Xi Jinping Congratulates Ramaphosa on Reelection as South African President
On June 14, local time, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Cyril Ramaphosa on his re-election as President of the Republic of South Africa. Xi Jinping pointed out that China and South Africa share deep political mutual trust and have achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation across various fields, setting an example for solidarity and cooperation among developing countries and the "Global South." Last August, I paid my fourth state visit to South Africa and reached important consensuses with President Ramaphosa on a wide range of issues, opening a new chapter in building a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future. I attach great importance to the development of China-South Africa relations and am willing to work with President Ramaphosa to push the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to new heights, and jointly contribute to world peace, stability, and prosperity.
New Ideas Guide New Journey: Forging a New Chapter in Building a Beautiful China
When the ecology thrives, civilization thrives; when the ecology declines, civilization declines. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Respecting nature, conforming to nature, and protecting nature are inherent requirements for comprehensively building a modern socialist country. We must firmly establish and practice the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and plan development from the perspective of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature." Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China's ecological civilization construction has undergone historical, transformative, and overall changes from theory to practice. Significant strides have been made in building a beautiful China, with bluer skies, greener lands, clearer waters, and a more vibrant landscape across the country. Across the map of China, from north to south, a panorama of ecological beauty is slowly unfolding. In Wuliangsu Lake at the top of the "J-shaped bend" of the Yellow River, reeds sway and birds sing. Once "sick," Wuliangsu Lake has re-emerged as the largest wetland at the same latitude in the world, thanks to integrated management of mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, grasslands, and sand. Heading south from here, we reach the Qinling National Botanical Garden, where human activities have created space for flora and fauna, protecting this treasure trove of biological genes to the greatest extent possible from interference. Further south, along the main stream of the Yangtze River, six gigantic cascade hydropower stations are "strung together," forming the world's largest "clean energy corridor." From the mighty Yangtze to the winding Yellow River, from the Northeast Plain to the tropical rainforests, a beautiful China is like a picturesque landscape. On the journey to achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, how can we forge a path of sustainable development? Ecological issues test historical foresight, and historical dimensions forge a grand vision. General Secretary Xi Jinping, proceeding from the long-term development of the Chinese nation, has charted the course for ecological civilization and outlined the blueprint for a beautiful China. He profoundly comprehended the relationship between humanity and nature, proposing the fundamental strategy of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature; he deeply understood the relationship between development and protection, proposing the scientific concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets; he profoundly elucidated the relationship among various elements of the natural ecosystem, proposing the systemic idea that mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, grasslands, and sand are a community of life. For the long-term, for future generations. While planning the blueprint for a beautiful China with a systemic, holistic, and global perspective, General Secretary Xi Jinping's footsteps in promoting ecological civilization construction have covered the entire land of China. He has inspected the Yangtze River basin multiple times, and presided over four symposiums to promote the "joint great protection, not big development" of the Yangtze River Economic Belt; he cared deeply about the Yellow River, inspecting it four times within a year, promoting the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin as a major national strategy; he examined the ecological environment and water quality of the Wujiang River in Guizhou; he cared about the protection of Guilin's landscapes along the Lijiang River; he urged effective protection of the ecology of the "Third Pole of the Earth" on the snow-covered plateau; and at the Saihanba Forest Farm, which created the miracle of "turning wasteland into a sea of forests," he encouraged the exploration of green development models and the strengthening of the ecological barrier for Beijing and Tianjin. This is a millennial plan concerning the long-term development of the Chinese nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping, with immense political wisdom and courage, has led China to embark on a profound green transformation. This is an innovative modernization practice concerning the form of civilization and the harmony of all things. The institutional system has been continuously strengthened, and ecological civilization has been written into the Constitution. Top-level design has been strengthened, and the "Overall Plan for the Reform of the Ecological Civilization System" has been issued. Systems such as central ecological environmental protection inspections, evaluation and accountability for ecological civilization construction goals, river and lake chief systems, and ecological protection red lines have been established and implemented. More than a hundred special reform plans for ecological civilization systems have been successively issued, covering various related fields such as resources, environment, ecology, and industry. High-quality ecological environment supports high-quality development. The battles for blue skies, clear waters, and clean lands have been launched. In 2023, the national excellent air quality day ratio was 85%, the water quality of the main streams of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers remained stable at Class II or higher, and soil environmental risks were basically controlled. Since the "13th Five-Year Plan," over 4.5 million mu of historical abandoned mines have been remediated and restored, nearly 1,680 kilometers of coastline and over 750,000 mu of coastal wetlands have been remediated and restored. The establishment of a nature reserve system with national parks as the main body has been promoted, and more than 9,000 nature reserves have been integrated and optimized. By 2035, China will basically complete the construction of the world's largest national park system, leaving a beautiful ecological space with clear waters and lush mountains for future generations. Entering the stage of accelerating green and low-carbon high-quality development. Optimizing industrial structure and energy structure, promoting the application of energy-saving and carbon-reducing technologies, developing green and low-carbon industries, and advocating green and low-carbon living. China has built the world's largest clean power generation system, with non-fossil energy installed capacity exceeding 1.6 billion kilowatts, equivalent to more than 70 Three Gorges power stations. Compared with 2012, China's energy consumption per unit of GDP decreased by 26.8% in 2023. If people do not fail the green mountains, the green mountains will surely not fail the people. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping's ecological civilization thought, adhering to the concept of green development and the path of modernization based on harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, a beautiful China with blue skies, white clouds, clear waters, green banks, and blooming flowers will surely write a more splendid new chapter.
