Ukraine thwarts a major missile attack
Ukrainian officials say their country’s air defense system intercepted six Kinzhal . hypersonic missiles targeting the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. If confirmed, this would be further evidence of Ukraine’s ability to shoot down one of Russia’s most sophisticated weapons.
The attack was one of Russia’s largest air strikes since March: Ukraine says Russia fired a salvo of missiles and “special” drones at Kyiv, but shot them all down. even Kinzhals. Russia said a missile hit a US-made Patriot system.
The problems that have plagued Russia’s 15-month war since its inception have only gotten worse: stretched resources, disorganized defenses, and disunity within the ranks. This seems to be Bad week for President Vladimir Putin.
Currently, the Russian army has been forced to retreat several times, and since last year has mostly stalled along the 600-mile front. Russian forces were recently pushed back from positions on the edge of Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, where, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, two colonels were killed in combat. And the long-awaited Ukrainian counterattack has not even begun.
However, Putin’s determination shows that he is preparing for a war that could last for years.
Analysis: In Russia’s authoritarian system, the leadership’s policies do not need to be approved by the people. “They have a lot of room to continue the crime war,” one expert said.
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Another defeat for the Cambodian opposition
Cambodia has remove the main opposition party, the only credible opponent to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling party. After 38 years in power, Hun Sen is laying the groundwork for his eldest son to succeed him after a general election in July.
Hun Sen has seized power through the courts, manipulating elections, intimidation — and coups. This latest move comes after the government moved to protect itself earlier this year. In February, it shut down the Voice of Democracy, one of the few stores left to provide important coverage in Cambodia. In March, Kem Sokha, the leading opposition politician in the country, sentenced to 27 years of house arrest.
Election outlook: Hun Sen’s party now holds all 125 seats in the National Assembly after government-controlled courts dissolved their main rival ahead of the 2018 elections. This time, the National Election Commission only approved parties that either have ties to Hun Sen or are too faint to pose a serious threat in the July 23 election.
China’s advantage in EV xe car batteries
Despite billions of dollars of Western investment, China is still go far in producing batteries for electric cars that the rest of the world could take decades to catch up.
Here’s how China controls every step of lithium-ion battery production, from obtaining raw materials to producing cars.
Mining: China has acquired a steady and cheap supply of the essential rare minerals needed to make batteries. It controls 41% of the world’s cobalt, mainly due to its possession of mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Investments in Indonesia will help China become the largest nickel controller by 2027, according to a consulting firm.
refined: No matter who mines the minerals, nearly everything is shipped to China for refining. Chinese companies are backed by the government with cheap land and energy, and can refine minerals in larger volumes and at lower costs.
The components: China manufactures most of the parts that go into the battery. It has recently invested in a cheaper alternative to the cathode, which is the positive terminal of the battery. These cathode now make up half of the market.
Meeting: China produces the most batteries — and the most cars. With lower labor costs and more equipment manufacturers, one expert said the country could build battery factories at nearly half the cost of other countries in North America or Europe. Europe.
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Many Japanese people after three years of taking off their masks find that their facial features are a bit callous. So some have Hiring a smile coach. An hour-long session based on yoga and with an emphasis on strengthening the zygomatic muscles, which help pull the corners of the mouth.
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Korea’s ‘No Child Zone’
South Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world. But parents say the government is not making childbirth easier: Hundreds of restaurants, museums and other public facilities are designated.”No-Children Area.”
Child-free areas have popular support. A 2022 survey found that 73% of respondents support them. “I often go to coffee shops to study. I don’t want to be interrupted by crying babies,” said one student.
But one lawmaker is calling on the government to outlaw the policy. “Life with a child is not easy,” she said, holding her toddler in Parliament, which is also a child-free zone. “However, we still have to recreate a society where we can coexist with our children.”
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