rest while we arranged alternative accommodation.
Source: US State of New York
arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on PIX 11’s “PIX on Politics Daily with Dan Mannarino.”
AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.
A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: I spoke to Governor Kathy Hochul about that and many other topics in a wide ranging interview. The governor is going on the record. And, Governor Hochul is joining me now, great to have you here in person, Governor.
Governor Hochul: Thanks. Great to be back, Dan.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: It’s been a busy week and I want to begin what we saw play out on Tuesday, a city comptroller, Brad Lander, a mayoral candidate, arrested, and he was there escorting this man Edgardo out of his court date trying to get this legal status. When you went down there, what was your encounter with both the ICE officials and Mr. Lander?
Governor Hochul: I went down there, literally had been in Little Haiti, visiting the community, a community that’s under siege. I got the word of what happened and I just declared it as unacceptable in a different word, but I said it was very unacceptable. I went down there, and I went into the federal building, went up to the ninth floor, and they were holding him in this area behind a number of guards. I mean there was ICE agents there, and no one else was around. I just said, “I’m not leaving until Mr. Lander walks out with me.”
And I stood there, and I talked to people, and I brought in my Homeland Security team and others to be reinforcements and to find out what’s going on. Eventually, they went and told him and he said he overheard them saying “the Governor’s here, we’ll let you go.” So I walked out with him, we went down to the street.
He was reacquainted with his wife, Meg, who I had seen on the street and gave her a hug because you don’t know what’s happening. Are they going to press some, made up, trumped up charges, literally trumped up charges or what, but they ended up saying yesterday there were no charges being brought. It’s just to see someone like a Brad Lander, I mean, he knows he’s got attention on his case.
He’s got a Governor coming down there. He’s got all the resources he needs, attorneys, and it just puts a spotlight on all the people who are not an elected official.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: For example, Edgardo.
Governor Hochul: Yes.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: Where is he?
Governor Hochul: We don’t know, I mean, we don’t know and here’s what I called out. It’s so cruel. People are sitting ducks. They came here with legal status, temporary protected status seeking asylum. They came here during the Biden administration. You can agree or disagree with that policy, but they’re here and they’re following the rules. They’re showing up to a court date that they’re told to come for, go before a judge, and while they’re in there their status is revoked. They walk out, and they’re told they’re criminals now, and ICE just grabs them.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: So let me ask you this, is there anything that you or the state can do in a moment like this to protect those who are simply following the law? They get a court date, they show up. The city’s guidance from Mayor Adams has been, go to your court cases, go to school, go to hospitals, and if anybody shows up from ICE, ask for a warrant, which is what Mr. Lander did, and now they’re saying that he didn’t see the warrant.
Governor Hochul: That’s right, that’s exactly right. They’re not even following the rules that are in play here, but we’ve provided legal services and funding, fifty million dollars. I increased it significantly in our budget knowing that this was happening. We have great coalitions, the Immigration Coalition and others that are stepping up and getting the money out to people, training people on what to do–but this is an unprecedented time in American history. It truly, truly is.
When people who are following the rules, following the laws, taking care of people as home healthcare aides. 160 Haitians losing their jobs because who’s going to take care of the moms and dads and the grandma and grandpas who need this care. So they’re not even looking at the impact of the loss of these people who are workers.
The loss to our tax base, the loss to our community, and so I will help every day of the week with criminals. I said that during eight hours of grueling hearing testimony in Congress, which was just a farce to even have to drag governors like myself down there, but we did it, we endured it, put up with a lot of crap.
But we said we do help with law enforcement when we want to remove criminals, people that are dangerous, and this is not what they’re doing. They are removing law abiding people who literally walk on their own into a courthouse.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: Let me ask you about that testimony, right you brought it up, you were there for hours and you were grilled by both Democrats and Republicans. I guess the question is have you spoken to President Trump about what you’re talking about going after the worst of the worst. You were pressed on sanctuary city status, but the President had campaigned on going after the worst of the worst. What have those conversations been?
Governor Hochul: No, I had them with him before and I was actually going to reach out again, but he has been distracted with the situation in the Middle East, and so I waited, but I will have that conversation again. I had it in the Oval Office. I had Kristi Noem sitting next to me when I had this conversation. I said, “we, as part of our policies, we’ll help you go after the criminals.” The ones not a crime of crossing the border. That’s not what we’re talking about. That can be enforced civilly.
You do your civil enforcement, that’s not our job. I will help you if you’ve got evidence that someone’s a member of a gang or human trafficking or running drugs or guns. We don’t want them in our streets either. I’ve worked really hard for the last four years to make our streets safer, and we’re seeing the results. So I’m here for that, but why are we being asked to divert our resources to help you do your job, which I don’t even agree with.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: And speaking of resources, we’re seeing what’s going to play out in Los Angeles and California right now with the National Guard being brought in because of these issues of protesters are on the street right, and Mayor Adam said that he sent his deputy mayor and his chief of police, chief of department to meet with President Trump, play golf and persuade him not to send the National Guard here. The Mayor says he spoke to you about that. Were you okay with them meeting on a golf course to talk about this?
Governor Hochul: That’s how they do their business. I’m not going to question it, that’s not my decision, but I’m having the same conversations. I want them to know, first of all, I’m the commander in chief of the New York State National Guard, I am, and there are only extreme cases when the President can usurp that.
Those cases were not called for in Los Angeles. What I’m saying is I believe in our law enforcement, I support them. Our NYPD is 32,000 people strong. They’re some of the best trained in the world, they can handle crowds. So you’re basically saying, the Trump administration is saying, “We don’t trust you law enforcement to do your jobs, so we’re going to kind of bigfoot you and show our force.” It’s unnecessary.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: But can you stop it?
Governor Hochul: I will not be cooperating in that effort. But I will demonstrate that first of all, we can peacefully assemble. That happened, with millions of people, last weekend. Let’s put a spotlight on that and what we don’t want, is to be baited into what Donald Trump wants. He wants nothing more than to see more police cars burning and turned upside down and violence in the streets.
Now, the concentration in Los Angeles was a smaller area. It was exaggerated. Most of the city was just fine, but he wants that in Chicago and New York. He basically said that. So we are ready for it, but no one should take the bait. Don’t take the bait and give him what he wants.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: This is all playing out during a political season here in New York with the mayor’s race, and they’re all using this as part of their campaigns. Now, we just had a poll come out from Marist that shows Andrew Cuomo is upping the polls here. You served as his Lieutenant Governor and you’d potentially have to work with him as mayor. When’s the last time you spoke to Mr. Cuomo?
Governor Hochul: A few months. But I’ll tell you this, the voters will decide. I have such respect for the voters of New York City, that I will work with whomever they want me to, and if it’s mutual, if the next mayor. Or the current mayor — whoever it is — wants to work with me and is willing to, they will see the benefits of what I showed Mayor Adams for four years and changing the whole dynamic between the conflict that was always there between Albany and New York City. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: One of them is Zohran Mamdani — who says that he would need to work with Albany — and you — very closely, and his whole campaign is based on raising taxes, which he says that he can get you to be on board with. Would you be on board with that?
Governor Hochul: No, I’m not raising taxes on people at a time when affordability is the big issue. I’m actually cutting middle class taxes.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: Even on the wealthy?
Governor Hochul: I don’t want to lose any more people to go to Palm Beach. We’ve lost enough. We had a major out-migration when Republicans in Congress eliminated the state local tax deduction.
New Yorkers paid $72 billion more to the federal government over the last seven years because Republicans didn’t stand up and they need a full restoration of this. So that was a driver. I don’t want to give anyone else who’s supporting our economy and their taxes are appreciated and their support for the philanthropies, etcetera. Driving them to Florida does not help us. So let’s be smart about this.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: I want to talk about the other race, and that’s the race for governor. Lieutenant Governor, your lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, has announced he’s running against you. What does that mean? Is he tasked with anything right now by you as he now looks to take your job?
Governor Hochul: No, he decided to go in a different direction. But I’m not focused on that at all. I really —
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: But he’s your Lieutenant Governor, so you don’t give him any responsibilities?
