On the morning of April 24, President Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony for William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, at the East Plaza of the Great Hall of the People. Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, and Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, attended the welcoming ceremony. Accompanying President Ruto on his visit to China were his wife, the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, and the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport. The military band played the national anthems of Kenya and China, and a 21-gun salute was fired. President Ruto, accompanied by President Xi Jinping, reviewed the guard of honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The two heads of state then returned to the reviewing stand to watch the march-past of the guard of honor. President Ruto is on a state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.
On the morning of April 24, President Xi Jinping held talks with Kenyan President William Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two heads of state unanimously agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a China-Kenya Community with a Shared Future in the New Era. Xi Jinping pointed out that over the 62 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Kenya have always respected and supported each other, carrying forward the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation and the Silk Road spirit, and continuously elevating the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. The elevation of China-Kenya relations to a China-Kenya Community with a Shared Future in the New Era is a strategic choice for both sides. China is willing to work with Kenya to conform to the historical trend and the trend of the times, build a model of an all-weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future in the New Era, and lead the development of China-Africa relations and the solidarity and cooperation of the Global South. Xi Jinping emphasized that building a community with a shared future is the right path based on mutual respect, equal treatment, mutual benefit, and "sharing the same boat." China and Kenya should continue to firmly support each other in safeguarding their national sovereignty, security, and development interests, firmly support each other in exploring development paths suited to their national conditions, deepen exchanges on governance experience, and be fellow travelers and true friends on the path to modernization. The Belt and Road Initiative is a shining name card for cooperation between the two countries. Both sides should strengthen regular policy communication, promote high-level connectivity, facilitate sustainable trade, explore diversified financial integration, and continue the generational friendship and people-to-people bonds, serving as leaders in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China's super-large market is always open to high-quality Kenyan products, and China encourages more capable Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Kenya. As important members of the Global South, China and Kenya should firmly defend the international system with the United Nations at its core with concrete actions, promote global governance based on extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, practice true multilateralism, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, and push the world toward a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress. Xi Jinping pointed out that no matter how the international situation changes, China's policy concept of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith toward Africa will not change, China and Africa's original aspiration of sharing weal and woe and helping each other will not change, and the fundamental purpose of China-Africa win-win cooperation and common development will not change. China keeps its promises and acts with resolve, and is willing to work with African countries, including Kenya, to promote more early harvests from the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit, better benefiting the African people, and continue to send a strong message of China-Africa self-reliance, solidarity, and cooperation in the new era, leading global South cooperation with high-quality China-Africa cooperation. Xi Jinping emphasized that there are no winners in tariff wars and trade wars. China does not provoke trouble and is not afraid of trouble, and is willing to work with all countries in the world to respond to various challenges through solidarity and cooperation, safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, maintain international trade rules, and uphold international fairness and justice. Ruto stated that Kenya and China have always adhered to sincerity and mutual benefit, and their cooperation shares a common vision, adheres to a people-centered approach, and is an all-weather strategic partnership. Kenya firmly adheres to the One-China policy, insisting that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory. Kenya thanks the Chinese government and people for their selfless assistance to Kenya in improving infrastructure and coping with natural disasters. Belt and Road projects such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway have powerfully promoted Kenya's national development. Kenya is willing to work with China to build a community with a shared future, fully align economic and social development strategies, strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure construction, and technology, enhance educational, cultural, and tourism exchanges, advance their respective modernization processes, and more closely link the future of the two countries. China-Africa cooperation is conducive to Africa's peace and development, and Kenya is willing to closely coordinate and cooperate with China to implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit. Trade wars undermine existing international rules and order. Kenya appreciates China's role as a stabilizer in the current turbulent situation and its efforts to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries. Kenya is willing to work with China to jointly uphold and practice multilateralism. After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents in areas such as Belt and Road cooperation, high-tech, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, economic and trade relations, and news media. The two sides issued the "Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kenya on Building a Model of an All-weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future in the New Era." Before the talks, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming ceremony for Ruto and his wife Rachel at the East Plaza of the Great Hall of the People. Upon Ruto's arrival, honor guards lined up to salute. Xi Jinping and Ruto ascended the reviewing stand, the military band played the national anthems of China and Kenya, and a 21-gun salute was fired in Tiananmen Square. Ruto, accompanied by Xi Jinping, reviewed the guard of honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and watched the march-past. At noon that day, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan hosted a welcoming banquet for Mr. and Mrs. Ruto in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Wang Yi participated in the above activities.
