The Beijing Hour

China's social assistance law, coming into effect on July 1, aims to provide legal guarantees to promote the development of social assistance and ensure that all Chinese people benefit from the country's reform and development (01:03). Cities across China are staging diverse activities, hoping the five-day May Day holiday could boost the tourism sector (13:13). And the war in Iran has cost the United States $25 billion so far (19:43).

China's top leadership has outlined its economic priorities, emphasizing stronger domestic demand and continued reform to sustain growth amid ongoing challenges (00:57). Passenger trips across China during the upcoming May Day Holiday are forecast to reach a historic high (10:11). The Trump administration is reportedly preparing for an extended blockade of Iran (18:51).

Iran's foreign minister has visited Russia and blamed unreasonable U.S. demands and threats as part of the reason behind the slow progress in ending the war, while the Russian president voiced support for a diplomatic solution (01:06). The suspect in the White House press dinner shooting could be sentenced to life with the charge of attempting to assassinate the president (09:13). And Chinese airports and land ports are expecting heavy cross-border passenger volume during the May Day holiday (18:40).

There are conflicting reports about whether the Iranian foreign minister discussed Tehran's nuclear program during a visit to Oman, while the U.S. president said Iran can call to negotiate an end to the war after calling off an envoys' trip to Pakistan (01:04). The alleged gunman in the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner reportedly targeted Trump administration officials over dissatisfaction with the government (10:18). And profits of major industrial firms in China rose 15.5% in Q1 thanks to government policies that helped cushion the impacts of a complex economic environment (36:40).

China has announced the discovery of two new lunar minerals in samples retrieved by Chang'e-5 as the country marks its Space Day (01:10). Japanese lawmakers have approved a bill to establish a national intelligence committee, prompting widespread public concern (14:49). Lebanon and Israel have extended their ceasefire for three weeks after a high-level meeting at the White House (22:03).