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The government’s proposed social media ban for under-16s appears increasingly uncertain, with coalition tensions, legislative confusion and broader debates over online regulation now complicating National’s flagship child safety proposal. Education Minister Erica Stanford says the government is still aiming to introduce legislation this year, but a promised update has now been delayed until June as wider policy work moves through Cabinet. · The…

A heated clash inside Parliament between Resources Minister Shane Jones and Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has escalated into a wider political dispute involving Treaty relationships, seabed mining, ministerial conduct, and the future direction of New Zealand resource policy. The controversy erupted after Jones made remarks targeting Ngāti Ruanui during a parliamentary debate over mining and fast-track legislation. · The comments…

By Clandestine · I think we are witnessing the dawn of a new world. · Xi speaks highly of Trump and his vision to Make America Great Again, and says that the modernization and rejuvenation of China can be done “hand in hand” with the US, and we can work together to make the world a better place. · What if Trump and Xi agreed it was time to end the hostilities and treat each other as partners instead of adversaries on a collision course for war?…

Japanese auto giant Honda has posted its first operating loss since 1957, citing weakening electric vehicle (EV) demand, US trade measures, and mounting competition from China. On Thursday, the automaker reported a net loss of 424 billion yen ($2.7 billion) for the fiscal year that ended on March 31, largely due to a massive write-down linked to its EV business. · Honda said the downturn was exacerbated by changes in US policy under President…

Kuwait exported zero barrels of crude oil last month, according to data from a shipping monitor, marking the first such halt since the 1991 Gulf War. A major US ally hosting around 13,500 American troops and serving as a key regional logistics hub, Kuwait previously produced about 2.7 million barrels per day (bpd) and exported roughly 1.85 million bpd, with most shipments going to Asian markets including China, India, and South Korea. · On…

Ukraine is stripping some doctors of their draft exemptions and requiring medical students to undergo compulsory military training, Health Minister Viktor Lyashko has announced. · Lyashko made the remarks during question hour at the Ukrainian parliament on Friday, saying the Health Ministry would be authorized to cancel draft deferrals of certain medical workers at the request of the Defense Ministry and the Armed Forces’ Medical Forces…

US President Donald Trump’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, was heavy on pomp, praise, and promises. But what did both leaders walk away with after the superpower summit in Beijing? Trump left Beijing on Friday, two days after becoming the first US president to visit the Chinese capital in almost a decade. The trip took place amid two paused conflicts — Trump’s trade war with Beijing and his real war against Iran — which…

The US and Israeli attack on Iran in February and their subsequent failure to achieve their objectives has already changed the strategic calculations of every major power. In some respects, it has also opened new opportunities for political dialogue. Seizing those opportunities would benefit international politics as a whole. By Timofey Bordachev, Program Director of the Valdai Club · The Middle East has always been one of the most unstable…

An ancient theory warning how conflicts start is brought up by Xi Jinping amid Trump's visit to China. Amid the pomp and circumstance in Beijing no major breakthroughs are made, while the American President remains tight lipped over the all important Taiwan question. · Co-operation across industries is on the agenda as ties between Russia and India are discussed at the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi. While Israelis celebrate Flag…

The interesting thing this week is that despite all the noise globally around the Strait of Hormuz situation, tanker schedules into New Zealand are still holding up fairly well. Looking through the current shipping picture, there is nothing immediately standing out that suggests supply stress is building. The ships are still arriving, distribution is still moving, and for now at least, the system appears to be functioning normally. · Marsden…