China Deepens Reform, Promotes High-Level FTZ Through Opening Up
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that on the new journey, we must explore in broader areas and at deeper levels, and strive to build a higher-level pilot free trade zone (FTZ). The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made clear deployments for implementing the FTZ upgrading strategy, encouraging original and integrated explorations. Anchoring the grand goal of Chinese modernization, FTZs and the Hainan Free Trade Port have adhered to high-level opening-up as the guide and institutional innovation as the core, accelerating the introduction of a large number of fundamental and pioneering reform and opening-up measures, and better leveraging their role as comprehensive experimental platforms for reform and opening-up. Recently, the FTZs have seen an acceleration in goods trade and personnel exchanges. A China-Europe freight train spanning the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, reaching deep into Europe, departed from the Shaanxi Pilot FTZ, saving about two-thirds of the time compared to traditional sea transport. In Horgos, China's first cross-border free trade zone and the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Center have opened 22 rapid customs clearance channels, with an average of 17,000 people trading there daily. In the first half of the year, FTZs, with less than four thousandths of the national land area, achieved 20.8% of the national foreign investment and 19.5% of the total imports and exports, accumulating valuable experience for further comprehensive deepening of reforms and high-level opening-up. The construction of pilot free trade zones is an important strategic measure promoted by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core in the new era to advance reform and opening-up. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has personally planned, deployed, and promoted the construction of 22 pilot FTZs across the country, forming a reform, opening-up, and innovation landscape covering east, west, south, north, and central regions, integrating coastal, inland, and border areas, and accumulating 349 institutional innovation achievements promoted at the national level. In 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping made important instructions on deepening the construction of pilot free trade zones, emphasizing the need to thoroughly implement the FTZ upgrading strategy on the basis of comprehensively summarizing ten years of construction experience, bravely act as pioneers in exploration and overcoming difficulties, conduct exploration in broader areas and at deeper levels, and allow FTZs to better play their exemplary role. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China pointed out the need to improve the high-level opening-up system and mechanisms, implement the free trade zone upgrading strategy, and accelerate the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Since the beginning of this year, the high-level construction of FTZs has accelerated. Some regions are accelerating pilot efforts to align with international high-standard economic and trade rules, promoting institutional opening-up. Shanghai and other places have relaxed import restrictions on 62 types of remanufactured products, such as reciprocating piston engines and automotive transmissions, which are expected to generate nearly 500 million yuan in annual trade volume. The Hainan Free Trade Port has entered a critical period for customs sealing operations across the island. These days, a batch of aircraft engines repaired overseas has returned to Haikou. Due to meeting pilot measures such as duty exemption for temporary outbound repair and re-entry of ships and aircraft, they received a tariff reduction of 663,200 yuan. To further promote the expansion of opening-up in the service industry, the country has released and implemented the first negative list for cross-border service trade in FTZs, making arrangements for opening up in areas such as natural person professional qualifications, professional services, and finance. The Beijing Pilot FTZ has increased its recognized overseas professional qualification catalog from 82 to 122 items, newly including not only highly recognized professions such as accountants and doctors but also extending to segmented fields such as electrical and chemical engineering, attracting nearly 400 international talents. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China pointed out the implementation of the FTZ upgrading strategy and encouraged original and integrated explorations. FTZs are leveraging their strategic positioning to activate development potential through institutional innovation. Focusing on key areas such as the digital economy, Tianjin, Fujian, and other places are carrying out leading explorations; revolving around key industries such as bulk commodities and biomedicine, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and other places are promoting innovation and development across the entire industrial chain. Currently, all 33 pilot measures for the first batch of FTZs to align with international high-standard economic and trade rules have been implemented. During this period, the Ministry of Commerce is summarizing and evaluating these pilot achievements. Adhering to open-up to promote reform, FTZs will better play the "leading goose" role in institutional innovation, act as pioneers in promoting Chinese modernization, and explore new paths for building an open world economy!