Governor Hochul: No, he’s determined to take another course. So he’s basically — he collects his paycheck.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: Should he stand down?
Governor Hochul: A lot of people have said that. I will tell you — I will focus on campaigning when the time comes. I’m very competitive. It’s my 16th election. I know how to win, and I will win. But right now, with so much going on, I have to focus on Washington. I have to focus on this big ugly bill, which is going to eviscerate health care institutions everywhere I’ve been visiting.
We just did a billion dollars to help SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, giving central Brooklyn the high quality health care they deserve. And what’s happening at the same time we’re doing this, the federal government stands to take $13.5 billion from our health care systems. I’ve got that fight. I’ve got a fight on tariffs, which are hurting our state tremendously, especially in the North Country and also what’s happening with immigration. So I’m very busy doing my job.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: You’re saying others are calling for him to step down, but you don’t think — you’re not saying it.
Governor Hochul: I’m not — I don’t really care.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: I want to talk about the big issue right now in terms of the budget, right? Because it is budget season and there’s so much to talk about. But I do want to talk about local issues and what it affects New Yorkers. And come next year, $13.5 million to enact a cell phone ban in schools. And my curiosity is how do you implement that, right? Because on paper, yes, you can say everyone’s — but it’s up to the individual schools to follow through. So how do you make it happen?
Governor Hochul: Oh, we are aggressively working on this to educate all the school districts, educate the parents. Law enforcement plays a role in this too, because they need to persuade the parents that the most dangerous thing, if there is an incident on the school grounds, a shooting, for example, that it’s not safe for their kids to be reaching for their cell phone and videoing it.
So I’m really excited about this when I go around the city, more people have raised this is something they’re really happy we did. We’re the largest state in America to have a full ban morning until nighttime. Your little girl will grow up in a world where she never even knew you could have a cell phone.
And she’ll be smarter and more — have better mental health outcomes because our kids today are under such stress. And as a mom, I’m making sure we’re doing everything we can. This is going to be a game changer.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: Yeah. But if a school says, “I don’t want to do it.”
Governor Hochul: No, they have to do it.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: They have to do it.
Governor Hochul: It’s the law. This is why it took me a year to get this done. There’s a lot of opposition. And I said, “We need this done.” Every school has to comply with this. Make sure that parents know how to reach their kids during the day. Just like we did in the old days. We used to call the office and you have to have the phone away from the kids, not in their pockets.
Don’t let them store it where they want. You have to have your own policy. I’m not going to dictate that. But from morning until school day ends, even during lunch and breaks, gym class because they need to start making friends again. They need to be kids again. We’re giving them their childhood back.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: Can we bring back snow days?
Governor Hochul: I’m from Buffalo. Don’t tell me about that — we went to school during so many blizzards. They thought it was a sign of weakness if you took a snow day. No, we always went to school during blizzards.
Dan Mannarino, PIX 11: Governor Kathy Hochul, I always appreciate you coming in. Good to see you.
Governor Hochul: Good to see you too, Dan.
BEARING WITNESS: By Cole Martin in occupied Bethlehem
Kia ora koutou,
I’m a Kiwi journo in occupied Bethlehem, here’s a brief summary of today’s events across the Palestinian and Israeli territories from on the ground.
Sixty nine people killed in Gaza, 12 while seeking aid, and 221 injured (172 seeking aid). 11 killed by Israeli airstrike on a house in central Gaza. Qassam Brigades carried out a “complex” ambush against Israeli forces in southern Gaza. Israel are preventing humanitarian organisations from accessing fuel storage sites in the enclave, hospital supplies last for just three days.
*
Iranian authorities report five hospitals damaged in targeted Israeli strikes, have arrested 16 agents allegedly linked to Israel, and offered Israeli “collaborators” a pardon if they surrender their drones by July 1.
*
Two US destroyers have arrived in the eastern Mediterranean, bringing the total to five in the region and two in the Red Sea.
*
An Israeli drone targeted a car in southern Lebanon, violating the existing ceasefire and Lebanese sovereignty yet again.
*
Israeli leaders double down on their accusations that Iran is developing nuclear bombs, despite the international watchdog, IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], saying there is no sufficient evidence. 18 injured by Iranian missile in the southern Israeli territories, 17 in Haifa. Strikes targeted Israel’s Channel 14 news stations as threatened, after Israeli forces struck Iran’s state broadcaster two days ago. 100 million shekel pledged by Israeli regime to build 1000 new bomb shelters in some areas; the regime is known for under-investment in Palestinian neighbourhoods.
*
More checkpoints and barriers installed across the West Bank. Ambulance movement continues to be disrupted by gas shortages in Bethlehem. Despite the war, Israeli occupation forces continue extensive home demolitions in Nour Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank. Settlers crush and uproot Palestinian olive trees near Sinjil, north of Ramallah. Occupation bulldozers dug up roads south of Jenin. Palestinian residents were shot at by settlers while trying to extinguish fires west of Bethlehem.
*
Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza continues, with minimal political intervention to prevent it.
Cole Martin is an independent New Zealand photojournalist based in the Middle East and a contributor to Asia Pacific Report.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
China is moving towards complete energy independence and in the foreseeable future will transform from an importer into a major energy exporter, said Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin in his report at the Energy Panel at the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
He noted that China is a unique example of a competent approach to the development of the energy system – the country today accounts for a third of global investment in the energy sector.
“In my opinion, China, having already ensured its energy security, is confidently moving towards complete energy independence, forming a stable energy balance based on its own resources. There is no doubt, taking into account the persistence and professionalism of our Chinese friends, that in the foreseeable future they will achieve the desired result, which will turn China from an importer of energy resources into a major exporter of energy,” the head of Rosneft noted.
According to Igor Sechin, in recent years, it is China that has been introducing the largest volume of new renewable energy capacity and is home to more than 70% of the world’s capacity for producing equipment for the “green” economy. This concerns the entire value chain: from critical minerals to the production of high-tech equipment that has no analogues in Western countries.
The head of Rosneft also noted China’s efforts to increase investment in related infrastructure: investment in power grids increased by 15% last year, and could double this year. “Investments in storage batteries have grown almost fivefold and reached $11 billion. Today, the total capacity of such batteries in China exceeds 35 GW, which is two-thirds of all global capacity,” said Igor Sechin.
At the same time, China has never given up on fossil fuels. In terms of the volume of new coal-fired power generation capacity introduced over the past five years, the country has outpaced the rest of the world. “Today, the share of coal in electricity production in China is almost 60%. Last year alone, China issued permits for the construction of about 100 gigawatts of new coal-fired power generation, the highest figure in the past ten years, which should strengthen the role of coal in the energy system,” the head of Rosneft emphasized.
China’s efforts to strengthen its own energy security are causing a storm of criticism, often disguised as concern for the environment. “As the outstanding Chinese strategist and thinker Sun Tzu aptly noted two and a half thousand years ago: ‘The more brilliant your plan, the fewer people will agree with it,’” the head of Rosneft added.
Sechin said China’s coordinated approach to energy security is particularly evident in the example of electric vehicles. The growth of their sales led to a significant slowdown in demand for motor fuel last year, and “the continuation of this trend could have a significant reverse effect on the balance of the oil market.”
An important part of China’s strategy to reduce dependence on energy imports is the processing of coal into synthetic fuel and chemical products. “Chinese companies are investing billions of dollars in the development of this industry. According to experts, today 40 million tons of coal in China are used to produce synthetic fuel and more than 260 million tons are used to produce methanol and ammonia,” Igor Sechin concluded.
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft June 21, 2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KATHMANDU, June 21 (Xinhua) — Nepal imported a record number of four-wheeler electric vehicles in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year 2024-25, the country’s Customs Department said on Friday.
As of mid-June, the total number of imported electric vehicles was 13,483, of which 10,194 (almost 76 percent) came from China, the agency said.
