The Chinese government on Monday (July 31) replaced the leadership of its Rocket Force, the army unit that oversees its nuclear arsenal, reportedly over corruption.

The Chinese government on Monday (July 31) replaced the leadership of its Rocket Force, the army unit that oversees its nuclear arsenal, reportedly over corruption. According to a report by the Xinhua news agency, The navy's former deputy commander Wang Houbin was named as the new commander of the force. Xu Xisheng, an air force officer and party central committee member, was named the Rocket Force’s new political commissar. The new appointments come as former commander of forcer General Li Yuchao and his deputy General Liu Guangbin disappeared from public view months back. Li, Liu and many other current and former deputies of the former commander were being investigated by the Central Military Commission’s anti-corruption unit. The government has not made any announcements regarding the whereabouts of Li and Liu. However, foreign officials briefed on intelligence over the matter said that the two top generals were being probed for allegedly leaking military secrets, according to a report by the Financial Times. Biggest change among military leaders in over a decade Monday's appointment is the biggest irregular change among military leaders in China since Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong, former deputy chairs of the Central Military Commission, were ousted more than a decade ago and prosecuted on corruption charges in 2014, the Financial Times report said. Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for increasing oversight of the military and the construction of a "modern system for military governance" in remarks to top leaders. Following this, the military department responsible for buying weapons launched a crackdown on corrupt procurement practices dating back years. What is the Rocket Force? The Rocket Force is a relatively new unit of the People's Liberation Army. As per the government, the force oversees China's arsenal of strategic missiles, both conventional and nuclear, and can both deter and strike. Its creation was announced in January 2016 after a major reshuffle of the country's military structure. In March, a US intelligence report said that the force's conventional missile capabilities "probably" pose a serious threat to US forces and bases in East Asia. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China replaces leadership of its Rocket Force, which overseas nukes, over 'corruption'

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Wednesday (August 2) rejected former prime minister Imran Khan's plea seeking an immediate halt in the Toshakhana case's trial court proceedings.

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Wednesday (August 2) rejected former prime minister Imran Khan's plea seeking an immediate halt in the Toshakhana case's trial court proceedings. The Supreme Court has summoned officials of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for Friday. On Wednesday, the ECP deferred the indictment of Khan in the case and he is now expected to be charged at the next hearing on August 22. Khan, the chairperson of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), approached the apex court on Monday against the Islamabad High Court's decision not to grant a stay on the trial court's proceedings. In his application, Khan contended all pending petitions before the high court would become ineffective if the judge hearing the case proceeded with recording his statement under Section 342 since no stay had been granted by the high court against the challenges to the jurisdiction of the trial court. The Toshakhana case The Toshakhana case accuses Khan of buying gifts, including an expensive Graff wristwatch, he received as the prime minister, at a discounted price from the state depository called Toshakhana and selling them for a profit. The reference filed by lawmakers of the ruling government alleged that the PTI chairperson did not disclose details of these gifts he retained. The case-related complaint was filed under the Election Act 2017, and Khan was summoned to appear in person and was required to record his statement under Section 342. According to a report by Dawn, the ECP initiated contempt proceedings against Khan and top PTI leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry last year for allegedly using “intemperate” language against the chief election commissioner and the electoral watchdog. However, in January, the Supreme Court allowed the ECP to continue proceedings against them. But instead of appearing before the poll commission, the three leaders challenged the ECP's notices and contempt proceedings in various high courts. The leaders also sought from high courts a declaratory relief from the charges. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Toshakhana case: SC rejects Imran Khan's plea seeking immediate halt in trial court proceedings

A sewing blogger in the United States, who was in the middle of recording a video on social media, captured an airborne car crashing into her yard. Jen Wesner from Florida was recording an instructional video on sewing when the car came out of nowhere and crashed.

