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Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
I've seen the real face of China and it's sadistic and cruel beneath the 'Botox' façade
Former detainee Cheng Lei has warned the Albanese government to look deeper than China's public façade as she describes distressing surveillance that happens daily in Australia. Ms Cheng was imprisoned for more than three years in China, with the first six months in solitary confinement where she was forced to sit still for 13 hours per day and write 'self–bashing essays'. After almost two years free and now based in Melbourne, she has warned the Albanese government against drinking the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) 'Kool-Aid'. 'There is China's public face, and it's a great face, and it's getting better all the time, with a lot of Botox,' the mother-of-two said. 'But the surface is not how it is at the core and it spends trillions of dollars – its entire stability maintenance budget – to keep up that façade. 'We are just conveniently forgetting China is a state that prioritises the CCP's rule above all else, and individuals don't matter in that system. 'I'm lucky enough to have seen both sides and I just want to remind people at all times what it can, and does do, when it thinks nobody's looking.' Ms Cheng, who is a Chinese-born Australian journalist, described how 'cruelty is the policy' of China, inside and outside its prisons. 'The people who look at the fancy buildings and infrastructure, and think, "Oh, wow, how wonderful is this!" I want them to pause and think, "Do I want to be in that system?" 'Do I want my kids to grow up with that sort of cruelty and the back-breaking work and not having enough rights and not being able to criticise? 'People get sucked into the Kool-Aid and the fancy façade and they don't ask why Chinese people want to get out of the country, if it's such a great country to live in.' Her comments follow Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's six-day diplomatic tour of China in which he was photographed at popular tourist spots. He also received glowing reviews from Chinese media, which praised the blossoming relations between the two countries. 'I just don't see anything specific coming out of all this lovey-doveyness,' Ms Cheng told Daily Mail Australia following the meeting. 'The Chinese love for you to feel comfortable and that you are friends as long as you play ball. '(Officials) have this preoccupation with "(saving) face" and once you have that friendly vibe, it's impossible to play hardball.' In an ideal world, Ms Cheng wants Canberra to be able to have both: 'Let's talk more on trade, but yes, let's write something specific about the treatment of Aussie prisoners.' Ms Cheng was imprisoned by Chinese authorities in 2020 after being accused of 'illegally supplying state secrets overseas', allegations that were unfounded. The case concerned her sharing a government briefing with another journalist, with officials claiming it was embargoed, despite there being no time of permitted release on the document until a year after the incident. In her new book, 'Cheng Lei: A Memoir of Freedom', she speaks freely and with brutal honesty about the cruelty she endured at the hands of the Chinese prison system. For the first six months, she was placed under 'Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location' (RSDL), which the UN describes as 'enforced disappearance and might amount to torture'. Since 2012, China's Criminal Procedure Law has been amended to give police the power to take people into custody without disclosing where they will be held. 'I had to remain in the same position for 13 hours a day,' she said, adding she was permitted a few 10-minute breaks to walk between guards, only after she was visited by the Australian embassy. 'All those years, I had been told you cannot say this, you cannot mention the word 'case' at the embassy visit. You cannot mention your name. 'I had to write these self–bashing essays in which I just basically was telling lies. I had to write these untruthful things (about myself) in order to get by.' 'I just can't see another country that is as sadistic, as organised and so in tune with f***ing up your psychology that they would design something like this,' she said. Almost two years since she was liberated and, now settled in Melbourne as a Sky News host, Ms Cheng still feels as though the CCP has not forgotten her. 'There are so many strange things, like on Amazon: there are two fake books with the same name as my book,' she said. 'And last year, when I did a stand-up with (dissident Vicky Xu), there were two spies in the audience videotaping us with their hood pulled up.' But her concern remains for others, acknowledging that by striking a public figure, she appears 'safer' than others. 'I hear about ordinary Australians, for example, organising a vigil for the Tiananmen Square Massacre and being followed by hooded individuals in Western Australia,' she said, referencing a tip she had been given last week. 'While I'm personally not scared, it is extremely distressing in our country people who are doing ordinary things that are totally within their rights, are having to do it in fear.' Ms Cheng asserted China has a 'serious fear of its own people', whether in mainland China or among overseas communities. 'That's why they try to control people,' she said. 'It's either coercion through the community associations and trying to woo people, and then for them to intimidate other overseas Chinese.' One example she gave was WeChat groups in Melbourne where Ms Cheng said members are prohibited from talking about the independence of Taiwan or Hong Kong. 'If you do, (they tell you) you can get out of the group,' she said. 