By comparison, the country imported a total of 11,701 electric vehicles in the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Nepal has been actively promoting the use of electric vehicles in recent years, as the country produces surplus hydropower, especially during the monsoon season. By 2030, the government plans to increase the share of electric vehicles in private passenger transport sales to 90 percent and public passenger transport sales to 70 percent, including two-wheelers. –0–
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Police are calling for information after a 25-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed multiple times with an edged weapon by her partner in Alice Springs early this morning.
At 4:43am this morning NT police received information that a woman had been stabbed outside a store on Todd Street.
CCTV captured a 32-year-old man, who is believed to be known to the woman, stabbing her multiple times, but the footage was not sufficiently clear enough to establish the nature of the weapon used, or the severity of the injuries sustained.
The offender fled prior to police attendance and the victim got into a vehicle, which was leaving as police arrived. That vehicle, a white commodore with a white decal across the front windscreen, is believed to be involved in the incident.
Therefore, the condition of the victim could not be established, however, it is likely the victim has sustained substantial injuries.
A crime scene was declared and investigations remain ongoing.
The victim and the offender have now been identified and police are urging anyone who may have witnessed, or who have information about the incident to contact police on 131 444 as soon as possible and quote reference number NTP2500063207
Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The CERES-1S Y2 carrier rocket lifts off from the Yellow Sea near Rizhao, east China’s Shandong province, May 29, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]
Beijing is cementing its position as a national leader in the commercial space sector, with local firms breaking records in rocket launches and satellite technology as the city pushes for global industry prominence.
“Beijing’s commercial space ecosystem is among the best in China — certainly in the top tier,” said Xia Dongkun, executive president of Beijing-based launch service provider Galactic Energy, during a media tour of the company’s exhibition hall on June 18.
Galactic Energy has completed 19 successful commercial missions, delivering 81 satellites with various functions into orbit. Its CERES-1 rocket holds the record for the most successful launches among China’s privately developed rockets, underscoring Beijing’s growing commercial space capabilities.
As the birthplace of China’s space program, Beijing is implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan’s directive to promote the integrated development of strategic emerging industries.
The city has established a comprehensive commercial space supply chain, hosting more than half of the country’s core aerospace R&D institutions and over 300 high-tech commercial space enterprises. Of these, 46 were named to the 2024 China Top 100 Commercial Space Companies list, accounting for nearly half of the national total and highlighting Beijing’s leading position in the industry.
The city has established a distinctive spatial layout known as “Southern Rockets, Northern Satellites.” In the south, areas such as E-Town and Fengtai district have become hubs for commercial rocket manufacturers, including industry leaders Landspace and Galactic Energy, representing more than 70% of China’s commercial launch vehicle companies.
Meanwhile, Haidian district in the north has developed into the country’s most advanced cluster for satellite manufacturing, boasting a fully developed supply chain for spacecraft production.
Beijing’s technological achievements continue to set new industry benchmarks. Landspace’s Zhuque-3 test vehicle completed a 10-kilometer vertical takeoff and landing, making it the first Chinese reusable rocket to demonstrate mid-air reignition.
Galactic Energy launched seven missions in 2023, ranking third globally among commercial space firms. In satellite technology, Galaxy Space carried out Thailand’s first low-Earth orbit broadband satellite internet test in May 2024, marking China’s first overseas deployment of such services.
On the international stage, Beijing is advancing the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ International Meridian Circle Program, which recently completed its second phase after securing cooperation with 13 overseas institutions. The city also uses platforms like the Zhongguancun Forum’s space sessions to promote global industry dialogue and expand space infrastructure partnerships under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Following the 14th Five-Year Plan’s call to advance core technologies, the city has launched several initiatives, including establishing the Beijing Reusable Rocket Technology Innovation Center and supporting more than 30 research projects by firms such as Landspace. The city attracted 1 billion yuan ($139 million) in investment for seven commercial space and low-altitude economy firms in 2024 and released 10 initial application scenarios for technologies such as natural resource monitoring and emergency relief.
Looking ahead, Beijing’s commercial space sector will focus on three key areas. For launch vehicles, the goal is to achieve orbital recovery and reuse of rockets by 2026 and to start developing a super heavy-lift rocket. For satellites, plans include research on a space computing constellation and advances in solar arrays and electric propulsion. The city also aims to boost commercial satellite services in areas such as mobile communications, insurance claims, smart cities and autonomous driving.
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Inspector Danny Meade:
Four people have been apprehended after a vehicle, reported as stolen, crashed in Manukau this afternoon.
Shortly before 3pm, a Police vehicle sighted a vehicle that was reported as stolen, travelling on Portage Road in Otahuhu.
The Police helicopter, Eagle, maintained observations of the vehicle as it continued to travel south towards Manukau. The vehicle was not pursued.
The vehicle was successfully spiked on Great South Road, near Reagan Street, but the vehicle did not come to a stop.
A short time after the vehicle was spiked, at around 3:20pm, the vehicle collided with a member of the public’s vehicle at the intersection of Great South Road and Cavendish Drive.
The four occupants of the offending vehicle then fled on foot. Three were quickly apprehended, and a fourth person was located and taken into custody a short distance down the road soon after.
A member of the public has sustained minor injuries following the crash, no other injuries have been reported.
Motorists around the Great South Road and Cavendish Drive area are advised to expect delays as the scene of the crash is cleared.
Enquiries are ongoing and charges are being considered.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Inspector Danny Meade:
Four people have been apprehended after a vehicle, reported as stolen, crashed in Manukau this afternoon.
Shortly before 3pm, a Police vehicle sighted a vehicle that was reported as stolen, travelling on Portage Road in Otahuhu.
The Police helicopter, Eagle, maintained observations of the vehicle as it continued to travel south towards Manukau. The vehicle was not pursued.
The vehicle was successfully spiked on Great South Road, near Reagan Street, but the vehicle did not come to a stop.
A short time after the vehicle was spiked, at around 3:20pm, the vehicle collided with a member of the public’s vehicle at the intersection of Great South Road and Cavendish Drive.
The four occupants of the offending vehicle then fled on foot. Three were quickly apprehended, and a fourth person was located and taken into custody a short distance down the road soon after.
A member of the public has sustained minor injuries following the crash, no other injuries have been reported.
Motorists around the Great South Road and Cavendish Drive area are advised to expect delays as the scene of the crash is cleared.
Enquiries are ongoing and charges are being considered.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Bayern Munich rekindled their European pride at the Club World Cup with a gritty 2-1 win over Boca Juniors on Friday, booking their place in the last 16 after a tense and fiery clash.
In front of a passionate crowd dominated by Boca supporters—who transformed the Hard Rock Stadium into a mini “Bombonera”—the Argentine side fought tooth and nail. But Bayern’s determination prevailed late in the game.
Harry Kane opened the scoring for the German champions early in the first half, only for Boca to hit back through Miguel Merentiel. With the game hanging in the balance, Michael Olise struck a late winner to send Bayern to the top of Group C with six points, two clear of Benfica. Boca, with just one point, remain in contention and will face Auckland City in their final group game, while Bayern take on Benfica.
The win was a timely boost for European clubs, who have recently struggled in the tournament, with Porto, PSG, and Chelsea all suffering defeats.
The match crackled with intensity, particularly in the second half, as Boca pressed high and disrupted Bayern’s rhythm with physical, high-tempo football.
Bayern started brightly and thought they had taken the lead when Olise’s curling corner found the net, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for a foul on the goalkeeper. The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when a deflected clearance fell to Kane, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner after a cross from Konrad Laimer—his first goal of the tournament after being held scoreless in the 10-0 rout of Auckland City.
Bayern nearly doubled their lead soon after, as Serge Gnabry sent a ball across the face of goal, but Kingsley Coman missed a golden opportunity to tap in. At the other end, Manuel Neuer made a pair of sharp saves to deny Kevin Zenon, as Boca continued to pose a threat.
After the break, Boca ramped up their intensity, unsettling Bayern with relentless pressing and spirited tackling. Their efforts paid off in the 66th minute when Merentiel was played through on the right, danced past Josip Stanisic, and beat Neuer with a composed finish—sending the Boca fans into a frenzy.
