Russia's notorious private army, Wagner, charged with leading Moscow's campaign to take Ukraine's Zakarapattya region, is experiencing serious splits within its own ranks, according to Ukrainian sources. On Thursday, Moscow confirmed its forces were retreating on the outskirts of Bakhmut, where Ukraine has been pressing ahead with its biggest advance for six months ahead of a planned counteroffensive, causing growing concern within the Kremlin. Meanwhile the G7 group of big developed countries has been meeting in Japan where leaders are expected to tighten sanctions to close off Russia's opportunities to bypass financial restrictions.
Leaders of the G7 nations, including the US, the UK, Canada, France, Germany and Japan, have met to discuss tougher sanctions against Russia over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Economic coercion by China was also on the agenda, with the group looking at ways to reduce strategic dependence on imports and diversify supply chains and markets. Discussions also centred on tighter regulation and a range of new measures on Moscow's roughly $5bn annual trade in diamonds. The three-day summit continues today and includes representatives of the European Union.
US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have praised the progress of their countries' bilateral relations after discussions in Hiroshima ahead of the G7 summit. The two leaders spoke of the strength of their alliance in the face of challenges posed by Russia, Ukraine, and China, with Biden praising Japan's robust response to the increasingly complicated regional security situation. They discussed a range of issues, including the joint response to the conflict in Ukraine, bilateral ties with South Korea, and the importance of a solution regarding cross-Strait issues with Taiwan. Both parties expressed their commitment to building broader economic ties. Cooperation was pledged on sectors such as quantum computing, biotech, and energy. However, the senior Japanese official reporting on the talks stated they did not single out China, Tokyo's largest trading partner, in discussions surrounding supply chain resilience and the restriction of advanced technology exports to Beijing.
Ukraine has made small territorial gains in Bakhmut, after fiercely repelling an attack by Russia on Thursday. Russian forces launched a number missile strikes across the country overnight, with Ukraine claiming to successfully shoot down 29 of 30 missiles. Meanwhile, Ukraine urged citizens to evacuate the industrial zone in Kyiv after ammunition storage depots there caught fire following a missile hit, and there were reports of huge explosions. The developments illustrate the fragility of the truce agreed this year, with US officials now speaking of the imminence of a Russian invasion.
The UN's humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, is in discussions with Lloyd's to secure insurance coverage for Russian agricultural exports to developing countries suffering from high food prices. Griffiths said the UN is liaising at all levels of the private sector, including Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as the organisation seeks to ensure it can facilitate Russian food and fertiliser exports. The country has complained that sanctions have hurt its shipping, insurance and financing situations, although the implementation of wheat exports via other ports appears to belie the claims.
European allies have promised more military support to Ukraine, with additional weapons, training, and funding pledged for the military effort. However, the allies stopped short of providing the F-16 fighter jets that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested. Meanwhile, African leaders are planning peace missions to Moscow and Kyiv as Russia increases missile attacks ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive. Experts discuss the interests at stake and the potential for shifting political alliances.
Ingrid Wilm leads Canadian podium charge at Mare Nostrum Swim Tour in Barcelona
CBC
23-05-18 17:01
Ingrid Wilm has continued to rack up gold winning medals for Canada at the Mare Nostrum Swim Tour in Barcelona. Winning her 4th medal of the competition, Wilm clinched gold in the women's 100-metre backstroke competition. She also won gold in the 50m back, silver in the 50m back and bronze in the 100m back last weekend in France. In total, Canadian swimmers won eight medals over two days of competition in Barcelona, including five on Thursday. Wilm and her colleagues are due to compete next in Monaco this weekend.
World Leaders Land in Hiroshima for G7 Meeting, With Ukraine War High on Agenda
Diplomat
23-05-18 16:50
Leaders from the G7 countries have arrived in Hiroshima for a meeting where Russia's war in Ukraine is expected to be high on the agenda. Ahead of talks with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Thursday, US President Joe Biden remarked: "When our countries stand together, we stand stronger, and I believe the whole world is safer when we do.” Discussions regarding the battlefield in Ukraine and the state of play on sanctions are expected. Meanwhile, G7 leaders and guests from countries are also expected to discuss how to deal with the military buildup and growing assertiveness of China.
Global chipmakers including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Samsung Electronics, Intel and US chipmaker Micron, have agreed to invest billions of dollars in Japan as countries seek to reduce their dependence on Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, which is under threat of invasion by China. Rising tensions between the west and China have spurred on this shift towards reducing reliance on Taiwan. Semiconductors are an essential component to modern-day technology & electronic equipment, and Taiwan is home to 65% of the world’s semiconductors and almost 90% of the most advanced chips.
An underground bunker has been constructed beneath Russian President Vladimir Putin's Black Sea palace, according to images posted online by the now-defunct construction firm that built it, Metro Style. The complex, which was built in the early 2010s, when Putin was cultivating warm relations with European powers, spans roughly 6,500 sq ft and features concrete bunkers with their own sewage and fresh water supply, alongside an elevator shaft and two tunnels which have exits visible on the cliff face rising up from the sea to the palace. The purpose of the underground complex is unclear, but speculation suggests it has been developed as a form of protection for Putin in the event of a revolution or war.
Russian scientists criticize arrest of ‘brilliant’ hypersonic researchers on suspicion of treason
CNN
23-05-18 20:21
The detention of three Russian scientists by Russian security services on "treason" charges has created a chilling effect in the country's scientific community, according to members of the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (ITAM). Alexander Shiplyuk, Valery Zvegintsev and Anatoly Maslov were arrested last year for their work researching hypersonic aircraft. There are fears that scientists will be accused of treason in the future for simply publishing articles. ITAM members have appealed to Russian authorities to "protect Russian aerodynamic science".
