Questions To The Government - Paris

French Junior Minister of Autonomy Brigitte Bourguignon and French Education, Youth and Sports Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer during a session of questions to the government at the National Assembly in Paris, France, on June 8, 2021. Photo by Eliot Blondet/ABACAPRESS.COM

Questions to the Government - National Assembly - Paris

Christian Jacob during a session of questions to the government at the National Assembly in Paris on June 22, 2021. Photo By Eliot Blondet / ABACAPRESS.COM

US: Protests Continue Nationwide In Support Of Abortion Rights 3

Protests continued outside the U.S. Supreme Court and in large and small cities across the nation on Saturday, June 25, following the court's decision overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion ruling.

Norway: Hundreds Join Pride Parade In Oslo After Deadly Shooting

Hundreds of people joined a Pride Parade in Norway’s capital on Saturday, June 25, despite cancellations of all LGBTQ events in Oslo after a deadly shooting.

US: Protesters March On 110 Freeway In DTLA After Supreme Court Overturns Roe V. Wade

Following the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24, crowds of people marched on the 110 freeway in Downtown Los Angeles to protest, temporarily blocking traffic.

US: Protests Continue Nationwide In Support Of Abortion Rights 2

Protests continued outside the U.S. Supreme Court and in large and small cities across the nation on Saturday, June 25, following the court's decision overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion ruling.

US: Protests Erupt Nationwide After Supreme Court Overturns Roe V. Wade Ruling 5

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion ruling on Friday, June 24, prompting nationwide protests. Supporters opposing abortion celebrated their victory, and pro-choice protesters criticized the court's decision.

US: Protests Continue Nationwide In Support Of Abortion Rights

Protests continued outside the U.S. Supreme Court and in large and small cities across the nation on Saturday, June 25, following the court's decision overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion ruling.

US: Man Climbs Frederick Douglass Bridge In DC To Protest Supreme Court Decision

A pro-abortion protester with a green flag that reads "don't tread on my uterus" climbed on top of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 24, in protest against the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Bosnia And Herzegovina: 2022 Pride Parade In Sarajevo

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted the Pride Parade on Saturday, June 25. Thousands of people marched through the city to celebrate diversity and equality.

US: Police Declare Riots In Major Cities After Protests Over Abortion Ruling Turn Violent

Massive protests erupted across the US on Friday, June 24, in response to the supreme court decision overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion ruling. Protests turned violent in major cities, armed police were dispatched to disperse demonstrators, and parts of rioters were arrested.

GLOBALink|China passes new law to strengthen black soil protection

China's top legislature on Friday passed a law on black soil conservation, as part of efforts to ensure the country's grain security and protect the ecosystem. The law, adopted after a vote at the closing meeting of the 35th standing committee session of the 13th National People's Congress, addresses the country's need for measures designed to specifically protect the black soil. The black soil, or chernozem soil, found in China's northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning and in some parts of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, produces about a quarter of the country's total grain output, making it crucial to China's food supply. However, excessive reclamation has eroded the soil's nutrients and its chernozem layer is thinning out, posing a threat to the country's ecological security and sustainable agricultural development. Consisting of 38 provisions, the law specifies the responsibilities of the government and "agricultural production operators" to protect the black soil. The law require

Russia takes full control of Severodonetsk

STORY: Russia takes full control of Severodonetsk DATELINE: June 26, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:10 LOCATION: Kiev CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: various of street view in Russiavarious of street view in Ukraine STORYLINE: The Russian military on Saturday announced full control of Severodonetsk, the administrative center of the Ukraine-controlled part of the eastern Lugansk region. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said that with the support of Russian troops, the forces of Lugansk launched "a successful offensive" and "completely liberated" the cities of Severodonetsk and Borovskoye as well as two settlements in Lugansk. The Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency reported, citing Severodonetsk Mayor Oleksandr Stryuk, "the city is already completely occupied by the Russian Federation. They are trying to establish their order." Stryuk said civilians, who had been sheltering at the Azot chemical plant, began to leave the plant, adding that there was enough medicine in the city