On April 23, President Xi Jinping delivered an address at the Leaders' Video Summit on Climate and Just Transition. Xi Jinping pointed out that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Currently, the world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, and human society has reached a new crossroads. Although individual major powers are keen on unilateralism and protectionism, causing severe冲击 to international rules and order, history always moves forward through twists and turns. As long as we strengthen confidence and enhance solidarity and cooperation, we will surely break through adverse currents and promote stable and long-term global climate governance and all progressive causes in the world. First, uphold multilateralism. Firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, and firmly uphold international fairness and justice. Adhere to the spirit of the rule of law, be trustworthy and keep promises, anchor green and low-carbon development, and jointly address the climate crisis through multilateral governance. Second, deepen international cooperation. Surpass estrangement and conflict with openness and inclusiveness, promote technological innovation and industrial transformation through cooperation, enable the free flow of high-quality green technologies and products, so that all countries, especially the vast number of developing countries, can use, afford, and make good use of them. China will vigorously deepen South-South cooperation and continue to provide assistance within its capacity to other developing countries. Third, promote just transition. Adhere to a people-centered approach, coordinate the improvement of people's well-being and climate governance, and coordinate multiple goals such as environmental protection, economic development, job creation, and poverty eradication. Developed countries have an obligation to provide assistance and support to developing countries, help global green and low-carbon transition, and promote the common and long-term well-being of people in all countries. Fourth, strengthen practical actions. All parties should make their utmost efforts to formulate and implement national determined contributions action programs based on coordinating economic development and energy transition. Before the UN Climate Change Conference in Belém, China will announce its 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution targets covering the entire economy and all greenhouse gases. Xi Jinping emphasized that the harmonious coexistence of man and nature is a distinctive feature of Chinese modernization. China is a firm practitioner and important contributor to global green development. Since I announced the carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals five years ago, China has built the world's largest and fastest-developing renewable energy system, established the world's largest and most complete new energy industry chain, and contributed a quarter of the world's new green area. No matter how the international situation changes, China's actions to actively address climate change will not slow down, its efforts to promote international cooperation will not weaken, and its practice of building a community with a shared future for mankind will not stop. China is willing to work with all parties to earnestly fulfill common but differentiated responsibilities, do their best, unite and cooperate, and promote the building of a clean, beautiful, and sustainable world.
General Secretary Xi Jinping recently issued important instructions on "double support" work, which sparked a warm response among the military and local authorities. Everyone expressed that they will thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions, solidly advance "double support" work in the new era and on the new journey, and gather strong forces for realizing the Chinese Dream and the dream of a strong military. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that supporting the military and giving preferential treatment to military families, and supporting the government and cherishing the people, are excellent traditions and unique political advantages of our Party, our military, and our people. On the new journey, we must adhere to the guidance of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, uphold the Party's overall leadership, deepen reform and innovation, improve policy mechanisms, and continuously make new progress in "double support" work. Everyone stated that General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions fully reflect the high importance the Party Central Committee attaches to the work of supporting the military and giving preferential treatment to military families, and supporting the government and cherishing the people. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the military and local authorities should work closely together to consolidate and develop the rock-solid unity between the military and government and between the military and the people, and jointly write a new chapter of loving our people and our military in the new era. Everyone stated that as the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country embarks on a new journey, the great and arduous cause requires even more the surging power of military-civilian unity and solid work. Everyone expressed that in the next step, they will bear in mind the General Secretary's entrustment, profoundly understand the political implications that military-civilian unity is a magic weapon for our army's victory, deeply grasp the practical direction of the reform deployment for improving the "double support" work mechanism, and continuously strengthen the political responsibility and mission of doing a good job in "double support" work in the new era.
Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, met with Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Vice Chairwoman and Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front, in Beijing on April 24. Wang Huning stated that General Secretary and President Xi Jinping's second state visit to Vietnam this month has drawn a new magnificent blueprint for the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. China is willing to work with Vietnam to earnestly implement the outcomes of this visit and solidly promote the building of a strategically significant China-Vietnam community with a shared future. The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is willing to work with the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front to contribute to promoting China-Vietnam friendship and strengthening people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha stated that General Secretary and President Xi Jinping's state visit to Vietnam is of historical significance and will surely lead to greater development in bilateral relations. The Central Committee of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front is willing to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and China as an opportunity to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and play an active role in advancing the building of a Vietnam-China community with a shared future. Xian Hui and Wang Dongfeng attended the meeting.
The National Conference of Secretaries-General of Party Committees and Governments was held in Beijing on April 24. Cai Qi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. The meeting emphasized the need to be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, comprehensively implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Second and Third Plenums of the 20th CPC Central Committee, deeply study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on the work of general offices, profoundly understand the decisive significance of "two establishments," and serve as pioneers in "two safeguards." It is essential to accurately grasp the new situations, new tasks, and new requirements facing the work of general offices, continuously strengthen the theoretical arming of the Party's innovative theories, resolutely uphold the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, implement the system of reporting major matters, further strengthen the political gatekeeping role, continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of implementation, and better promote the implementation of the Party Central Committee's decisions and deployments. It is necessary to solidly carry out education on deeply implementing the spirit of the Central Eight-point Regulation, take the lead in implementing the spirit of the Central Eight-point Regulation and its detailed rules, and continuously rectify formalism to reduce burdens on the grassroots. General offices at all levels should deeply practice the "five musts," take the lead in strengthening their own construction, further improve their political capabilities and professional qualities, enhance the level of "three services" work, build exemplary organs that the Party can trust and the people are satisfied with, and make due contributions to comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the rejuvenation of the nation through Chinese modernization. Secretaries-general and directors of general offices of Party committees and governments should strengthen their sense of mission and responsibility, temper their excellent work style, and serve as good advisors and assistants. State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Wu Zhenglong delivered a concluding speech.
On April 24, Vice President Han Zheng met with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez in Beijing. Han Zheng stated that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the all-weather strategic partnership between China and Venezuela has continuously reached new heights. China firmly supports the Venezuelan government and people in pursuing a development path that suits their national conditions, and is willing to work with Venezuela to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate and develop the traditional friendship between China and Venezuela, continuously improve the bilateral cooperation framework, and use tangible cooperation results to help their respective development and revitalization, better benefiting the people of both countries. Rodriguez stated that in the current international situation, China plays a crucial role in maintaining world peace and development, and President Xi Jinping's three major global initiatives are gaining increasing popularity. Venezuela is willing to continue to consolidate and deepen cooperation with China in various fields.
On April 24, the 4th National Reading Conference was held in Taiyuan, Shanxi. Participating guests stated that General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to promoting national reading and building a nation of readers, elevating national reading to a national strategy, which has led to the accumulation of momentum and the formation of a trend in national reading. Participating guests believed that reading classics has fundamental significance for cultural inheritance, and people should be guided to read more Marxist classics, more Chinese Marxist classics, especially General Secretary Xi Jinping's works, more Chinese traditional cultural classics, and more literary and academic masterpieces from ancient and modern China and abroad. It is necessary to comprehensively promote the construction of reading campuses, reading families, and a reading society, build convenient and inclusive urban and rural reading spaces, improve laws and regulations, and make valuing reading a stronger social trend. The theme of this conference was "Cultivating a Reading Culture and Building a Strong Cultural Nation."
