🇨🇳🇦🇺 China's warships encircle Australia

A flotilla of three Chinese navy ships sailed around Australia for nearly a month, moving in and out of its exclusive economic zone, conducting live-fire drills and forcing civilian flights to reroute.

China's two warships had 144 missile launchers, while Australia's entire fleet of 10 warships had only 200. Australia's two fuel tankers, crucial for long-range operations, were out of commission.

Australia's navy is old and dependent on the United States.

🔗 Clash Report

🇯🇵🔥📝 — Political Crisis in Japan as Prime-Minister Shingeru Ishiba is now accused of election laws violations and bribery, reports NHK News

➡️ It has come to light that the office of Prime Minister Ishiba gave gift certificates worth 100,000 yen each to the Liberal Democratic Party's one-term House of Representatives members who attended a dinner party at the Prime Minister's official residence earlier this month.

➡️ According to a government source, all of the gifts have since been returned.

➡️ On the 3rd of this month, Prime Minister Ishiba had dinner with 15 once-reelected members of the House of Representatives at the Prime Minister's Official Residence.

A government official explained,

"The money was spent from Prime Minister Ishiba's own pocket, so we don't think there is anything illegal about it. The official thought was that it might help pay for the suit."

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🇷🇺📞🇺🇸 — Russian State Media reports that Russian Federation president Vladimir Putin said that he could call Trump to discuss the idea of ​​a truce.

🇷🇺📞🇺🇸🇺🇦 — TASS, quoting Putin:

Russia is for a ceasefire, but there are nuances, including the Kursk region, Putin said.

It is in Ukraine's interests to achieve a 30-day ceasefire given that all of its military personnel in the Kursk region are blocked, the head of the Russian Federation noted.

🇺🇦📞🇺🇸🇪🇺 — If Russia and the United States reach an agreement on energy, Europe will be able to receive cheap Russian gas again, Putin said.

🇷🇺❌🇺🇦 — Ukraine can use the 30-day ceasefire to "obtain weapons or force mobilization", Putin claims to TASS.

🇷🇺📞🇺🇸🇺🇦 — Vladimir Putin says he agrees with proposals for ceasefire - but adds he has questions and Russia 'now on offensive in all areas'

🔗 Sky News (@SkyNews)

🇷🇺❌🇺🇦🇺🇸 — Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov said that Russia does not want a temporary ceasefire in the war it has unleashed against Ukraine - like the one proposed by US & accepted by Ukraine - but is interested in a long-term settlement.