The Ecuadorian President, Guillermo Lasso, has said he has no intention of running in the forthcoming election, and does not care who replaces him. Lasso dissolved the National Assembly, allowing him to govern by decree until August, ahead of elections. The move came just days before the opposition-run Assembly was to vote on impeaching Lasso on charges of embezzlement; on Thursday, the constitutional court upheld the move and the election committee said elections would be held on or near 20 August. Lasso's government had been marked by opposition from the Assembly, largely composed of leftist supporters of the former president Rafael Correa. Lasso has steered Ecuador towards stronger measures on security and infrastructure, and rejects allegations of corruption against him. Critics accuse him of using his executive powers to avert impeachment; however, Lasso said he had made the decision days beforehand and had support from the military.
The Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima is expected to highlight the Ukraine war, the growing power of China and the threat to Taiwan. Leaders from India, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia will also be attending the summit, which opens today. Discussions will also focus on matters involving supply chains, economic and energy security. The Indian presence at the summit is expected to create a focus on the developing world within the G7, while the recent overtures of Russia and China towards Central Asia are also set to feature prominently. Yesterday, the G7 leaders released a statement ahead of the summit stressing their support for Ukraine which “will not waver”, and detailing “new steps” to be taken to ensure Russia's aggression fails. Sanctions imposed on Russia are also likely to be discussed, as well as their impact on trade of agricultural, medical and humanitarian products.
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has begun airing TV ads in Iowa and New Hampshire, ahead of his anticipated Republican presidential campaign in 2024. The ad buy is priced at around $5.5m and is scheduled to run through to the first GOP presidential debate in late August. This marks the highest advertising expenditure by a potential or declared candidate in the early stages of the 2024 nominating campaign. It is expected that Scott will have a starting campaign fund of $22m, the highest any candidate in history has had when beginning a campaign for president, according to the Federal Election Commission. Several candidates including former President Donald Trump, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson are also expected to run for the Republican nomination.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to attend the Arab League meeting in Saudi Arabia before travelling on to the G7 meeting in Hiroshima, Japan. He will be travelling on a French government plane from the Saudi city of Jeddah.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented a 10-point peace plan to leaders at the Arab League summit last Friday and asked them to work with Ukraine directly, without intermediaries. Zelenskyy called on some Arab leaders to "take an honest look" at the war in Ukraine and accused them of ignoring Russia's invasion of his country. Leaders from Arab states largely remain neutral over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and many maintain close ties to Moscow. Zelenskyy’s visit to Saudi Arabia was designed to enhance bilateral relations and Ukraine’s ties with the Arab world. Earlier that week, G7 leaders said they had ensured Ukraine had the budget support it needs for this year and early 2024 and had announced plans to further tighten existing sanctions against Russia over the war.
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been discharged from Milan's San Raffaele hospital after six weeks of treatment for a lung infection linked to chronic leukaemia. Berlusconi, 86, was admitted to hospital on 5 April and remained in intensive care for around 10 days, sparking concerns about his health. Berlusconi's health has noticeably worsened in recent years with open-heart surgery in 2016 and hospital admissions after contracting COVID-19 three years ago. The former prime minister is leader of the Forza Italia party, part of the coalition led by current Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which welcomed his hospital discharge.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has reportedly announced his candidacy for the US presidency and told donors that former President Donald Trump cannot win the 2024 election. Speaking on a call organized by Never Back Down, which is supporting DeSantis, he said only he could win the Republican primary and general election. While praising Trump’s efforts, he pointed out that President Joe Biden had undone many of his achievements over the last four years. Reports suggest DeSantis may formally announce his candidacy next week.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is going to be a presidential candidate for the US Republican Party and will formally announce his campaign against Donald Trump next week. DeSantis is confident, with strong financial support and more $80m expected to be transferred from his state account to his Super PAC, which has already raised more than $30m, focusing on his legislative accomplishments. However, he was dealt another blow this week after Disney scrapped plans to build a $1bn office complex in Orlando that was expected to bring more than 2,000 jobs with an average salary of $120,000. Sources say Disney’s feud with Mr. DeSantis, which had escalated into a bitter fight over control of the entity that oversees Disney World, played a major factor. The Fox News commentator Dagen McDowell said on Thursday, “Ron DeSantis does not have an economic plan as of yet, and today Disney just pulled a $1 billion investment out of Florida.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attending the Group of Seven summit due to concerns that the United Nations and Group of 20 have become dysfunctional, according to US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. "The G-7 is more relevant than ever. Because the world is in search of a functioning international body," he said.