A sewing blogger in the United States, who was in the middle of recording a video on social media, captured an airborne car crashing into her yard. Jen Wesner from Florida was recording an instructional video on sewing when the car came out of nowhere and crashed. The impact caused a thud sound on the window of the room where she was recording and objects mounted on the wall and the window fell off. Wesner froze for a few seconds and then went outside to help the driver. According to a report by CTV News, the blogger said, "All I saw were airbags. So I kept saying: Are you okay, Are you okay?" The driver appeared to be unhurt and was apologetic for the crash. Who is the driver? As per the CTV News report, the driver worked for a food delivery service. The police said the driver allegedly ran a stop sign and hit a drainage ditch that sent the car airborne, right into Wesner’s property. Police said if there was less of an incline, the car “would have hit the house.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'All I saw were airbags': US sewing blogger making social media video captures car crash in her yard

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was heckled as he was pouring a pint of beer at a beer festival in London on Tuesday (August 1). Prime Minister Sunak, who is a teetotaler, visited the Great British beer festival in West London. As he was pouring a pint of Black Dub stout, a person shouted: “Prime minister, oh the irony that you’re raising alcohol duty on the day that you’re pulling a pint.”

Another onlooker shouted at Sunak, who loves Coca-Cola, by saying, "Prime Minister, it's not Coca-Cola."

Here's a look at the video

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UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak heckled by a man over alcohol tak while pulling a beer pint at a beer festival<a href="https://twitter.com/KatiePilbeamTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KatiePilbeamTV</a> tells you more 
 
Watch more: <a href="https://t.co/AXC5qRugeb">https://t.co/AXC5qRugeb</a> <a href="https://t.co/EYK3hUqcIp">pic.twitter.com/EYK3hUqcIp</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1686668351504887808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

<h2>Who is the person that heckled Sunak?</h2>

The person who heckled the prime minister over raising the alcohol duty was 46-year-old Rudi Keyser, who runs a pub in Wimbledon in south-west London. According to a report by The Guardian, Keyser said he wanted to get across the message while Sunak was promoting a freeze on beer-based duty, this was not the case for some other drinks.

Keyser said that the number of breweries that shut down last year had been phenomenal. “Plus on 1 August – today – they are raising alcohol duty across the board significantly," he added.&nbsp;

“I run a pub as part of a big national chain and we’ve been bulk buying in the last two weeks to avoid the alcohol duty increase. And he has the audacity to come and pull a pint for PR,” the 46-year-old added.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Sunak has been insisting that businesses and consumers would benefit from the post-Brexit alcohol duty changes, despite the fact that charges for some drinks are increasing.&nbsp;

According to a report by The Telegraph, the system aims to encourage drinkers to cut back by taxing all alcohol based on its strength, rather than the previous categories of wine, beer, spirits, and ciders.

This would mean duty would increase overall.&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was heckled as he was pouring a pint of beer at a beer festival in London on Tuesday (August 1). Prime Minister Sunak, who is a teetotaler, visited the Great British beer festival in West London.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was heckled as he was pouring a pint of beer at a beer festival in London on Tuesday (August 1). Prime Minister Sunak, who is a teetotaler, visited the Great British beer festival in West London. As he was pouring a pint of Black Dub stout, a person shouted: “Prime minister, oh the irony that you’re raising alcohol duty on the day that you’re pulling a pint.” Another onlooker shouted at Sunak, who loves Coca-Cola, by saying, "Prime Minister, it's not Coca-Cola." Here's a look at the video UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak heckled by a man over alcohol tak while pulling a beer pint at a beer festival@KatiePilbeamTV tells you more Watch more: https://t.co/AXC5qRugeb pic.twitter.com/EYK3hUqcIp — WION (@WIONews) August 2, 2023 × Who is the person that heckled Sunak? The person who heckled the prime minister over raising the alcohol duty was 46-year-old Rudi Keyser, who runs a pub in Wimbledon in south-west London. According to a report by The Guardian, Keyser said he wanted to get across the message while Sunak was promoting a freeze on beer-based duty, this was not the case for some other drinks. Keyser said that the number of breweries that shut down last year had been phenomenal. “Plus on 1 August – today – they are raising alcohol duty across the board significantly," he added. “I run a pub as part of a big national chain and we’ve been bulk buying in the last two weeks to avoid the alcohol duty increase. And he has the audacity to come and pull a pint for PR,” the 46-year-old added. Prime Minister Sunak has been insisting that businesses and consumers would benefit from the post-Brexit alcohol duty changes, despite the fact that charges for some drinks are increasing. According to a report by The Telegraph, the system aims to encourage drinkers to cut back by taxing all alcohol based on its strength, rather than the previous categories of wine, beer, spirits, and ciders. This would mean duty would increase overall. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Oh the irony you're raising alcohol duty...': UK PM Sunak heckled while pouring a pint at beer festival

Officials in California discovered a large-scale illegal lab in a warehouse that had bioengineered mice, infectious agents, nearly 30 refrigerators and freezers, incubators, and more.

