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STAFF

Xi Jinping co-chairs BRICS meeting
President Xi Jinping is set to visit Brazil's capital, Brasilia, where he will co-chair the meeting of the BRICS group of emerging powers as part of his South American tour. At the two-day meeting, which also includes representatives from Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa, Xi will meet new Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. His trip lasts until July 23, and will take in Argentina, Venezuela and Cuba, in addition to Brazil.
 
Japanese foreign minister visits Central Asia
In a move seen by some analysts as an attempt to counterbalance China's growing influence, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida will travel to Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine starting today. In Kyrgyzstan, he will meet the foreign ministers of five Central Asian countries - the others are Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan - to discuss "how to promote specific cooperation towards the development of Central Asia", Kishida said.
 
EU parliament to vote on Juncker
The European Union's parliament is due to vote on the European Commission proposal to make Jean-Claude Juncker, the former Luxembourg prime minister, its president. While the commission chose Juncker as its candidate, he can't assume the role until the parliament votes him in. British Prime Minister David Cameron has vehemently opposed his presidency, threatening to campaign to leave the EU if he is elected.
 
Congo's 'eternal prophet' to appear in court
Joseph Mukungubila Mutombo, a failed 2006 Democratic Republic of Congo presidential candidate and religious leader who calls himself the "eternal prophet", is due to appear in a South African court on charges of mass violence. The government accuses Mukungubila of inciting December attacks that killed more than 300 in the country. The attacks included raids on the state television station, the international airport and the military headquarters.
 
Angela Merkel to attend Balkan summit
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to attend the annual summit of Balkan countries known as the Brdo-Brijuni Process. This year's meeting, in Croatia, focuses on European Union enlargement policy, key infrastructure projects in the Balkans and energy policy. The summit includes a guest from another European country, such as French President Francois Hollande last year, to strengthen ties with the rest of the continent.
 
HK Geopark Volcano Discovery Centre opens
Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing is due to officiate at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Global Geopark Volcano Discovery Centre in Sai Kung. The centre, set up by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department on the Sai Kung promenade, introduces the geopark's features, including the unique hexagonal rock columns that make up some of the area's landscape.


Talking points

Xi Jinping

Jean-Claude Juncker

Angela Merkel

Opinion

Comment

Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...


President Xi Jinping is set to visit Brazil's capital, Brasilia, where he will co-chair the meeting of the BRICS group of emerging powers as part of his South American tour.