Selected Important Documents Since the 20th CPC National Congress, Vol. I, Published and Distributed
With the approval of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the first volume of "Selected Important Documents Since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China," compiled by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, has been published by Central Literature Publishing House and is now being distributed nationwide. The first volume of "Selected Important Documents Since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China" includes 75 important documents, totaling approximately 620,000 characters, covering the period from the 20th National Congress of the Party in October 2022 to the closing of the Second Session of the 14th National People's Congress in March 2024. Among them, 33 documents are drafts by General Secretary Xi Jinping, 18 are drafts by other central leading comrades, and 24 are relevant documents from the CPC Central Committee, the National People's Congress, the State Council, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission. Nineteen of these important documents are being publicly published for the first time. This selection of important documents truly records the magnificent process during this period in which the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, facing a grave and complex international environment and arduous and onerous tasks of domestic reform, development, and stability, held high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, comprehensively implemented the spirit of the 20th National Congress and the First and Second Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, adhered to Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Important Thought of the Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, fully implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, united and led the entire Party, the entire army, and the people of all ethnic groups across the country, to strive with vigor and courage, adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, comprehensively promote the "five-sphere integrated plan," coordinate and promote the "Four Comprehensives" strategic layout, coordinate the domestic and international situations, coordinate development and security, withstood external pressure, overcame internal difficulties, achieved a smooth transition in COVID-19 prevention and control, realized economic recovery and improvement, ensured effective and robust livelihood guarantees, solidly advanced high-quality development, maintained overall social stability, and took solid steps in building a modern socialist country in all respects; it centrally reflects the important thoughts put forward, major decisions made, significant achievements obtained, and fresh experiences created by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core during this period, focusing on the mission and tasks of the Communist Party of China in the new era and new journey, in adhering to and strengthening the overall leadership of the Party, fully, accurately, and comprehensively implementing the new development philosophy, accelerating the building of a new development paradigm, striving to promote high-quality development, accelerating scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, comprehensively deepening reform and opening up, vigorously developing whole-process people's democracy, solidly advancing the construction of socialist rule of law, continuously strengthening publicity, ideological, and cultural work, effectively grasping livelihood guarantees and ecological environmental protection, resolutely safeguarding national security and social stability, vigorously advancing national defense and army building, continuing to promote work related to Hong Kong and Macao and Taiwan, deeply promoting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and consistently advancing comprehensive and strict Party governance; it fully proves that "Two Establishments" are major political achievements of the Party in the new era, are decisive factors in achieving historic achievements and historic changes in the cause of the Party and the country, and are the greatest certainty, greatest confidence, and greatest guarantee for overcoming all difficulties and risks and responding to all uncertainties. The publication of the first volume of "Selected Important Documents Since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China" provides important teaching materials for the entire Party to deeply study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the major policies of the Party Central Committee. It is of great significance for the entire Party to deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," to more consciously enhance the "Four Consciousnesses," strengthen the "Four Confidences," and achieve the "Two Maintains," to rally more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, to deeply study and implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, to further comprehensively deepen reform, to strive to open up a broad prospect for comprehensively promoting the building of a strong country and the rejuvenation of the nation through Chinese modernization, and to write a more splendid chapter of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
Li Qiang Holds Welcoming Ceremony for Fijian Prime Minister's Visit
On the afternoon of the 18th, Premier Li Qiang held a welcoming ceremony for Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Wu Zhenglong and others attended the ceremony. The military band played the national anthems of Fiji and China. Afterwards, Li Qiang accompanied Rabuka in reviewing the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Li Qiang Holds Talks With Fijian Prime Minister
After the welcoming ceremony, Premier Li Qiang held talks with Prime Minister Rabuka. Li Qiang stated that Fiji was the first Pacific island country to establish diplomatic relations with China, and China has always regarded Fiji as one of its most important partners in the South Pacific region. President Xi Jinping will hold a meeting with the Prime Minister to jointly chart a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations. China has always firmly supported the Fijian people in choosing their own development path and is willing to take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year to implement the consensus reached by the two leaders, continue to be true friends who trust and support each other, strengthen high-level and various levels of exchanges, and promote the healthy and stable development of the China-Fiji comprehensive strategic partnership. Li Qiang pointed out that China is willing to work with Fiji to elevate pragmatic cooperation between the two countries to a new level. The two sides should further leverage their complementary advantages, deepen cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture and fisheries, light industry, education, tourism, poverty reduction and other fields under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and better promote common development. China is willing to import more high-quality Fijian products and support Chinese enterprises in investing and doing business in Fiji. Both China and Fiji are members of the "Global South." China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Fiji and other Pacific island countries, actively implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, and jointly advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization. Rabuka stated that Fiji greatly admires China's development achievements and growing international influence under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, has always regarded China as a trustworthy partner, firmly adheres to the One-China principle, and supports the Belt and Road Initiative and other important initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative. Fiji is willing to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as economy and trade, and infrastructure, promote cooperation between Pacific island countries and China, and open up new broad prospects for the Fiji-China partnership. After the talks, the two Prime Ministers jointly witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents on trade, infrastructure construction, and other areas. Wu Zhenglong participated in the above activities.
