Xi Jinping Issues Important Instructions on Flood Control and Drought Relief Work, Urging All-Out Effort to Respond to Disasters and Ensure Safety of People's Lives and Property, and Social Stability
Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, issued important instructions on flood control and drought relief work. Xi Jinping pointed out that in recent days, many areas in southern China have experienced continuous heavy rainfall, with floods and geological disasters occurring in Guangdong, Fujian and other places, causing casualties and property losses. Meanwhile, some northern regions have seen rapid development of drought conditions, showing distinct characteristics of "flooding in the south and drought in the north." Xi Jinping demanded that all-out efforts be made to respond to disasters, spare no effort to search for missing and trapped personnel, properly resettle affected people, ensure normal production and living order, and minimize disaster losses. Xi Jinping emphasized that as China fully enters the main flood season, the flood control situation is becoming increasingly severe. All regions and relevant departments must further strengthen risk awareness and bottom-line thinking, consolidate responsibilities, enhance coordination, and solidly carry out various tasks related to flood control, drought relief, emergency rescue, and disaster relief. It is essential to strengthen disaster monitoring and early warning, identify potential risks, prepare sufficient equipment and materials, improve work plans, and effectively and efficiently respond to various emergencies to truly ensure the safety of people's lives and property and overall social stability.
New Ideas Guiding New Journey: China's Industrial Internet Enters New Stage of Scaled Development
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out the need to thoroughly implement the innovation-driven development strategy for industrial internet, systematically advance the construction of industrial internet infrastructure and data resource management systems, leverage the foundational role and innovative engine role of data, and accelerate the formation of a digital economy primarily led and supported by innovation. Since the beginning of this year, China has accelerated the innovative development of the industrial internet and its integrated application across various industries, providing strong impetus for high-quality economic development. This year, China has successively introduced policies to comprehensively promote the development of the industrial internet. In recent days, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has deployed 49 key tasks nationwide to accelerate the integrated innovation of industrial internet and artificial intelligence, exploring new development models for industrial internet in key areas. At the same time, the "Hundred Cities, Thousand Parks" action, aimed at accelerating the popularization of industrial internet in cities, prefectures, and counties, and speeding up the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises, is also vigorously underway across various regions. The industrial internet serves as a crucial foundation for the deep integration of the digital economy and the real economy, promoting industrial transformation and upgrading through comprehensive connectivity of people, machines, and objects. General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the development of the industrial internet, issuing a series of important instructions to promote its development, emphasizing the continuous improvement of industrial internet innovation capabilities and the promotion of integration between industrialization and informatization on a broader, deeper, and higher level. Driven by a series of policies and measures, China's industrial internet has now entered a new stage of scaled development. Infrastructure construction is continuously being solidified. The high-quality external network for industrial internet has basically achieved full coverage in all cities nationwide, and the industrial internet identification and resolution system has been fully established. As of the end of May, the cumulative number of registered identifiers reached 500 billion. At a manufacturing enterprise in Shanxi, reporters observed that each operation station in every production link, from forging and processing to packaging, had a QR code similar to an ID card. This identifier not only connected data across the enterprise's entire production chain, improving production efficiency by 20%, but also linked to the national industrial internet identification and resolution system. Technological innovation capabilities are steadily strengthening. A series of key technologies, including industrial-grade 5G chips, modules, and gateways, have achieved breakthroughs. As of the end of May, "5G + industrial internet" projects exceeded 13,000. The industrial scale continues to grow, and its带动 (driving) effect is becoming increasingly prominent. The industrial internet's supporting role in smoothing industrial and supply chains and promoting the integrated development of large, medium, and small enterprises is continuously strengthening. This is a small and micro enterprise located in Dongguan that produces components. Due to its small scale and slow digital transformation, it once faced the dilemma of not finding orders. Two years ago, the enterprise joined a manufacturing industrial internet platform, which digitalized all its products and displayed them online as industrial goods. When reporters visited the platform's headquarters in Beijing, the person in charge showed them a curve graph. Reporters saw that since joining the platform, Dingjian Precision's monthly customer acquisition has tripled, and its annual sales have increased by 30%. There are over 360,000 small and medium-sized enterprises like Dingjian Precision on the platform. This year, the country will further accelerate breakthroughs and industrialization of key core technologies in the industrial internet, solidify the technical foundation of computing power, algorithms, and models in the industrial sector, and accelerate the integrated application of industrial internet in key industries, laying a solid foundation for vigorously promoting new industrialization and high-quality economic development.
