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☆ China's Wang Yi and US national security adviser Jake Sullivan meet in Malta for 'substantive and constructive' talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

China’s Foreign Ministry said the two sides agreed to continue high-level communication on several fronts, including consultations on Asia-Pacific affairs, maritime affairs, and foreign policy. Biden and Xi last met in November 2022 on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali. Military communicationThe two sides also discussed the need to re-establish military-to-military dialogue between the US and China, the senior Biden official said following the weekend meeting. Wang would visit the country between September 18 and 21, China’s Foreign Ministry said Monday. He is expected to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss “a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues,” according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry last week.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Wang Yi, Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Xi, Biden, Wang, Sullivan, Nancy Pelosi, China’s, ’, Li Shangfu, Li, Qin Gang, Sergey Lavrov, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United, China’s, Ministry, Economic Cooperation, Biden, White, US, Party, Foreign Ministry, Chinese Defense, Communist Party, Foreign, Russian, Russian Foreign Ministry, North Locations: China, Hong Kong, United States, Malta, Asia, Pacific, Beijing, San Francisco, Bali, Washington, Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, ”, Ukraine, Moscow, Pyongyang

Newly installed Foreign Minister Qin Gang vanished with scant explanation in July, the same month as an abrupt shake-up of the military's elite Rocket Force, which oversees China's nuclear arsenal. China's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday. PROXIMITY ISN'T PATRONAGERegarding Defence Minister Li's disappearance and investigation, a ministry spokeswoman told reporters on Friday she was not aware of the situation. With corruption long permeating China's military and state institutions, some analysts and diplomats believe Xi's anti-graft crackdowns mark political purges across the Communist Party. If Li's fate "reflects Xi's increasingly inward focus, it is not good for those of us who want greater openness and lines of communications with China's military," said one Asian diplomat.

Persons: Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Xi Jinping's, Li Shangfu, Qin Gang, Drew Thompson, Thompson, Li's, Li, Helena Legarda, Alexander Neill, Zhang Youxia, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Ja Ian Chong, Chong, Greg Torode, Martin Quin Pollard, William Mallard Organizations: Rights, Reuters, Foreign, Rocket Force, Pentagon, National University of Singapore, State Council and Defence Ministry, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Communist Party, Mercator Institute for China Studies, Hawaii's, Military Commission, Washington, U.S . Defence, Pacific ., East, South China Seas, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, India, China, Russia, Belarus, Beijing, Jakarta, Berlin, Singapore, Washington, Asia, Pacific, Taiwan, South, East China, South China, Hong Kong

☆ After replacing 2 senior military commanders in charge of its nukes, China is now investigating its defense minister, US officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Ella Hopkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

General Li Shangfu, China's defense minister, hasn't been seen in public for more than two weeks. Sources in direct contact with the Chinese military said the defense minister was suspected of corruption in procuring military equipment. A further eight officials from the government's military procurement unit, which General Li led from 2017 to 2022, are under investigation, two sources told Reuters. AdvertisementAdvertisementIt comes two months after Xi Jinping, China's president, also replaced two of his most senior military commanders who were in charge of the country's nuclear arsenal. A US official told The Journal that General Li's dismissal indicated problems with Xi's years-long campaign to reform the People's Liberation Army, China's military.

Persons: Li Shangfu, hasn't, Li, Qin Gang, Wang Yi, Xi Jinping, Li's, it's, Su, yun, General Li, Rahm Emanuel Organizations: New York Times, Service, Street Journal, Reuters, The New York Times, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Institute for National Defense and Security Research, Times, Twitter Locations: Wall, Silicon, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan

☆ Chinese defence minister under investigation for corrupt procurement
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The investigation into Li relates to procurement of military equipment, according to a regional security official and three people in direct contact with the Chinese military. Eight senior officials from the Chinese military's procurement unit, which Li led from 2017 to 2022, are also under investigation, according to two of the people in direct contact with the military. Reuters' detailed examination of the allegations against Li and the timing of the probe is based on interviews with sources who interact regularly with senior Chinese political and defence leaders, and regional officials with close knowledge of Chinese politics. The Financial Times reported on Friday, citing U.S. officials, that the U.S. government believes Li has been placed under investigation. Chinese officials initially said Qin's absence was also due to health reasons.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, U.S . State Department didn't, Japan Rahm Emanuel, Qin Gang, Qin, Xi Jinping, Lloyd Austin, Katerina Ang, Daniel Flynn Organizations: Reuters, Foreign Ministry, State Council, Defence Ministry, Financial Times, U.S, U.S . State Department, Beijing, Qin, Liberation, Rocket Force, Support Force, U.S . Defence, Pentagon, Thomson Locations: Beijing, Japan, U.S, Tokyo, Russia, Belarus, Vietnam, Hanoi, China, United States, Singapore

Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, accompanied by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (not pictured), speaks at the U.S. The ambassador, Rahm Emanuel, has always spoken in "a colorful manner," said Matthew Miller, restraining a smile, although he declined to say whether Emanuel's comments had been cleared by the State Department. "I would guess that the Chinese government views Ambassador Emanuel's remarks as authoritative and deliberate signaling. I doubt that's the case," said Bonnie Glaser, a China expert at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. All of that suggests that the administration is unlikely to rein in its Japan ambassador.

Persons: Japan Rahm Emanuel, Antony Blinken, Andrew Harnik, Rahm Emanuel, Matthew Miller, Emanuel, Agatha Christie's, Qin Gang, Li Shangfu hasn't, Li, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Obama, Emanuel's, Bonnie Glaser, Biden, Rahm, AMBASSADOR Emanuel, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama's, Laquan McDonald, Fumio Kishida, Yun Sun, He's, Humeyra Pamuk, David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina, Trevor Hunnicutt, Patricia Zengerle, Timothy Kelly, Don Durfee, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: U.S, Ambassador's, WASHINGTON, . State Department, State Department, Foreign, Rocket Force, Defense, Reuters, German Marshall Fund of, CHINA U.S, AMBASSADOR, Obama, House, West Wing, China Program, Stimson, Biden, Thomson Locations: Japan, Tokyo, TOKYO, Washington, Britain, China, United States, Beijing, U.S, CHINA, Chicago

☆ China’s Defense Minister Has Not Been Seen in Weeks, Fueling Intrigue
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Chris Buckley | More About Chris Buckley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

China’s defense minister, Gen. Li Shangfu, has not been seen in public in more than two weeks, fueling speculation about further upheaval in the military after the abrupt removal of two top commanders in charge of the country’s nuclear force. Just six weeks ago, China’s leader, Xi Jinping, replaced the two most senior commanders of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, which oversees China’s nuclear missiles. The abrupt dismissals suggested that Mr. Xi was seeking to reassert his control over the military and purge perceived corruption, disloyalty and dysfunction from its ranks, analysts have said. Many experts believe that the military commanders may be accused of corruption, though some have said that suspicions of disloyalty toward Mr. Xi may be involved. In July, China also dismissed the foreign minister, Qin Gang — another official who had risen rapidly under Mr. Xi — without explanation.

Persons: Li Shangfu, General Li’s, Li’s, Mao Ning, Xi Jinping, Xi, Qin Gang — Organizations: Chinese Foreign Ministry, People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, Qin Locations: Vietnam, China

Rahm Emanuel, Washington's outspoken ambassador to Japan, wrote in a post on X: "1st: Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn't been seen or heard from in 3 weeks. China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On the trip, Wat met with China's navy commander, Dong Jun and other navy leaders, Singapore's defence ministry said on its website. Singapore's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Military observers and diplomats are closely watching whether China will go ahead with plans to hold the Beijing Xiangshan Forum - an annual international security summit normally hosted by China's defence minister - in late October.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, Rahm Emanuel, Washington's, Li Shangfu hasn't, Mao Ning, Qin Gang, Qin, Emanuel, Barack Obama, Matthew Miller, Sean Wat, Wat, Dong Jun, Lloyd Austin, Yew Lun Tian, Laurie Chen, Martin Pollard, Yukiko Toyoda, Xinghui, John Geddie, Neil Fullick, Lincoln, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defence, Financial Times, U.S, Street Journal, Defense, Navy, Liberation, Rocket Force, . State Department, Reuters, Military, Beijing Xiangshan, U.S . Defence, Australian National University, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, TOKYO, U.S, Beijing, Japan, Vietnam, Tokyo, States, China, Singapore, United States, Xinghui Kok