At 5:17 PM today (April 24), the Long March-2F Y20 carrier rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft, was ignited and launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, successfully sending three astronauts, Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, into space. The spacecraft successfully entered its pre-set orbit. Currently, the astronaut crew is in good condition, and the launch was a complete success. At 2:25 PM, the send-off ceremony for the Shenzhou-20 manned spaceflight mission astronaut crew was held at the Yuanmeng Garden Plaza of Wentian Pavilion at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The three astronauts embarked on their mission on the 10th "China Space Day." At around 3:00 PM, Chen Zhongrui, Wang Jie, and Chen Dong entered the spacecraft successively, preparing for the launch. At 5:17 PM, the rocket ignited and lifted off. Approximately ten minutes later, the Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket and entered its pre-set orbit, with the astronaut crew in good condition. The three Shenzhou-19 astronauts watched the entire launch process of Shenzhou-20 in real time via the live broadcast signal from China Central Television. During their work and life in the space station, the Shenzhou-20 astronaut crew will conduct multiple scientific and application experiments and tests, and perform multiple extravehicular activities. Currently, the space station complex has entered the docking orbit, and the spacecraft will autonomously and rapidly rendezvous and dock with the space station complex according to the pre-set procedures. The Shenzhou-20 astronaut crew will perform an in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-19 astronaut crew.
Today (April 24) marks the 10th China Space Day, with the theme "Bright Moon over the Sea, Reaching for Stars in Nine Heavens." The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced the results of international loan applications for lunar samples from the Chang'e-5 mission, approving applications from 7 institutions in 6 countries. Simultaneously, 10 projects, including the lunar multi-functional operational robot and mobile charging station, and the Pakistani lunar rover, were selected as cooperation projects for the Chang'e-8 mission. In addition, the CNSA also introduced the progress of several major space engineering projects in China. It is reported that during China Space Day, nearly 660 themed activities were held across the country, and relevant aerospace exhibition halls and scientific research facilities were opened to the public and students of all ages.
Reporters learned today (April 24) from the National Development and Reform Commission that the "Negative List for Market Access (2025 Edition)" (hereinafter referred to as the "2025 List") has been released. Compared to the previously implemented 2022 edition, the number of items on the "2025 List" has been reduced from 117 to 106. To lower market access thresholds, a batch of national measures were directly removed, such as changing the engraving of official seals from a licensing system to a filing system; some national measures were partially liberalized, such as canceling management measures for the establishment of TV drama production units and the preparation of pharmaceutical wholesale and retail enterprises; and a batch of local measures were canceled, promoting the liberalization of transportation and logistics, freight forwarding, etc., to break down regional market barriers and implement unified national access methods.