Li Qiang and New Zealand Prime Minister Visit Fonterra Headquarters
On the morning of June 15, local time, Premier Li Qiang, accompanied by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, visited the headquarters of Fonterra Group in Auckland. Upon Li Qiang's arrival, Luxon greeted him at the car. The two prime ministers listened to a briefing from Fonterra's head about the group's operations and development in China, visited a Fonterra product exhibition, and watched a product demonstration. Li Qiang stated that Fonterra has been deeply rooted in China for over 40 years, continuously expanding its business in the country, which is a vivid microcosm of China-New Zealand mutually beneficial cooperation. China's market demand has immense potential, and there is broad scope for cooperation between the two countries in areas such as green development. He welcomed Fonterra and other New Zealand enterprises to continue to seize opportunities. China will unswervingly expand high-level opening up, continue to foster a first-class business environment, and support foreign-funded enterprises in achieving better and greater development in China. The two prime ministers also jointly visited a New Zealand agricultural technology exhibition. Li Qiang stated that agriculture has always been an active area of China-New Zealand economic and trade cooperation. He hoped that both sides would effectively implement the strategic plan for elevating agricultural cooperation between the two countries, signed last year, actively carry out trade in agricultural products, strengthen agricultural technology exchanges, and achieve more cooperation results. On the morning of June 14, local time, Li Qiang visited the China-New Zealand Kiwi "Belt and Road" Joint Laboratory in Auckland. After listening to the introduction by the head of the joint laboratory, Li Qiang stated that the laboratories of China and New Zealand complement each other's strengths and cooperate synergistically, empowering the kiwi industry through technology. This provides support for the further upgrading of industries in both countries and adds impetus to the development of the kiwi industry in countries jointly building the "Belt and Road." The joint laboratory is a successful case of China-New Zealand "Belt and Road" cooperation. He hoped that both sides would further strengthen cooperation in scientific and technological innovation and other fields to contribute to the development of China, New Zealand, and the world.
Li Qiang Holds Symposium with New Zealand Business Representatives
On the afternoon of June 14, local time, Premier Li Qiang held a symposium with representatives from New Zealand's business community in Auckland. Around 20 heads of New Zealand chambers of commerce and enterprises, including the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the New Zealand China Trade Association, attended the meeting. After listening to the发言 by the New Zealand business representatives, Li Qiang stated that international economic and trade cooperation currently faces increasing instability and uncertainty. For enterprises, whoever can first seize the advantage in changing circumstances and grasp opportunities in accidental encounters will stand out in fierce market competition. China-New Zealand economic and trade cooperation should continue to maintain its "leading" position, and entrepreneurs from both countries should continue to carry forward the spirit of "striving for excellence," seeking advantages in favorable trends, seizing opportunities in opening up, and promoting leadership through innovation, striving to enlarge the cake and achieve win-win results. Li Qiang pointed out that China is comprehensively advancing Chinese modernization with high-quality development, and the upgrading of economic structure will bring new opportunities for global development. First, consumption upgrading will unleash new market demand, with increasing demand for high-quality goods. Second, industrial upgrading will open up new areas of cooperation, with more business opportunities emerging in new energy, information technology, biomedicine, and other emerging industries. Third, trade upgrading will bring new growth space, and the potential for cooperation in service trade, cross-border e-commerce, and other areas will be rapidly unleashed. He looked forward to New Zealand entrepreneurs grasping the general trend, seizing opportunities, and demonstrating greater achievements. China's door of opening up will always be open to enterprises from New Zealand and other countries. We will further expand market access, create a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and international, and provide more support and convenience for foreign-funded enterprises to invest and do business in China. The participating New Zealand business representatives stated that China's development has provided huge opportunities for New Zealand enterprises. The New Zealand business community supports the development of New Zealand-China relations and is willing to deepen cooperation with China, providing high-quality goods and services to the Chinese people and achieving mutual benefit and win-win results. Wu Zheng-long participated in the above activities.