'They are also using fear of what might happen to the business interests or their families.' Despite the attempted intimidation, threats from online trolls and a public attempt by Chinese officials to block her during a press conference by China's second–in–command Premier Li Qiang in June last year, Ms Cheng is revelling in her freedom. 'There's nothing so blissful as having my voice back and to make a difference,' she said. 'It's hard to explain how insanely good freedom feels. 'I've been skydiving. I just got my open water dive scuba licence with my daughter. I'm playing soccer three to four times a week, making new friends.' Where does that leave Ms Cheng now? 'I wish people would make informed judgements about China because right now we just have a lot of ignorant prejudice,' she said. 'People say, "Oh, well, China is all bad." Or they just conflate Chinese people and the CCP and China, the country. 'I want people to - and I wish more overseas Chinese people would - think about what it is to live here and how we should all protect the freedoms you can't experience in China.'
Forbes
22-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Freelance or Full-Time? How to Choose Your Next Career Move
Should You Go Freelance Or Hold Out for Full-Time? I was recently laid off with some severance, which gave me some cushion in the job search. I know the job market is a slog though, so I wanted to make sure my skills are kept sharp not just for my next job but really in the long run. I am considering setting up an editorial and content strategy consultancy, so that at least I have recent projects that can continue to be valuable to potential employers. Would setting up a whole new business get in the way of actually seeking a job? Is that dividing my attentions/efforts into competing buckets? In a perfect world, if I knew I could not fail, I would set up my own consultancy offering fractional editorial leadership, from content strategy to execution, but I also don't know if I have what it takes to be a solo entrepreneur. – Experienced Journalist The best next career move is not a one-size-fits-all. It depends on your interests and priorities, as well as your runway for how long you can hold out for what you want (e.g., money you have to support yourself, emotional capacity to live in the uncertainty). It also depends on opportunities available to you – if you're an AI expert and getting multi-million dollar offers, you may want to ride that wave. This journalist asks about launching a business or looking for a job. When you're unemployed, that is your first fork in the road. Do you hedge your bets and try both? Or go all-in on one option? Why You Should Focus On One Option – Either Freelance Or Full-Time A big part of landing your next opportunity will come down to networking -- whether you're establishing a business and pitching your first clients or interviewing for jobs and pitching prospective employers. If you're pursuing both, you risk sounding undecided and therefore less attractive to either clients or employers. Even friendly networking contacts may be hesitant to refer you or just get confused about what you want help with (i.e., new business or job leads?). In addition to networking confusion, your branding may seem unfocused if you're speaking to clients and employers at the same time. Your LinkedIn profile plays a prominent role in your next move, and you have only one public profile. Your resume, networking pitch, and even professional references also need to be tailored to a next step. Why You Don't Have To Choose And Should Pursue Both Freelance And Job Search That said, there are professionals at different levels, in different roles and across industries who have managed to hold a traditional job and build a side hustle at the same time. The potential networking and branding hurdles are not insurmountable. You will need to show that you can perform as both a consultant and in-house and that you're genuinely interested in both. A big benefit to you of pulling that off and pursuing both business launch and traditional job search is that you broaden your chances for finding your next thing. If you're like this journalist who is not 100% sold on entrepreneurship, pursuing both is a way of experimenting before having to decide. Another big benefit is a speedier route to getting hired. Your next business client as a freelancer or next employer as a full-timer might be the same organization, so making yourself available to both a consulting assignment and traditional job can make it easier for that organization to say Yes. It gives them options, in case their budget is for outside vendors or for a permanent headcount. It gives the organization a try-before-you-buy option, as they can bring you in for a limited time or single project and then convert from temp to permanent, full-time. It also gives you a try-before-you-buy option, and you might decide to stick to consulting or hold out for another employer. How To Maximize Your Career Potential In Today's Job Market Today's job market has been linked to chaos, competition and uncertainty (yikes!). This gives the edge to Team Both – pursue freelance and look for a job. For each opportunity you consider, make your pitch less about the mechanics of consulting versus in-house and all about the best way to solve the problem your client/ employer is facing. Preview your solution, and emphasize your expertise – whether you come in as a freelancer or full-time employee is secondary to the fact that you will help them. In your networking and branding, keep the focus on your results – how you get paid is secondary to getting results. As you build up your business, you may find that landing a job is something you can layer on top of your existing business. In an uncertain market, having options is critical for moving forward. In a chaotic market, multiple sources of income is the foundation of career security.