Recently, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission publicly reported 10 typical cases of violations of the spirit of the Central Eight-point Regulation. Tang Renjian, former Party Secretary and Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Zheng Hong, former Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress and former Chairman of the Chongqing Federation of Trade Unions; Jiang Qi, former Deputy Inspector of the Hunan Branch of Agricultural Bank of China; Xie Yongfeng, former Deputy Director of the Development Planning Department of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) Sanjiang Group; Zhao Guijun, Level-1 Inspector of the National Bureau of Statistics Liaoning Survey Team; Duo Haisheng, former Party Secretary and Director of the Minhe County People's Congress Standing Committee in Haidong City, Qinghai Province; Zhang Tao, former Deputy Secretary of the Jinfeng District Committee and District Head of Yinchuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region; Liu Junfu, former Party Secretary and Chairman of the Fuzhou City Association for Science and Technology in Jiangxi Province; Luo Jinwen, Party Group Member and Deputy Director of the Huicheng District Development and Reform Bureau in Huizhou City, Guangdong Province; and He Yi, former Party Secretary and Director of the Wuhua District Natural Resources Bureau in Kunming City, Yunnan Province, were all severely punished for violations such as illicit banquets, illicit acceptance of gifts and money, public fund tourism under the guise of study tours, as well as engaging in vanity projects and being inactive or irresponsible in government services. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission emphasized that the entire Party is currently conducting in-depth education on implementing the spirit of the Central Eight-point Regulation. Party organizations and leading bodies at all levels must strengthen education, management, and supervision of leading cadres, newly promoted cadres, and young cadres, and firmly grasp the improvement of work style with a persistent spirit. Disciplinary inspection and supervision agencies at all levels must always adhere to a zero-tolerance approach, crack down hard and relentlessly on problems such as illicit banquets, illicit acceptance of gifts and money, and public fund tourism under the guise of training or inspection tours, and strictly and swiftly investigate and deal with violations committed during the education period, and publicly report them. They must closely monitor "vanity projects," reckless decision-making divorced from reality, piling up burdens, and disregard for the legitimate rights and interests of the masses and enterprises, and deepen rectification to achieve practical results. They must deeply promote the investigation and treatment of both style and corruption issues, severely punish intertwined style and corruption problems through "joint investigation," and eradicate common root causes of style and corruption through "joint treatment." As the May Day holiday approaches, they must closely monitor "four forms" issues that are prone to occur during holidays, improve overt and covert investigation mechanisms, timely discover and severely deal with violations of discipline and regulations, and strive to create a clean and upright holiday atmosphere.
Reporters learned from the National Cultural Heritage Administration today (April 24) that the results of the 2024 Top Ten National Archaeological Discoveries were announced. They are: Mengxihe River Site Group in Ziyang, Sichuan; Xiagouyang Site in Xianju, Zhejiang; Siwa Site in Lintao, Gansu; Mabucuo Site in Kangma, Tibet; Panlongcheng Site in Huangpi, Hubei; Zhouyuan Site in Baoji, Shaanxi; Liulihe Site in Fangshan, Beijing; Wuwangdun No. 1 Tomb in Huainan, Anhui; Heboshi Site in Jinning, Yunnan; and Mo'er Temple Site in Kashgar, Xinjiang. The projects cover various fields such as human origins, the origin, formation, and early development of Chinese civilization, Xia, Shang, and Zhou archaeology, and the formation and development of a unified multi-ethnic state, further substantiating the prominent characteristics of Chinese civilization and providing valuable physical evidence for exploring the origins of Chinese civilization and the question of "Why China?"
Over the past two years, China has improved water supply security for 220 million rural residents. Reporter learned from the Ministry of Water Resources that since 2023, China has cumulatively improved the water supply security level for 220 million rural residents. In 2024, nearly half of rural areas at the county level will achieve specialized management, monitoring, operation, and services for rural water supply under unified management. Domestic tourism saw 1.794 billion trips in the first quarter of this year. According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in the first quarter of this year, China's domestic tourist trips reached 1.794 billion, a year-on-year increase of 26.4%; total domestic tourism consumption was 1.80 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 18.6%. Among them, urban residents' tourism consumption was 1.48 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.8%; rural residents' tourism consumption was 0.32 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 39.6%. China issues implementation plan for digital transformation of the pharmaceutical industry. Today (April 24), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and six other departments jointly issued the "Implementation Plan for the Digital and Intelligent Transformation of the Pharmaceutical Industry (2025-2030)." It proposes that by 2027, China will make breakthroughs in a batch of key digital and intelligent technologies in the pharmaceutical industry, create more than 100 typical application scenarios for digital and intelligent technologies in the pharmaceutical industry, and build more than 50 leading excellent enterprises for digital transformation. Two types of special national bonds launched today for the first time in 2025. The ultra-long-term special national bonds and central financial institution capital injection special national bonds were launched today (April 24) for the first time in 2025. Among them, the ultra-long-term special national bonds include a 20-year maturity bond of 50 billion yuan with an interest rate of 1.98%, and a 30-year maturity bond of 71 billion yuan with an interest rate of 1.88%; these funds will be used to support "two major, two new" initiatives. The central financial institution capital injection special national bond is a 5-year maturity bond of 165 billion yuan with an interest rate of 1.45%, used to support state-owned large commercial banks in replenishing core tier-one capital.