But Bayern held their nerve. In the 84th minute, Olise curled a precise shot into the bottom corner after being teed up by Kane, sealing a crucial win and securing their spot in the knockout stages.
IANS
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
In Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town, drivers and pedestrians have grown increasingly accustomed to driverless robotaxis.
Wang Wei conducts road testing for an autonomous vehicle at an autonomous driving demonstration area in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
But autonomous technology isn’t just limited to ride-hailing in the area. Driverless sanitation vehicles now sweep the streets along pre-programmed routes, while autonomous minibuses shuttle back and forth along tree-lined avenues.
This futuristic reality can be traced back to September 2020, when the Chinese capital launched the world’s first high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone.
Since then, the city has completed the intelligent deployment of roadside infrastructure across 600 square kilometers and plans to expand the demonstration zone to approximately 3,000 square kilometers between the fourth and sixth ring roads.
To date, the demonstration zone has issued road test permits to 33 companies, covering some 900 vehicles with a combined autonomous driving test mileage of over 32 million kilometers, accounting for over a quarter of the total national autonomous test mileage.
Autonomous driving has become a key area in China’s push to integrate digital technologies with the real economy. As pilot projects expand, cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen are advancing multi-scenario applications, from ride-hailing and logistics to public transit and street cleaning.
Beijing, home to leading companies in the field, including Baidu, Pony.ai and Neolix, is forging the road ahead with both regulation and deployment. In April, a new local regulation on autonomous vehicles took effect, providing a clear regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles equipped with Level 3 and higher systems.
Shanghai and Shenzhen are also accelerating development. Shanghai recently expanded its autonomous driving test roads to more than 750 kilometers, while Shenzhen has rolled out AI-powered buses on several urban routes. Backed by dedicated legislation and cutting-edge vehicle-road coordination systems, both cities are rapidly scaling their smart mobility ecosystems.
At a modern distribution facility in the E-Town operated by autonomous driving vehicle producer Neolix, a fleet of autonomous delivery vehicles glides in one after another.
Inside the sleek white building, each vehicle halts precisely beneath a massive overhead conveyor belt.
As the vehicles open their lids automatically, parcels slide down from the second floor, neatly filling each compartment. Once loaded, the lids close, and the vehicles quietly roll out, ready for dispatch.
Powered by an intelligent backend scheduling system, the factory can coordinate hundreds of autonomous delivery vehicles with various sorting lanes, achieving precise and efficient package matching.
“Our autonomous vehicles are primarily operating regularly in Beijing’s Shunyi District and E-town. Overall, we can help courier companies reduce logistics costs by around 50 percent while improving delivery efficiency by roughly 30 percent,” said Yang Zhe, the co-founder of Neolix.
“Our vehicle is equipped with 12 cameras and a LiDAR, enabling full 360-degree perception with no blind spots,” Yang added. “When the system detects an obstacle, it locks onto the object, calculates its size and distance, and then decides whether to continue forward or take an alternate route.”
By the end of August 2024, Chinese public security authorities had issued 16,000 test licenses for autonomous vehicles, with some 32,000 kilometers of roads nationwide opened for autonomous vehicle testing, according to the Ministry of Public Security.
As intelligent vehicle technology advances rapidly, safety has become a core industry challenge. From data privacy to AI misjudgments in autonomous driving, experts stress the need for clearer safety boundaries as AI plays a deeper role in the sector.
“As AI reaches a certain stage of development, it is essential to address deeper issues spanning industry, technology, safety, as well as social, legal, and ethical dimensions,” said Su Linke, an executive from the new energy vehicle brand Deepal.
Finding ways for AI to serve both vehicles and people better and to help foster more harmonious social relationships should be a shared priority in advancing the industry, Su added.
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Inspector Danny Meade:
A 44-year-old man faces a number of charges after crashing a stolen vehicle in Pakuranga this morning following a string of burglaries.
The man is thought to have been responsible for seven reported burglaries, stealing two cars, and getting into three crashes, between around 5:10am and 5:50am today.
It began in Udys Road where Police received a call from someone reporting an unknown man had broken into their house, and a physical confrontation took place. Fortunately there were no injuries, and the man left on foot.
Within minutes, Police received two further separate reports from residents on Udys Road – one reporting a man trying to force entry to her home, and a second reporting their front door being smashed.
Residents of a Pakuranga Road property called Police just after 5:30am, reporting that an unknown man had forced entry into their house armed with a knife. There were no injuries reported, before the man left.
Around 5:40am, Police were made aware of an incident on Grammar School Road, where they had seen a person run off towards their neighbour’s about 10 minutes earlier.
By this stage, a Police dog unit was in the area and had come across the man on a separate Grammar School Road property.
Minutes later, Police received another call from someone reporting the man had kicked in the front door to their house and was smashing items inside.
He stole this person’s car keys and drove off in their vehicle, crashing through a gate and onto Pakuranga Road, then onto Udys Road.
A Police unit was in the vicinity, before the vehicle crashed at the intersection of Udys Road and Reeves Road.
The man has then stolen another car from a property on Reeves Road, which Police pursued for a short time before it crashed at the intersection of Ti Rakau Drive and Tiraumea Drive, causing significant damage to a fence.
The man ran off on foot, before being arrested a short time later.
He will appear in court at a later date.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Asia Pacific Report
A leading Middle East analyst has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s dismissal of the conclusion of his own national intelligence chief, who said in April that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.
Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, said in an interview that Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, who issued the determination on Iran, “does not speak for herself” or her team alone.
“She speaks for all the intelligence agencies combined,” Bishara said.
“This intelligence is supposed to be sound. This is not just one person or one team saying something. It’s the entire intelligence community in the United States. He [Trump] would dismiss them? For what?
“For a lie by a rogue element called Benjamin Netanyahu, who has lied all his life, a con artist who is indicted for his crimes in Gaza? It’s just astounding.”
US senators slam Netanyahu
Two US senators have also condemned Netanyahu while Israel continues to bomb and starve Gaza
Chris Van Hollen and Elizabeth Warren, two Democrats in the US Senate, have urged the world to pay attention to what Israel continues to do in Gaza amid its conflict with Iran.
“Don’t look away,” Van Hollen wrote on X. “Since the start of the Israel-Iran war 7 days ago, over 400 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, many shot while seeking food.
“It’s unconscionable that Netanyahu has not allowed international orgs to resume food delivery.”
Warren said the Israeli prime minister “may think no one will notice what he’s doing in Gaza while he bombs Iran”.
“People face starvation. 55,000 killed. Aid workers and doctors turned away at the border. Shooting at innocent people desperate for food. The world sees you, Benjamin Netanyahu,” she wrote.
Israel’s Prime Minister may think no one will notice what he’s doing in Gaza while he bombs Iran.
People face starvation. 55,000 killed. Aid workers and doctors turned away at the border. Shooting at innocent people desperate for food.
The world sees you, Benjamin Netanyahu.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) June 20, 2025
‘A trust gap’
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, appealed for an end to the fighting between Israel and Iran, saying that Teheran had repeatedly stated that it was not seeking nuclear weapons.
“Let’s recognise there is a trust gap,” he said.
“The only way to bridge that gap is through diplomacy to establish a credible, comprehensive and verifiable solution — including full access to inspectors of the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], as the United Nations technical agency in this field.
“For all of that to be possible, I appeal for an end to the fighting and the return to serious negotiations.”
Meanwhile, in New Zealand hope for freedom for Palestinians remained high among a group of trauma-struck activists in Cairo.
In spite of extensive planning, the Global March To Gaza (GMTG) delegation of about 4000 international aid volunteers was thwarted in its mission to walk from Cairo to Gaza to lend support.
Asia Pacific Report special correspondents report on the saga.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BISHKEK, June 21 (Xinhua) — “When we were children, we thought about how to keep livestock, and now young people are learning from us how to better serve tourists,” said Marat Rysaliev, 54, a resident of Kazarman village in Kyrgyzstan’s Jalal-Abad region. He credited the new road built with Chinese construction workers for the big change.
Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country. Its capital Bishkek in the north and Jalal-Abad and Osh in the south are important economic areas of the country. However, traffic on the old highway connecting the north and south of Kyrgyzstan was inconvenient.
“The road used to be bad, gravel. Accidents often happened on it,” recalls M. Rysaliev. “Heavy-duty vehicles like semi-trailers never came here. And the materials and tools needed for construction could not be brought to us.”
As one of the first countries to support and participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road, Kyrgyzstan has cooperated with China in the construction of the North-South alternative highway. The new transport route, with a total length of 433 km, has brought real conveniences and improved the well-being of local residents, and has given new impetus to the development of areas located along it.
“After the construction of the new highway was completed, it became very convenient for people to get to Jalal-Abad, and now you can get to Issyk-Kul much faster. Large loads can be easily brought,” shared M. Rysaliev, adding that there are more and more tourists in Kazarman, and a significant part of the houses in the village were given to them. And in order to provide guests with better services, local residents are beginning to study foreign languages.
Azamat Mamyrbayev is a restaurant owner in Kazarman. He enthusiastically noted the tangible benefits that the alternative North-South highway has brought to local residents. “Our residents participated in the construction of the highway. They began to receive higher wages, their solvency increased. And my restaurant business took off,” he said.
A. Mamyrbayev told Xinhua that he really likes driving on the new highway. “I often use this road to travel to Jalal-Abad and Bishkek. The road is very good, standard, and cars have started breaking down less,” he said.
However, the construction of such a road was not easy. The construction work of the first and second stages of the highway was carried out by the China Road company
According to Jin Zhe, due to the difficulties in construction work and the special geographical conditions along the route of the new highway, the builders developed special construction plans. “Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country, so we built a tunnel about 4 km long. The route of the road passes through the Naryn River, the largest waterway in the country. We built two large overpass bridges for this. All this helped accumulate a lot of experience for the implementation of similar large-scale infrastructure projects in mountainous areas in the future,” he added.
As the head of the Toguz-Toro district of the Jalal-Abad region Manas Murataliev stated, the alternative North-South highway is historically significant for the district. Its construction greatly helped improve the quality of life of the population.
“It was difficult for residents of our district to travel to Bishkek. For a long time, communications were poorly developed,” said M. Murataliev. “Now the journey to the capital along the new road takes only 5-6 hours. Previously, it took as much as 8-9 hours and even longer.”
The head of the Toguz-Toro district also emphasized that with the opening of the new highway, local and foreign investors are coming to the district. According to him, this will contribute to the development of tourism and the hotel business of the district.
“It was the Chinese builders who built this unique road through the mountain and with their hard work made a huge contribution to the economic development of our region and Kyrgyzstan as a whole. Our residents are very grateful to them,” added M. Murataliev. –0–
Source: New Zealand Police
Northbound motorists are advised to expect delays on the Southern Motorway near the Highbrook off ramp.
Four cars have collided in a nose to tail crash at about 2.25pm.
Two people have been injured, one moderately and one seriously.
Police at the scene ask motorists to be patient as there are long queues of traffic at the crash scene.
ENDS
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 20 — The National Development and Reform Commission on Friday said that it has allocated 50 million yuan (about 6.97 million U.S. dollars) from China’s central budget to bolster flood relief efforts in Hunan Province.
The funds will be directed toward restoring infrastructure and public services in the central province’s affected regions, according to the commission.
Severe flooding has recently struck the province, with the city of Zhangjiajie and the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture among the areas hit hardest.
The National Disaster Reduction Commission on Friday activated a Level-IV emergency response to flooding.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Iran and Israel exchanged fresh attacks early on Saturday, a day after Tehran said it would not negotiate over its nuclear programme while under threat and Europe tried to keep peace talks alive.
Shortly after 2:30 a.m. in Israel (2330 GMT on Friday), the Israeli military warned of an incoming missile barrage from Iran, triggering air raid sirens across parts of central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Interceptions were visible in the sky over Tel Aviv, with explosions echoing across the metropolitan area as Israel’s air defence systems responded.
At the same time, Israel launched a new wave of attacks against missile storage and launch infrastructure sites in Iran, the Israeli military said.
Sirens also sounded in southern Israel, said Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency service. An Israeli military official said Iran had fired five ballistic missiles and that there were no immediate indications of any missile impacts.
There were no initial reports of casualties.
The emergency service released images showing a fire on the roof of a multi-storey residential building in central Israel. Local media reported that the fire was caused by debris from an intercepted missile. Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying its longtime enemy was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel.
Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons. It neither confirms nor denies this.
Its air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based human rights organisation that tracks Iran. The dead include the military’s top echelon and nuclear scientists.
In Israel, 24 civilians have been killed in Iranian missile attacks, according to authorities.
TALKS SHOW LITTLE PROGRESS
Iran has repeatedly targeted Tel Aviv, a metropolitan area of around 4 million people and the country’s business and economic hub, where some critical military assets are also located.
Israel said it had struck dozens of military targets on Friday, including missile production sites, a research body it said was involved in nuclear weapons development in Tehran and military facilities in western and central Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said there was no room for negotiations with the U.S. “until Israeli aggression stops”. But he arrived in Geneva on Friday for talks with European foreign ministers at which Europe hopes to establish a path back to diplomacy.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated that he would take as long as two weeks to decide whether the United States should enter the conflict on Israel’s side, enough time “to see whether or not people come to their senses”, he said.
Trump said he was unlikely to press Israel to scale back its airstrikes to allow negotiations to continue.
“I think it’s very hard to make that request right now. If somebody is winning, it’s a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing, but we’re ready, willing and able, and we’ve been speaking to Iran, and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
The Geneva talks produced little signs of progress, and Trump said he doubted negotiators would be able to secure a ceasefire.
“Iran doesn’t want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us.
Europe is not going to be able to help in this one,” Trump said.
Hundreds of U.S. citizens have fled Iran since the air war began, according to a U.S. State Department cable seen by Reuters.
Israel’s envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told the Security Council on Friday his country would not stop its attacks “until Iran’s nuclear threat is dismantled”. Iran’s U.N. envoy Amir Saeid Iravani called for Security Council action and said Tehran was alarmed by reports that the U.S. might join the war.
Russia and China demanded immediate de-escalation.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran was ready to discuss limitations on uranium enrichment but that it would reject any proposal that barred it from enriching uranium completely, “especially now under Israel’s strikes”.
-Reuters
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Iran and Israel exchanged fresh attacks early on Saturday, a day after Tehran said it would not negotiate over its nuclear programme while under threat and Europe tried to keep peace talks alive.
Shortly after 2:30 a.m. in Israel (2330 GMT on Friday), the Israeli military warned of an incoming missile barrage from Iran, triggering air raid sirens across parts of central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Interceptions were visible in the sky over Tel Aviv, with explosions echoing across the metropolitan area as Israel’s air defence systems responded.
At the same time, Israel launched a new wave of attacks against missile storage and launch infrastructure sites in Iran, the Israeli military said.
Sirens also sounded in southern Israel, said Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency service. An Israeli military official said Iran had fired five ballistic missiles and that there were no immediate indications of any missile impacts.
There were no initial reports of casualties.
The emergency service released images showing a fire on the roof of a multi-storey residential building in central Israel. Local media reported that the fire was caused by debris from an intercepted missile. Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying its longtime enemy was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel.
Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons. It neither confirms nor denies this.
Its air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based human rights organisation that tracks Iran. The dead include the military’s top echelon and nuclear scientists.
In Israel, 24 civilians have been killed in Iranian missile attacks, according to authorities.
TALKS SHOW LITTLE PROGRESS
Iran has repeatedly targeted Tel Aviv, a metropolitan area of around 4 million people and the country’s business and economic hub, where some critical military assets are also located.
Israel said it had struck dozens of military targets on Friday, including missile production sites, a research body it said was involved in nuclear weapons development in Tehran and military facilities in western and central Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said there was no room for negotiations with the U.S. “until Israeli aggression stops”. But he arrived in Geneva on Friday for talks with European foreign ministers at which Europe hopes to establish a path back to diplomacy.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated that he would take as long as two weeks to decide whether the United States should enter the conflict on Israel’s side, enough time “to see whether or not people come to their senses”, he said.
