Briefly

KYRGYZSTAN

Putin stresses Russia's role as key partner

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart on Thursday. At a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on Thursday, Putin underscored Russia's importance as a key trade partner and the biggest investor in the Kyrgyz economy and said the two sides would further develop cooperation. Putin attended a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the founding of Russia's Kant military air base outside Bishkek, Reuters reported. Putin is due to take part in a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States on Friday.

UNITED STATES

Republicans nominate speaker amid divisions

Republicans nominated Steve Scalise as their candidate for speaker of the US House of Representatives on Wednesday as they sought to heal bitter internal divisions paralyzing their domestic agenda. The party has been in a tailspin following last week's ouster of Kevin McCarthy, which left the House unable to respond to mounting international and domestic challenges. Scalise, the No 2 Republican in the House, edged out rival Jim Jordan in a closed-door ballot vote to secure his party's nomination for the top post.

Agencies via Xinhua