New Zealand observer impressed by CPC's outstanding service to Chinese people

STORY: New Zealand observer impressed by CPC's outstanding service to Chinese people DATELINE: June 26, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:20 LOCATION: Wellington CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: SOUNDBITE (English): DAVE BROMWICH, President of New Zealand China Friendship Society STORYLINE: "In many respects, the democratic system in China is superior to the so-called liberal democracies of the West," said a New Zealand observer. Impressions on China's governing party, CPC SOUNDBITE (English): DAVE BROMWICH, President of New Zealand China Friendship Society "From the first time I went to China in 1991, right through to now, the changes I've seen and the disposable income and activities of Chinese people, are incredible really. My feeling about the Communist Party of China and the government of China, I very quickly came up with one word and I haven't been able to replace it, and that word is 'service.' Why service? Because China has developed so fast and taken all of its population with it. The government is the people. The

US: Protests Erupt Nationwide After Supreme Court Overturns Roe V. Wade Ruling 4

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion ruling on Friday, June 24, prompting nationwide protests. Supporters opposing abortion celebrated their victory, and pro-choice protesters criticized the court's decision.

US: Protests Erupt Nationwide After Supreme Court Overturns Roe V. Wade Ruling 3

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion ruling on Friday, June 24, prompting nationwide protests. Supporters opposing abortion celebrated their victory, and pro-choice protesters criticized the court's decision.

US: Protests Erupt Nationwide After Supreme Court Overturns Roe V. Wade Ruling 2

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion ruling on Friday, June 24, prompting nationwide protests. Supporters opposing abortion celebrated their victory, and pro-choice protesters criticized the court's decision.

US: Protests Erupt Nationwide After Supreme Court Overturns Roe V. Wade Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion ruling on Friday, June 24, prompting nationwide protests. Supporters opposing abortion celebrated their victory, and pro-choice protesters criticized the court's decision.

US: Protests Erupt In DC After Supreme Court Overturns Roe V. Wade

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling on Friday, June 24, and thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the court. Protesters opposing abortion erupted into cheers, while pro-choice protesters criticized the decision.

UK to invest over 370 mln pounds in global food security

STORY: UK to invest over 370 mln pounds in global food security DATELINE: June 25, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:52 LOCATION: Kigali CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of flags of commonwealth countries 2. various of arrival of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson 3. various of participants STORYLINE: The UK is to invest over 370 million pounds in global food security this year, its Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday. Opening the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda's capital city Kigali, Johnson deplored interruption in global food supplies caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The UK is to invest over 370 million pounds in global food security this year, including 130 million pounds to the World Food Program, he said. Johnson also urged Commonwealth nations to give every girl child a chance to be in school, describing it as the "silver bullet" that will solve an array of problems and transform countless lives. Heads of governments from 54 Commonwealth countries are discussing wa

Ulan Bator Grand Slam of judo kicks off in Mongolia

STORY: Ulan Bator Grand Slam of judo kicks off in Mongolia DATELINE: June 25, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:10 LOCATION: Ulan Bator CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Ulan Bator Grand Slam 2022 STORYLINE: The Ulan Bator Grand Slam 2022 kicked off in Mongolia's capital on Friday. A total of 255 judokas from 30 countries and regions are competing in the tournament which is being co-organized by the Mongolian Judo Association, the International Judo Federation, and the municipal government of Mongolia's capital Ulan Bator. The tournament is the first qualifying round for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and has a total prize fund of 154,000 euros. The event is scheduled to finish on Sunday. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ulan Bator. (XHTV)

Ecuador: Anti-Government Indigenous Activists Protest Outside National Assembly 2

A group of indigenous protesters took to the streets on Thursday, June 23, to protest against the government of President Guillermo Lasso, demanding to agree to their list of economic and social demands. Parts of protesters tried to enter the National Assembly in Quito, and the security forces responded with tear gas.