New York Times
05-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Celebrating the U.S. in Canada During Turmoil in the Two Countries' Relations
The annual Fourth of July party hosted by the U.S. ambassador to Canada on the park-size grounds of his official residence has long been one of Ottawa's biggest social events. But after months of President Trump belittling Canada's viability as a nation and threatening to use economic chaos to force its annexation as the 51st state, the idea of gathering to celebrate the United States in Canada's capital was, well, a bit awkward this year. I went down to Lornado, the residence, late Friday afternoon to see if the boycotts by Canadians of American-made goods and travel to the United States would extend to the party marking the country's national holiday. (I attended as an accredited journalist, not as an invited guest, and the only hospitality I accepted was two glasses of water.) The turnout was decidedly smaller than in past years, and the seating and food stations were somewhat scaled down. Many guests who have attended in past years told me they estimated the crowd was about half the usual size, though there were nevertheless a substantial number of people. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Irish Sun
02-07-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
‘It's hard to breathe' – Grim ‘postpone your Spain hol' alert to Irish as locals ‘hide out' deadly 42C Europe heatwave
THE scorching heatwave sweeping across Europe has claimed lives, closed schools, forced people to "hide" out at home, and evacuate as "unbearable" 42C temperatures make it "difficult to breathe". And Advertisement 9 Temperatures are reaching dangerous highs in parts of Spain Credit: Meteologix 9 An Irish woman has shown beaches in Barcelona almost deserted as the heat blasts the city Credit: Journalist Collect 9 Limerick lady Leah is planning to fly home to escape the extreme heat Credit: Journalist Collect Aemet has confirmed June temperatures "smashed records" in Spain as averages reached 23.6C, making it the hottest June since 2017. Leah Daly, from And the 27-year-old admitted she's planning to jet home to escape Barcelona is under a Moderate High Temperature Warning, with temperatures soaring to the mid 30s before 11am and remaining in the high 20s overnight. Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS Wildfires in Lleida in Spain have claimed the lives of two people as blistering The area is under an orange weather alert, one of 118 heat warnings issued across Spain yesterday. In the Costa Dorada town of Vallam a toddler Night-time temperatures recorded overnight into Tuesday hit 28C in Seville and 27C in Barcelona. Advertisement Most read in Irish News Leah told She said: "I'm waking up and the sun is coming up into my room and even when you've the blinds closed you're waking up in just sweltering heat. The heatwave staple being sold in Aldi for €4.99 and it's perfect if you don't like the feel of suncream on your skin "I'm waking up three and four times a night and it's nasty, like it's disgusting." "Even going out onto the balcony to hang out clothes, your feet are burnt off. It's so, so hot. Advertisement "At night time, it's still 27C, 28C, which if you put it into perspective, in Ireland on a nice sunny day that we would enjoy, it could be like 19 degrees. "You'd be like, 'oh it's lovely, isn't it?' And you think 30 degrees is okay, but it's actually really not. 9 Leah showed us how the streets are empty as local hide inside from the temperatures Credit: Journalist Collect 9 She also showed the extreme weather alerts people in Spain have been issued Credit: Journalist Collect Advertisement 9 Leah warned Irish tourists to seriously consider cancelling their holidays on account of the heat Credit: Getty Images "It's miserable. It's gone past the point of actually enjoying the heat and enjoying it safely, because everyone's just inside hiding." Leah explained how the streets of Barcelona look empty as people stick to shaded areas of the footpath and avoid beaches and the city centre. 