Leaders of the Group of Seven advanced economies (G7) have discussed how to build support for a “strong response to economic coercion” by China. Ahead of a summit in Hiroshima, US officials predicted a joint response from all countries, which will involve protecting technologies in areas of national security. The EU has also been seeking to create support for a strategy against economic coercion, to “derisk” rather than disconnect from, China. However, all seven members of the G7 require a positive relationship with the world’s second-largest economy. The US imported goods amounting to $537bn from China last year, while its businesses invested nearly $120bn in China. EU investments in China over the course of two decades amounted to over $140bn. In the face of criticisms from the US, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin argued that the US was the chief culprit in the coercion of China.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is hosting an event to commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event will include a keynote address by Ambassador Katherine Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative and Co-Chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. A panel discussion will also explore ways to counter AAPI hate and discrimination and its intersections with U.S. foreign policy in Asia, building on a previous event held in 2021. The event is being hosted by CSIS' Asia Program, Diversity and Leadership in International Affairs Project, and the staff-led Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Employee Resource Group.
The Florida Panthers won Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final, beating the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in the sixth-longest game in NHL history. Matthew Tkachuk scored the game-winning goal in the fourth overtime, while Sergei Bobrovsky made 63 saves for the Panthers. The game was the longest in either franchise's history and saw Florida win its seventh straight road game in the playoffs and improve to 5-0 in overtime. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday night.
The Biden administration has reportedly informed European allies that it will not block their export of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. President Biden has previously expressed his opposition to the United States sending F-16s to Ukraine. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a top item on the agenda at the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, which President Biden is attending. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also attend the meeting, in person according to sources. During his visits to Berlin, Paris and London this week, Zelensky secured billions of dollars in new military support from European leaders, but experts say much of the weaponry pledged is unlikely to reach the battlefield until after the start of the upcoming counteroffensive, and Europe's ability to sustain such support remains unclear.
More than half of the world's large lakes and reservoirs have decreased in size since the early 1990s, with climate change being the leading cause, according to a new study published in the journal Science. The decline has been driven by unsustainable human water consumption, temperatures rising and resulting in greater water loss to the atmosphere, dam construction, changes in rainfall and run-off, and sedimentation. Climate scientists had anticipated that dry areas would become drier and wet areas would become wetter with climate change, but significant loss of water is also being experienced in more humid areas. The researchers based their findings on satellite data collected between 1992 to 2020 of nearly 2,000 large lakes across the globe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will participate in the G7 summit in person, with new sanctions against Russia expected to be announced at the event. The UK plans to ban Russian diamonds and many imported metals, while the US is expected to add 70 new entities to its export blacklist. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces claim to have repelled day-long attacks by Russia in the city of Bakhmut. Russia reportedly increased its forces in the area, while Ukraine claims its forces advanced by up to 1km. Explosions in Ukrainian cities were reported last night as millions of people were warned of an anticipated counteroffensive.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is hosting an event to commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event will include a keynote address by Ambassador Katherine Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative and Co-Chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. A panel discussion will also explore ways to counter AAPI hate and discrimination and its intersections with U.S. foreign policy in Asia, building on a previous event held in 2021. The event is being hosted by CSIS' Asia Program, Diversity and Leadership in International Affairs Project, and the staff-led Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Employee Resource Group.
China has warned that the US should not introduce geopolitical games to the South Pacific after it was announced Secretary of State Antony Blinken would visit Papua New Guinea. This comes after President Joe Biden cancelled his own plans to visit Papua New Guinea and take part in a meeting of leaders from the so-called Quad partnership. The US was particularly concerned last year after China signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands which allowed for the presence of Chinese naval ships and security forces.
The G7 group of industrialised nations have ensured that Ukraine will be provided with the necessary level of budget support until the early part of 2024 after leaders renewed their commitment to providing military and financial assistance. The G7 members are currently meeting in Hiroshima, Japan, with international pressures exerted over concerns including Russia’s activities in Ukraine and increasing international standing, and issues relating to China. The leaders stated they were engaging with other countries to prevent the flow of goods and technology into Russia through third parties, and sought to crack down on sanctions circumvention providing Russia a profit boost.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has arrived in Jeddah to attend an Arab League summit and is due to attend the G7 leaders' summit in Hiroshima this weekend. Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, have attempted to remain neutral in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, despite pressure from the west to isolate Russia. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has previously mediated in the conflict, securing the release of 10 foreigners from Russia, a move that was facilitated by his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
China has warned against the US playing "geopolitical games" in the South Pacific. At a press conference on Friday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, said that while China did not oppose "normal exchanges and cooperation between relevant parties and Pacific Island countries, we also oppose any introduction of any geopolitical games into the Pacific Island country region." The comments came after US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, announced plans to visit Papua New Guinea next week amid escalating tensions between the US and China over increasing Chinese influence in the Pacific region.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is hosting an event to commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event will include a keynote address by Ambassador Katherine Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative and Co-Chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. A panel discussion will also explore ways to counter AAPI hate and discrimination and its intersections with U.S. foreign policy in Asia, building on a previous event held in 2021. The event is being hosted by CSIS' Asia Program, Diversity and Leadership in International Affairs Project, and the staff-led Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Employee Resource Group.