Li Qiang and Australian Prime Minister Jointly Attend 7th China-Australia CEO Roundtable
On the morning of the 18th local time, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese jointly attended and addressed the 7th China-Australia CEO Roundtable in Perth. After listening to remarks from representatives of the business communities of both countries, Li Qiang stated that looking back at the 52 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia, as long as both sides respect each other's national conditions, systems, and core interests, they can continuously solidify the foundation of mutual trust; as long as they adhere to frank dialogue and inclusive understanding, they can properly manage differences and disputes; and as long as they embrace open cooperation and mutual achievement, they can achieve more mutually beneficial results. He said that both countries should draw wisdom and inspiration from these valuable experiences, grasp the general direction of friendly cooperation, and ensure the steady and long-term development of the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Li Qiang pointed out that China-Australia economic and trade cooperation should be viewed within the context of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, so as to better grasp the overall trend. The development of China and Australia benefits each other, making them a close community of interests. Their economic complementarities make them natural partners. The broad prospects for China-Australia cooperation make them an important force in stabilizing industrial and supply chains and promoting economic growth. He expressed hope that entrepreneurs from both countries would continue to deepen cooperation in traditional fields, vigorously explore new areas of cooperation, actively plan for future industries such as artificial intelligence, and contribute to promoting broader exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia. China is planning major measures to further comprehensively deepen reforms and steadily expand institutional openness. He hoped that entrepreneurs would seize the opportunities, work hand in hand, and continuously achieve more fruitful development and cooperation results. Albanese, in his address, stated that the Australia-China relationship is currently stabilizing and improving, and there is great enthusiasm for cooperation between the business communities of the two countries. Australia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and promote more fruitful practical cooperation between the two countries. Australia is willing to work with China to actively look to the future, advance common interests, address common challenges, achieve win-win results, and benefit the people of both Australia and China.
Li Qiang and Australian Prime Minister Jointly Attend and Address Welcome Banquet Held by Overseas Chinese in Australia
On the 18th local time, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese jointly attended and addressed a welcome banquet held by the Australian Chinese community in Perth. Approximately 350 Chinese representatives from all walks of life across Australia participated. Li Qiang extended sincere greetings and best wishes to the vast number of overseas Chinese in Australia. Li Qiang stated that in 2014, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Australia, and China and Australia established a comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the past 10 years, relations between the two countries have made significant progress. Facts have proven that a healthy and stable China-Australia relationship serves the common interests of both peoples and aligns with the common expectations of countries in the region. During his visit to Australia, he had extensive contact with Australian leaders and people from all walks of life, feeling the common desire and sincere expectations of all sectors in Australia to develop and maintain a good China-Australia relationship. Both sides unanimously agreed to adhere to the positioning of a comprehensive strategic partnership, expand and deepen practical cooperation in various fields based on the common interests of the two peoples, and continuously advance China-Australia relations. Li Qiang pointed out that the Chinese economy is resilient, has great potential, and is vibrant, and the long-term positive trend will not change. China has the confidence and ability to maintain sustained and healthy economic development. A prosperous, developing, and more open China will surely bring more new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Australia and inject strong impetus into the world economy. Overseas Chinese in Australia are important members of Australia's diverse society and have played a unique role in promoting economic, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges between China and Australia. He hoped that everyone would continue to care for and support the development of China-Australia relations, actively promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields, and make more contributions to consolidating and developing China-Australia relations. In his speech, Albanese thanked the Chinese community in Australia for their positive contributions to Australia's economic and social development and cultural prosperity, stating that the Australian and Chinese economies are highly complementary, and Australia has benefited from China's development. Australia is willing to strengthen communication and exchanges with China, deepen cooperation in various fields, and promote more fruitful outcomes in Australia-China relations.