Officials in California discovered a large-scale illegal lab in a warehouse that had bioengineered mice, infectious agents, nearly 30 refrigerators and freezers, incubators, and more. According to a report by KTLA 5 News, the investigation was prompted by a simple garden hose that was illegally attached and coming out of a wall in the back of the building. Court documents filed at the Superior Court of the State of California said that the City of Reedley’s code enforcement team stumbled upon the lab last December, with a months-long investigation revealing that Prestige BioTech and Universal Meditech Inc. were holding vials of at least 20 infectious viruses, bacteria, and parasites – including Covid, E. Coli, and malaria. Speaking to KSEE, Joe Prado, the Assistant Director of the Fresno County Department of Public Health said, "There was over 800 different chemicals on site in different bottles of different acids. Unfortunately, a lot of these are being categorised under unknown chemicals. “A lot of these labels have been removed from bottles so there was only so much testing. We could do those chemicals,” Prado added. Nearly 1,000 lab mice discovered Officials discovered nearly 1,000 lab mice at the illegal lab of which 200 were dead. Prado also told KSEE the occupants of the warehouse claimed they were “doing some testing on laboratory mice that would help them support, developing the Covid test kits that they had on-site.” “I’ve never seen this in my 26-year career with the County of Fresno,” the official added. Reedley City Manager Nicole Zieba, meanwhile, said “There are no more biologicals. There are no more mice, but they still will see us abating, 30 freezers and fridges, medical equipment, and all sorts of furniture in there. They’ll still see some activity, nothing hazardous at this point." “This is an unusual situation. I’ve been in government for 25 years. I’ve never seen anything like this,” Zeiba added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Officials discover illegal lab in California with bioengineered mice, infectious agents

New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, one of the state's most prominent Black leaders, passed away on Tuesday (August 1) at the age of 71 after a sudden illness. Oliver was serving as New Jersey's acting governor while Governor Phil Murphy and his family were on vacation, Associated Press reported.&nbsp;

A statement from Murphy's office said that Oliver had been hospitalised on Monday at the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston with an undisclosed medical condition. Murphy said that he and his family were distraught at the news. Murphy added that naming Oliver as lieutenant governor was the best decision he ever made. While the governor was out of state, Oliver also oversaw the Department of Community Affairs, which coordinates state aid to towns and cities and supervises code enforcement.

<h2>First Black woman to hold statewide elected office in New Jersey</h2>

Sheila Oliver became the first Black woman to hold statewide elected office in New Jersey, winning the vote alongside Murphy in 2017 and again in 2021. Oliver made history in 2010 by becoming the first Black woman to lead the state Assembly. While serving as the acting governor, Oliver signed several bills into law.&nbsp;

In 2021, she signed a bill that established a pilot programme to overhaul the state’s juvenile justice system in four cities and which aimed to reintegrate young people into their communities. In the same year, she signed another measure that revived a defunct fund for “urban enterprise zones” aimed at driving economic development in cities through lower sales tax rates, the Associated Press report said.&nbsp;

<h2>'Devastating news'</h2>

Oliver's sudden illness and death have stunned officials. “This is devastating news. I am shocked at the passing of Lieutenant Governor Oliver. Sheila is a pathbreaker and has been one of the foremost leaders of our great state for decades. I am still processing this,” New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. said in a statement.&nbsp;

“She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of colour,” Governor Murphy said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Oliver's family, meanwhile, remembered her as “our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero.”

It is unclear who would succeed her. The state's constitution calls for Senate President Nicholas Scutari to serve as acting governor if the governor and lieutenant governor are out of state or incapacitated. The constitution requires Murphy to appoint Oliver’s successor within 45 days.

Murphy's spokesperson Mahen Gunaratna said the governor will be “returning soon” but didn’t specify when.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, one of the state's most prominent Black leaders, passed away on Tuesday (August 1) at the age of 71 after a sudden illness.