US: MBTA Suspends Orange And Green Line Service Due To Structural Issue

The MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) suspended its service partially on the Orange and Green Lines due to a structural issue at the Government Center Garage on Thursday, June 23, during the evening commute.

Ecuador: Anti-Government Indigenous Activists Protest Outside National Assembly

A group of indigenous protesters took to the streets on Thursday, June 23, to protest against the government of President Guillermo Lasso, demanding to agree to their list of economic and social demands. Parts of protesters tried to enter the National Assembly in Quito, and the security forces responded with tear gas.

South Koreans hold anti-THAAD protest near presidential office

STORY: South Koreans hold anti-THAAD protest near presidential office DATELINE: June 24, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:03 LOCATION: Seoul CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1.various of protesters 2.various of Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony 3.various of protesters STORYLINE: South Korean residents and peace activists rallied near the presidential office in central Seoul Thursday to protest against the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in the country. The protesters said that all the procedures of the U.S. missile shield deployment have been abnormal and illegal, given the deployment decision without consent from residents and the parliament, the absence of environmental effect assessment, and the operation and the site construction under the name of "temporary deployment." The government of President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office on May 10, has decided to speed up the "normalization" of the THAAD deployment site. The protesters said the formal THAAD deployment under the name of n

Tokyo Gov. Koike

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike speaks at a regular press conference at the metropolitan government headquarters in the Japanese capital on June 24, 2022.

Ethnic minority sports games held in Xinjiang to protect cultural heritage

STORY: Ethnic minority sports games held in Xinjiang to protect cultural heritage DATELINE: June 24, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:22 LOCATION: BOLE, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: various of traditional ethnic minority sports games STORYLINE: Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of Bortala in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region held its first traditional ethnic minority sports games in Bole City from Wednesday to Friday. The event saw participation of five teams with 431 athletes. During the three-day games, athletes competed in 12 events, including horse racing, camel racing, wrestling, and archery. In recent years, the local government has been promoting traditional sports vigorously to protect and carry forward cultural heritage and boost mutual understanding among ethnic groups. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Bole, China. (XHTV)

Netherlands: Farmers Protest Government’s Nitrogen Emission Plans Fearing Livestock Cut 3

Thousands of farmers drove their tractors across the Netherlands to protest against the government's plans to cut nitrogen oxide and ammonia emissions which could make many farmers drastically reduce their number of livestock. The protesting farmers caused traffic chaos on highways as they arrived in the agricultural village of Stroe, about 70km east of Amsterdam.

Netherlands: Farmers Protest Government’s Nitrogen Emission Plans Fearing Livestock Cut 2

Thousands of farmers drove their tractors across the Netherlands to protest against the government's plans to cut nitrogen oxide and ammonia emissions which could make many farmers drastically reduce their number of livestock. The protesting farmers caused traffic chaos on highways as they arrived in the agricultural village of Stroe, about 70km east of Amsterdam.

Netherlands: Farmers Protest Government’s Nitrogen Emission Plans Fearing Livestock Cut

Thousands of farmers drove their tractors across the Netherlands to protest against the government's plans to cut nitrogen oxide and ammonia emissions which could make many farmers drastically reduce their number of livestock. The protesting farmers caused traffic chaos on highways as they arrived in the agricultural village of Stroe, about 70km east of Amsterdam.

Indonesia to provide 28 mln vaccine doses against foot-and-mouth disease

STORY: Indonesia to provide 28 mln vaccine doses against foot-and-mouth disease DATELINE: June 23, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:00 LOCATION: Jakarta CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. shot of coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto (Courtesy of Antara) 2. various of the livestock vaccinated (Courtesy of Antara) STORYLINE: A total of 28 million doses of vaccines will be provided for livestock across Indonesia in a bid to overcome the re-emergence of the deadly foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a minister said here on Wednesday. The budget for the livestock vaccination campaign is being prepared, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said, adding that the government has imported at least 3 million vaccine doses and distributed them to the worst-affected regions. "We will continue to increase the number up to 28 million vaccine doses. Healthy animals are vaccinated while sick animals are treated," said the minister. As of Tuesday, the viral disease has spread across 208 munici