As G7 leaders meet in Japan to discuss a range of subjects, it is thought that new sanctions against Russia could be on the cards to increase economic pressure on Moscow's war machine. Targets include ships, aircraft, individuals and Russia’s diamond exports, which still remain relatively unscathed by western sanctions. The initiative to curtail diamond imports seeks to implement a mechanism for tracking and tracing individual gems throughout the industry. The fall in Russia’s energy revenues, which fell more than 50% in the first quarter of this year, has increased the importance of other sources of funding for the Kremlin’s war machine with diamond exports contributing $4bn in 2015. The G7 has been grappling with how to trace Russian diamonds, and impose restrictions on the import thereof, but this summit manifestly aims to finally achieve progress.
The leaders of the G7 major economies are expected to unveil new sanctions and export controls targeting Russia at a summit in Japan. The move aims to support Ukraine and to restrict Russia's ability to get materials for the battlefield and to evade sanctions. The United States, along with its European Union and British allies, have been continuing to increase sanctions since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2014. The type of new sanctions to be announced include further restrictions on key goods for the battlefield, blacklisting 70 entities from Russia and third countries from receiving US exports and expanding the US sanctions authorities to more sectors of the Russian economy.
The US, UK and G7 are to impose fresh sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine. The UK has announced that it will ban Russian diamonds and imports of metals from Russia including copper, aluminium and nickel. The country will also target 86 further individuals and companies involved in Russian President Vladimir Putin's "military industrial complex". The G7 is also expected to announce restrictions on the multi-billion dollar export of rough diamonds from Russia while EU Council President Charles Michel said the bloc wants to limit trade in Russian diamonds. The US will also reportedly impose sanctions on around 300 individuals and entities.
G7 Hiroshima summit: Who’s participating, what will be discussed?
The Globe and Mail
23-05-19 01:27
Leaders of the world's seven most powerful democracies will attend the G7 summit in Hiroshima to discuss issues including economic policy, security, climate change, energy and gender. The G7 leaders will also host discussions with leaders outside the G7, such as Vietnamese Prime Minister Tan Dung, to address the rise of developing nations. Chinese military aggression from North Korea and Russia will be among the topics to be covered. Pledges of continuing support for Ukraine will see Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky join the session via the internet, and there will also be a focus on Beijing's increasing threats against Taiwan.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who was previously the Foreign Minister, spoke about his vision of a world without nuclear weapons seven years ago in Hiroshima and called this his dream. But as he returns to the city to chair the G7 summit, he admits it is a far-off prospect and disarmament remains central to his political career. As well as the threat of nuclear proliferation, Japan could be dragged into approaches to Taiwan if a conflict is sparked between Beijing and Washington, a concern experts say will be a key focus of the summit.
Britain will announce a ban on Russian diamond sales and block import of “industrially significant metals” later today, alongside specific sanctions on another 86 senior figures and companies in Vladimir Putin's military industrial complex. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began last year, countries such as Belgium have opposed plans to ban the country’s diamonds. The UK has previously taken the lead on action against Russian diamonds, sanctioning Alrosa, the state-owned company, and increasing tariffs by an additional 35%. The ban will disrupt an industry worth $4bn in exports in 2021.
Leaders from the G7 nations are set to unleash new sanctions against Russia as they meet for a summit in Japan, though Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged for “pragmatic measures” to avoid circumventing sanctions imposed on Moscow. G7 leaders will discuss the possibility of an international peace summit over Ukraine at the meeting. The EU has suggested tracking the trade in Russian diamonds with a view to imposing restrictions at a later stage, while the UK has announced a ban on Russian diamonds and imports of metals from Russia in support of Ukraine. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden recently met Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to discuss ways of strengthening defence cooperation and counteracting coercive behaviour by China, with whom divisions are appearing within the G7, though leaders are expected to show a unified front regarding a common approach to dealing with the country based on shared values.
WNBA players are heading abroad to supplement their salaries, which are far less than what they would get paid competing in Europe and elsewhere around the world. Before the pandemic, players could earn between $50,000 and $200,000 per month to compete in China for four months. In Turkey, women can expect to earn between $350,000 and $400,000. According to Al Jazeera, highly paid WNBA players have reportedly hauled in over $1m, with Russia typically offering the most lucrative contracts. Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, was detained at Moscow’s airport in February 2022 while en route to play for local team UMMC Ekaterinburg and, following her detention and release, has said she would not consider playing overseas again. US WNBA players are paid a smaller percentage of league revenues compared with male NBA counterparts. The average salary among the 151 WNBA athletes was $102,751 in 2022.
However, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert says that the league is committed to improving players’ salaries through league-affiliated marketing and other opportunities.
Russian ex-mayor fined for discrediting army but avoids prison
The Toronto Star
23-05-19 14:06
Yevgeny Roizman, the former mayor of Yekaterinburg and a well-known critic of the Kremlin, escaped prison despite being found guilty of discrediting the Russian military over comments he made regarding Moscow's intervention in Ukraine. State prosecutors arrested Roizman last year on related charges, making him the latest victim of Russian authorities' clampdown on dissent. He has been fined the equivalent of $3,250 instead of receiving a potential prison sentence. Russian courts have frequently fined or imprisoned public figures who criticise Moscow's actions in Ukraine in recent years. Vladimir Kara-Murza, a prominent opposition figure, was jailed for 25 years for treason in July; human rights groups and Western states condemned the verdict as unjust. Another critic, Ilya Yashin, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison last year. An individual was sentenced to two years in prison in March for criticising the military operation in Ukraine on social media, leading to his daughter's separation from him.
