A conversation on Allied Burden Sharing in Ukraine, between the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development and the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program, has discussed the role of European partners in supporting Ukraine. While the US is the world's largest financier of foreign aid and military assistance for Ukraine, the country's European partners are contributing similar amounts on a per capita basis, with the US ranking tenth overall. European burden-sharing has also been substantial on energy and trade, with the continent suffering from vulnerability to global market dynamics and reductions in energy consumption, and potential trade disruption in areas such as food. To ensure Ukraine emerges victorious, the US and Europe will need to collectively carry these burdens.
A US Patriot missile system is unlikely to have to be removed from Ukraine, despite being damaged in a recent attack. The Russian defence ministry had claimed that a Kinzhal missile had destroyed the system, but two US officials have said that it likely suffered damage but had not been destroyed. Ukrainian officials say that the attack included drones, cruise missiles and potentially ballistic missiles. A total of 27 missiles were reportedly fired by Russia over 24 hours, including six Kinzhal missiles. The Council of Europe has created a “register of damages” to record Russia’s destruction of Ukraine for future compensation.
A conversation on Allied Burden Sharing in Ukraine, between the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development and the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program, has discussed the role of European partners in supporting Ukraine. While the US is the world's largest financier of foreign aid and military assistance for Ukraine, the country's European partners are contributing similar amounts on a per capita basis, with the US ranking tenth overall. European burden-sharing has also been substantial on energy and trade, with the continent suffering from vulnerability to global market dynamics and reductions in energy consumption, and potential trade disruption in areas such as food. To ensure Ukraine emerges victorious, the US and Europe will need to collectively carry these burdens.
UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has stated that the government will take a "pragmatic" approach to immigration, insisting that businesses must still be able to draw on overseas workers. Hunt also rejected calls from the Conservative party's right for significant cuts to the number of migrants coming to the country, instead arguing that migration should be reduced through labour market reforms to support the unemployed. On taxes, Hunt said that cuts would be implemented when inflation is under control and public finances are sustainable.
The G7 leaders who will meet at Hiroshima in May should commit to disarmament measures that go beyond the usual non-proliferation measures, as the nuclear threat is now higher than at any time since the end of the Cold War, warns Daniel Hogsta of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. While Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent nuclear posturing heightens the desire for international peace, given their devastating impact, but “for the international community to achieve progress in banning and eliminating nuclear weapons, it must recognize one inescapable fact: nuclear weapons are a humanitarian catastrophe;” their use would have a massive environmental impact, and any nuclear conflict would trigger widespread famine, causing death and injury to hundreds of thousands of civilians. Existing policies and methods are insufficient and the G7 must push for and take practical steps towards disarmament, recognising the already available multilateral disarmament framework, The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Finally, leaders should so for real disarmament action, “based on a shared recognition of the fact that nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought”.
China's Premier Li Qiang has hailed the Netherlands as a "priority partner" in the face of heightened tensions with the US over its trade practices. During phone calls with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Li said he hopes that the Netherlands can help ensure Europe will "adhere to strategic autonomy, making greater contributions to the development of China-Europe ties". China has been hit by US export restrictions in recent months, with the Netherlands landing in the US crossfire after the Dutch government never granted ASML a licence to sell its most advanced semiconductors to Chinese customers.
The UK and the Netherlands have formed an “international coalition” to assist Ukraine in obtaining F-16 fighter jets. During a recent visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Downing Street confirmed the intention to “build a new Ukrainian air force with Nato-standard F-16 jets”. Although the RAF does not have F-16s, nearly 3,000 are in use in 25 countries around the globe, including other Nato members. The international push comes at a time when Ukraine is seeking to strengthen its defences amid a backdrop of renewed tensions with Russia. The Biden administration has declined Ukraine’s request to buy F-16s so far.
Juventus will be without midfielder Paul Pogba in the second leg of the Europa League semi-final against Sevilla. Pogba was substituted during his first Serie A start since returning to Juventus from Manchester United due to another injury. In last week's match, as a substitute, Pogba salvaged a draw for Juventus in the dying seconds when he headed a cross for Federico Gatti to score. Elsewhere, Roma look for back-to-back European titles when they travel to play Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League; while West Ham head to the Netherlands hoping to maintain their unbeaten streak in the Europa Conference League.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has revealed he is making progress in persuading the West to supply his country with fighter jets. He has set his sights on getting US-built F-16 jets flown by several NATO nations – Britain and The Netherlands have pledged to help. While no western-designed jets have yet been donated, Poland and Slovakia have given Ukraine 27 Mig-29s to supplement its current fleet. However, Poland can't provide F-16s due to shortage. One alternative to the F-16 could be the JAS Gripen fighter jet produced by Swedish defence manufacturer SAAB.
A conversation on Allied Burden Sharing in Ukraine, between the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development and the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program, has discussed the role of European partners in supporting Ukraine. While the US is the world's largest financier of foreign aid and military assistance for Ukraine, the country's European partners are contributing similar amounts on a per capita basis, with the US ranking tenth overall. European burden-sharing has also been substantial on energy and trade, with the continent suffering from vulnerability to global market dynamics and reductions in energy consumption, and potential trade disruption in areas such as food. To ensure Ukraine emerges victorious, the US and Europe will need to collectively carry these burdens.
