Chinese President Xi Jinping’s disappearance from public view for two weeks is raising questions about who controls the reins in Beijing. The development comes in the backdrop of reports that his successor Wang Yang, a technocrat, is being groomed to take over. All this and more in our weekly roundup of stories from around the world
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United States President Donald Trump would be a happy man. His signature “One Big Beautiful Bill” has become a law. Trump signed the legislation on July 4, coinciding with American Independence Day.
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s absence for two weeks has triggered speculations about who holds the reins in the Asian country. The buzz has been further fuelled by his decision to miss the Brics summit in Brazil, which is taking place on July 6 and 7.
A severe heatwave has gripped Europe. Temperatures have surpassed 40 degrees Celsius in some places, prompting authorities to issue heat alert warnings. However, there is no relief for most Europeans, even at home, who do not have access to air conditioning.
All this and more in our weekly wrap from around the world.
1. US President Donald Trump’s signature spending bill has become law. The legislation was passed by the US House of Representatives before the Republicans’ self-imposed July 4 deadline. While
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries gave a speech for eight hours and 44 minutes on the floor to delay the vote, the legislation was passed by 218–214, with two Republicans breaking ranks to oppose the bill.
Trump celebrated the House’s approval of his tax and spending legislation. “I want to thank Republican congressmen and women, because what they did is incredible,” he said. Dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” it will affect everyone – seniors, students, taxpayers, families and low-income Americans.
As the contentious bill becomes law, who stands to gain and lose? We
take a look here.
2. Chinese President Xi Jinping was out of public view between May 21 and June 5. His absence sparked rumours about whether power is shifting within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Xi is also not attending the Brics summit for the first time since taking power. General Zhang Youxia, the First Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), could hold power in China. There are also reports that technocrat Wang Yang is being groomed as Xi’s successor. What is going on? And should India worry? Read
our report to find out.
3. Trump’s 90-day pause on the April ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs on dozens of countries is coming to an end next week. Top US officials had pledged to “achieve 90 deals in 90 days”.
But how many trade agreements have actually been realised? As Trump’s July 9 deadline nears, we take a look at what is the status of Trump’s bilateral trade deals with India, China, the United Kingdom and several other countries. How costly will the tariffs be for the US? Here’s
our story.
4. Will there be two Dalai Lamas? Tenzin Gyatso, the current Dalai Lama, has confirmed ahead of his 90th birthday that he will have a successor. The Tibetan spiritual leader announced that he would be reincarnated after his death, asserting that only the
Gaden Phodrang Trust has the authority to recognise his successor. His remarks are being seen as a message to Beijing to stay away from the selection process.
China, which wants to influence the selection of the next Dalai Lama, has reacted to the development, saying “the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must adhere to the principles of domestic search in China” and “approval by the central government.” Does this mean there is a possibility of two Dalai Lamas? We explore
in this report.
5. Extreme heat has sizzled Europe, leading to health warnings and alerts about wildfire risks. While the heatwave has turned deadly, many people do not have
air conditioning (AC) in their homes.
Only around 20 per cent of European homes have ACs. According to the 2018 International Energy Agency (IEA) report, based on data from 2016, the European Union (EU) has far fewer AC units than China or the United States. But why are ACs so rare in Europe? And as temperatures break records, is there a shift in European attitudes towards the appliances? We
explain here.
6. Glastonbury Festival, the UK’s largest music festival, has stirred a massive row. Police in southwest England have initiated a review after controversial remarks on stage by performers rap-punk duo Bob Vylan and the Irish-language hip-hop trio Kneecap.
After leading chants of “free, free Palestine,” Bob Vylan’s frontman Bobby Vylan remarked – “death, death to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)”. Avon and Somerset police have now launched a criminal investigation into whether the comments amounted to a criminal offence. Glastonbury’s organisers and the BBC, which broadcast the performances live, are also facing flak over the incident. Here’s
our report.
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