作者: admin

  • China’s development dividend highlighted

    China’s development dividend highlighted

    China has emerged as the world’s most stable and constructive power amid increasing global turbulence, according to statements made at the opening of China’s top political advisory body’s annual session. Liu Jieyi, spokesman for the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), articulated China’s commitment to high-quality development and expanded openness during a Tuesday press conference in Beijing.

    Against a backdrop of accelerating global changes and interconnected challenges, Liu emphasized China’s dedication to building a shared future for humanity through an equal, multipolar world order and inclusive economic globalization. The approach aims to foster lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity worldwide.

    The CPPCC’s diplomatic engagements throughout the past year included delegation visits to over 10 countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, alongside hosting numerous international conferences. These exchanges facilitated knowledge sharing on critical issues including the formulation of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), poverty reduction strategies, and environmental protection initiatives.

    International participants reportedly reached consensus that addressing global challenges requires both visionary leadership and substantive responsibility. Liu noted that China’s proposed concepts and solutions have provided guiding principles and significant momentum for collective global advancement.

    The current seven-day session will prioritize deliberation on the 15th Five-Year Plan, with approximately 2,100 national political advisers participating. The CPPCC National Committee has undertaken extensive research on Chinese modernization factors throughout 2025, submitting more than 480 proposals and 200 informational documents to inform the planning process.

    Over the past five years, the CPPCC’s specialized committees have conducted supervision activities addressing key implementation aspects of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), including business environment optimization, black soil conservation, and infrastructure adaptation for aging societies. Committee members participated in 779 supervision activities and submitted 323 formal suggestions to facilitate the plan’s execution.

    Liu characterized CPPCC democratic supervision as fundamentally consultative, focusing on national priorities and public concerns to ensure effective policy implementation and continuous improvement.

  • Celebrating Holi – the Hindu festival brings its array of colours to India and elsewhere

    Celebrating Holi – the Hindu festival brings its array of colours to India and elsewhere

    Across India and numerous countries worldwide, millions have enthusiastically participated in the vibrant Holi festival, renowned as the spectacular festival of colors. This ancient Hindu celebration, deeply rooted in mythological traditions, symbolizes the eternal victory of righteousness over malevolence while simultaneously marking nature’s seasonal transition from winter to spring.

    The festivities incorporate rich religious rituals and cultural practices. Participants engage in prayer ceremonies before playfully applying vivid colored powders in radiant shades of red, pink, yellow, and green upon family members and friends. Streets transform into dynamic canvases of chromatic celebration as communities collectively engage in this joyful tradition. The culinary aspect features special festive treats including gujiya, a delicately fried pastry filled with coconut and dried fruits, and thandai, a nourishing milk-based beverage enhanced with nuts and spices.

    Holi’s origins trace back to the legendary narrative of Holika, a demonic figure who attempted to murder her devout nephew Prahlad. According to sacred texts, divine intervention protected Prahlad from fiery destruction while Holika perished in the flames. This mythology inspires the ritual of lighting ceremonial bonfires on Holi’s eve, representing the purification of negative forces and the ascendancy of goodness.

    The festival additionally honors the celestial romance between deities Radha and Krishna, particularly in northern regions like Mathura and Vrindavan where Krishna spent his childhood. These locations host especially elaborate celebrations featuring traditional music, devotional dancing, and exuberant color play.

    Beyond India’s borders, Nepal’s majority-Hindu population observes Holi with equal fervor. The Indian diaspora has also introduced these traditions globally, with documented celebrations occurring in nations including Kenya. Notably, the festival transcends religious boundaries, with people of various faiths frequently joining the festivities. Even Hindu widows, traditionally excluded from certain celebrations, now participate in special events where they commemorate with flower petals and colors.

    Tourists increasingly seek authentic Holi experiences, contributing to a thriving market for colored powders, water pistols, and celebratory accessories that appears in shops days before the festival. Children enthusiastically engage using pressurized water guns and color-filled balloons, adding to the event’s playful atmosphere through aquatic chromatic warfare.