The 16th Straits Forum Conference Held in Xiamen, Wang Huning Attends and Delivers Speech
The 16th Straits Forum Conference was held in Xiamen on June 15. Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, attended and delivered a speech. Wang Huning stated that in April this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping, focusing on the overall interests and long-term well-being of the Chinese nation, delivered an important speech on grasping the overall situation of cross-Strait relations and jointly creating a bright future for national reunification and national rejuvenation, pointing the way forward for the development of cross-Strait relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Compatriots on both sides of the Strait must firmly oppose "Taiwan independence" secession and external interference, resolutely safeguard the common homeland of the Chinese nation, jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the Taiwan Strait, and jointly promote the return of cross-Strait relations to the correct path. Wang Huning stated that national reunification is a historical inevitability for the Chinese nation to move towards great rejuvenation. We have firm will, full confidence, and strong capabilities to crush any "Taiwan independence" separatist schemes. Peace, development, exchange, and cooperation are the mainstream public opinion of compatriots on both sides of the Strait. We welcome more Taiwanese compatriots to participate in cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, integrated development, and the process of national rejuvenation, to share the development opportunities of Chinese modernization, and to share the great glory of the Chinese nation's development and growth. Lien Sheng-wen, Vice Chairman of the Kuomintang, stated in his speech that the Kuomintang has always promoted cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, and peaceful win-win results on the common political basis of the "1992 Consensus" and opposing "Taiwan independence," and these concepts have never changed. People on both sides of the Strait are all members of the Chinese nation, all Chinese, and should jointly face various challenges and create a peaceful and prosperous era for the Chinese nation for future generations. Other Taiwanese representatives also delivered speeches. Before the conference began, Wang Huning met with representatives of Taiwanese guests attending the forum. Su Hui and others participated. On the afternoon of June 14, Wang Huning also held a symposium in Xiamen with Taiwanese representatives who had received honors from various systems, including labor unions, youth federations, and women's federations.
Party Discipline Education: Strengthening Disciplinary Awareness and Improving Party Spirit
In carrying out the Party Discipline Learning and Education, Beijing, Ningbo in Zhejiang, and other places meticulously organized and solidly promoted the education, guiding Party members and cadres to continuously enhance their awareness of discipline and improve their Party spirit cultivation. Beijing's urban planning system established a study group for Party discipline learning and education, studying the regulations chapter by chapter and in light of practical work. It organized its 417 Party organizations and over 6,000 Party members to study the "Regulations" thoroughly. Party branches focused on shortcomings and weaknesses in urban development, construction, operation, and management, conducting study exchange meetings, offline special lectures, and online learning Q&A sessions. They used vivid and lively language to explain cases and clarify rules, promoting Party discipline learning and education to deeply embed in the minds of Party members and genuinely transform the achievements of Party discipline learning and education into practical capabilities for work and entrepreneurship. Since the launch of Party discipline learning and education, Ningbo, Zhejiang, has implemented a "four-learning linkage" mechanism, where leading cadres lead the study, Party branch secretaries guide the study, Party branches supervise the study, and Party members self-study. It has continuously deepened the "Learning Thoughts from Traces and Origins to Promote Practice" activity, utilizing red resources, organizing an exhibition of "The Family Style of Chinese Communists" archives, and creating a real-life classroom for Party discipline learning and education. At the same time, it emphasized learning through cases and explaining discipline through cases, producing warning education films and compiling 120 typical cases of violations of discipline and law, guiding Party members and cadres to analyze and examine themselves strictly.