Tax Data Shows China's Economy Maintained Stable Progress in July
The State Taxation Administration announced today (August 18) that in July, as the effects of various macro policies gradually unfolded, market entity sales revenue steadily recovered, with active highlights appearing in multiple sectors. According to value-added tax invoice data from the State Taxation Administration: In July, China's industrial economy steadily recovered, with industrial enterprise sales revenue increasing by 6% year-on-year, 1.7 percentage points higher than the second quarter's growth rate. New quality productive forces accelerated their growth, with sales revenue in high-tech industries increasing by 13.3% year-on-year. Sales revenue in strategic emerging industries such as electronic and communication equipment manufacturing, railway, ship and aircraft equipment manufacturing, and new energy vehicle manufacturing all maintained double-digit growth. The effects of machinery and equipment upgrades and trade-ins of consumer goods became apparent. The national enterprise procurement of machinery and equipment increased by 8.5% year-on-year, 2.8 percentage points higher than the second quarter. Among them, procurement of machinery and equipment in key areas such as industry and transportation increased by 7.2% and 14.8% year-on-year, respectively, significantly higher than the second quarter's growth rates. Policies encouraging trade-ins of consumer goods orderly released residents' consumption potential, with retail sales of household appliances and electronic products and furniture retail sales increasing by 8.5% and 11.7% year-on-year, respectively, both higher than their second-quarter growth rates. From the perspective of business entities, as of the end of July this year, the number of newly established tax-related business entities nationwide increased by 7.3% year-on-year. Among them, the number of entities that have received invoices and declared income increased by 8.5% year-on-year, accounting for 67.4% of all newly established entities, an increase of 0.7 percentage points year-on-year.
China's Rural Consumption Potential Further Unleashed in First Seven Months
Since the beginning of this year, China's rural consumption and market potential have been further unleashed, providing new impetus for rural revitalization. From January to July this year, China's retail sales of consumer goods in rural areas reached 3,647.6 billion yuan, an increase of 4.5%. As residents pay more attention to quality of life and environmental protection awareness strengthens, upgraded goods represented by green smart home appliances have become a new growth point for consumption. In Meishan, Sichuan, at the largest local home appliance storage warehouse, 60% of sales orders in the first half of the year came from rural areas, covering 27 surrounding districts and counties. At the same time, a series of infrastructure improvements are also promoting the upgrading and efficiency of rural consumption. Currently, more than 1,200 county-level public postal service centers and over 300,000 village-level postal and logistics comprehensive service stations have been built nationwide. The express delivery network has become an important channel for agricultural products to move from villages to cities and consumer goods to move from cities to villages. In Xiakou New Village, Linyi County, Shandong, this express delivery point handles over 900 items daily. While rural consumption potential is effectively released, new consumption scenarios constantly emerging in villages are also attracting more people to rural areas. In Yixian County, Anhui, during this summer, teenagers became the main force of local rural tourism. They painted in the beautiful mountains and rivers, giving rise to "sketching economy" and "study tour economy," driving consumption of local accommodation, catering, transportation, and cultural products. In Zhouji Village, Lianshui County, Jiangsu, the local area collaborated with the supply and marketing system to transform long-idle houses into "supply and marketing rural cafes," injecting fresh vitality into the rural market. Driven by favorable factors such as sustained growth in farmers' incomes and continuous advancement in county-level commercial system construction, rural market sales growth in January to July was 1.1 percentage points faster than that in urban areas.
Second Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Scientific Expedition's 'Top 10 Advances' Announced Today
Today (August 18), the "Top Ten Achievements" of the Second Qinghai-Tibet Scientific Expedition were released in Lhasa. These "Top Ten Achievements" involve world-class original results such as changes and impacts of the Asian Water Tower, carbon sink function and potential, changes in ecosystems and biodiversity, human plateau adaptation and green development, and plateau uplift effects. The results show that the total surface water storage of the Asian Water Tower currently exceeds 10 trillion cubic meters, which is approximately 200 years of the Yellow River's runoff. The expedition revealed the evolution patterns of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau ecosystem over the past 15 years and its overall improving trend, and identified over 3,000 new species. It established the first multi-hazard database for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, discovered new evidence of human activity and adaptation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and proposed a green development path for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Since its launch on August 19, 2017, the Second Qinghai-Tibet Scientific Expedition has organized more than 28,000 scientific expedition personnel to conduct comprehensive scientific investigations covering the entire Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, leading international frontiers in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Earth system science research.