New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, one of the state's most prominent Black leaders, passed away on Tuesday (August 1) at the age of 71 after a sudden illness. Oliver was serving as New Jersey's acting governor while Governor Phil Murphy and his family were on vacation, Associated Press reported. A statement from Murphy's office said that Oliver had been hospitalised on Monday at the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston with an undisclosed medical condition. Murphy said that he and his family were distraught at the news. Murphy added that naming Oliver as lieutenant governor was the best decision he ever made. While the governor was out of state, Oliver also oversaw the Department of Community Affairs, which coordinates state aid to towns and cities and supervises code enforcement. First Black woman to hold statewide elected office in New Jersey Sheila Oliver became the first Black woman to hold statewide elected office in New Jersey, winning the vote alongside Murphy in 2017 and again in 2021. Oliver made history in 2010 by becoming the first Black woman to lead the state Assembly. While serving as the acting governor, Oliver signed several bills into law. In 2021, she signed a bill that established a pilot programme to overhaul the state’s juvenile justice system in four cities and which aimed to reintegrate young people into their communities. In the same year, she signed another measure that revived a defunct fund for “urban enterprise zones” aimed at driving economic development in cities through lower sales tax rates, the Associated Press report said. 'Devastating news' Oliver's sudden illness and death have stunned officials. “This is devastating news. I am shocked at the passing of Lieutenant Governor Oliver. Sheila is a pathbreaker and has been one of the foremost leaders of our great state for decades. I am still processing this,” New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. said in a statement. “She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of colour,” Governor Murphy said on Tuesday. Oliver's family, meanwhile, remembered her as “our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero.” It is unclear who would succeed her. The state's constitution calls for Senate President Nicholas Scutari to serve as acting governor if the governor and lieutenant governor are out of state or incapacitated. The constitution requires Murphy to appoint Oliver’s successor within 45 days. Murphy's spokesperson Mahen Gunaratna said the governor will be “returning soon” but didn’t specify when. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

New Jersey’s Lt Governor Sheila Oliver, a pioneering Black politician, dies at 71

Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza on Monday (July 31) lost an appeal against his 25-year-long treason sentence, according to a report by the RIA state news agency.

Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza on Monday (July 31) lost an appeal against his 25-year-long treason sentence, according to a report by the RIA state news agency. Kara-Murza, 41, was jailed for 25 years for treason and spreading "false information" about the ongoing war in Ukraine. He received the longest sentence against a Russian opposition figure in recent years, drawing immediate condemnation from Western countries. "The verdict of the Moscow City Court from April 17 shall be left unchanged," a Russian court said on Monday. The 41-year-old is one of a small number of prominent opposition figures who stayed in Russia and continued to speak out against President Vladimir Putin after Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine in February last year. Kara-Murza was jailed two months after the war started, and he was accused of spreading false information about the armed forces and declared a "foreign agent". In his last words in court in April, Kara-Murza stood by his political work, including his comments on the offensive in Ukraine. Kara-Murza's health worsens in prison Kara-Murza survived two poisoning attempts in 2015 and 2017. The opposition leader claimed the poisonings were orchestrated by Russian security services. He fell into a coma on both occasions before eventually recovering. Moscow has denied any involvement in the incidents He suffers from a nerve condition called polyneuropathy, which his lawyers say is due to the poisoning attempts. The condition has worsened in prison, one of his lawyers said. Days back, Russian prosecutors requested a jail term of 20 years for the already imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who also condemned the war in Ukraine. Navalny, who is Putin's most prominent critic, is expected to hear his verdict on August 4. Navalny was arrested in 2021 on his arrival in Moscow from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning attack that he blamed on Kremlin. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russian opposition leader Kara-Murza loses appeal against treason sentence

A bus carrying 48 tourists, including children, overturned on Monday (July 31) while it was headed to the Lakes of Covadonga in Asturias, northern Spain. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, there were no fatalities and the police said that some people were injured in the crash.