ETHIOPIA-ADDIS ABABA-CHINA-HORN OF AFRICA-PEACE, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

(220622) -- ADDIS ABABA, June 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Redwan Hussien (1st L, Rear), the national security advisor to the Ethiopian Prime Minister, delivers a speech during the First China-Horn of Africa Peace, Good Governance and Development Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 20, 2022. The First China-Horn of Africa Peace, Good Governance and Development Conference presents an opportunity for countries in the region to consolidate peace, security and development efforts, a senior Ethiopian government official has said. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde) TO GO WITH China-HOA peace conference presents opportunity to consolidate regional stability, development efforts: Ethiopian official

Israeli parliament moves forward bill to dissolve

STORY: Israeli parliament moves forward bill to dissolve DATELINE: June 23, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:31 LOCATION: Jerusalem CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Israeli parliament members voting on the bills (courtesy of the Knesset channel) STORYLINE: Israeli lawmakers voted in favor of a bill to dissolve parliament in a preliminary vote on Wednesday, taking the first step in sending the country for its fifth elections in three years. The vote, the first in a series of four votes before the formal dissolution of the parliament, gained an overwhelming majority of 110 lawmakers in the 120-member parliament. The final vote is expected to take place next week. The motion was presented two days after Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his main partner Foreign Minister Yair Lapid announced they were disbanding their coalition government, which is made up of eight ideological diverse parties, only a year after its inauguration. The coalition has been struggling for its political survival since it los

HKSAR LegCo president confident of enhanced executive-legislature relationship

STORY: HKSAR LegCo president confident of enhanced executive-legislature relationship DATELINE: June 22, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:43 LOCATION: HONG KONG, China CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Hong Kong 2. various of the headquarters of LegCo 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ANDREW LEUNG KWAN-YUEN, President of LegCo of HKSAR 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ANDREW LEUNG KWAN-YUEN, President of LegCo of HKSAR 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): ANDREW LEUNG KWAN-YUEN, President of LegCo of HKSAR 6. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): ANDREW LEUNG KWAN-YUEN, President of LegCo of HKSAR STORYLINE: President of the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the HKSAR, Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, has expressed optimism about positive interactions between the HKSAR government and the legislature. Leung has served as a LegCo member for five terms. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ANDREW LEUNG KWAN-YUEN, President of LegCo of HKSAR "During certain periods of the fourth-term, fifth-term and sixth-term LegCos, opposition lawmakers made every effort to undermine the

Malaysian PM unveils measures to ease rising food prices

STORY: Malaysian PM unveils measures to ease rising food prices DATELINE: June 23, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:56 LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: various of a shopping mall in Malaysiavarious of street view in Malaysia STORYLINE: Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob unveiled measures on Wednesday, aimed at easing the rising cost of living, as the country copes with increased food prices. Among these is an increase in cash aid for lower-income households, in view of the removal of certain subsidies and ceiling prices including for bottled cooking oil, he said in a televised speech. The prime minister said the government will continue to subsidize cooking oil sold in polymer bags, with 4 billion ringgit (0.9 billion U.S. dollars) set aside for the purpose this year, up from 500 million ringgit in 2020 and 2.2 billion ringgit in 2021. He also said 8.6 million people will be targeted for cash aid to cope with the rising cost of living, amounting to 1.74 billion ringgit which will