Comrade Zhou Guangzhao Passes Away
Comrade Zhou Guangzhao, an excellent member of the Communist Party of China, a loyal communist fighter, an outstanding scientist, a senior academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, former President and Party Secretary of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, honorary chairman and former chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology, and former Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress, passed away due to illness in Beijing at 10:55 PM on August 17, 2024, at the age of 95.
Domestic News Snippets
China Establishes Working Mechanism to Promote Private Investment Funding and Factor Guarantee. The National Development and Reform Commission and other departments recently jointly issued a notice, stating that China will establish a working mechanism to promote private investment funding and factor guarantee, focusing on increasing the promotion of infrastructure projects in transportation, energy, and water conservancy. For eligible key national private investment projects, government investment support will be increased through central budget investment arrangements. National Newly Added Soil Erosion Control Area Reaches 710,000 Square Kilometers. The Ministry of Water Resources recently announced that since 2012, the national newly added soil erosion control area has reached 710,000 square kilometers, and the soil and water conservation rate has increased to 72.56%. The cumulative reduction in soil erosion area nationwide is 320,000 square kilometers, with a continuous "dual decline" in both soil erosion area and intensity. "Rural Passenger-Cargo-Postal Operation Service Guide (Trial)" Released. Recently, the Ministry of Transport released the "Rural Passenger-Cargo-Postal Operation Service Guide (Trial)". The guide encourages prioritizing the use of county-level bus stations, freight yards, and logistics parks to build county-level common distribution centers, realizing unified warehousing, sorting, and distribution. At the same time, it encourages building village-level passenger-cargo-postal stations relying on villagers' service centers, rural supermarkets, etc., to provide comprehensive convenient services. National Newly Established Foreign-Invested Enterprises Grew by 11.4% in January-July. According to the Ministry of Commerce, from January to July this year, 31,654 new foreign-invested enterprises were established nationwide, a year-on-year increase of 11.4%. Actual foreign investment in manufacturing was 154.48 billion yuan. Actual foreign investment in medical instrument and apparatus manufacturing and professional technical services increased by 87% and 41.3% respectively. "Jiaolong" Successfully Completes Its 300th Dive. The "2024 West Pacific International Voyage Scientific Expedition Team" recently arrived at its first operating area in the Northwest Pacific. At 8:00 PM Beijing time on August 18, the "Jiaolong" manned submersible conducted its first dive operation in the initial operating area. This also marked the 300th dive of China's independently developed 7,000-meter-class deep-sea manned submersible, "Jiaolong." Nearly 500 Domestic and Foreign Enterprises Confirm Participation in the Second CISCE. Today (August 18) marks 100 days until the second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE). As of now, nearly 500 domestic and foreign enterprises have confirmed their participation in the second CISCE. Among them, overseas exhibitors account for over 30%, Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders account for over 60%, and participating countries number nearly 60. New Hengqin Port Operates for Four Years, Handling Over 48 Million Cross-Border Travelers. Today (August 18), marks four years since the new Hengqin Port became operational in Zhuhai. The total number of cross-border travelers between Hengqin and Macao has exceeded 48 million, and vehicles have surpassed 5.88 million, with average annual increases of 62.2% and 40.4% respectively. Guangxi's Imports and Exports to Vietnam Exceeded 30% Growth in First Seven Months. According to Nanning Customs, from January to July this year, Guangxi's imports and exports to Vietnam reached 165.82 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 32%. Among them, exports were 130.02 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 44.4%. The combined share of mechanical and electrical products and labor-intensive products in exports exceeded 80%. 2024 Summer Movie Box Office (Including Pre-sales) Exceeds 10 Billion. As of now, the total box office (including pre-sales) for the 2024 summer movie season has exceeded 10 billion yuan. This summer season features 138 films released or scheduled, with rich and diverse genres and themes, continuously meeting the viewing needs of different audiences. At the same time, the scale of film screenings has increased compared to the same period last year. Large-scale Food and Culture Tourism Program "Three Meals Four Seasons" Enters Qinghai Tonight. The last episode of the first season of the large-scale food and culture tourism seasonal program "Three Meals Four Seasons" will be broadcast tonight (August 18) on CCTV-1. This episode will enter Qinghai, exploring the unique flavors of local cuisine from authentic lamian noodles to highland barley coffee, showcasing the plateau's food culture and local customs.
