内容摘要："Many US allies and partners, especially in the Pacific, have a reason to work with Beijing, but they also have reasons to be wary. That's why we've seen Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Australia move closer together, in part because of the apprehensions they harbour towards China."

"Many US allies and partners, especially in the Pacific, have a reason to work with Beijing, but they also have reasons to be wary. That's why we've seen Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Australia move closer together, in part because of the apprehensions they harbour towards China."

The UK's largest water company, which is facing questions over whether it can survive, said its debts had risen to £15.2bn in the year to March.Thames has also faced fierce criticism for its environmental record, and the company said the number of sewage discharges more than doubled last year.

Later this week, the water regulator Ofwat is due to publish its draft ruling on how much water companies can charge their customers for the next five years.There has been speculation that Thames, which serves 16 million customers in London and the Thames Valley region, might have to be taken over by the government if it runs out of money.The company says it has funding of £1.8bn, which is enough for it to keep going until May 2025.

Thames reported an increase in annual profits to £157.3m, but boss Chris Weston said the company was facing a difficult time, with strengthening its financial position "a critical priority".Thames wants Ofwat to let it raise consumer bills by up to 44% between 2025 and 2030, with extra money promised for investment in environmental measures.

On Thursday, the regulator will release its initial ruling on how much water companies can raise bills. There will then be several months of negotiations before a final ruling in December.

Thames said it would be talking to potential investors and lenders following Ofwat's draft ruling, but it added this was not expected to be concluded until after the regulator's final decision.Prime Minister Luxon said: "We should have done better, and I am determined we will do so.

"To every person who took part, I say thank you for your exceptional strength, your incredible courage and your confronting honesty. Because of you, we know the truth about the abuse and trauma you have endured," he said, describing many of the stories as horrific and harrowing."I cannot take away your pain, but I can tell you this: you are heard and you are believed."

He added that it was too soon to reveal how much the government expected to pay victims in compensation. He said he would offer a formal apology on 12 November.Speaking to the BBC, Grant Robertson, a former deputy prime minister who was involved in commissioning the report, said it had been a "long time coming".