Italy fears summer COVID-19 wave as cases rise

STORY: Italy fears summer COVID-19 wave as cases rise DATELINE: June 23, 2022 LENGTH: 0:03:10 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of tourists in seaside resorts 2. various of tourists in historical sites in Rome STORYLINE: COVID-19 cases are again surging in Italy, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday, fueling fears of a fresh wave of the pandemic during the summer tourist season. The government reported on Wednesday nearly 54,000 new infections over the previous 24 hours. A day earlier, there were 62,704 new infections. Accordingly, the past two days produced the highest back-to-back figures in the country since late April. Italy's seven-day case count is set to increase for the third consecutive week after eight weeks of decline. The daily infection figures are still far below the peaks of more than 200,000 cases registered in January. The country recorded 50 new deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, down from 62 on Tuesday. Despite the recent increase in infections, healt

PAKISTAN-PESHAWAR-PRE-MONSOON RAIN

(220621) -- PESHAWAR, June 21, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Vehicles move on a flooded road after pre-monsoon rains in Peshawar, Pakistan, on June 21, 2022. A recent spell of heavy pre-monsoon rains has wreaked havoc in parts of Pakistan, leaving at least 26 people killed and several injured as well as damaging infrastructure and standing crops, government officials said on Tuesday. (Str/Xinhua)

PAKISTAN-PESHAWAR-PRE-MONSOON RAIN

(220621) -- PESHAWAR, June 21, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Vehicles move on a flooded road after pre-monsoon rains in Peshawar, Pakistan, on June 21, 2022. A recent spell of heavy pre-monsoon rains has wreaked havoc in parts of Pakistan, leaving at least 26 people killed and several injured as well as damaging infrastructure and standing crops, government officials said on Tuesday. (Str/Xinhua)

Egypt, Saudi sign 7.7-bln-USD investment deals

STORY: Egypt, Saudi sign 7.7-bln-USD investment deals DATELINE: June 22, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:35 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. shots of Egypt and Saudi Arabia signing investment agreements 2. Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih speaking 3. shots of a press conference 4. Mohamed Abdel-Fattah El-Masry, the vice-president of the Egyptian Federation for Commercial Chambers speaking 5. shots of a press conference STORYLINE: Egypt and Saudi Arabia signed 14 investment deals valued at 7.7 billion U.S. dollars in Cairo during the state visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the Egyptian government said Tuesday. The agreements covered the fields of food and pharmaceutical industries, infrastructure, renewable energy, green hydrogen, e-commerce, digital finance, and information services, said a government statement. Almost half of the agreements were signed with Ajlan and Bros, a Saudi conglomerate, one of which focuses on building a petrochemical s

Death toll of Afghanistan's quake reaches 920: official

STORY: Death toll of Afghanistan's quake reaches 920: official DATELINE: June 22, 2022 LENGTH: 0:00:22 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: OTHERS SHOTLIST: STANDUP (Chinese): ZOU XUEMIAN, Xinhua correspondent STORYLINE: A disaster official said that the death toll from an earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan early Wednesday has reached 920, while 610 people were injured, adding the number of casualties might further rise. STANDUP (Chinese): ZOU XUEMIAN, Xinhua correspondent "I'm reporting from Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan early on Wednesday. According to Afghanistan's Taliban-led caretaker government, so far, at least 920 people have been killed, while 610 people were injured. The quake has caused land sliding in eastern Afghanistan and damaged dozens of houses in the region." Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kabul. (XHTV)

Israel heading to new elections after shaky coalition collapses

STORY: Israel heading to new elections after shaky coalition collapses DATELINE: June 22, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:54 LOCATION: Jerusalem CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): KEREN SETTON, Xinhua reporter 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Hebrew): NAFTALI BENNETT, Israeli Prime Minister 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Hebrew): BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, Israeli opposition leader 4. various of the first cabinet meeting 5. various of West Bank 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): YONATAN FREEMAN, Department of Political Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem STORYLINE: Israel's Prime Minister's Office said on Monday that the Israeli coalition government will vote to dissolve the parliament next week, sending the country to the fifth elections in three years. STANDUP (English): KEREN SETTON, Xinhua reporter "Israel's fragile coalition announced it will dissolve the parliament later this week, plunging the country into its fifth election campaign within three years. New elections will likely be held at the end of October 2022." Prime Minister N