  • Energy prices soar as stock and bond markets consider long Middle East war

    Energy prices soar as stock and bond markets consider long Middle East war

    Financial markets worldwide experienced significant turbulence on Tuesday as investor sentiment deteriorated sharply over escalating Middle Eastern hostilities. The previously muted reaction to initial US-Israeli operations against Iran gave way to substantial sell-offs, reflecting growing concerns about prolonged regional conflict.

    The S&P 500 index declined 2.25 percent while the technology-focused Nasdaq Composite dropped 2.3 percent during early trading sessions. European markets demonstrated even more pronounced losses, with the Stoxx Europe 600 index falling 3.6 percent. This widespread retreat signals a fundamental shift in market expectations from anticipations of rapid resolution to preparations for extended geopolitical turmoil.

    Energy markets witnessed dramatic price surges, with Brent crude futures climbing approximately eight percent to $83.88 per barrel. Since the initial US engagement with Iran, oil prices have accumulated gains exceeding fifteen percent. The conflict’s expansion into its fourth day has seen Iran increasingly target energy infrastructure, including a fire at UAE’s Fujairah oil terminal and strikes on fuel storage at Oman’s Duqm Port.

    Critical energy producers including Qatar and Iraq have initiated production halts following Iranian threats to target vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic waterway facilitates nearly one-quarter of global seaborne oil shipments. The insurance industry has compounded transportation challenges by withdrawing war-risk coverage for vessels in the region.

    QatarEnergy suspended operations at its Ras Laffan facility after drone attacks, while Iraq—OPEC’s second-largest producer—began shutting production at major fields due to filled storage capacities. Most Iraqi exports traverse the Strait of Hormuz, with alternative pipeline connections through Kurdistan to Turkey reportedly non-operational.

    Asian economies face particular vulnerability to Hormuz shipping disruptions, though Europe’s significant dependence on Qatari liquefied natural gas creates substantial energy security concerns. Rising energy costs are generating inflationary pressures, prompting bond market sell-offs and yield increases as investors anticipate central bank responses to potential inflation spikes.

  • Australian girl, 8, killed in snowmobile accident in Japan

    Australian girl, 8, killed in snowmobile accident in Japan

    A tragic snowmobile accident in Japan’s popular Hakuba Valley has claimed the life of eight-year-old Australian tourist Chloe Jeffries from Queensland’s Gold Coast. The incident occurred on Saturday when the vehicle overturned during a guided tour, trapping the young girl beneath it despite her mother’s presence as a tandem passenger.

    According to tour operator Hakuba Lion Adventure, the accident transpired near an uphill curve along a forest road where the lead snowmobile veered off course and mounted an embankment before flipping back onto the trail. Despite immediate medical attention and aerial evacuation to a nearby hospital, Jeffries succumbed to her injuries.

    The young netball enthusiast has been memorialized by her community for her ‘beautiful nature’ and ‘infectious, cheeky smile.’ Meanwhile, the tour company has suspended all snowmobile and snowshoe operations indefinitely pending comprehensive safety reviews and ongoing police investigations.

    This devastating event marks the fourth Australian fatality at Japanese ski resorts within the first three months of the year. The series of tragedies began in January with the death of Australian-Indonesian teenager Rylan Henry Pribadi from asphyxiation following a boundary collision at Niseko Ski Resort in Hokkaido.

    Last month witnessed two additional casualties: 27-year-old Melbourne man Michael ‘Micky’ Hurst collapsed suddenly while skiing between Hokkaido resorts, and 22-year-old Brooke Day suffered a fatal heart attack after her backpack became entangled in a chairlift at Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Nagano prefecture.

    The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed providing consular support to the Jeffries family during this devastating time. The consecutive incidents have raised significant concerns about safety protocols at Japanese winter sports destinations, which annually attract thousands of Australian visitors.