In the Fields of Hope - Summer Harvest Season: Regions Race Against Time for Summer Harvesting and Planting
In recent days, various regions and departments have taken multiple measures to accelerate summer harvesting and planting. In recent days, Shaanxi has seized the sunny weather to fully rush in the harvest, with the province's summer harvest progress exceeding 90%. In Yongshou County, northern Xianyang, wheat has matured successively, and harvesters are shuttling through the wheat fields. Currently, large-scale mechanized wheat harvesting has fully commenced in Gansu. This year, the province's wheat planting area is 11 million mu, and 400,000 agricultural machines of various types will be organized to participate in "three summer" mechanized harvesting operations. Most areas in Longnan, Tianshui, and other parts of Gansu are mainly hilly. The local areas are promoting small agricultural machinery such as crawler harvesters to go up the mountains, which not only facilitates the operation of agricultural machinery in small plots but also greatly improves harvesting efficiency. It is currently the season for planting mid-season rice in the south. Jiangxi is promoting the full mechanization of rice production. The province's mid-season rice planting area has reached 10.136 million mu, with planting progress exceeding 70%.
National Railway Implements New Train Operation Schedule Starting Today
With the summer travel season approaching, to further optimize the national railway transport structure, a new train operation diagram will be implemented across national railways from midnight today (June 15). After the adjustment, the national railway network will schedule 12,690 regular passenger trains, an increase of 205 trains compared to before. Among them, the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway Wuhan-Guangzhou section's safety standard demonstration line has been fully completed, and the entire Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway has achieved high-standard operation of Fuxing Hao bullet trains at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour, with an overall transport capacity increase of 4.2%. This morning, the first 350 km/h train from the Greater Bay Area, passing through the Wuhan-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway, departed. The adjusted diagram also sees the first operation of Beijing-Hong Kong and Shanghai-Hong Kong high-speed sleeper trains, and the Yangtze River Delta grand loop high-speed railway has opened, connecting 21 stations across Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Anhui. At the same time, train operations in central and western regions have been further intensified. In terms of freight, after the adjustment, national railways will operate 22,595 freight trains, an increase of 74 trains compared to before. New full-schedule China-Europe freight trains have been added between Chongqing, Wuhan, Yiwu, Guangzhou, and Duisburg, Germany, and Warsaw, Poland. Today, the first full-schedule China-Europe freight train from Yiwu departed, and the full-schedule China-Europe freight train from Xi'an to Duisburg, Germany, achieved "four departures and three returns" weekly, providing stronger assurance for the stable and smooth international supply chain.
New Era, New Journey, New Accomplishments - Practical Action: Tianjin Implements Urban Renewal Actions to Boost High-Quality Development
Tianjin is actively implementing urban renewal actions to enhance development potential and optimize development space, promoting continuous improvement in urban formats, functions, and quality, and assisting high-quality development. In Tianjin, multiple livelihood projects transformed from idle buildings or land are accelerating their progress. Hebei District, addressing the issue of insufficient community living facilities, has transformed idle enterprise compounds into comprehensive livelihood service complexes, convenient for surrounding residents. Hexi District, on the other hand, utilizes idle enterprise land to build affordable rental housing, which, once completed, can meet the housing needs of 1,200 new citizens and young people. Based on its own resources, Tianjin is revitalizing existing assets and tapping into development potential to cultivate new growth. This high-tech innovation park, built by leveraging the advantages of universities such as Nankai University and Tianjin University and utilizing idle buildings, has attracted over 1,800 newly registered enterprises in artificial intelligence, biomedicine, new energy, and new materials since its operation last year. By building a "handshake" channel for the transformation of university scientific and technological achievements into the park, it is accelerating the creation of a source of scientific and technological innovation. Currently, a number of cutting-edge technologies, such as brain-computer interfaces, femtosecond laser technology, and nanocellulose, have moved from the innovation park out of laboratories and into production lines, further enhancing the city's development potential and long-term momentum. Since the beginning of this year, Tianjin has successively introduced more than a dozen innovative measures, including composite utilization of existing land, on-demand allocation of planning indicators, and reuse of leftover land, revitalizing approximately 130 hectares of existing land. At the same time, an information collection system for existing assets has been established to achieve full-lifecycle management of assets from idle to revitalization, promoting the construction of demonstrative projects for technological innovation and industrial renewal, and accelerating the development of new productive forces.
