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Every weekend, Asia Pacific Daily will provide you with a run-down of the latest hot news.
This week, the following hot news you should know:
Top 1 | Sudan's RSF claims full control of presidential palace
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of Sudan said it has fully controlled the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum, after claiming control of the Khartoum Airport, according to a statement issued on Saturday.
Top 2 | Brazilian President Lula's visit to China marks a new era of cooperation
President Lula's visit to China highlights the fact that the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) have emerged as a strong force in global politics over the past few years. Since the group's establishment in 2009, these countries, which account for more than 40% of the world's population and a substantial portion of global GDP, have been gaining international prominence.
China, as the largest economy in the BRICS group, has played a particularly important role in driving this transformation promoting development and economic cooperation among its members. Through its leadership, China has been able to drive transformational initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to boost trade and investment along a network of land and sea routes. Additionally, China has strongly advocated for greater cooperation and coordination on trade, investment, and technology transfer issues among the member countries. It is evident that China's active role in the BRICS group has been critical in shaping the group's agenda and future direction.
Top 3 | Putin meets Chinese defense minister in Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Li Shangfu in Moscow on Sunday.
Putin said military cooperation between Russia and China is an important part of bilateral ties and he hoped that the two militaries would strengthen cooperation in joint exercises and training as well as professional exchanges to deepen strategic mutual trust.
Li said China is willing to work with the Russian side to fully implement the consensus of the two heads of state, further enhance strategic communication between the two militaries, strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation, and make new contributions to the maintenance of world and regional security and stability.
Top 4 |** Yemen's warring factions conclude large-scale prisoner swap**
In a significant step toward resolving the protracted conflict in Yemen, the country's warring factions successfully completed a massive exchange of prisoners on Sunday, with a total of 887 detainees swapped over three consecutive days.
Yahya Kazman, chief of the negotiation committee from the internationally-recognized Yemeni government, said the third and final batch of the swap took place successfully on Sunday, with the arrival of three simultaneous Red Cross flights at the airport of Sanaa and the airport of Tadween in Marib, central Yemen.
Over the past three days, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations have facilitated the transportation of hundreds of prisoners between Yemen's regions and Saudi Arabia via various airports.
Top 5 | Japanese PM unharmed after explosion at Wakayama speech site, suspect arrested
A loud explosion was heard at a fishing port in western Japan during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit on Saturday morning, reported NHK.
Kishida was unharmed and was safely escorted out of the site shortly after the incident.
The prime minister was visiting the port in Saikazaki, Wakayama City. He was due to give a speech when the blast was heard, according to media reports.
Local police said a man was arrested at the scene, and there were no injuries.
Top 6 | UK parliament commissioner opens probe into PM Sunak
The British parliament's Commissioner for Standards opened an investigation into Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier this month, according to a list of open inquiries posted on its website on Monday.
The list said the matter under investigation was a "declaration of interest". The inquiry began on April 13.
A spokesperson for Sunak said the investigation was linked to his wife's shareholding in a childcare firm.
Top 7 |** Mike Pompeo announces 2024 presidential decision**
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Friday he will not seek the Republican nomination for president of the United States in 2024.
Pompeo first told "Special Report" he and his wife Susan considered the prospect for months before ultimately concluding it is will not be the course of action at this time.
"I have made a decision," he said. "We have prayerfully come to the conclusion we are not going to join the race in 2024. While, we care deeply about America and the issues I've been talking about for the past year and half and frankly for decades matter an awful lot – this isn't our moment."
Top 8 | UN chief demands 'justice without delay' for staff deaths in Sudan
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday condemned clashes in Sudan that have left dozens of civilians dead including three workers for the global body's food agency, demanding swift justice over the killings.
Guterres "strongly condemns the deaths and injuries of civilians, including the death of three staff members of the World Food Programme in North Darfur, with a further two seriously injured," the UN chief's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement, adding: "those responsible should be brought to justice without delay."
Top 9 | UN envoy says Yemen at 'critical juncture' for peace
One year on since the parties in Yemen agreed to a truce, the country is again at a critical juncture with unprecedented chance for peace, a United Nations envoy said on Monday.
On April 2, 2022, the Yemeni government and the Houthi militia agreed upon a two-month truce brokered by the United Nations, which was later renewed twice through Oct. 2. However, Yemen's warring sides have failed to reach an agreement on further extension.
Briefing a Security Council meeting, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg pointed out that the truce has continued to deliver well beyond its expiration six months ago, and the parties are engaging on next steps.
Top 10 | Syrian president meets with Saudi foreign minister
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with visiting Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Damascus on Tuesday.
Faisal's visit to Damascus on Tuesday afternoon marks the first visit by a senior Saudi official to Syria in 12 years, following Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad's recent visit to Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to restore normal relations between the two countries.
President Assad told Faisal that the reconciliation between Syria and Saudi Arabia will have positive effects not only on both countries, but also on the wider Arab region, according to a report by the Syrian presidency's media office.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