Li Qiang Meets With Australian Opposition Leader
On the afternoon of the 17th local time, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met with Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in Canberra. Li Qiang stated that maintaining stability and continuous development of China-Australia relations is in the fundamental interests of both countries and conducive to regional peace, stability, and prosperity. China is willing to work with all sectors of Australian society, both in and out of government, to further strengthen dialogue and communication, deepen political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, properly handle differences, and promote new and greater development of the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, better benefiting the two peoples. The respective developments of China and Australia present important opportunities for each other. He hoped that all sectors in Australia would continue to view China's development objectively and support the continuous deepening and solid progress of practical cooperation between the two countries. Dutton stated that Australia-China relations are of paramount importance. The Australian opposition party is pleased to see China's development and prosperity and views China as a partner. He hoped for stable development of Australia-China relations. The Australian opposition party is willing to maintain communication and exchanges with China and promote the continuous deepening of relations between the two countries. Wu Zhenglong attended the aforementioned activities.
Wang Huning Attends Survey and Consultation Symposium on Developing New Productive Forces
A research and consultation symposium on developing new quality productive forces was held in Beijing on the 18th to discuss the key research findings by relevant democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and non-partisan individuals. 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. He stated that General Secretary Xi Jinping's important task of developing new quality productive forces deepens the understanding of the laws governing productivity development from a completely new perspective, innovates and develops Marxist productivity theory, and is an important part of Xi Jinping's economic thought. He called for thorough study, comprehension, and implementation. Wang Huning stated that developing new quality productive forces is an urgent need for promoting high-quality development, achieving high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement, building a modern industrial system, ensuring and improving people's livelihoods, and also an urgent need for addressing global competition and shaping new development advantages. He stressed the need to continue deepening research and producing results on relevant key topics to better assist in the development of new quality productive forces. He called for fully leveraging the advantages of China's new type of party system to build consensus and gather strength for further comprehensive deepening of reforms and advancing Chinese modernization. Hao Mingjin, Chairman of the China National Democratic Construction Association Central Committee; Cai Dafeng, Chairman of the China Association for Promoting Democracy Central Committee; He Wei, Chairman of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party Central Committee; Gao Yunlong, Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce; and Tao Zhi, a representative of non-partisan individuals, presented their research findings and offered practical and pertinent policy recommendations on promoting the integrated development of artificial intelligence with the economy and society, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the national innovation system, promoting high-quality development of bio-manufacturing, cultivating and strengthening strategic emerging industries, and fostering the scientific and technological innovation ecosystem. Shi Taifeng presided over the meeting. Officials from the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the National Health Commission, and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council engaged in consultation and exchange with non-CPC individuals.
General Offices of CPC Central Committee and State Council Issue Circular on Recommending and Selecting National Models for Ethnic Unity and Progress
Recently, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the "Notice on Doing a Good Job in the Recommendation and Selection of National Models of Ethnic Unity and Progress" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice"). The "Notice" pointed out that the Party Central Committee and the State Council have decided to conduct the national commendation of models of ethnic unity and progress for the first time this year in the name of the Party Central Committee and the State Council. The "Notice" clarifies the overall requirements for the recommendation and selection work. It emphasizes upholding the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, adhering to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Central Ethnic Work Conference, fully implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thought on strengthening and improving ethnic work, adhering to the Party's leadership over the selection and commendation work, adhering to political standards, highlighting the main theme requirement of forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and emphasizing performance orientation. The "Notice" specifies the scope and conditions for recommendation and selection. Model collectives and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to China's ethnic unity and progress since 2019 are eligible for recommendation, and deceased persons who meet the conditions can be posthumously honored. Recommended candidates should have made significant achievements in promoting the implementation of various tasks for forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and strengthening the construction of the Chinese nation community.
17th Special Contributions to Chinese Publications Award Ceremony Held in Beijing
On June 18, the 17th Chinese Book Award for Special Contributions was held in Beijing. This year's ceremony honored 15 awardees from 12 countries. The Chinese Book Award for Special Contributions is the highest foreign-related award in the publishing industry, included in the framework of national honors. Since its establishment in 2005, it has recognized 203 translators, publishers, and writers from 63 countries.