Talks between the Netherlands, UK, Denmark and Belgium on the possible delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine have yet to yield a solution, according to Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier said he had agreed with his Dutch counterpart, Mark Rutte, to support the provision of fighter jets to Ukraine as part of an international coalition. Rutte had earlier stated that discussions about donating F-16 jets to Ukraine were progressing during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a soft, stretchy skin patch that can monitor blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and other vital signs with the potential to replace more bulky wearable devices. The device, which is less than half a centimetre thick, can be worn comfortably on the neck and chest and features a grid of tiny sensors that track the movement of skin as the heart beats or lungs respire, measuring blood pressure, glucose monitoring and other important health indicators. The patch is rechargeable via a specially designed watch and transmits data via Bluetooth to a smartphone or other wireless device for analysis. The researchers believe the device would be particularly useful for people who require continuous monitoring as a result of a serious illness, and could replace intrusive needles or cumbersome equipment. Teams are developing similar devices aimed at measuring blood sugar levels or tracking movement in people with Parkinson’s disease.
The Dutch government could limit cattle numbers to two cows per field the size of a football pitch as part of efforts to reduce polluting methane emissions and help the Netherlands meet EU climate targets. The limit, which the Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, has not yet approved, would toughen the existing average of 2.5 cows per hectare. Farmers have protested widely against environmental measures which they claim damage their livelihoods, with the farmer-backed Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) becoming the largest party in all 12 Dutch provinces in regional elections earlier this year.
Korean company invests $50M US in World Energy's Newfoundland hydrogen plan
CBC
23-05-17 18:44
South Korean company SK Ecoplant has agreed to buy a 20% stake in the Nujio'qonik green hydrogen project on Newfoundland's west coast operated by World Energy GH2. Under the $50m deal, SK Ecoplant will acquire a minority holding in the first-stage of the project, which plans to create hydrogen and ammonia from 164 wind turbines. The investment comes just as Newfoundland's provincial government looks to sell the region as an emerging hydrogen market to global investors, while opponents are concerned over the potential impacts to local flora and fauna.
UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has reiterated the government's sensible and pragmatic approach to immigration and the use of migrant labour. Hunt dismissed criticism that the UK would face skills gaps if EU workers left following Brexit, noting that "at the margins, [the UK] will always be pragmatic" about areas where there are labour shortages. Hunt acknowledged reforms must be made to help the unemployed back into work, but added there would still be room for migrants to bridge workforce gaps. Hunt's comments came after Home Secretary Suella Braverman called for the UK to be less dependent on foreign low-skilled labour.
Britain has said it will support all countries that want to send F-16 jets to Ukraine, subject to US approval for the transfer of the military technology. It is part of the effort to set up an international coalition with the Dutch and other nations to come to the aid of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. It was announced amid a web of diplomatic efforts over the invasion of Ukraine, including the extension of a deal with Turkey that would allow the country to export millions of tonnes of grain through the Black Sea, which would otherwise be blocked by Russian warships. China has also sent peace envoys to mediate talks in Russia, Poland, France, and Germany about the conflict.
Micron Technology is set to receive around $1.5bn in government incentives from Japan to manufacture next-gen memory chips. The company intends to use the cash, which will mark the arrival of EUV equipment to the country for the first time, to introduce a facility to fabricate DRAM chips with plans to launch the more advanced one-gamma production in late 2024. The incentives form part of Japan's move to bolster domestic semiconductor production, something that would provide a backup to Taiwan amid growing tensions between China and the US. Mini-app Rapidus, meanwhile, plans to make 2-nanometer chips by 2027.
Leaders from the Group of 7 (G7) countries are to meet and discuss the global economy this week at the annual G7 summit in Japan. However, the US’ nearing debt default of two weeks may be cause for concern. President Joe Biden hopes to promote an optimistic tone after the White House sent two special aids to negotiate with Republicans to raise the debt. Upcoming discussions are also set to focus on Ukraine and China. European allies are pressing the US administration to give American-made F-16 jets to Ukraine after gaining territory around the city of Bakhmut. Nevertheless, the Biden administration is worried about escalating the situation and the potential costs and time issues that would arise. Discussions on China will focus on handling the threat of its economic, technological and military rise. The summit will also include talks on how to stabilise the global economy and limit devaluations of currencies.
Robert Habeck, Germany's vice-chancellor and Green economy minister, has faced a sudden decline in popularity after sacking one of his closest aides over a scandal involving nepotism. This, along with a controversial new law to ban oil and gas heating systems by 2024, has led to criticism, while consumer groups have criticised the law's tight deadline. Meanwhile, party polling data indicates that the scandal could also be damaging the Green Party. A recent Forsa poll put the Greens on 15%, one point behind the far-right Alternative for Germany.
The Japanese government is offering roughly 200 billion yen ($1.5bn) in financial incentives under the guise of improving domestic semiconductor production to Micron, according to people familiar with the matter. The company will utilise the money to install advanced, extreme ultraviolet chip-making equipment from ASML at its Hiroshima facility to make DRAM chips. The investment comes amid intensifying tensions between the US and China. The deal is also a retaliatory move against Beijing, which is undertaking a cybersecurity review after the Biden administration placed sweeping restrictions on chip-related exports to China.
