日: 2024年5月18日

1. The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has dismissed allegations that Pyongyang is exploring the possibility of exporting weapons to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine.　　 2. Slovakia’s Interior Minister has said the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday was a politically motivated assassination attempt. Defense Minister Robert Kalinak said the medical team managed to stabilize Fico, but that he is still not out of danger. 3. Chinese exports to Russia of nitrocellulose – a dual-use material that can be used to produce ammunition – have surged since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. NHK analyzed data published by China’s customs authorities dating back to 2015. It found there were hardly any nitrocellulose exports to Russia between 2015 and 2021. But these exports jumped from May 2022, three months after Russia invaded Ukraine.

1. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have confirmed the importance of bilateral cooperation at their summit in Beijing. Chinese media reported that Xi congratulated Putin on his fifth term when they met on Thursday afternoon. Xi said Russia will surely make new and greater progress in national development under Putin’s leadership. 2. Chinese exports to Russia of nitrocellulose – a dual-use material that can be used to produce ammunition –have surged since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. Nitrocellulose is a highly flammable compound that is used in the production of paint, varnish and ink, as well as ammunition.
3. Tokyo police have sent papers to prosecutors on a man who allegedly used camera-equipped smart glasses to cheat on an entrance exam at Waseda University. The 18-year-old was a high school senior when the alleged cheating took place in February of this year.