A bus carrying 48 tourists, including children, overturned on Monday (July 31) while it was headed to the Lakes of Covadonga in Asturias, northern Spain. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, there were no fatalities and the police said that some people were injured in the crash. A video from the police handout showed the overturned bus and people helping at the scene, while emergency services carried an injured passenger on a stretcher. "A bus that, as you know does the tourist route, has turned over. Possibly 40 people approximately have been affected, mostly children," Asturias regional leader Adrian Barbon said. "The seriousness of the injuries of those injured is being evaluated," Barbon said. "It seems some are in that situation which is not good news further to the accident itself which could have been a real tragedy as you will see from the pictures when you see them," the regional leader added. 10 hospitalised, seven of them with serious injuries: Police In a later update regarding the crash, a police spokesperson said that 10 people in total had been hospitalised, seven of them with serious injuries, though the condition of the remaining passengers was still unknown. There were also no details on the nationality of the passengers. Two women were being seen taken to different hospitals by helicopter. The bus belonging to the company ALSA was covering the route between Covadonga and the nearby glacial lakes in the Picos de Europa national park, known for its lush landscapes and rich wildlife. This accident in Spain comes over two months after a bus overturned in Huelva on May 1, killing a 40-year-old Moroccan seasonal worker and injuring 24 others. The bus overturned on the A-484 road in the municipality of Almonte. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Spain: Tourist bus carrying 48 crashes in Asturias

Amid the ongoing coup in Niger, ousted president Mohamed Bazoum was seen for the first time on Monday (July 31) since the military detained him last week. Bazoum met Chad's leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, in Niger's capital, Niamey, according to a report by BBC.

Amid the ongoing coup in Niger, ousted president Mohamed Bazoum was seen for the first time on Monday (July 31) since the military detained him last week. Bazoum met Chad's leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, in Niger's capital, Niamey, according to a report by BBC. Itno, who also met the coup leaders, is spearheading mediation efforts after West African leaders gave Niger's military seven days to give up power. The details of the meeting are not yet known, but Itno's office released a photo of him sitting next to Niger's ousted president. The military junta seized power in Niger last Wednesday (July 26), and on Friday, General Abdourahamane Tiani was made the new head of the state. Also read | Niger nuclear reserves: How this coup can throw Europe into deep energy crisis General Tiani was the head of the presidential guard that shut Bazoum in his palace and then said it had ousted him because of bad governance and worsening security. A day back, leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), held an emergency summit over the coup and gave Niger military leaders one week to reinstate Bazoum or face sanctions and other harsh measures. Junta arresting ministers: Bazoum's party On Monday, ousted president Bazoum's party - the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS) - said that the junta was arresting ministers in his cabinet. "After the president was detained last week, the putschists went on the attack again and carried out more arrests," the PNDS told the news agency AFP. The party said that on Monday morning, Niger's Oil Minister Mahamane Sani Mahamadou, and Mining Minister Ousseini Hadizatou were arrested. The head of PNDS's national executive committee, Fourmakoye Gado, was also arrested, it added. Earlier, the junta arrested Interior Minister Hama Amadou Souley, Transport Minister Oumarou Malam Alma, and Kalla Moutari, an MP and former defence minister. Calling for the immediate release of the politicians, the PNDS said that Niger risked becoming a "dictatorial and totalitarian regime." Sanctions disastrous for country: Niger PM Reacting to the threat of sanctions from West African leaders, Niger's Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou said on Monday that the sanctions would be "disastrous" as the country "relies heavily on its partnership with the International Community". "Turning one's back on this aid is suicide," Prime Minister Mahamadou told France24. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Niger coup: Ousted president Bazoum seen for first time since detention, meets Chad's leader

The air forces of China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will conduct their first joint training in China's Xinjiang in August. According to a statement from the Chinese defence ministry on Monday (July 31), the FALCON Shield-2023 training aims to deepen pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries and enhance mutual understanding and trust.

The air forces of China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will conduct their first joint training in China's Xinjiang in August. According to a statement from the Chinese defence ministry on Monday (July 31), the FALCON Shield-2023 training aims to deepen pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries and enhance mutual understanding and trust. The exact dates of the training, the size of the contingent, or the scope of the training are not yet known. Xinjiang has hosted combined military exercises earlier as well. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the infantries of China and other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation bloc trained in Korla in 2016. And the following year, China trained in Xinjiang with Pakistan’s air force in Xinjiang. The joint training between China and the UAE comes months after the latter signed up to buy several L-15 advanced training jets from China. As per the SCMP report, the UAE has been using combat drones from China. In 2017, the UAE bought Blue Arrow 7 anti-tank missiles from China for use on its Wing Loong 2 fleet, the report said, citing the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The UAE has also been planning to buy CR500 Golden Eagle helicopter drones made by Norinco, a Chinese state-owned defence contractor. China offers to hold joint drills with the Philippines On July 27, the Chinese government offered to hold joint military exercises with the Philippines. According to local media, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Romeo Brawner will study the offer which was presented to him by China's ambassador to Manila. "They said they submitted some white papers, we have to study," Brawner said. No further details about the proposed military exercises are yet known. The offer (from China) came heightened tensions between the countries over what Manila describes as China's "aggressive" activities in the South China Sea. China has longstanding territorial disputes in the South China Sea with several countries in the region, including the Philippines. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Air forces of China, UAE to conduct first joint training in August

China's State Council on Monday (July 31) issued measures to restore and expand consumption in the automobile, real estate, and services sectors. The measures are being issued to give full play to the fundamental role of consumption in economic development.