Trump said he was unlikely to press Israel to scale back its airstrikes to allow negotiations to continue.
“I think it’s very hard to make that request right now. If somebody is winning, it’s a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing, but we’re ready, willing and able, and we’ve been speaking to Iran, and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
The Geneva talks produced little signs of progress, and Trump said he doubted negotiators would be able to secure a ceasefire.
“Iran doesn’t want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us.
Europe is not going to be able to help in this one,” Trump said.
Hundreds of U.S. citizens have fled Iran since the air war began, according to a U.S. State Department cable seen by Reuters.
Israel’s envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told the Security Council on Friday his country would not stop its attacks “until Iran’s nuclear threat is dismantled”. Iran’s U.N. envoy Amir Saeid Iravani called for Security Council action and said Tehran was alarmed by reports that the U.S. might join the war.
Russia and China demanded immediate de-escalation.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran was ready to discuss limitations on uranium enrichment but that it would reject any proposal that barred it from enriching uranium completely, “especially now under Israel’s strikes”.
-Reuters
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
Severe storms resulted in extensive damage to critical infrastructure, parks, cultural sites, schools, public buildings, and more, resulting in over $34 million dollars in damages across six counties
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the Trump administration’s denial of Washington state’s appeal for a Major Disaster Declaration to unlock Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance for recovery from the devastating windstorms, heavy rainfall, flooding, and mudslides caused by a bomb cyclone that struck Washington state in November 2024.
Last month, Senator Murray led Washington state’s entire bipartisan Congressional delegation in sending a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to reconsider the denial of Washington state’s initial, January request to President Trump for a Major Disaster Declaration in response to the November bomb cyclone. Senator Murray also led Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a previous letter urging President Biden to grant the state’s request.
“It is outrageous that President Trump is denying Washington state’s request for a federal disaster declaration, supported by our entire bipartisan Congressional delegation, for one of the most destructive storms in our state’s recent history. This is exactly the kind of catastrophic event federal disaster aid was designed for. County governments cannot be reasonably expected to shoulder $34 million dollars in damages from the bomb cyclone that caused tremendous damage to public infrastructure and left hundreds of thousands of people without power.
“Make no mistake, what we are seeing under Trump is an unprecedented and dangerous politicization of disaster assistance that cannot continue. Storms and disasters don’t discriminate between red and blue communities and neither should our President. There is simply no justification for this betrayal that leaves local communities and residents of Washington state shouldering painful disaster recovery costs when the federal government was supposed to have their backs.
“Every Member of Congress should be extraordinarily alarmed by this administration’s insistence on playing politics with disaster aid, no matter the consequences for our constituents. Do Republicans want a future Democratic President denying their constituents disaster aid over politics?”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
A man has been flown to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment after a serious assault at Dundee Beach late last night.
Shortly after 11pm the Joint Emergency Services Communications Centre received a report of an alleged assault on a 55-year-old man by a group of people after a minor vehicle crash. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.
As a result of the alleged assault, the victim suffered serious injuries to his face.
General Duties police, St John Ambulance and a CareFlight helicopter attended the scene before the man was flown to RDH where he underwent surgery.
A crime scene was declared, and investigations are ongoing.
The offenders remain outstanding, and police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference P25166318. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Source: Tasmania Police
Issued: 20 Jun 2025
200 illegally dumped truck tyres in the Isla Gorge National Park
Up to 200 illegally dumped truck tyres in the Isla Gorge National Park have prompted disgust and sparked a joint investigation to find the person or business responsible.
During a bushfire in October 2024, the tyres were discovered in a deep ravine adjacent to the Leichhardt Highway.
Located approximately 340km west of Bundaberg and 230km southwest of Rockhampton, Isla Gorge National Park features stunning gorges, sandstone outcrops and striking rock formations.
Rangers from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation and Banana Shire Council compliance officers launched an investigation.
Senior Ranger Chris said the tyres posed a significant fire risk and had polluted a highly sensitive environment.
“This shocking example of illegal dumping has delayed our planned burn program, and we are doing everything we can to remediate the site and find the person or business responsible,” Ranger Chris said.
“We believe someone in the region knows who is responsible for dumping the tyres, and we are asking anyone with information to call us on 1300 130 372 or call the Banana Shire Council on (07) 4992 9500.”
“Due to the remote location and the size of the tyres, rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service were unable to remove them using conventional methods.
“The complex clean-up operation involves a specialist contractor with a 130-tonne crane to remove and recycle the tyres.”
“Visitors to our national parks don’t want to see illegally dumped waste, and that’s why we take a zero-tolerance approach to offenders.
“People involved in illegally dumping waste can receive hefty fines, and they can be ordered to clean up the mess.
Banana Shire Council Mayor Nev Ferrier said the dumping was unacceptable and showed no respect for the region’s natural environment.
“It’s just disgraceful, whoever did this clearly has no regard for the land, our national parks, or the people who care for them,” Mayor Ferrier said.
“The Isla Gorge is one of the most beautiful parts of our region, and to see it treated like this is heartbreaking.
“I urge anyone who knows anything about this to do the right thing and come forward.”
See it, Report it, Stop it — Everyone can play their part by reporting littering and illegal dumping via the Litter and Illegal Dumping Online Reporting System.
People can also report littering and illegal dumping to their local council.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Stockholders of PTMN Who Have Voted Thus Far Have Expressed Strong Support for the Proposed Merger, with Favorability in Excess of 85%
Logan Ridge Stockholders Approved Merger at its Special Meeting of Stockholders Held on June 20, 2025
NEW YORK, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Portman Ridge Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: PTMN) (“Portman Ridge” or “PTMN”) announced today the adjournment of its Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “PTMN Special Meeting”) to provide stockholders with additional time to cast their vote to approve the share issuance proposal in connection with the proposed merger of Logan Ridge Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: LRFC) (“Logan Ridge” or “LRFC”) with and into PTMN (the “Share Issuance Proposal”).
The PTMN Special Meeting, convened on June 20, 2025, has been adjourned and will reconvene on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 10:00 am ET. Stockholders of PTMN can attend the meeting and cast their votes by following the instructions outlined in the amended joint proxy statement. Alternatively, stockholders can also access the virtual meeting and vote by going to the following website: http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PTMN2025SM, or by calling 1-833-218-3911 and providing the control number which is listed in the proxy card received.
At the time the PTMN Special Meeting was adjourned, stockholders who had already cast their votes showed strong support for the Share Issuance Proposal, with favorability in excess of 85% of voting shares. Under PTMN’s organizational documents, the proposed merger requires the approval of a majority of the quorum of holders of PTMN Common Stock. Currently, over 48% of PTMN’s outstanding shares have voted or abstained from voting their shares. Accordingly, less than 2% of shares outstanding still need to vote or make an election to abstain from voting their shares in order to reach the required quorum threshold of a majority of PTMN Common Stock issued and outstanding. The Board of Directors of PTMN unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the Share Issuance Proposal.
On June 20, 2025, Logan Ridge stockholders voted to approve the merger with Portman Ridge, representing a key milestone in the proposed transaction. With this approval, the merger remains subject to the approval by the Portman Ridge stockholders of the Share Issuance Proposal and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
The record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the reconvened Special Meeting remains the close of business on May 6, 2025. Stockholders as of the record date are eligible to vote, even if they have subsequently sold their shares. Stockholders who have already voted do not need to take any further action. Proxies previously submitted will be voted at the reconvened meetings unless properly revoked.
The Board of Directors of PTMN respectfully requests stockholders vote their proxies as soon as possible. Voting promptly will help ensure that the Special Meeting can proceed without further delays.
Stockholders can access the joint proxy statement and prospectus by clicking HERE. Stockholders who have questions about the meeting date, joint proxy statement or about voting their shares should contact PTMN’s proxy solicitor, Broadridge, at 1-833-218-3911.