  • US troops were told Iran war ‘anointed by Jesus’ to bring on Armageddon, watchdog says

    US troops were told Iran war ‘anointed by Jesus’ to bring on Armageddon, watchdog says

    Multiple US military commanders across various service branches are facing internal complaints for allegedly framing potential conflict with Iran through apocalyptic religious prophecy. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) has documented over 200 formal complaints from service members representing more than 40 units across 30 military installations.

    According to substantiated reports, combat unit commanders have characterized prospective military action against Iran as being ‘anointed by Jesus’ and part of God’s divine plan to initiate Armageddon. One non-commissioned officer provided detailed testimony of a commander explicitly stating that former President Donald Trump had been ‘anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran’ to trigger biblical end-times scenarios and facilitate Christ’s return to Earth.

    The complaints describe commanders frequently referencing the Book of Revelation during official briefings, with one allegedly expressing visible enthusiasm while discussing apocalyptic themes. Service members reported being told they should feel excitement about participating in conflicts that would fulfill biblical prophecy.

    Michael L. Weinstein, MRFF founder and US Air Force veteran, confirmed these reports represent a systematic pattern rather than isolated incidents. He attributes this trend to the growing influence of Christian nationalist ideology within military leadership, specifically noting the role of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as a prominent advocate for fundamentalist perspectives.

    The organization previously documented similar incidents following Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, including an Air Force commander who allegedly declared the conflict had been ‘foretold by the Book of Revelation.’ The Pentagon has not responded to requests for comment regarding these allegations of religious coercion within military ranks.

  • Goodbye officer, hello touchscreen – a vision for policing in Ethiopia

    Goodbye officer, hello touchscreen – a vision for policing in Ethiopia

    Ethiopia has inaugurated its first unmanned police station in Addis Ababa’s Bole district, marking a significant milestone in the country’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 initiative. The innovative facility features partitioned booths equipped with computer tablets instead of traditional front desks, creating an unusually quiet environment devoid of the typical commotion of police stations.

    Commander Demissie Yilma, head of the police technology expansion department, demonstrated the system to BBC reporters. Users select incident categories—crime, traffic reports, or general concerns—enter details via tablet, and subsequently connect with remote officers via video call rather than chatbots. This hybrid approach combines digital automation with human oversight, ensuring immediate response coordination with patrol units when necessary.

    The pilot station recorded modest initial usage with just three reports in its first week—a lost passport, financial fraud case, and routine complaint. Authorities anticipate increased adoption as public awareness grows. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has championed the initiative as part of broader efforts to make ‘law enforcement institutions competent and competitive’ through digital reform.

    This innovation addresses both accessibility challenges and personnel constraints, potentially expanding police services to underserved areas. However, it emerges against a complex backdrop: Ethiopia trails continental peers in digital transformation due to historically low internet penetration rates and periodic connectivity disruptions stemming from recent conflicts and political instability.

    The national digital strategy aims to overhaul public services including identity systems, payments, and judicial administration. Recent telecommunications sector liberalization has accelerated mobile payment adoption in the local currency, while government services migration online continues progressively.

    Technology policy analyst Zelalem Gizachew notes measurable progress: ‘Digital payments have boomed with trillions of birr moving through electronic transactions. Broadband access has expanded sharply, and over 130 government services have been digitized.’

    Yet significant challenges persist. UNESCO data indicates 79% of Ethiopians lack internet access, creating adoption barriers. Senior software engineer Birhan Nega Cheru acknowledges efficiency gains—reduced paperwork and office visits—but highlights cybersecurity vulnerabilities and exclusion risks for digitally illiterate, elderly, rural, and low-income populations.

    The station remains an experimental prototype operating in a controlled environment with officer assistance. Its future expansion depends less on technological sophistication than organic public adoption without guided facilitation. This quiet room in Bole represents both a practical test case and symbolic manifestation of Ethiopia’s broader digital ambitions intersecting with everyday civic life.