PAKISTAN-PESHAWAR-PRE-MONSOON RAIN

(220621) -- PESHAWAR, June 21, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A man rides on a motorbike during a pre-monsoon rain in Peshawar, Pakistan, on June 21, 2022. A recent spell of heavy pre-monsoon rains has wreaked havoc in parts of Pakistan, leaving at least 26 people killed and several injured as well as damaging infrastructure and standing crops, government officials said on Tuesday. (Str/Xinhua)

PAKISTAN-PESHAWAR-PRE-MONSOON RAIN

(220621) -- PESHAWAR, June 21, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A street is flooded after pre-monsoon rains in Peshawar, Pakistan, on June 21, 2022. A recent spell of heavy pre-monsoon rains has wreaked havoc in parts of Pakistan, leaving at least 26 people killed and several injured as well as damaging infrastructure and standing crops, government officials said on Tuesday. (Str/Xinhua)

(SP)JAPAN-TOKYO-OLYMPIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE-DISSOVLED

(220621) -- TOKYO, June 21, 2022 (Xinhua) -- President of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) Hashimoto Seiko speaks during the press conference following the last Tokyo 2020 Executive Board meeting in Tokyo, Japan, June 21, 2022. The Tokyo Olympic organizing committee will be dissolved on June 30 after having the last board meeting here on Tuesday. (Tokyo Metropolitan Government/Handout via Xinhua)

(SP)JAPAN-TOKYO-OLYMPIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE-DISSOVLED

(220621) -- TOKYO, June 21, 2022 (Xinhua) -- President of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) Hashimoto Seiko (C) speaks during the last Tokyo 2020 Executive Board meeting in Tokyo, Japan, June 21, 2022. The Tokyo Olympic organizing committee will be dissolved on June 30 after having the last board meeting here on Tuesday. (Tokyo Metropolitan Government/Handout via Xinhua)

MIDEAST-JERUSALEM-ISRAEL-NEW ELECTIONS

(220620) -- JERUSALEM, June 20, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (L) and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid make a joint statement to the press in Jerusalem, on June 20, 2022. Israel's fragile coalition government will vote to dissolve the parliament next week, announced Israel's Prime Minister's Office on Monday, sending the country to the fifth elections in three years. (JINI via Xinhua)

Japan task force meeting on rising prices

The first meeting of the Japanese government's new task force to tackle rising prices caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine is held at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 21, 2022.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA-ENGA-HOSPITAL-CHINA-HANDOVER

(220621) -- ENGA, June 21, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape (R, front) and Chinese Ambassador to PNG Zeng Fanhua (L, front) attend the handover ceremony of the newly built provincial hospital in Enga, PNG, June 20, 2022. China handed over the newly built provincial hospital in Enga to the PNG government on Monday, which will help improve medical services for local people. (Chinese Embassy to PNG/Handout via Xinhua)

Israel heads to new elections: media

STORY: Israel heads to new elections: media DATELINE: June 21, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:13 LOCATION: Jerusalem CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid delivering speeches 2. various of the Cabinet meeting (file) (courtesy of GPO) 3. various of Knesset building STORYLINE: Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid decided on Monday to disband their coalition and call for new elections, after months of efforts to stabilize their shaky coalition government, local media reported. According to Israel's state-owned Kan TV news, the two agreed to bring to the parliament a bill next Monday to dissolve the parliament, and the next elections are expected to take place in October. Bennett's coalition was inaugurated in June 2021, after a string of inconclusive elections. It is made up of eight parties with diverse ideologies, including pro-settler nationalists and dovish parties, united only with the go

CANADA-COVID-19-VACCINE MANDATE FOR TRAVEL-SUSPENSION

(220620) -- MISSISSAUGA (CANADA), June 20, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Travelers line up to check in at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on June 20, 2022. The Canadian federal government started to suspend vaccination requirements against COVID-19 for domestic and outbound travel, federally regulated transportation sectors and federal government employees as of June 20. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)