The US government is investigating whether an air strike in Syria killed a civilian instead of the “senior al-Qaeda leader” initially targeted. The US has been criticised for conducting air raids against armed groups across the region, with its insistence of precision overstated by many media investigations, human rights groups and watchdogs. The brother of the man killed in this latest attack has denied any links to al-Qaeda; the US Central Command is assessing whether the strike “may have unintentionally resulted in harm to civilians”.
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 G7 summit is seeking to adopt a common approach on Beijing and is planning to introduce measures to respond to Chinese "economic coercion" in an announcement on Saturday. A “platform” is to be unveiled which will provide a forum for the identification of economic vulnerabilities and coordination of protective measures. This follows two years of efforts by the US administration of Joe Biden, helped by Japan, to foster unity among G7 members on challenges posed by Beijing. China has taken issue with the G7’s language on “economic coercion”, saying in a statement "it is, in fact, the United States itself that instigates coercive diplomacy".
Nebraska lawmakers have passed a bill, which Republican Governor Jim Pillen is expected to sign into law, limiting abortion and restricting gender-affirming medical care for transgender youths. It bans abortions after 12 weeks of gestational age, allowing exceptions for medical emergencies when the mother's life is at risk, rape or incest. The bill also bans "gender-altering surgery" and restricts hormone therapy and puberty-blocking drugs for transgender people aged under 19. The state's legislature, dominated by Republicans, voted 33-15 to pass the bill.
Firefighters heard, couldn’t rescue 2 killed in massive North Carolina fire
The Toronto Star
23-05-19 21:49
Two people have died following a fire at a construction site in Charlotte, North Carolina. The pair were unreachable by firefighters before the fire became too intense. Emergency services were called to the site of the new apartment block in the South Park area of the city, where two workers had gone missing. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but it is thought to have started in a trailer used to spray insulation into the building’s walls. Fifteen workers were rescued unharmed, including a crane operator who remained in his cabin until firefighters could deliver protective equipment.
Sharon Toney-Finch, the CEO of the Yerik Israel Toney Foundation, has been accused of fabricating a story that New York's homeless military veterans were evicted from a local hotel to make way for migrants, sparking outrage from various cable news networks. Toney-Finch's story was picked up by several news organisations and she even made arrangements to place the veterans in alternative lodging. However, an investigation from a local newspaper revealed that the story was false and several homeless individuals had been recruited to pretend that they were among the veterans evicted from the hotel.
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 Atlanta Braves beat the Seattle Mariners 6-2 as Orlando Arcia’s single off the right-field drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning. Bryce Elder allowed two runs in six innings in the first match up of starting pitchers named Bryce, while Marcell Ozuna had three RBIs for Atlanta as they overcame another strong start by Seattle rookie Bryce Miller, who led by 2-1 until fading and leaving the game in the seventh.
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the French Open with a muscle injury, marking the first time the Spaniard will miss the tournament since 2004. Nadal, who won the tournament a record 13 times, has been dogged with injuries in recent years with a fractured rib and abdominal injury in 2022 and a hip injury in 2023. The severity of this latest ailment has prevented Nadal from "competing at 100%", and he stated that time has caught up with him. Nadal has outlined that he still wants to compete professionally but will take an extended break from tennis to allow his injuries to heal. He will be absent from the French Open draw, where players such as Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud are among the favourites to win.
Leaders from the G7 countries will release a statement at their annual meeting in Japan calling for a reduction in trade with China, though also pledging to build “constructive and stable relations”. The statement will sit alongside a pledge of support for Ukraine, both in terms of budget and the release of military equipment, as the group prepares to intensify sanctions against Russia following its 2014 invasion of Ukraine. In addition, the G7 leaders will issue a statement calling for a world free of nuclear weapons and urging countries including Russia, North Korea, China and Iran to embrace non-proliferation.
Leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) nations have warned China and North Korea about their nuclear arsenals as they focus on the major northeast Asian crises ahead of the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit later on Saturday. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that President Joe Biden and Zelensky would have face-to-face talks at the summit, a day after Biden supported training Ukrainian pilots on US F-16 fighter jets. The move follows earlier decisions by the US to send rocket launcher systems and Abrams tanks to Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression but discouraged attacks by Ukraine into Russian territory. The focus on Asia comes as Japanese military officials confirmed Zelensky’s decision to attend the G7 in person to participate in talks to influence Ukraine’s defence against Russia. Zelensky called for the supply of Western fighter jets to bolster his country’s defences against Russia’s invasion; the jets could become useful in the long-term security of the country.
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 and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have called for a nuclear weapons-free world following their visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum earlier this week. The G7 leaders also visited with Keiko Ogura, a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bomb attack, and saw exhibits including burnt and tattered clothing, charred lunch boxes and other items. Japan’s top security ally is the US, and this may be why few other details of the trip have been disclosed, and why some consider it controversial. Over 200,000 people – mostly civilians – are believed to have died as a result of the bombs.
The Guardian's Alison Flood explores the benefits and dangers of using YouTube to enhance reading epriences. Flood describes how she paired her recent reading of Alan Cumming's Baggage with the near-constant companionship of relevant YouTube videos, including footage of Cumming's Emcee in Cabarat. While undeniably an enjoyable pastime, the strategy comes with downsides: "I finished the week fully understanding why nobody ever gets round to anything any more."
Seattle Thunderbirds beat Winnipeg ICE to claim WHL title
The Toronto Star
23-05-20 05:51
The Seattle Thunderbirds have won the Western Hockey League title by beating the Winnipeg ICE 3-1, with Nico Myatovic scoring the game-winning penalty shot against ICE netminder Daniel Hauser. The Thunderbirds, who previously won the title in 2017, have now qualified for the Memorial Cup.
US President Joe Biden is likely to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while both are in Japan for the G7 summit this weekend, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has said. Sullivan stopped short of making a formal announcement but told reporters that Biden “looks forward to the opportunity to be able to sit down face to face with President Zelensky”. Zelensky is attending the G7 meeting in person this weekend, his precise plans remaining unclear.
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.
Russia has warned Western countries that supplying Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets is a "colossal risk". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been seeking the supply of advanced fighter jets to help defend against Russia's invasion, but until now his request has been rejected by Western allies who fear it could lead to an escalation from Russian President Vladimir Putin. US President Joe Biden has reportedly told G7 leaders that Washington supports joint allied training programmes for Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.
Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) is leading the debt ceiling negotiations for House Republicans and is considered by Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to be the obvious pick. Graves is respected by many who have worked with him due to his calm demeanor and attentiveness, and his knowledge and experience of the legislative process. However, some more conservative colleagues are concerned his openness to striking a deal with Democrats could misrepresent or ignore their attempts to cut spending. Some commenters suspect McCarthy may be positioning Graves as a “fall guy” to blame if negotiations fail to appease the far-right flank of the conference.
Graves was the top Republican in finding consensus among Republicans to elect McCarthy as speaker and bring together the disparate ideals of the conference. He has never served as committee chair or been elected to House leadership so some think he lacks the experience for such a high-stakes mission. In terms of his policy work, Graves has remained a conservative who toes the party line and has a 96 percent conservative score. When serving on the House Climate Crisis Committee, McCarthy appointed Graves as the top Republican to establish an energy, climate, and conservation task force that crafted policy prescription agreements.
Graves is negotiating with two trusted Biden aides: counselor to the president Steve Ricchetti and Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young, who coincidentally is from the southern Louisiana district that Graves represents. Regardless of his background, and beyond party politics, what is clear is Graves’ calibre as a ‘workhorse.’ As Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) observes, while Graves may not be very visible, “if they want to debate Graves on policy, it’s best to come overprepared.”
Publisher HarperCollins announced plans to release a wider range of romance novels in response to the genre's increased popularity, particularly among younger readers. In Canada, Harlequin, the major romance publisher until its acquisition by HarperCollins's parent News Corp, noted that readers have increasingly demanded diverse representation. Between 2017 and 2022, sales in Canada's romance market rose for fiction that featured LGBT+ characters (up 10,406%), African American and Black love stories (1,733%) and those featuring romance in the workplace (1,793%). “An increasing number of younger, and often more diverse readers have discovered and embraced this genre, much of it fuelled by BookTok," said Simon & Schuster in a statement.
