July 1, Friday, 2022 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline read by Ms. Keiko Kitagawa

1.The former British colony of Hong Kong is marking 25 years since its return to Chinese rule. Anniversary events have kicked off, and China’s president is making his first visit since 2017. Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the “one country, two systems” policy has been recognized as a success.
2.Russia’s forces are intensifying their offensive in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, while Ukraine says it has taken back a key island in the Black Sea. The city of Lysychansk in Luhansk has been coming under heavy attacks. According to the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, Ukrainian troops have recaptured Snake Island. This island off the coast of Odesa in southern Ukraine was seen as a key stronghold of the Russian troops.
3.The Russian government will establish a new firm that will take over the operation of the Sakhalin-2 oil and natural gas development project. Japanese companies are major stakeholders in the project.