US President Joe Biden was captured nearly tripping down a set of stairs at the G7 summit in Japan. Footage shows him fumbling his footing as he walked down a small set of stairs at the Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima, Japan. He has been captured several times tripping or stumbling before throughout his presidency, raising concerns about his age. However, the White House released a health summary report from Mr Biden’s official doctor, Kevin O’Connor, in February to prove Mr Biden is in good health. The G7 members are expected to speak about Russian sanctions and provide support to Ukraine as well as climate change and China’s growing military buildup.
A growing number of Republicans in Congress are opposing US aid to Ukraine, which they argue is a poor use of taxpayers' money and that Kiev should battle Russia alone. However, Ukraine remains geopolitically significant, and President Joe Biden has increased military aid to the country by a further $1.2bn. Still, the stance of many Republicans suggesting the US should not be involved in helping an ally may be viewed askance by Europeans, depending on how far such signals are pursued. One particularly vocal critic of Ukraine assistance is Republican congressman, JD Vance. Nonetheless, so far, support for Kiev has remained largely strong on Capitol Hill, even if oversight of the spending has increased.
The Federal Reserve’s June policy meeting might not result in an interest rate hike, as many traders and analysts would expect, according to this commentary. Policy makers are divided over whether to take a break in their rate increase cycle, or whether to carry on the hikes if inflation does not decrease. Much will depend on Fed chair Jerome Powell, but he may be constrained by the uncertainty surrounding debt ceiling funding.
Assad gets warm welcome as Syria welcomed back into Arab League
Al Jazeera
23-05-19 13:33
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has attended the Arab League's annual summit for the first time since 2011 and stated that the event was an "historic opportunity" to address issues in the Middle East. Analysts have stated that Syria's re-entry into the 22-member Arab League highlights a shift in how regional actors now view the government's survival, reflecting support for Assad in contrast with the West. The summit was also attended by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who gave a speech to leaders of countries that have so far been less united than Western allies in their support of Kyiv.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is hosting an event to commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event will include a keynote address by Ambassador Katherine Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative and Co-Chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. A panel discussion will also explore ways to counter AAPI hate and discrimination and its intersections with U.S. foreign policy in Asia, building on a previous event held in 2021. The event is being hosted by CSIS' Asia Program, Diversity and Leadership in International Affairs Project, and the staff-led Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Employee Resource Group.
In a diplomatic victory for Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the US will allow allies to supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, with the US Military assisting in training Ukrainian pilots to fly the aircraft. President Biden has said the US will offer support to a joint effort to train Ukrainian pilots, before later equipping them with F-16s, delivering one of the most significant upgrades to Ukraine's military after last year's full-scale Russian invasion. Biden made the announcement to G7 leaders. Kiev has been working to construct a coalition of nations ready to supply F-16s and has now garnered support from the UK, France and the Netherlands.
This move will strengthen Ukraine’s depleted air force and boost air defence capabilities, allowing ground operations that challenge Russia’s tactical air supremacy over the frontline. The Netherlands, which is phasing out F-16s, could be a major supplier to Ukraine. Belgium and Denmark also have F-16s. The training will take place in Ukraine and Europe, and potentially other countries may be involved. The process could take months before jets can fly over Ukraine’s skies. Meanwhile, with the increasing probability of a full-scale conventional war, Russia may soon sign a defense pact with Belarus to boost its security.
US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, has warned that the US is in danger of running out of money to pay its bills come June 1st, since the US Congress has not raised or suspended the nation’s current $31.381tn debt ceiling. US President Joe Biden and congressional Republicans continue to negotiate with a growing sense of urgency as his return to the US on May 21st approaches. Congress has raised or suspended the country’s debt ceiling over 100 times; however, polarisation in US politics has made the deadlock less unusual than in previous events.
Dennis James Guider Jr. has been sentenced to up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony count of serious injury by vehicle. During the sentencing hearing, harrowing video footage emerged from body cameras and dashcams, which showed Guider and an Iowa police officer, Patrick McCarty, in a high-speed chase that took place on March 5, 2021. Guider had an outstanding warrant and was facing arrest when, instead of complying, he shoved the driver out of the car and took the wheel. As Guider drove away, McCarty clung to the hood and roof of the car, screaming at Guider to stop. Eventually, McCarty was thrown from the vehicle, breaking his back.
