China backs Kazakhstan as Xi praises crackdown as ‘decisive actions’
The Hindu
Mr. Tokayev said on Friday he had instructed security forces to fire upon protesters without warning.
China on Friday defended the Kazakhstan government amid its harsh crackdown on protesters and offered it support, with President Xi Jinping sending a message to Kazakhstan’s embattled President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Mr. Xi, in what official media described as a “verbal message”, praised Mr. Tokayev for “taking decisive and effective actions at a critical moment” and “quickly calming the situation”.
Mr. Tokayev said on Friday he had instructed security forces to fire upon protesters without warning.

The U.S. seized or intercepted three Venezuelan oil tankers — Skipper, Centuries, and Bella 1 — for carrying crude or trading with sanctioned entities. These ships are examples of the shadow fleet, showing how countries like Venezuela bypass sanctions, prompting the U.S. to order a physical blockade.












