Our daily trip around the world

🇸🇰 Slovakia’s prime minister was hospitalized following an assassination attempt. PM Robert Fico, who returned to power last year after previously serving as PM for ten years, was shot five times in the stomach following a political event yesterday morning, in what government officials described as a “politically motivated” attack. Slovakia’s deputy PM said Fico was no longer in a life-threatening situation following surgery yesterday afternoon. Slovakia has experienced deep political division since Fico’s return as PM, with critics framing him as a pro-Russian populist.

🇭🇰 Hong Kong ordered YouTube to block a protest anthem for citizens. The decision follows a Hong Kong court ruling last week banning 32 videos of "Glory to Hong Kong," which officials said could be “weaponized” to incite secession from China. Critics say the ban on the anthem, which emerged during massive pro-democracy/anti-China protests in 2019-20, is an attempt by Beijing to suppress opposition.

🇷🇺🇨🇳 Russian President Vladimir Putin kicked off a two-day visit to China. Putin, who began a record fifth term as Russia’s leader last month, is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to showcase their close diplomatic relationship and discuss a range of issues, including the Ukraine war. Putin’s visit began hours after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly criticized China for supporting Russia’s war with nonlethal assistance.