'HARD TO BREATHE' She explained: "It's hard to breathe here. I was walking down the street the other day and everyone was on the second half of the path in the shade. Advertisement "When you have to get off the footpath, you have to walk in the sun and it's a nightmare. It's awful." Describing the city as "empty", Leah said that those who do dare to walk outside stick to the shade - but most of the locals are sticking indoors. She said: "When you get closer into the city centre, there's no locals. There's no sign of locals. "Everything is raising the prices because they know people need it, especially tourists. So the price of everything is going up in this heat as well." Leah Daly "They're all obviously at home or hiding around the country or away from the city. Advertisement "Obviously being in the city with the traffic and the buildings and everything, it's making it hotter." And as the UV index reaches 11, Leah explained how the She told us: "People are going and they're sitting there for probably 20 minutes and going, yeah, this actually isn't fun and they're leaving. "We've gone a couple of times over the last weekends and at the start of the day it's been havoc then after about 20 minutes when you're looking around, everyone's gone. Advertisement 'IT'S JUST SO HOT' "I love lying out, absolutely adore it but you just can't, it's just so hot. "And even when you do, you're up every two seconds to go to the shop to go get water or you need to bring frozen water with you." But Leah, who's been working remotely for company Fatjoe, warned even the AC in the apartments is simply not strong enough. The young woman has found herself opting to work from cafes and coffee shops where there is industrial strength air conditioning. Advertisement She said: "Anyone coming, I would definitely make sure where you're staying has AC and it's working." 'CHANGE YOUR HOL DATES' But she added: "I feel like it could be a bit of an issue for some places." Leah warned She told us: "If you have the luxury of being able to change your dates, change it. Advertisement "It's such a beautiful city. You will enjoy it so much more when you can actually get out and enjoy it. "Part of the beauty of Barcelona is like the big hustle and bustle of the streets and like the locals and like all the culture. "But if you come now, you'll probably be spending most of your trip in your "We have no sign of it cooling down anytime soon. And I do fear August will be worse." Advertisement 'I'M GOING TO BOOK A TRIP HOME' Leah added: "If they could, if they're is any leeway and they could postpone their holiday, I do feel like they would enjoy it much more if they could push it to maybe September. "But I know a lot of Irish and British people aren't going to do that because they're like, 'Oh, we love the sun'. As an Irish person who loves the sun, it's miserable." She added: "I'm actually going to book a trip home, I think, just to get away from it for a while. "I'm showering potentially three times a day. Most days twice. But there comes a point like at the start of the summer this year when you just start sweating and I just haven't not sweat since. Advertisement "We're trying to make the most of like outdoor pools, like Montjuic pool and stuff like that. "But everything is SPAIN HEAT ALERTS SPAIN has been slapped with 118 heat alerts. These cover virtually the entire country, with the exception of areas of the south east coast such as Almeria and swathes of the north east such as Oviedo. In Seville, people have been warned the mercury will rise above 40C for the next three days - and night time temperatures are expected to remain around 25C. Meanwhile, there are also warnings for storms and heavy rainfall in eastern regions of the country. Those in Valencia and Catalonia have been warned as much as 20mm of rain could fall. Leah had some valuable advice for anyone who does decide to push ahead with their holiday, warning they will need to stay safe. She warned: "As much as you think you want that tan or you want to make the most of the sun, you can enjoy it safely and from indoors. Advertisement "The UV goes down from 6pm, even though it's still hot and it's a bit still hard to manage, it's way safer for you." 'BE INSIDE' Leah continued: "Go and actually see the culture and stuff. Book stuff, be inside for the hottest parts of the day. "If you're going to see Casa Batllo, maybe book that for around like 12pm. If you're going outside places like Park Guell, like just make sure you have frozen bottles of water. "The people selling bottles of water on the street, I heard a tourist being charged five euro for a small bottle of water the other day." Advertisement She stressed: "I'm not even being dramatic. It is difficult to breathe in that heat. I avoid it most of the day." IRISH GOVERNMENT ADVICE The Department of Foreign Affairs has also listed some important advice for Irish citizens living in Spain or Irish tourists visiting. They warned: "During dry periods or periods of high temperatures, there is a risk of forest fires in many parts of Spain. These can result in road and railway closures. In addition, air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate and adversely affect travellers, particularly those with respiratory ailments. Advertisement "Irish citizens should monitor the news closely as the situation