  • Dave Rennie hired as the All Blacks’ new head coach

    Dave Rennie hired as the All Blacks’ new head coach

    WELLINGTON, New Zealand — In a significant coaching appointment, New Zealand Rugby has named Dave Rennie as the new head coach of the All Blacks through the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The 62-year-old New Zealander succeeds Scott Robertson, whose tenure was unexpectedly terminated in January.

    New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk expressed strong confidence in the selection, describing Rennie as “a world-class coach” with an impressive professional track record. “Dave understands what it means to coach the All Blacks and play a style of rugby that reflects who we are as New Zealanders,” Kirk stated. “He possesses deep understanding of rugby in New Zealand and recognizes the All Blacks’ crucial role in shaping national identity and unifying communities.”

    Rennie brings substantial international experience to the role, having most recently coached Australia’s national team for three years before his dismissal in early 2023. His tenure with the Wallabies spanned the challenging pandemic period, during which he guided an inexperienced squad through unprecedented conditions. Despite achieving a notable 3-1 record against the Springboks, Rennie’s departure followed Australia’s historic first-ever defeat to Italy as international rugby resumed normal competition schedules.

    Prior to his international coaching career, Rennie established his reputation with the Hamilton-based Chiefs, leading them to Super Rugby championships in 2012 and 2013 while maintaining a 66 percent winning record over five seasons. He subsequently coached Glasgow Warriors, achieving a 65 percent winning percentage and reaching the Pro14 final.

    “Coaching the All Blacks represents an incredible honor,” Rennie commented. “I feel extremely proud to have been entrusted with this role and fully comprehend the accompanying expectations. I have clear vision regarding how I want the All Blacks to perform and anticipate collaborating closely with players, management, and the broader rugby community. We possess exceptional talent and will work tirelessly to make the nation proud.”

    The selection process, chaired by Kirk, considered multiple candidates including former Japan coach Jamie Joseph. Kirk characterized the evaluation as “the most thorough in New Zealand history,” emphasizing the importance of meticulous decision-making given the team’s challenging upcoming schedule. The All Blacks face a demanding 2026 season featuring four matches against world champions Springboks, including three contests in South Africa and one in the United States.

    Rennie currently completes his commitment with Japan’s Kobe Steelers before returning to New Zealand following the Japan League One series. His inaugural matches coaching the All Blacks will occur in June against France, Italy, and Ireland.

  • US Troops were told Iran war is for ‘Armageddon,’ return of Jesus

    US Troops were told Iran war is for ‘Armageddon,’ return of Jesus

    The United States military is confronting an unprecedented internal crisis as numerous service members report commanders framing the Iran conflict through apocalyptic religious rhetoric rather than strategic military objectives. According to documents obtained from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), over 110 formal complaints have been filed across all military branches since Saturday, alleging widespread promotion of Christian nationalist ideology within command structures.

    The complaints originated from more than 40 different units spanning at least 30 military installations, with service members reporting that commanders are characterizing military operations against Iran as fulfillment of biblical prophecy. One particularly disturbing account from a non-commissioned officer describes a unit briefing where a combat commander asserted that President Trump had been ‘anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon and mark his return to Earth.’

    MRFF President Mikey Weinstein, a veteran of both the Air Force and Reagan White House, reported being ‘inundated’ with complaints describing command personnel expressing ‘unrestricted euphoria’ about how the conflict aligns with fundamentalist Christian end-times theology. Service members from diverse religious backgrounds—including Christians, Muslims, and Jews—have expressed alarm about these developments, citing violations of constitutional principles and military regulations.

    The situation appears connected to broader institutional shifts under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has implemented monthly prayer meetings throughout the Pentagon and participates in weekly White House Bible studies. Hegseth has publicly embraced Christian nationalist rhetoric, including false claims that America was founded as a Christian nation. These developments represent a significant departure from traditional military norms regarding religious neutrality.

    Legal experts note that these actions potentially violate both the Uniform Code of Military Justice and constitutional establishment clause principles. The MRFF has called for swift prosecution of personnel who advance religious agendas through military channels, particularly those exploiting current combat operations to promote apocalyptic narratives.