On the Fields of Hope - Summer Harvest Season: Large-Scale Wheat Machine Harvesting Concludes, Bumper Summer Grain Harvest Assured
Reporters learned from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs that the large-scale wheat mechanized harvest nationwide, which began on May 27, has been basically completed in key wheat-producing areas such as Southwest China and the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain as of today (June 18). This signifies the end of the large-scale wheat mechanized harvest during the "three-summer" period, and a bumper summer grain harvest is now a certainty. Summer grain output accounts for more than one-fifth of the annual grain output, with winter wheat being the main summer grain crop, with a sown area maintained at over 330 million mu. To secure a bumper summer grain harvest, more than 600,000 combine harvesters were deployed across the country during this year's "three-summer" period, advancing rapidly from south to north. The peak period of wheat harvesting lasted nine days, with over 200,000 combine harvesters deployed daily, reaching a maximum of 250,000 units, and the proportion of mechanized wheat harvesting exceeding 98%. Thanks to the construction of contiguous high-standard farmland and the use of high-performance combine harvesters, the national mechanized harvesting progress significantly accelerated during this year's "three-summer" period. In Anhui, a granary in the Huai River basin, the number of high-performance combine harvesters across the province reached 150,000 units, and this year's concentrated wheat harvest took only 10 days, two days earlier than last year. Last autumn sowing, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs initiated a three-year action plan to increase wheat and rapeseed yields. This summer's harvest shows a significant increase in yields in several major wheat-producing areas. Hebei Province, by vigorously promoting comprehensive fine and precise scientific management, is expected to see its total wheat output exceed 30 billion jin for the first time. Henan Province concentrated on building over 7.3 million mu of high-yield wheat demonstration areas, focusing on selecting and promoting high-yield and stable, disease and stress-resistant, and high-quality specialized varieties, leading to a significant increase in both wheat per-unit yield and total output. Shandong Province deeply promoted the construction of 14 national whole-county demonstration areas for wheat yield improvement, investing 214 million yuan in financial funds to support over 6,500 large-scale planting entities across the province, resulting in significantly better summer grain production than usual. With the summer harvest largely concluded, China has entered the critical period of summer sowing and summer management. Currently, nearly 70% of the national summer grain sowing has been completed.
China Has Enacted Over 150 Laws in Cyberspace
The State Council Information Office held a press conference today (June 18). Officials from the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Supreme People's Court, and other relevant departments introduced that China has established a comprehensive system of cyber laws and regulations, an efficient cyber legal enforcement system, a strict cyber legal supervision system, and a strong cyber legal guarantee system. As of now, China has formulated and promulgated more than 150 pieces of legislation in the cyber field, building the "four pillars and eight beams" of cyber rule of law, actively responding to the judicial demands of the internet era; strengthening the construction of the cyber legislation filing and review system; improving the legal review system for major administrative penalty decisions; and strengthening the synergy between cyber law enforcement and criminal justice, providing strong impetus for high-quality economic and social development.
Xu Limin: Upholding the Principle of Serving the People, Demonstrating the True Colors of a Public Servant
Xu Limin, who served as a member of the Standing Committee of the Pujiang County Committee and head of the Propaganda Department in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, consistently upheld his commitment to serving the people and dedicated himself to cultural undertakings throughout his 33 years of grassroots work, fully embodying the spirit of a public servant dedicated to the people. This is Xu Limin's work notebook, with the last page stating, "We must have firm confidence in the Shangshan World Heritage application." This was Xu Limin's final self-admonition and message to his colleagues. The Shangshan site, discovered in 2000 in Pujiang County, Jinhua City, Zhejiang, yielded several carbonized rice grains and a large number of mixed rice husks and leaves, providing concrete evidence of rice cultivation dating back ten thousand years. Thanks to Xu Limin's efforts, in 2021, the Shangshan Archaeological Exhibition was showcased at the National Museum and was selected as one of China's "Top 100 Archaeological Discoveries of the Century." However, Xu Limin collapsed due to overwork. Now, a special team has been established for the Shangshan Culture World Heritage application, a project to which he dedicated his heart and soul, accelerating the work of site protection and heritage application. Throughout his life, Xu Limin firmly believed that "no matter concerning people's livelihoods is trivial." During his grassroots work, Xu Limin led the implementation of 215 livelihood projects and innovatively launched the "Public Sentiment Warm Whistle" online platform, which achieved a 99.8% resolution rate for public demands.