☆ Li Shangfu: Speculation grows over whereabouts of China's defense minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday skirted questions on the whereabouts of the country’s defense minister, amid mounting speculation the recently promoted general has been placed under investigation. Qin, who was only foreign minister for seven months, has retained the position of state councillor – a senior role in China’s cabinet which Li also holds. On Chinese government and military websites, Li is still listed as the defense minister, state councillor and a member of the party’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC). “The foreign minister and the defense minister are both externally facing interlocutors with the international community. Two weeks away from the public view is not unprecedented for China’s defense minister, who typically has less frequent public engagements than the foreign minister.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Li Shangfu, China’s, Li, Mao Ning, “ I’m, Qin Gang, Qin, –, Rahm Emanuel, Li hadn’t, Emanuel, Xi’s, Agatha Christie’s, Li Shangfu hasn’t, ”, Xi Jinping, ” Drew Thompson, Lee, Sergey Shoigu, Alexander Lukashenko Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong CNN — China’s, Communist Party, Financial Times, Street, Foreign Ministry, Central Military Commission, People’s Liberation Army, Force, CNN, Foreign, Rocket Force, Defense, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public, National University of Singapore, Development Department, Equipment Development Department, Security Forum, ”, Reuters, ” Reuters, Border Defense Friendship Exchange Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, China, United States, Africa, Russia, Belarus, Moscow, Minsk, Hanoi

☆ Elon Musk was rebuked by Taiwan after appearing to defend the one-China policy: 'Listen up, Taiwan is not for sale'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk compared Taiwan to Hawaii, suggesting it was "an integral part of China." The Tesla CEO met with China's foreign minister during a trip to the country in May. During a virtual appearance at the All-In Summit while onboard his private jet, Musk explained how Beijing's "policy has been to reunite Taiwan with China." AdvertisementAdvertisementElon Musk met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in May. "If one is to take China's policy recently, and probably one should, then force will be used to incorporate Taiwan into China," he added.

Persons: Elon Musk, Elon, Musk, Joseph Wu, Hope @elonmusk Organizations: Service, US Pacific Fleet, CCP, 外交部 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC Locations: Taiwan, Hawaii, China, Wall, Silicon, Russia

CNN —The Taliban has welcomed Zhao Sheng as China’s new ambassador to Afghanistan during a lavish ceremony held at the presidential palace in Kabul on Wednesday. China is among a handful of countries, including Pakistan, Iran and Russia that have maintained a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan since the Taliban retook control of the country in 2021. In the palace ceremony, Taliban Prime Minister Mohammad Hasan Akhund shook hands with Zhao and “accepted the credentials of the new Chinese Ambassador,” the prime minister’s office said on X, formerly known as Twitter. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement the appointment was the “normal rotation of China’s ambassador to Afghanistan” and was “intended to continue advancing dialogue and cooperation” between the two countries, according to Reuters. The ministry said, “China’s policy toward Afghanistan is clear and consistent.”CNN has reached out to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Persons: Zhao Sheng, Mohammad Hasan Akhund, Zhao, “, Mr Zhao Sheng, Zabiullah Mujahid, ”, Mujahid, Afghanistan ”, Qin Gang Organizations: CNN, Taliban, Honorable, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Reuters, Pakistan Economic Locations: Afghanistan, Kabul, Wednesday, China, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, China’s, Islamabad, Xinjiang

☆ China's defence minister, not seen in weeks, skipped Vietnam meet
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

China's State Council Information Office, as well as its defence and foreign ministries did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the Vietnam event. Asked about Emanuel's post this week, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told reporters she was "not aware of the situation." China's defence minister is mainly responsible for defence diplomacy and does not command combat forces. Chinese officials have repeatedly said they want those sanctions dropped to facilitate better discussions between the two sides' militaries. He then headed the military's procurement unit from 2017 until he became defence minister.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, Beijing couldn't, Qin Gang, Xi Jinping, Qin, Washington, Li's, Joe Biden, Japan Rahm Emanuel, Li Shangfu hasn't, Alfred Wu, Lee, Xi, Lloyd Austin, Yew Lun Tian, Antoni Slodkowski, John Geddie, Katerina Ang Organizations: Reuters, China's, Information, Qin, Liberation, Rocket Force, Communist Party, U.S, . U.S, Foreign, Defense, Foreign Ministry, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public Policy, U.S . Defence, Support Force, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, HANOI, Vietnam, China, Beijing, Hanoi, Japan, Russia, Belarus, Singapore, U.S

☆ U.S. Diplomat Questions Whether Chinese Defence Minister Under 'House Arrest'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Rahm Emanuel wrote: "1st: Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn't been seen or heard from in 3 weeks. Now: He’s absent from his scheduled meeting with the Singaporean Chief of Navy because he was placed on house arrest???" China's foreign and defence ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reuters exclusively reported on Thursday that Li had abruptly pulled out of a meeting with Vietnamese defence leaders last week. These moves have raised questions from analysts and diplomats about a lack of transparency and unpredictable decision-making in China's leadership.