Attorneys General from 12 states, including Oregon, Arizona, and New York, filed a lawsuit with the U.S. Court of International Trade on April 23, accusing the federal government's tariff policy of being illegal and demanding that its implementation be stopped. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on the same day that the U.S. government's reckless tariff policy would lead to soaring consumer costs and cause economic chaos nationwide. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum stated that the U.S. government's tariff policy is illegal, chaotic, and harmful to families and businesses. White House spokesman Andrew Bates responded to the lawsuit by saying that the U.S. government remains committed to using all its powers to address issues such as the trade deficit. The Federal Reserve's Beige Book indicates that businesses expect tariffs to lead to increased costs. The latest Beige Book on economic conditions released by the Federal Reserve on April 23 showed increasing uncertainty and rising prices across all regions. Many businesses have been notified by suppliers that costs will increase, and most businesses expect to pass on the increased costs to customers. In addition, the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on April 23 showed that 75% of American respondents are concerned about an impending economic recession. American business operators have expressed concern about the negative impact of U.S. tariff policies. People from various countries have stated that the U.S. tariff measures pose challenges to global economic development and will also harm the U.S. itself. Former Belgian Prime Minister and Member of the European Parliament Elio Di Rupo stated on April 23 that the "deregulation and anti-multilateralism" pursued by the United States poses a challenge to Europe, and he called on European countries to unite in response.
Russia's Ministry of Defense announced on April 23 that Russian forces launched multiple offensives in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia directions. Russian forces also struck Ukrainian military airfields, defense industrial enterprises, and drone production workshops. According to Russian media reports today (April 24), the air defense system in Kolomna, Moscow Oblast, was activated on the same day, and Zhukovsky Airport in Moscow Oblast and Grabtsevo Airport in Kaluga Oblast temporarily suspended flights. The Ukrainian Air Force announced today that the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other areas were subjected to a large-scale missile and drone attack by Russian forces, and Ukraine shot down over a hundred of these targets. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated on April 23 that Ukrainian forces struck Russian air defense systems and command posts, among other targets. Ukraine also claimed to have attacked a drone factory in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan.
Arab League Foreign Ministers' Council Meeting Focuses on Palestine-Israel Situation. The Arab League Foreign Ministers' Council meeting was held in Cairo, Egypt, on April 23. The meeting focused on current regional hot issues, including the Palestine-Israel situation. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit stated that Israel's continuous infringement on Arab countries' sovereignty and its comprehensive blockade of the Gaza Strip, forcing Palestinians in Gaza to leave their homes, have brought continuous tension to the region. He also expressed support for the Gaza Strip reconstruction plan adopted by the Arab emergency summit in March this year. EU Imposes 700 Million Euro Fines on US Tech Giants. According to a press release issued by the European Commission on April 23, the European Commission found that US companies Apple and Meta Platforms violated the Digital Markets Act for breaching rules related to fair competition and user choice, imposing fines of 500 million euros and 200 million euros respectively on these two companies. The White House stated that it would not tolerate the EU's move. New Jersey Wildfire Spreads, State of Emergency Declared. According to US media reports on April 23, a wildfire that ignited on April 22 in Ocean County, New Jersey, rapidly spread, burning over 50 square kilometers. Ocean County declared a state of emergency on April 23, and the fire continues to threaten multiple buildings along a local highway. Media reports state that firefighters expect the fire to expand further, potentially becoming the largest wildfire in New Jersey in 20 years.
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