Domestic News Briefs
Number of electronic social security card recipients nationwide exceeds 1 billion. The reporter learned from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security that the number of electronic social security card recipients nationwide has exceeded 1 billion. The electronic social security card has enabled 100 national services and over 1,000 local services. National railway passenger traffic increased by 20.2% from January to May. The reporter learned from China Railway Group that from January to May this year, national railways transported 1.73 billion passengers, a year-on-year increase of 20.2%, with safe, stable, and orderly operations. From January to May, national railways operated an average of 10,463 passenger trains daily, an increase of 1,174 trains year-on-year, or 12.7%; on May 1st, 20.693 million passengers were transported, setting a new historical high for single-day passenger traffic. "Regulations on the Governance of Cyber Violence Information" released. Recently, the Cyberspace Administration of China, together with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the National Radio and Television Administration, released the "Regulations on the Governance of Cyber Violence Information," proposing specific governance measures such as strengthening the prevention and early warning of cyber violence information, regulating information and account disposal systems, and establishing user protection mechanisms. The "Regulations" will come into effect on August 1, 2024. National Childcare Service Promotion Month launched. The National Childcare Service Promotion Month officially began today (June 15) in Changsha, Hunan. The National Health Commission will organize a series of activities nationwide with the theme "Reliable Childcare, Convenient and Accessible." Currently, China has nearly 30 million infants and toddlers under 3 years old. Various regions are developing community childcare, workplace childcare, and home-based childcare points according to local conditions, promoting the formation of 5-minute and 10-minute childcare service circles, and continuously expanding the effective supply of childcare services. Xioncxin Expressway officially opens today. Today (June 15), the Xioncxin Expressway, connecting Nanxiong in Shaoguan, Guangdong, and Xinfeng in Ganzhou, Jiangxi, officially opened. The Xioncxin Expressway is approximately 41 kilometers long and designed for a speed of 120 kilometers per hour. After its completion and opening, the journey from Nanxiong city in Shaoguan to Xinfeng in Jiangxi will be shortened from the current 1 hour to about 30 minutes. Chinese Navy participates in Tonga Navy's 50th Anniversary Celebration. This morning (June 15), Chinese Navy ships Zibo and Gaoyouhu departed from Zhoushan, Zhejiang, to Tonga to participate in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Tonga Navy. According to the mission plan, the Navy ship Zibo will participate with navies from several countries in Asia, Europe, and Oceania in the maritime review, land parade, welcome reception, military band performance, and other activities held by Tonga. Chinese Women's Volleyball Team defeats Germany, officially qualifies for Paris Olympics. Last night (June 14), in the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League Hong Kong, China Leg, the Chinese Women's Volleyball Team defeated the German Women's Volleyball Team in straight sets with scores of 25:19, 25:17, and 25:18, achieving two consecutive victories in this leg of the competition. After this victory, the Chinese Women's Volleyball Team officially secured its ticket to the Paris Olympics. Changbai Mountain Global Geopark officially unveiled. Yesterday (June 14), the Changbai Mountain Global Geopark was officially unveiled in the Changbai Mountain Protection and Development Zone in Jilin. In March this year, UNESCO announced a new batch of Global Geopark Network listings, with Changbai Mountain included. The Changbai Mountain Global Geopark is characterized by its Quaternary volcanic landforms and is the region with the most volcanoes, highest density, and widest distribution of volcanic rocks in East Asia.
Putin Proposes Ceasefire Terms, Ukraine Rejects
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on June 14 that over the past week, Russian forces struck Ukrainian weapons and equipment, energy facilities used by military-industrial enterprises, and military airfields on various fronts, destroying several Ukrainian warplanes and intercepting hundreds of drones. Ukraine stated that the situation in the Pokrovsk direction remains tense, with continuous clashes with Russian forces. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on June 14 that the Ukrainian crisis cannot be resolved without Russia's participation and dialogue. He said that if Ukraine withdraws its troops from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions and declares that it will not join NATO, Russia will immediately announce a ceasefire and begin negotiations. Putin said the root cause of the Russia-Ukraine conflict lies in the aggressive policies of the West. He dismissed claims that Russia would attack Europe as nonsense. The danger facing Europe is not Russia, but its long-term dependence on the United States. Putin also stressed that the West's theft of Russian assets would be punished. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on the same day that Putin's ceasefire proposal was an untrustworthy ultimatum, conveying no different message than in the past.