As the world waits for Ukraine’s spring offensive against Russia, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been on a diplomatic tour, visiting Germany, France, Italy, the Vatican, and Britain. Recently, Zelenskyy travelled to Saudi Arabia to meet Arab leaders and secure their support. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, is facing significant international isolation amidst the International Criminal Court arrest warrant that hangs over his head, with his travel prospects dwindling including to Moscow alliances. Putin's invasion of Ukraine made him an international pariah, and many now speculate Ukraine may take its turn in the spotlight. Although conflicting information arose as to whether Zelenskyy would attend the G7 summit in Japan, it would be of significant geopolitical and symbolic significance for Ukraine. European leaders promised Ukraine missiles, tanks, and drones while the conversation of getting fighter jets continues. Zelenskyy's appearance at the Arab League summit in Jeddah highlighted Ukraine's struggle for support, even in countries whose alliances are with Moscow. It is the beginning of a larger shift in perception that could translate into potential support for Ukraine.
Biden endorses plan to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, official says
CBC
23-05-19 16:55
US President Joe Biden has told G7 leaders that he supports a jointly-organised effort to train Ukrainian pilots using F-16 fighter jets. Training will take place in Europe and is likely to take months. US officials predict that training and the delivery of F-16s will take a minimum of 18 months. Senior US officials have not yet disclosed which countries will participate. Poland and Slovakia have already handed over 27 MiG-29s, but western governments remain wary of sending too much equipment as they do not want to leave their own territories undefended. Ukraine is currently in the midst of its biggest advance for months against invading Russian troops. Western countries have remained cautious regarding their involvement in the Ukrainian conflict. Earlier this week, the UK and Netherlands pledged to help Ukraine develop a "jets coalition".
Russia's foreign ministry has indicated that former President Barack Obama is among 500 US citizens who will face a ban from entry into the country as part of a retaliation against the latest wave of US sanctions against Russia. The ministry also revealed that it has rejected the US's latest request for consular access to a detained Wall Street Journal reporter who was arrested in March on suspicion of spying.
US President Joe Biden left a working dinner with G7 leaders in Japan early to receive an update on debt ceiling negotiations from his team in Washington. The US risks defaulting on its debts if the ceiling is not raised by 1 June. The issue has caused a standoff between Republicans and Democrats, with a group of senators led by Bernie Sanders urging the President to invoke the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned of the catastrophic consequences of a default, while negotiators are thrashing out terms of the deal between the parties.
Labour's recent spending pledges ahead of the 2024 general election are uncosted, according to The Telegraph. Sir Keir Starmer is putting more promises for major public expenditures, among them £200bn to match US President Joe Biden's per capita expenditure and £100bn of Blair-era healthcare investment. However, estimates on costs for raising revenue from additional taxes, such as non-dom and VAT on private schools, are likely to be overoptimistic, while windfall taxes are likely to deter investment, the paper said. This leaves the party's most logical option as a mix of wealth taxes, which other countries have shown can prove counterproductive and encourage avoidance, evasion, and capital flight.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's president Felix Tshisekedi will travel to China from 24 May to 29 May. The two nations are seeking to conclude a renegotiation of a $6.2bn mineral-for-infrastructure deal. Congo is a key producer of cobalt, which is vital in electric vehicle batteries. Tshisekedi has previously suggested the agreement was "badly drawn up" and not beneficial. Tshisekedi will head to Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, meeting officials including China's President Xi Jinping and representatives of energy, mining, battery and tech companies. China and Congo conducted $21.7bn in trade in 2022.
Japanese companies Ricoh and Toshiba have announced plans to combine their printer, copier and other office machinery production. While they cited a decline in demand and the rise of remote work as reasons, it is also being suggested that "preventing the outflow of cutting-edge technology to China may be another factor".
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has visited New Hampshire as he makes preparations to launch his 2024 Republican presidential campaign. While meeting with GOP lawmakers in the state, DeSantis touted his aggressive agenda, which includes new laws that ban gender-affirming care for minors, restrict discussion of personal pronouns in schools, target drag shows and force people to use certain bathrooms. He also expressed support for the failed New Hampshire bill that would have required schools to inform parents if their child was being referred to as a different gender or name. Many supporters believe this and DeSantis's anti-LGBTQ+ messaging will help him gain backing in the state.
US President Joe Biden has given permission for Ukrainian pilots to receive training on American F-16 combat jets. Western countries backing the Ukrainian government have insisted that their pilots are trained to operate equipment first before delivery, as part of an initiative that is already underway with some other NATO members. Biden gave the green light at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, though a decision on the delivery of the US-made aircraft is yet to come. The coalition will decide who would provide the F-16s, when and how many they will supply, with training due to start shortly and last several months.
Russia has banned 500 Americans from entering the country following the implementation of a new round of US sanctions. The list included Barack Obama, comedian Stephen Colbert and 45 members of the House of Representatives. Other bans were also connected to arms supplies to Ukraine and officials "who are directly involved in the persecution of dissidents in the wake of the so-called 'storm of the Capitol'". Moscow also refused the US's request for consular access to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in late March and charged with espionage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will use his attendance at this year's G7 summit, set to be held in Japan, to appeal to countries such as Brazil and India for greater support while continuing to build on the support of the US and its allies in the struggle against Russia's invasion. Meanwhile, the G7 has also announced measures to counter economic coercion from China, in a bid to further push-back against Beijing's "hostile" actions.