Southern Regions Go All Out to Combat Floods and Provide Disaster Relief
In recent days, many areas in southern China have experienced continuous heavy rainfall, floods, and geological disasters. Various localities are actively searching for missing and trapped individuals, evacuating and resettling affected residents, and making full efforts to respond to the disaster. Many areas in Meizhou, Guangdong, experienced heavy to exceptionally heavy rainfall, leading to rising river levels and triggering flash floods and landslides in Pingyuan County, Jiaoling County, Meixian District, and other areas. Local authorities immediately activated emergency response plans and worked overnight to transfer and resettle residents. At Baidu Town Central Primary School in Meixian District, approximately 100 evacuated residents from nearby areas have been resettled. As the heavy rainfall temporarily weakened and ceased, floodwaters in some parts of Meizhou are gradually receding. In Xinpu Town, Jiaoling County, post-disaster clean-up work has already begun simultaneously. Currently, the Guangdong Provincial Department of Emergency Management has dispatched a total of 5 helicopters to carry out emergency rescue missions, transporting 17 tons of relief supplies. Meizhou City has mobilized over 10,000 rescue personnel at various levels and evacuated more than 64,000 residents. Many areas in Fujian have experienced continuous heavy rainfall. Today (June 18), Nanping, Fujian, experienced heavy rainfall. Some areas in Guangze County, Nanping, experienced urban flooding, and local town and village officials, along with armed police and fire rescue forces, transferred more than 40 households, totaling nearly 70 people. Currently, a cumulative total of 70,000 people have been evacuated across Fujian Province. Today, the Liujiang River in Guangxi experienced its first flood of the year. Relevant departments have pre-emptively transferred residents and materials along the river and strengthened patrols of reservoirs and other facilities. The Ganjiang River in Jiangxi formed its second flood of the year. This afternoon, the Shihutang Hydropower Hub Dam in the upper reaches of the Ganjiang River adjusted its discharge flow to alleviate flood control pressure downstream. In response to the floods and geological disasters in Fujian and Guangdong provinces, on the 17th, the Office of the National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Emergency Management, in conjunction with the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, urgently allocated 10,000 household emergency kits to fully support local efforts in resettling and assisting affected residents. The Ministry of Emergency Management has deployed over 230 engineering rescue personnel and 57 sets of large mechanical equipment, including excavators, from central enterprises such as China Anneng and China Railway Construction, to the affected areas in Meizhou, Guangdong, to carry out search and rescue operations for trapped individuals, and to clear and repair roads. Currently, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters maintains a Level IV emergency response for flood control in seven provinces: Fujian, Guangxi, Zhejiang, Guizhou, Guangdong, Hunan, and Jiangxi, with five working groups on-site assisting and guiding flood control and disaster relief efforts.
Domestic News Briefs
The Ministry of Finance has allocated 443 million yuan for agricultural production disaster prevention and relief. The Ministry of Finance, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, recently allocated 443 million yuan in agricultural production disaster prevention and relief funds to support disaster-stricken areas in Hebei, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong, Henan, and Shaanxi provinces in carrying out drought relief and disaster prevention and relief efforts. The funds will primarily be used to provide appropriate subsidies for agricultural drought relief measures such as irrigation, replanting, and additional fertilization in affected areas. The "Tribute to the New Era" Red Storytelling Campaign Launched. Reporters learned from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism that the "Tribute to the New Era" Red Storytelling Campaign was launched in Beijing on the 17th. The campaign aims to tell inspiring stories of the new era and new journey, and to explore the contemporary value of red resources. This storytelling campaign will be rolled out nationwide and is expected to last until October this year. Ministry of Education Launches "Sunshine Volunteer" Information Service System for the First Time. The Ministry of Education has launched the "Sunshine Volunteer" information service system for the first time this year, available for free to students. The platform integrates massive data and can provide services such as volunteer recommendations, major introductions, and career prospects for students. Significant Improvement in County Hospital Service Capabilities in China. Reporters learned today (June 18) from the National Health Commission that China, focusing on improving county hospital capabilities, has formed a multi-level, multi-form, and broad-ranging medical counterpart support model. Nationally, 1,173 tertiary hospitals are providing counterpart assistance to 1,496 county-level hospitals. Currently, 85% of the county hospitals receiving counterpart assistance have reached the service capabilities of secondary or higher-level hospitals, an increase of 6 percentage points compared to 2020. National Cultural Heritage Administration Releases Important Progress in Large Heritage Site Protection and Utilization. Reporters learned today (June 18) from the National Cultural Heritage Administration that since the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, 135 national archaeological park and project sites have been established nationwide, receiving over 67.2 million visitors in 2023. Major heritage sites such as the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Site, Sanxingdui, and Jinsha are advancing their World Cultural Heritage applications, and 224 proactive archaeological excavation projects at large heritage sites are being carried out in an orderly manner. CMG and China Mobile Collaborate on Paris Olympics Copyright and Other Strategic Areas. China Media Group (CMG) and China Mobile Communications Group Co., Ltd. held a strategic cooperation and 2024 Paris Olympic Games copyright cooperation signing ceremony today (June 18). The two parties will engage in deep, comprehensive, and multi-faceted cooperation in various fields, including international sports event media rights and copyright resources, content co-operation, and international communication.
