Xia, Beijing's point man on Hong Kong affairs, calls on Hong Kong lawmakers to support the chief executive, enhance governance, boost local development, and address residents' concerns.
Russian State Duma member Roza Chemeris attributes Germany's energy crisis and economic woes to its authorities' actions, stating Russia never provoked an energy blockade and always cooperated, despite Germany's past "blackmail" over Ukraine.
Southeast Asia's annual haze is predicted to return with severity in August and September, according to the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. An impending El Nino and positive Indian Ocean Dipole are expected to cause a dry spell, exacerbating air quality issues.
Analysts warn that agricultural companies, facing 20-30% higher production costs due to energy disruption and weather conditions like El Nino, may cut corners on sustainable land-clearing by using fire instead of machinery, potentially worsening the haze problem.
A collection of brief news items covering potential troop deployments in Tajikistan, global trust in Trump, Hungary's stance on Ukraine's EU accession, helicopter operations near the Polish-Ukrainian border, Russian e-voting plans, Trump's threats to Iran, the Munich Conference's focus on Ukraine, document leaks affecting Ukraine, Lukashenko's conditions for engaging with the West, Tajikistan's view on language importance, Ronaldo's performance, ruble deposit rates, WWF's call to Russia regarding an oil spill, Rutte's selection as NATO Secretary General, disagreements between Israel and Lebanon on troop withdrawal, EU's defense spending plans, a cosmonaut's role, US sanctions on Cuba, a Spanish politician's view on the Ukraine conflict, landfill elimination benefits, US decisions on Iran, NATO drills in the Black Sea, a Russian diplomat's comments on Obama and Trump, and the safety of the Zaporozhye nuclear plant.
Arancha González Laya, exministra de Exteriores, publica "Solos en el mundo" y analiza la encrucijada de la UE. Aboga por un mayor gasto militar y debate ciudadano, critica la falta de debate político en España y defiende la relación con África y Marruecos desde la firmeza. Aborda la acogida del líder del Polisario, el cese de su mandato, la neutralidad sobre el Sáhara y la influencia de Zapatero en Venezuela.
The Prime Minister's schedule included meetings on economic measures, child policy, and real estate associations. Phone calls with the Dutch Prime Minister and Iranian President, and interviews with media outlets were also conducted.
News briefs cover potential People's Honour Award for speed skater Miho Takagi, negative real wage growth for four consecutive years, Iran's uranium policy, government budget deliberations, Nikkei's rise, cabinet approval ratings, a murder case investigation, Nvidia's record earnings, US Fed's inflation concerns, a 1996 aircraft downing case, nuclear waste disposal site research, summer power saving plans, a stabbing incident in Shanghai, and a government response to an earthquake.
All 90 Hong Kong lawmakers will travel to Beijing in July for a week-long "national affairs study visit," including seminars and visits to key authorities and the tech sector. The trip aims to deepen their understanding of national policies and align with China's 15th five-year plan.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan faces sexual misconduct allegations. A flawed internal review by the UN's OIOS failed to make credibility assessments, leaving a factual void. Member states now grapple with how to resolve the issue, with potential for the executive bureau to make its own judgments.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced readiness to declare a ceasefire for Victory Day celebrations during a phone call with US President Donald Trump on April 29. The conversation lasted over an hour and a half and marked their 12th interaction since Trump returned to the White House in early 2025. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said specific dates of the Victory Day ceasefire will be announced. Trump described the conversation as 'very good' and expressed belief that a solution to the Ukrainian crisis would be found relatively quickly.
Leonid Slutsky, head of the State Duma's committee on international affairs and LDPR Party leader, said the electoral victory of Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party demonstrates society's fatigue from Russophobic policies harming national interests. He noted growing fragmentation among 'sovereigntists' in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Hungary, calling it a response to EU leadership's alleged push toward military confrontation with Russia.