    This crisis emerges against a historical backdrop of similar concerns following the October 2023 Hamas attacks, when some commanders similarly referenced Revelation to frame Middle East conflicts. The current scale and intensity of complaints, however, suggest a more systematic problem that could fundamentally undermine military cohesion and effectiveness.

  • China to unveil priorities for coming 5 years at major annual political meeting

    China to unveil priorities for coming 5 years at major annual political meeting

    BEIJING — China’s annual political gathering, known as the Two Sessions, commenced Thursday with the National People’s Congress (NPC) and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) convening in the capital. The meetings, which set the nation’s policy agenda and economic objectives for the coming year, occur against a backdrop of economic headwinds and increasingly scripted political proceedings.

    The NPC, comprising nearly 3,000 delegates, serves as China’s legislative body that formally ratifies decisions already determined by Communist Party leadership. While technically performing voting procedures, the assembly consistently demonstrates near-unanimous approval of party directives. The parallel CPPCC gathering brings together elite members of Chinese society—including business leaders, athletes, and minority representatives—though this advisory body wields minimal influence on substantive policy matters.

    Under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, these once-contentious forums have transformed into carefully orchestrated events with diminished room for genuine debate. “Historically, these sessions served as venues for substantive policy deliberation, including controversial discussions,” noted Alfred Wu, public policy professor at the National University of Singapore. “They have now evolved into predominantly ceremonial showcases for propaganda purposes.

    Economic priorities dominate this year’s agenda, with Premier Li Qiang expected to announce China’s GDP growth target and other key economic indicators. Observers particularly await details regarding the 15th five-year plan, initially drafted in October, which emphasizes technological advancement and self-sufficiency—a continuation of China’s planned economy legacy through five-year planning cycles.

    The Chinese economy faces significant challenges including elevated youth unemployment, depressed housing markets, sluggish domestic consumption, and ongoing trade tensions with the United States. Economic analysts suggest Beijing must navigate a complex balancing act between advancing technological manufacturing capabilities in robotics, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence, while simultaneously stimulating consumer spending amid widespread financial pressure among ordinary citizens.

    Policy experts at the Asia Society project China may establish its lowest-ever growth target, signaling a strategic pivot from rapid expansion toward qualitative economic development. Meanwhile, recent personnel changes within military ranks—including the dismissal of 19 legislative members and high-profile military officials—have drawn attention, though no significant leadership announcements are anticipated during the current sessions. President Xi has reportedly removed approximately 100 senior PLA officials over the past four years, with January witnessing the prominent dismissal of General Zhang Youxia.

  • US commerce secretary to testify before Congress about Epstein ties

    US commerce secretary to testify before Congress about Epstein ties

    U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will provide voluntary testimony before the House Oversight Committee as part of its ongoing investigation into connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) announced on Tuesday that Lutnick had “proactively agreed to appear voluntarily” for a transcribed interview.

    The development follows recent depositions from former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who both testified about their associations with Epstein. While Lutnick has acknowledged visiting Epstein’s private Caribbean island in 2012—years after Epstein’s conviction for sex crimes—the commerce secretary has not been accused of any wrongdoing by Epstein’s victims.

    Justice Department documents released earlier this month confirm Lutnick’s December 23, 2012 visit to Little St. James Island. Correspondence shows Lutnick’s wife, Allison, emailed Epstein’s assistant on the eve of their visit: “We are looking forward to visiting you” and “We would love to join you for lunch.”

    Lutnick previously testified to Congress that he severed ties with Epstein in 2005 after the financier—then his New York neighbor—used sexual innuendo to explain why he kept a massage table in a room of his home. The commerce secretary, recognized as the architect of Trump’s global tariffs policy, maintains this position despite the documented 2012 visit.

    No specific date has been announced for Lutnick’s testimony. Chairman Comer commended Lutnick’s “demonstrated commitment to transparency” and expressed appreciation for his willingness to cooperate with the committee’s investigation.