About Portman Ridge Finance Corporation
PTMN is a publicly traded, externally managed closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. PTMN’s middle market investment business originates, structures, finances and manages a portfolio of term loans, mezzanine investments and selected equity securities in middle market companies. PTMN’s investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Sierra Crest Investment Management LLC, an affiliate of BC Partners Advisors L.P. PTMN’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), earnings releases, press releases and other financial, operational and governance information are available on Portman Ridge’s website at www.portmanridge.com.
About Logan Ridge Finance Corporation
LRFC is a business development company (a “BDC”) that invests primarily in first lien loans and, to a lesser extent, second lien loans and equity securities issued by lower middle-market companies. LRFC invests in performing, well-established middle-market businesses that operate across a wide range of industries. It employs fundamental credit analysis, targeting investments in businesses with relatively low levels of cyclicality and operating risk. For more information, visit www.loganridgefinance.com.
About BC Partners Advisors L.P. and BC Partners Credit
BC Partners Advisors L.P. (“BC Partners”) is a leading international investment firm in private equity, private credit and real estate strategies. Established in 1986, BC Partners has played an active role in developing the European buyout market for three decades.
Today, BC Partners executives operate across markets as an integrated team through the firm’s offices in North America and Europe. For more information, please visit https://www.bcpartners.com/.
BC Partners Credit was launched in February 2017 and has pursued a strategy focused on identifying attractive credit opportunities in any market environment and across sectors, leveraging the deal sourcing and infrastructure made available from BC Partners.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in this communication constitute forward-looking statements because they relate to future events, future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements may include statements as to future operating results of PTMN and LRFC, and distribution projections; business prospects of PTMN and LRFC, and the prospects of their portfolio companies; and the impact of the investments that PTMN and LRFC expect to make. In addition, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “seek,” “plan,” “should,” “estimate,” “project” and “intend” indicate forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this communication involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected, including the uncertainties associated with (i) the ability of the parties to consummate the merger on the expected timeline, or at all; (ii) the expected synergies and savings associated with the merger; (iii) the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger, including the expected elimination of certain expenses and costs due to the merger; (iv) the percentage of PTMN shareholders and LRFC shareholders voting in favor of the applicable Proposal (as defined below) submitted for their approval; (v) the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; (vi) the possibility that any or all of the various conditions to the consummation of the merger may not be satisfied or waived; (vii) risks related to diverting management’s attention from ongoing business operations; (viii) the combined company’s plans, expectations, objectives and intentions, as a result of the merger; (ix) any potential termination of the merger agreement; (x) the future operating results and net investment income projections of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xi) the ability of Sierra Crest to implement its future plans with respect to the combined company; (xii) the ability of Sierra Crest and its affiliates to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (xiii) the business prospects of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company, and the prospects of their portfolio companies; (xiv) the impact of the investments that PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company expect to make; (xv) the ability of the portfolio companies of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company to achieve their objectives; (xvi) the expected financings and investments and additional leverage that PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company may seek to incur in the future; (xvii) the adequacy of the cash resources and working capital of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xviii) the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of the portfolio companies of PTMN, LRFC or, following the closing of the merger, the combined company; (xix) the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the merger may result in significant costs of defense and liability; and (xx) future changes in laws or regulations (including the interpretation of these laws and regulations by regulatory authorities). PTMN and LRFC have based the forward-looking statements included in this document on information available to them on the date hereof, and they assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although PTMN and LRFC undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that they may make directly to you or through reports that PTMN and LRFC in the future may file with the SEC, including the Registration Statement and Joint Proxy Statement (in each case, as defined below), annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is not, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as, a prospectus or an advertisement and the communication is not, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as, an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities in PTMN, LRFC or in any fund or other investment vehicle managed by BC Partners or any of its affiliates.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This communication relates to the proposed merger of PTMN and LRFC and certain related matters (the “Proposals”). In connection with the Proposals, PTMN has filed a registration statement (Registration No. 333-285230) with the SEC (the “Registration Statement”) that contains a combined joint proxy statement for PTMN and LRFC and a prospectus of PTMN (the “Joint Proxy Statement”) and has mailed the Joint Proxy Statement to its and LRFC’s respective shareholders. The Registration Statement and Joint Proxy Statement contain important information about PTMN, LRFC and the Proposals. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. SHAREHOLDERS OF PTMN AND LRFC ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PTMN, LRFC AND THE PROPOSALS. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents filed with the SEC free of charge at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov or, for documents filed by PTMN, from PTMN’s website at https://www.portmanridge.com, and, for documents filed by LRFC, from LRFC’s website at https://www.loganridgefinance.com.
Participants in the Solicitation
PTMN, its directors, certain of its executive officers and certain employees and officers of Sierra Crest and its affiliates may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Proposals. Information about the directors and executive officers of PTMN is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025. LRFC, its directors, certain of its executive officers and certain employees and officers of Mount Logan and its affiliates may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Proposals. Information about the directors and executive officers of LRFC is set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of the PTMN and LRFC shareholders in connection with the Proposals will be contained in the Registration Statement, including the Joint Proxy Statement included therein, and other relevant materials when such documents become available. These documents may be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.
Contacts:
Portman Ridge Finance Corporation
650 Madison Avenue, 3rd floor
New York, NY 10022
Brandon Satoren
Chief Financial Officer
Brandon.Satoren@bcpartners.com
(212) 891-2880
The Equity Group Inc.
Lena Cati
lcati@equityny.com
(212) 836-9611
Val Ferraro
vferraro@equityny.com
(212) 836-9633
War is Bad for Stocks? Think Again.
June 20, 2025 – Missiles struck the heart of Tel Aviv’s financial district yesterday, yet investors barely flinched. Defying conventional market logic, Israel’s stock indices surged to record highs, even as tensions with Iran escalated dramatically.
Notably, shares of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange itself (TASE.TA) climbed approximately 1.67% to close around 6,161 ILA, extending impressive year-to-date gains beyond 45%. Broader market indices also reached fresh 52-week peaks, with the prominent Tel Aviv-35 closing at approximately 2,834 points, and the Tel Aviv-125 index finishing around 2,850 points.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Tehran Stock Exchange (TEDPIX) remained near its recent all-time highs around 3,035,000 points, despite a brief pullback triggered by recent conflict developments. TEDPIX’s dramatic year-over-year increase of roughly 46% has largely been driven by aggressive domestic monetary expansion and capital fleeing currency instability, rather than true economic strength.
Finbold’s market analyst Jordan Major explained these unusual market dynamics:
“Investors seem to be betting on resilience rather than peace. Israeli markets are buoyed by sector rotation into defense, cybersecurity, and commodities, alongside robust governmental support and expectations of swift, limited military retaliation. In Iran, however, market strength primarily reflects investors’ efforts to shield their capital from currency instability rather than genuine economic optimism.”
For more information: https://finbold.com/israel-and-iran-stock-markets-at-all-time-highs/
Source: New Zealand Police
Motorists are advised of diversions for southbound traffic in Hillcrest, Hamilton today following an earlier crash.
A single-vehicle hit a power pole around 6:30am today on Cambridge Road.
There were no injuries, but contractors are expected to be on site for most of the day working to fix the power lines.
Diversions are in place for southbound traffic off Cambridge Road at Cobham Drive and Masters Avenue.
ENDS
Source: US FBI
ATLANTA – Monica Dominguez Torres, 36, of Mexico, pleaded guilty on June 13, 2025, to federal charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Dominguez led a transnational criminal organization that operated methamphetamine conversion laboratories in the Atlanta area and laundered millions of dollars of drug proceeds to Mexico.
“Dominguez’s elaborate criminal operation has been dismantled, and more than $3.5 million of illicit drug proceeds have been seized as a result of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners’ diligent work,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute individuals like Dominguez who seek an undeserved life of luxury by trafficking deadly drugs in our community.”
Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division stated, “Through hard work, this drug trafficking and money laundering network has been removed from our streets. This criminal organization had no regard for the destructive impact on our communities.”