Israeli Military Claims Half of Hamas Rafah Brigade Defeated, Hamas Alleges Israeli Forces Attempted to Burn Rafah Crossing Facilities
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated on the 17th that they have taken control of 60 to 70 percent of Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, and that completing operations in the area would take "a few more weeks." The statement claimed that the IDF had defeated approximately half of Hamas's Rafah Brigade forces. On the 17th, Palestinian armed factions stated that they engaged in close-quarters combat with IDF ground forces in the Shaboura refugee camp in central Rafah. Hamas also claimed on the same day that the IDF attempted to burn down buildings and facilities, including the departure hall on the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, in an effort to cut off contact between Gaza residents and the outside world. Israel has yet to respond to these claims. Regarding the IDF's proposed localized "tactical pause in military activity" in southern Gaza, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said on the 17th that hostilities in the area were continuing with no change. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder stated that a "tactical pause in military activity" cannot replace a ceasefire. Israeli Protesters Demand Early Elections. On the 17th, large numbers of Israeli citizens held protests, demanding that the government reach an agreement with Hamas to release the hostages and hold early elections. Violent clashes erupted between police and protesters, leaving at least 3 protesters injured and several arrested.
Russia Claims More Favorable Positions in Multiple Directions, Ukraine Claims Strikes on Russian Air Defense Systems
On the 17th, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Russian forces had occupied more advantageous positions in several directions, improving the situation at the front, striking Ukrainian personnel, equipment, and ammunition depots in Kharkiv, Donetsk, and other areas, and repelling multiple Ukrainian counterattacks. The Ukrainian side stated on the 17th that most of the fighting that day took place in the Pokrovsk direction, where the situation remained tense. Additionally, since May, the Ukrainian military has struck approximately 15 Russian air defense systems in Crimea. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently told The Daily Telegraph that NATO must show the world its nuclear arsenal as a "deterrent." In response, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that Stoltenberg's remarks would only further escalate tensions.
International News Briefs
Yemen's Houthi rebels stated that US and British forces launched air strikes on Hodeidah and other areas. According to Houthi sources in Yemen, on the evening of the 17th local time, US and British warplanes carried out at least 10 air strikes on Houthi-controlled areas such as Hodeidah. US and British forces conducted at least 6 air strikes on Hodeidah International Airport and 4 air strikes on Kamaran Island in the Red Sea. The US Central Command stated on the 17th that it had destroyed 4 radars and 1 unmanned surface vessel in Houthi-controlled areas. Wildfires Rage and Spread Rapidly in Southern US. On the 17th, wildfires continued to rage and spread rapidly in multiple areas across the southern United States. In Ruidoso, New Mexico, a wildfire that ignited on the 17th had already burned over 17 square kilometers. The fire is threatening residential areas, and over 7,000 local residents have been ordered to evacuate immediately. According to data from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection on the 17th, there are currently at least 18 active wildfires in the state, with a total burned area exceeding 120 square kilometers.