Day: June 4, 2023

Ardern Receives New Zealand Top Honor for Leadership During COVID, Mosque Attack

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Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday received one of New Zealand’s top honors, recognizing her efforts for leading the country through the COVID-19 crisis, the terror attacks on two Christchurch mosques and the White Island volcanic eruption.  Ardern was named “Dame Grand Companion,” the second-highest honor in New Zealand, on King Charles’ birthday holiday celebrated by the country on June 5, and she made the coronation honors list for this year. The awardee is usually chosen in New Zealand by the prime minister and then approved by the British…

China’s growing comedy scene feels censorship chill

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In a now-removed Weibo post, a writer who scripts for comedy shows said a company that had approached her last year sent her a long list of taboo topics. It included senior Party leaders, officials, extra-marital affairs, homosexuality, gambling, poverty and the pandemic. Then there were a series of meetings to discuss the potential impact of the jokes – how sensitive was it? Who might it offend ? The scripts were then submitted to relevant departments, but officials wouldn’t say much, or even make clear suggestions. BBC

India’s booming young population will spur housing demand, says HDFC head

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The head of India’s biggest private mortgage provider has forecast that India’s youth bulge will propel demand for housing for years, as rising incomes in the world’s most populous country have made homes more affordable. “What gives me confidence that the growth will remain strong for a number of years is the fact that India has a young population,” said Keki Mistry, chief executive of Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), in an interview with the Financial Times at the company’s Mumbai headquarters. Well over half of India’s population is aged…

China’s war chest: how Beijing has rearranged the diplomatic pieces ahead of a potential conflict

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In diplomatic terms, China could be said to have already won its battle against Taiwan. Most of the world’s governments – including the US – formally agree with the Chinese Communist party’s (CCP) position that there is just one China, of which the People’s Republic of China is the sole government. The tension lies in the fact that the CCP regards Taiwan, a self-governing, democratic island of 23 million people, as part of that one China. On Sunday Li Shangfu, China’s defence minister, said that China “will not tolerate” attempts…