Your Wednesday Briefing: Ukraine Says It Shot Down Hypersonic Missiles

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Ukrainian officials say their country’s air defense system has intercepted six hypersonic Kinzhal missiles aimed at the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. If confirmed, it would be further evidence of Ukraine’s ability to fire one of Russia’s most sophisticated weapons.

The attack was one of Russia’s biggest airstrikes since March: Ukraine said Russia had fired “extraordinarily” missiles and drones at Kyiv, but had fired all Kinzhals. Russia says a missile hit the American-made Patriot system.

The problems that plagued Russia’s 15-month war from the start only worsened: stretched resources, disorganized defenses and disunity in the ranks. This is going to be a bad week for President Vladimir Putin.

Already, the Russian military has been forced into several retreats, and since last year it is mostly stuck in the 600-mile front line. Russian troops were recently driven from a position on the banks of Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine, where, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, two colonels were killed in combat. And Ukraine’s long-anticipated counteroffensive has yet to begin.

However, Putin’s determination shows that he is preparing for a war that could last for years.

Analysis: In Russia’s authoritarian system, the leader’s policies should not be followed by the population. “He has a lot of room to continue the criminal war,” the expert said.

More updates:

Cambodia has canceled its main opposition party, the only credible challenger to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s party. After 38 years in power, Hun Sen is laying the groundwork for his eldest son to succeed him after general elections in July.

Hun Sen has seized power through courts, election manipulation, intimidation – and coups. The latest move follows the government’s move to protect itself earlier this year. In February, they closed Voice of Democracy, one of the few outlets left to provide critical coverage of Cambodia. In March, Kem Sokha, the country’s most senior opposition politician, was sentenced to 27 years in prison.

Selection view: Hun Sen’s party now holds all 125 seats in Parliament after a government-controlled court dismissed its main challenger ahead of the 2018 election. This time, the National Election Commission only approved parties aligned with Hun Sen or not clear enough to pose a serious threat in the July 23 election.

Despite billions in Western investment, China is so far ahead in making batteries for electric cars that the rest of the world may take decades to catch up.

Here’s how China controls every step of lithium-ion battery production, from sourcing raw materials to making cars.

mining: China has bought its way to cheap and stable sources of rare minerals needed to make batteries. It controls 41 percent of the world’s cobalt, most of which has mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Investments in Indonesia will help China become the largest nickel controller by 2027, according to a consulting firm.

Refinement: Regardless of who mines the minerals, almost all of them are sent to China to be refined. Chinese companies are supported by the government with cheap land and energy, and can refine minerals in larger volumes and at lower costs.

Component: China makes many of the parts that go into batteries. It has now invested in a cheaper alternative to the cathode, which is the positive terminal of the battery. These cathodes now account for half the market.

Assembly: China makes the most batteries – and the most cars. Labor costs are lower, and there is more equipment manufacturing, so the country can build battery factories for almost half the cost of others in North America or Europe, experts say.

Many Japanese who unmask after three years find that their faces are a little rusty. So some have hired smile trainers. The one-hour session draws on yoga and emphasizes strengthening the zygomatic muscle, which pulls the corners of the mouth.

South Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world. But parents say the government isn’t making it any easier for children: Hundreds of restaurants, museums and other public facilities are designated “child-free zones.”

Child-free zones have popular support. The 2022 survey showed that 73 percent of respondents liked him. “I usually go to a cafe to study. I don’t want to be bothered by crying children,” said the student.

But one lawmaker called on the government to ban the policy. “Living with children is not easy,” he said, holding a toddler in the National Assembly, which is also a child-free zone. “However, we need to rebuild a society where we can live together with our children.”

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