China's State Council on Monday (July 31) issued measures to restore and expand consumption in the automobile, real estate, and services sectors. The measures are being issued to give full play to the fundamental role of consumption in economic development. In a document, the State Council said that in order to promote purchase of new energy vehicles, the government would improve the infrastructure for charging. It will support housing demand by expanding the supply of affordable rental housing. It will also encourage tourism by asking local governments to cut admission fees at scenic areas or even make them free during low periods. Speaking to state broadcaster CCTV, officials from the National Development and Reform Commission said it will take the summer, mid-autumn, and National Day holidays as an opportunity to expand holiday consumption. Govt to focus on boosting domestic demand The development comes a week after top Chinese leaders pledged to step up policy support for the economy focusing on boosting domestic demand. The Chinese economy, the second-largest in the world, grew at a frail pace in the second quarter as demand weakened at home and abroad. According to a report by the Xinhua news agency on July 24, the country's Politburo (a top decision-making body of the ruling party) said the government would step up economic policy adjustments, focusing on expanding domestic demand, boosting confidence, and preventing risks. "Currently, China's economy is facing new difficulties and challenges, which mainly arise from insufficient domestic demand, difficulties in the operation of some enterprises, risks and hidden dangers in key areas, as well as a grim and complex external environment," the Politburo was quoted as saying, after a meeting chaired by President Xi Jinping. The top decision-making body added that the government would implement its macro adjustments "in a precise and forceful manner" and strengthen counter-cyclical adjustments as it sticks with a prudent monetary policy and proactive fiscal policy. Though China is being seen on track to hit its modest 2023 growth target of around 5%, there were risks of annual goals being missed for the second year in a row, analysts said. Analysts pointed out that policymakers are unlikely to deliver any aggressive stimulus due to worries about growing debt risks. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China launches steps to expand consumption in automobile, real estate sectors

One person was killed and 12 others were injured in a bomb blast near the Thanlwin bridge checkpoint on Monday (July 31). According to a report by the news agency AFP, a government official from the Karen State administration council said the blast from a vehicle detonated near the checkpoint at around 6.

One person was killed and 12 others were injured in a bomb blast near the Thanlwin bridge checkpoint on Monday (July 31). According to a report by the news agency AFP, a government official from the Karen State administration council said the blast from a vehicle detonated near the checkpoint at around 6.50 am local time (0020 GMT). "About 13 people including passengers and security members there were injured. One died from those injuries when they arrived at hospital," the official, who requested anonymity, added. The official did not elaborate further. The checkpoint is known for its strict security. The report said that no group claimed responsibility for the attack. More details are awaited. Violent clashes in Myanmar ramped up since the military deposed Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government in February 2021, unleashing a crackdown on dissent that has left thousands dead. The junta has been battling anti-coup "People's Defence Force" (PDF) militias, as well as long-established ethnic rebel armies. Three students killed in military raid This explosion comes three days after three students were killed in an early morning military raid in the country's northwest. Taking to Facebook, the All-Burma Federation of Student Unions that these students were killed last Friday (July 28) in a raid on an office where activists stayed in the Sagaing region's Budalin township. Speaking to AFP, A local villager who declined to be named due to fear of reprisals said the three student activists, aged late teens to early 20s, died from stab wounds. "They stabbed knives into their chests. They cut out their tongues," the villager added. Junta extends state of emergency, polls likely to be delayed Also on Monday, the junta extended Myanmar's state of emergency by six months, likely delaying the elections which were supposed to be held in August. Acting president Myint Swe announced the decision to prolong the state of emergency for another six months, AFP reported citing local media. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Myanmar: One killed, 12 wounded in blast near Thanlwin bridge checkpoint

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