US Nuclear Submarine Enters Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Objects
Regarding the presence of a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío stated on June 14 that Cuba does not welcome nuclear submarines from countries hostile to Cuba in Cuban waters. He reiterated that the U.S. occupation of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is illegal and unacceptable. On June 13, the day after a Russian naval fleet arrived in Havana port for a visit to Cuba, the United States dispatched the nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine USS Helena to the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay. U.S. media reported that the arrival of the U.S. Navy submarine in Cuba was a "show of force" as the Russian naval fleet arrived in the Caribbean and prepared for exercises. In addition, the Canadian Navy patrol ship HMCS Margaret Brooke sailed into Havana port, Cuba, on June 14. Canadian officials stated that the Canadian warship's visit to Cuba reflected the long-standing relationship between the two countries and was unrelated to the Russian ships' visit.
Gaza Conflict Continues, Palestinian Armed Group Claims Israeli Airstrike Killed Israeli Detainees
The Israeli military stated on June 14 that its warplanes struck Palestinian armed group targets in central Gaza and the Zeitoun area in northern Gaza. In Rafah, southern Gaza, the Israeli military claimed to have destroyed explosive devices and military facilities. Palestinian armed groups stated on June 14 that an Israeli airstrike in Rafah recently resulted in the deaths of two Israeli hostages. According to Palestinian media reports, fierce clashes occurred between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants in downtown Rafah on June 14. US says it will temporarily relocate Gaza temporary pier to Israeli port. The US Central Command stated on June 14 that to prevent damage from adverse weather, the temporary pier built by the US on the central coast of Gaza would be temporarily moved to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The temporary pier was put into use in May, and at the end of that month, incidents occurred where vessels at the pier were washed away or stranded by strong winds and waves. Earlier this month, according to several foreign media reports, the Israeli military was accused of using the pier to launch an attack on the Nuseirat refugee camp, causing heavy casualties. The US and Israel denied these claims. Lebanese media reports continuous Israeli white phosphorus attacks in southeastern Lebanon. According to Lebanese media reports on June 14, several areas in southeastern Lebanon were subjected to Israeli white phosphorus attacks that day, causing injuries and igniting fires. Local civil defense forces were again attacked by Israeli white phosphorus while extinguishing the fires, which had spread to residential areas. Israel has not yet responded to these reports.
Clashes Continue in El Fasher, Sudan
The Sudanese Armed Forces stated on June 14 that fierce clashes erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, killing a local commander of the Rapid Support Forces. The Rapid Support Forces have not yet responded to this.
International News Briefs
Venezuelan Oil Minister condemns US theft of Venezuelan overseas assets. Venezuelan Oil Minister Pedro Tellechea on June 14 demanded that a US court halt the auction of shares in Citgo Petroleum Corporation, a US subsidiary of Venezuela's state oil company, calling the US action an expropriation of the Venezuelan people's interests. The US government decided last year to sell shares in Citgo Petroleum, a US subsidiary of Venezuela's state oil company. The Venezuelan government condemned the decision, deeming it completely invalid. Greek Prime Minister reshuffles cabinet after European Parliament election results. Due to the ruling New Democracy party's weaker-than-expected performance in the European Parliament elections, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reshuffled his cabinet on June 14. The Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, and others remained in their posts, while ministers from several other departments were replaced. The new cabinet was sworn in at the presidential palace on the same day. In the European Parliament elections held on June 9, the New Democracy party led by Mitsotakis received fewer votes than anticipated, leading to a reduction in their seats. US Federal Aviation Administration admits lax oversight of Boeing. US Federal Aviation Administrator Mike Whitaker recently admitted at a congressional Senate hearing that the agency had lax oversight of Boeing, focusing too much on document review and neglecting on-site inspections. He said the agency would arrange more on-site inspectors in the future to track quality indicators in real-time. According to US media reports, the US Federal Aviation Administration has delegated some safety oversight responsibilities to Boeing itself. In recent years, Boeing aircraft accidents have been continuous, drawing public dissatisfaction with US aviation regulators.