Refugee Camp in Northern Gaza Attacked; Israel Says Officer Killed in Combat
According to the official Palestinian news agency, several homes in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip and Khan Younis in the south were subjected to Israeli military airstrikes today (August 18), resulting in multiple casualties. The Israeli military stated on the 17th that it had expanded its operations in Khan Younis. The Israeli army also said that an Israeli reserve officer was killed by a roadside bomb placed by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Netzarim Corridor area. In addition, on the 17th, the Israeli military once again issued evacuation orders for multiple areas in the Gaza Strip, including the Maghazi refugee camp. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East stated on the same day that the continuous issuance of evacuation orders by the Israeli military has resulted in only 11% of the Gaza Strip currently being designated as a "humanitarian zone," leaving a large number of displaced people living in chaos and fear. Hamas Says Ceasefire Agreement is US-Imposed Order; Israel Expresses Cautious Optimism. Regarding the claims by the United States and other relevant mediators that there has been progress in Gaza ceasefire negotiations, senior Hamas official Zuhri said on the 17th that Hamas is not facing genuine negotiations, but rather orders imposed by the United States, and that the US claim of an imminent ceasefire agreement is an illusion. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated on the same day that it is cautiously optimistic about advancing the ceasefire agreement and hopes that relevant mediators will continue to pressure Hamas. Iran's acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri said on the 17th that the United States is openly supporting Israel and is not a neutral mediator.
Russia Claims Striking US-Made Patriot Air Defense System; Ukraine Claims Intercepting Russian Missiles
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the 17th that Russian forces struck Ukrainian soldiers and equipment in the Kharkiv, Donetsk, and other directions. The Russian military shot down several Ukrainian warplanes and helicopters, and destroyed a launcher and radar station of the US-made Patriot air defense system. The Ukrainian side stated that early this morning (August 18), the Ukrainian capital Kyiv was attacked by Russian missiles, and Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed all incoming targets. Ukraine claimed this was Russia's third missile attack on Kyiv since August. Russia Says It Continues to Strike Ukrainian Equipment on Kursk Border; Ukraine Says It Strengthens Defenses. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the 17th that Russian forces repelled multiple Ukrainian offensives in the Korenevo direction of Kursk Oblast. At the same time, Russian forces continued to strike Ukrainian personnel and equipment in the border areas of Kursk Oblast, destroying one missile launcher and dozens of armored vehicles. Ukraine stated that it has strengthened its defenses in Kursk Oblast. Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Reports Attack on Nearby Road. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant stated on the 17th that a Ukrainian drone dropped a bomb on a road near the nuclear plant's reactors that day. The attack caused no casualties but posed a direct threat to the nuclear plant. Ukraine has not yet responded to this incident. The International Atomic Energy Agency issued a statement on the 17th expressing concern about the drone attack on a road near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, stating that the nuclear safety situation at the plant is "deteriorating."
International News Snippets
The King of Thailand Approves Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Prime Minister. Apas Sukkhanan, Secretary-General of the Thai House of Representatives, announced a royal decree at a ceremony held at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters today (August 18), stating that His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has approved the appointment of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Thailand's 31st Prime Minister. After accepting the appointment, Paetongtarn stated that she would do her utmost to fulfill her duties as Prime Minister and make Thailand a country of opportunities. Paetongtarn, 37, is the leader of the Pheu Thai Party. On August 16, Paetongtarn was elected as the new Prime Minister of Thailand in a special session of the House of Representatives with more than half of the votes. Strong 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Coast of Russia's Far East Kamchatka Peninsula. According to information released by the Kamchatka branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Unified Geophysical Survey, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake occurred in the waters near Russia's Far East Kamchatka Peninsula early this morning (August 18), with a focal depth of approximately 46 kilometers. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, about 118 kilometers from the epicenter, experienced tremors. There are currently no reports of casualties. Several aftershocks ranging from 3.5 to 5.0 magnitude also occurred locally today. According to local media reports, affected by the earthquake, the Shiveluch volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula began to erupt, with volcanic ash plumes reaching heights of over 8,000 meters at one point. US Air Force Base in Texas Attacked by Gunman. The US Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas issued a statement on the 17th saying that the base was attacked that day, with at least one gunman firing shots at the base gate while driving by and exchanging fire with security personnel. The statement said there were no casualties or threats to base facilities. Police are currently investigating the incident. Two Major Canadian Railway Companies Suspend Some Freight Services. Due to labor disputes and a threatened strike by railway workers, Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway have ceased accepting cold chain products and certain hazardous chemical shipments. This temporary suspension also affects some cross-border transportation between the United States and Canada. Fire Breaks Out at Somerset House in London, UK. A fire broke out at Somerset House, a landmark building in central London, UK, on the 17th. Local fire authorities stated that about 20 fire engines were involved in extinguishing the blaze. There are no reports of injuries so far, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Somerset House is a large building in central London that currently serves as an art gallery, housing renowned artworks.