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New Zealand is pragmatic on China, but does it have a choice?

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New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins trod a careful line on his first trip to China last week as leader, winning applause from China.

Hipkins is a man in trouble. He’s facing an election with an economy in recession.

If the saying is right “It’s the economy, stupid”, then New Zealand may have a new government.

His trip to China focused on trade and economic opportunities but avoided contentious issues such as human rights abuses in Xinjiang or security concerns.

Let’s remember this is the Labour party, and he follows the charismatic Jacinda Ardern, lauded for her ability to speak for minorities.

Tight election

Barely three months out from what looks likely to be a tight election and with the economy already technically in recession, analysts say Hipkins is seeking to step out of the shadow of high-profile former leader Jacinda Ardern and show he is the person to run the country for a further three years.

One angle Hipkins is focusing on is assuring voters that Labour is the party to bring back prosperity – and that means avoiding disputes with the country’s largest trading partner, which could damage New Zealand exports.

“This was a big visit for Hipkins who is cementing his profile as a new prime minister in an election year,” said Robert Ayson, professor of strategic studies at Victoria University.

“Hipkins pulled his punches on anything controversial. We were back, for a moment at least, where New Zealand admits it does not see eye to eye with China on some big matters without actually naming them.”

New Zealand has long been seen as the most conciliatory towards China among the Five Eyes security grouping, which includes Australia, the U.S., Britain and Canada.

Democratic erosion

But the country’s Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Ardern in recent meetings with counterparts noted the situation in Xinjiang and the erosion of democracy in Hong Kong, while raising concerns about potential militarisation in the Pacific and tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

The statement after Hipkins’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping mentioned none of these issues.

“(Hipkins’s) visit certainly gave China a tick in the international legitimacy box and Beijing has gained at least as much from Hipkins’ visit as New Zealand exporters,” Victoria University’s Ayson said.

New Zealand exporters were prominent in the visit with a delegation of 29 businesses travelling with the prime minister to China.

Business is not a traditional supporter base of the Labour Party, but Hipkins has been focused on winning this sector over since he took office – his first full day in the job in January he spent talking to business leaders in Auckland.

“My sense is that there’s a significant aspect of domestic politics here in an election year, and that Hipkins wants to be seen as a sort of good steward of the China relationship,” said David Capie, Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University.

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Police accidentally kill worshipper during Manchester terror attack

Manchester police accidentally kill worshipper during terror attack response at synagogue, as two victims die from knife assault

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Manchester police accidentally kill worshipper during terror attack response at synagogue, as two victims die from knife assault

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In Short:
– One victim was accidentally shot by police during a synagogue attack in Manchester on Yom Kippur.
– The assailant, Jihad Al Shamie, used a vehicle and stabbing in the attack, later killed by police.
One of the victims in the recent terror attack at a UK synagogue was accidentally killed by police during efforts to subdue the attacker.
The incident occurred on Yom Kippur outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, resulting in the deaths of Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66.
The assailant, identified as Jihad Al Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, used his vehicle to strike pedestrians before launching a stabbing assault.Authorities revealed that police mistakenly shot one of the victims as they responded to the threat posed by Al Shamie, who was believed to be wearing a fake suicide vest.

Greater Manchester Police chief Stephen Watson noted that the victims were likely attempting to prevent the attacker from entering the synagogue. Reports indicate that a third victim hospitalized also sustained gunshot wounds during the police response.

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Jihad Al Shamie was killed by police approximately seven minutes after he began the attack.

The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, stated that the attacker was not previously known to authorities. Police continue to investigate whether Al Shamie acted alone or as part of a terrorist cell, with three individuals arrested in connection to the incident.

Family Statement

The family of the attacker has publicly condemned the violence, expressing shock and sorrow over the tragic events. They stated their intentions to distance themselves from the actions of Jihad Al Shamie and offered condolences to the victims and their families.


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L.A. entertainment industry struggles amid mass job losses

L.A.’s entertainment industry faces severe crisis as thousands of jobs vanish and creatives struggle to survive

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L.A.’s entertainment industry faces severe crisis as thousands of jobs vanish and creatives struggle to survive

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In Short:
– Hollywood’s entertainment industry faces a severe job decline, impacting many professionals like Brian Mainolfi.
– Proposed federal measures to revive local production have been insufficient, leaving the industry’s future uncertain.
Hollywood’s entertainment industry faces a significant downturn, with work evaporating and many creative professionals searching for new avenues to survive.

The industry has seen a sharp decline in jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Los Angeles County employment in motion picture production fell from 142,000 to 100,000 in two years due to reduced movie and TV productions.

Fewer projects are moving to Los Angeles because of high costs and a lack of tax incentives compared to other regions.

The impact on local businesses dependent on production workers has been severe, contributing to a broader economic challenge in the area.

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Industry Decline

The absence of steady work has led some professionals to leave the industry entirely.

Many workers, including Thomas Curley, who won an Oscar for “Whiplash,” have struggled with the loss of purpose, and job scarcity remains pervasive.

Federal measures have been proposed, including a possible tax credit to stimulate local production, but efforts have thus far been insufficient.

With the continuing effects of recent strikes and a potential shift away from traditional content consumption, the outlook for Hollywood’s future remains uncertain.


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US government shutdown delays crucial jobs data

Investors navigate uncertainty as U.S. government shutdown delays jobs data, impacting global markets. #markets #usshutdown #jobs

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Investors navigate uncertainty as U.S. government shutdown delays jobs data, impacting global markets. #markets #usshutdown #jobs


Across the Pacific, attention is on the looming U.S. government shutdown, though investors appear to be looking through the uncertainty for now.

U.S. jobs data, expected this week, has been delayed due to the shutdown, adding another layer of uncertainty for global markets.

#markets #usshutdown #jobs #rba #tesla #tickernews


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