can change quickly, and take particular care to avoid engaging in any action that may contribute to the risk of forest fires when outdoors. "We have no sign of it cooling down anytime soon. And I do fear August will be worse." Leah Daly "If you see a fire or smoke, you are advised to call the emergency number 112. The operators speak English, and will be able to assist you. And they added: "Spain can at times experience extreme weather conditions, including flooding, which can adversely affect travel plans. "You can monitor information and alerts, including severe weather warnings, on the website of the Spanish Meteorological Agency, AEMET. Advertisement "Citizens are advised to check the latest weather information before they travel and to follow the advice of the local authorities." 'VERY HIGH RISK OF HEAT STRESS' A UN climate spokesperson has warned that this will not be the last we see of killer heatwaves across Europe. Clare Nullis, from the World Meteorological Organisation, issued the warning after temperatures hit 46C in Spain. She said: "The frequency and intensity of extreme heat events is increasing in Europe. Advertisement She continued: "By 2050 about half the European population may be exposed to high or very high risk of heat stress during summer." 9 Leah warned tourists planning to still travel to be well equipped with water Credit: REUTERS/ Albert Gea 9 Leah also stressed the importance of having air con in you accommodation Credit: Journalist Collect 9 Most of Spain and surround Islands are under weather alerts Credit: Aemet Advertisement
Scoop
19-06-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Winners Of 2025 Science Journalism Awards Announced
Press Release – Science Media Centre New Zealand Science Media Director Dacia Herbulock said theScience Journalism Awardsare a unique new opportunity to celebrate the quality science journalism being done by reporters of all stripes in Aotearoa. The winners of this year's Science Journalism Awards cover the dark side of solar storms and explore the impacts of putting rivers in a straitjacket. Kate Newton of RNZ won this year's Established Professional category for her In Depth article, ' Room for the river, ' with designer Hingyi Khong. It looks at the artificial narrowing of the Ngaruroro River channel and its impact on groundwater levels, the braided river plain habitat, and flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle. Judges found it 'beautifully told, deeply relevant well beyond the immediate impact of extreme weather.' Fox Meyer of Newsroom won the Emerging Journalist award for ' Inevitable solar storms will be catastrophic for energy supply.' The third-party nominator said, 'Fox's compelling article was a great invitation to look beyond the stunning auroras and to support mitigations in the face of potential widespread disruption.' Judges were impressed by this under-reported angle on auroras, and commended the 'excellent combination of complex information that clearly outlined why this matters.' New Zealand Science Media Director Dacia Herbulock said the Science Journalism Awards are a unique new opportunity to celebrate the quality science journalism being done by reporters of all stripes in Aotearoa. 'It's been an absolute pleasure to come back for a second year to read, watch, and listen to the 70 submissions for this year's awards. The SMC and the judges had a real challenge whittling these entries down to the final winners.' The awards were designed to cover effectively any topic involving science and its impacts on the communities it reaches. 'Even if a reporter doesn't see themselves as a science journalist, there's a good chance they have covered one or more of the subjects in the wide-ranging criteria for these awards,' Dacia said. 'We look forward to seeing your nominations when submissions open again next year!' Thank you to the judges: virologist Professor Jemma Geoghegan, the latest winner of the Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize; science writer and editor Veronika Meduna; and journalist and editor Alison Harley. And thank you to all those who took the time to nominate their favourite science journalism piece for the 2025 round. Full profiles of this year's finalists are available here. Rebeka Whale, who said she enjoyed thinking about how moss would be like trees for the fascinating little creatures. We were also delighted to host NIWA researchers last night, demonstrating their clever climate change game Future Coasts Aotearoa. Scott Stephens, chief scientist for coasts and estuaries at Niwa, invited awards night attendees to 'experience the squeeze' of rising sea levels for themselves. You can try it out in your own web browser here.