“This conviction sends a strong message to those who think they can live a life of luxury funded by illegal activities,” said Steven N. Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. “Thanks to the dedicated collaboration between HSI and our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels, we were able to dismantle Monica Dominguez Torres’s multi-million dollar drug trafficking and money laundering ring, seizing millions in illicit proceeds and bringing her to justice.”
“Monica Torres led a transnational organized crime organization, which like others of its nature, threatens the national and economic security of the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents, along with our other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners of the Atlanta Strike Force are working together to find, investigate, and bring to justice those who endanger American citizens lives through their drug trafficking and other illicit crimes.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges and other information presented in court: Monica Dominguez Torres’s organization operated methamphetamine conversion laboratories where liquid methamphetamine, obtained from sources in Mexico, was converted into hundreds of kilograms of crystal methamphetamine to be sold in the Atlanta area and elsewhere. Dominguez and her associates also used residences in the Atlanta area to collect and count millions of dollars in cash from these drug sales. The proceeds were laundered and sent to coconspirators in Mexico.
As part of the criminal operation, Dominguez and her associates purchased millions of dollars’ worth of real estate, vehicles, and luxury goods – all designed to conceal the illicit source of their wealth. The investigation revealed that Dominguez purchased five separate residences, including a seven-bedroom waterfront home in Jonesboro, Georgia. Three of these residences were purchased with bulk cash brought directly to the transaction. Dominguez and others also purchased nine luxury vehicles worth approximately $780,000. Dominguez also spent lavishly on high-end goods, including nearly $400,000 at Louis Vuitton and more than $425,000 at Burberry over roughly four and a half years.
During the investigation, agents seized nearly $3.6 million in cash from Dominguez’s residences, stash locations, and associates. When agents arrested Dominguez at her Conyers, Georgia home in February 2024, they seized more than $1.7 million in cash, five firearms, and three vehicles.
Dominguez is scheduled to be sentenced on September 15, 2025, at 1:30 pm, before Chief United States District Judge Leigh Martin May. Regarding her drug trafficking conviction, Dominguez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life in prison, a maximum $10,000,000 fine, and a minimum of five years of supervised release. The money laundering conviction carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a maximum $500,000 fine or twice the value of the laundered funds, up to three years of supervised release, and forfeiture of property involved in the offense.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, with valuable assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, Georgia State Patrol, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, and the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys John T. DeGenova, Deputy Chief of the Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Section, and Nicholas L. Evert are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to eliminate the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.
The specific mission of the David G. Wilhelm Atlanta OCDETF Strike Force (Atlanta Strike Force) is to eliminate transnational organized crime syndicates and major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the Atlanta metropolitan area and the Northern District of Georgia. To accomplish this mission, the Atlanta Strike Force will target these organizations’ leaders, focusing on targets designated as Consolidated Priority Organization Targets, Regional Priority Organization Targets, and their associates. The Atlanta Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, DEA, FBI, HSI, USMS, USPIS, and IRS, as well as numerous state and local agencies; and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Source: US FBI
UPDATE: Davion Chelsea Easterling is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall for sentencing on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 3 p.m. at the U.S. District Court, Augusta Division, located at 600 James Brown Boulevard, Augusta, Georgia 30901. Victims and the public are welcome to attend.
AUGUSTA, GA: Five Richmond County residents face various terms of years in prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a master key for postal service mailboxes and other felony counts occurring in 2023. This investigation is on-going.
Davion Chelsea Easterling, 26, and Corey Jamario Gunter, 24, both of Augusta, await sentencing after pleading guilty to Aiding and Abetting Possession of a Stolen Mail Key. The plea agreements subject each defendant to a statutory penalty of up to 10 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and up to three years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Cameron Martinas Curry, 22, and Quavaun Enreco Rhodes, 22, both of Augusta, await sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Stolen Mail Key, Possessing Stolen Mail Matter, Bank Fraud, and Aggravated Identity Theft. The plea agreements subject each defendant to a statutory penalty of up to 30 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and up to five years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Earl Demetrius Overton, 32, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Bank Fraud, and Aggravated Identity Theft related to stolen mail. The plea agreement subjects the defendant to a statutory penalty of up to 30 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and up to five years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
As described in court documents and testimony, Easterling was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and shared a residence with Gunter. An investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in 2023, led to a search of their residence pursuant to a state search warrant, where investigators found large quantities of stolen mail and multiple postal bins, along with a master key used to access postal service boxes. The investigation revealed that mail was stolen from a USPS Blue Box, located at the U.S. Post Office, 3108 Peach Orchard Road, Augusta, Georgia.
The plea agreements concede that the number of mail-theft victims in the case is greater than 10, and the defendants abandoned any claim to the mail so it could be returned to individual senders. Gunter also agreed to forfeit a .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol seized during the search.
U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall will schedule sentencing hearings for Easterling and Gunter upon completion of pre-sentence investigations by U.S. Probation Services.
Pertaining to Curry and Rhodes, as described in court documents and testimony, the defendants were detained by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office for a traffic stop after suspecting that the defendants had stolen mail from a USPS Blue Box, located at the U.S. Post Office, 125 Commercial Boulevard, Martinez, Georgia. Upon contact with the defendants, the deputies observed what appeared to be stolen U.S. Mail inside the vehicle. An investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service determined that there was no forced entry on the USPS Blue Box. The vehicle was searched but no key was found. After canvassing the area, a pair of U.S. Postal Master Keys were found less than thirty yards from the vehicle.
As the investigation continued, a federal search warrant was obtained for both defendant’s phones and agents found several check images with a face value totaling $485,000. Additionally, numerous text messages and screenshots revealed that they were in the business of stealing checks from the mail and depositing, altering, or selling them for the purpose of Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.
U.S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen will schedule sentencing hearings for Curry and Rhodes upon completion of pre-sentence investigations by U.S. Probation Services.
Pertaining to Overton, as described in court documents and testimony, the defendant was arrested by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, pursuant to an arrest warrant, while driving a vehicle. The defendant was found to be in possession of a firearm and is a prohibited person because of a previous felony conviction.
A follow up search warrant of the defendant’s home revealed numerous stolen checks, stolen mail, and various debit cards belonging to other people. Additional investigation revealed that Overton was stealing checks from the mail and depositing, altering, or selling them for the purpose of Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.
U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall will schedule a sentencing hearing for Overton upon completion of pre-sentence investigations by U.S. Probation Services.
“Mail theft has become an epidemic, and it is exceptionally costly to individuals and businesses victimized by these illegal activities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons. “These prosecutions hold accountable these defendants – including one who betrayed the trust granted by her U.S. Postal Service employment.”
“These cases are examples of individuals who made a decision to engage in criminal misconduct involving the U.S. mail that will not go unpunished,” said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting our customers and preserving the integrity of the mail.”
“The vast majority of U.S. Postal Service employees are honest, hardworking individuals who would never violate the public trust in this manner,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. “But for those who do, our special agents, along with our law enforcement partners, will aggressively investigate these federal crimes to protect the sanctity of the U.S. Mail. These guilty pleas are a testament to the dedication of the investigative and legal teams and should send a strong message to any employee who thinks of conspiring with others to steal arrow keys and betray the public’s trust.”
“Possessing stolen mail keys and engaging in the theft of personal and private correspondence is not only a breach of trust but a crime against the public,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “These convictions send a clear message: law enforcement will not tolerate the theft of our nation’s mail, and those who abuse their position of trust will be held accountable.”
These cases were investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Kyle Davis and David Estes.
The United States Attorney’s Office urges the public that if you believe you are a victim of mail theft from the Martinez Post Office, or the Peach Orchard Road Post Office between the dates of March 1, 2023 and November 30, 2023, and you have not been contacted by the United States Attorney’s Office, please file a report by June 30, 2025, with the United States Postal Inspection Service at USPIS.gov/report, referencing USPIS Case Numbers 4183320-MT and 4207963-MT Mail theft victims who have been contacted by the United States Attorney’s Office are encouraged to submit victim impact statements as outlined in their notice and/or appear at future sentencings. As these defendants are not currently scheduled for sentencing, the United States Attorney’s Office intends to post hearings dates and times on its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdga/pr.