Persons: Yukiko Toyoda, Tian, Rahm Emanuel, Li Shangfu hasn't, William Shakespeare's, Li, Singapore Rahm, Sean Wat, Dong Jun, Qin Gang, Lun Tian, Martin Pollard, Xinghui, John Geddie, Neil Fullick Organizations: Twitter, Defense, Navy, Reuters, Financial Times, Singapore, PLA Navy, Liberation, Rocket Force Locations: Tian TOKYO, BEIJING, U.S, Japan, Vietnam, Denmark, Tokyo, Beijing, Singapore, China, Xinghui Kok

☆ Chinese titanium producers expect boost from new iPhone
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 13 (Reuters) - China's titanium producers said on Wednesday they expect stronger demand for the lightweight metal after the launch of a new model of Apple's iPhone with a titanium shell. China accounts for more than 60% of the 240,000 metric tons of titanium and titanium alloys produced globally each year, according to the CNIA. A consumer product "monster" such as the iPhone would help bring wider adoption of titanium in new industries, replacing materials like stainless steel, he added. The titanium shell on the new iPhone is made with an alloy known as Grade 5 Titanium that also contains small amounts of aluminium and vanadium, according to three Chinese titanium producers. "There's a technical barrier to produce titanium alloys and international enterprises such as Apple require high standards.

Persons: Stephanie Lecocq, Zhao Wei, Zhao, Foxconn, Ningwei Qin, Amy Lv, Siyi Liu, Dominique Patton, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Apple, REUTERS, Rights, China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, Ningwei, Thomson Locations: Lille, France, Rights BEIJING, China

☆ California Could Become the First State to Ban Caste Bias as Prejudices Linger
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Amy Qin | More About Amy Qin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“I personally see this as something that does not exist in society,” said Praveen Sinha, a professor of accounting at California State University, Long Beach, who filed a lawsuit last year challenging the university system’s addition of caste to its discrimination policy. Opponents say that expressly naming caste as a protected characteristic disproportionately makes South Asians more vulnerable to unfair accusations of discrimination for actions that may have nothing to do with caste. They see redemption in the state dropping its case against the two managers at the heart of the Cisco case, though its lawsuit against the company is still ongoing. The State Legislature, in an attempt to address such concerns, amended Senator Wahab’s bill this summer to make caste a subset of ancestry discrimination rather than its own class. Some say that writing caste into state law will draw greater attention to outdated South Asian distinctions rather than dissolve them.

Persons: “, ”, Praveen Sinha, Wahab’s, Samir Kalra Organizations: California State University, Cisco, State Legislature, Hindu American Foundation Locations: India, Long Beach, America

FILE PHOTO-Security guards stand at the BYD booth at the Auto Shanghai show, in Shanghai, China April 19, 2023. The deal will expand BYD Electronic's (BE) (0285.HK) customer base, product portfolio and its smartphone components business as it looks to capture Jabil's potential growth in the sector. Although now best known for its electric vehicle business, BYD started out by selling electronic components. BE's major business has been selling electronic components for consumer electronics products such as smartphones and laptops. This was one of three key business segments for BYD Electronic, accounting for more than 70% of its total revenue in 2022.

Persons: Aly, BYD, Tu Le, Jabil, Kenny Wilson, Wilson, Qin Chuan, Sameer Manekar, Brenda Goh, Stephen Coates Organizations: Security, Auto, REUTERS, U.S, Jabil Inc, HK, Jabil, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Sino Auto, Apple Inc, Citi, BE, Thomson Locations: Auto Shanghai, Shanghai, China, Singapore, Chengdu, Wuxi, Hong Kong, EVs, Nanjing, Bengaluru, Yelin Mo, Beijing

☆ BYD unit buys US firm Jabil’s China mobility business for $2.2 billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Reuters —Chinese automaker BYD said on Monday its electronics unit has struck a deal with US-based manufacturer Jabil Inc to buy its mobility business in China for 15.8 billion yuan ($2.2 billion). The deal will expand BYD Electronic’s customer base, product portfolio and its smartphone components business as it looks to capture Jabil’s potential growth in the sector. Although now best-known for its electric vehicle business, BYD started out by selling electronic components. BE’s major business has been selling electronic components for consumer electronics products such as smartphones and laptops. This was one of three key business segments for BYD Electronic, accounting for more than 70% of its total revenue in 2022.

Persons: BYD, ”, Tu Le, ” BYD, Kenny Wilson, Jabil, ” Wilson, Qin Chuan Organizations: Reuters, US, Jabil Inc, Jabil, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Sino Locations: China, Singapore, Chengdu, Wuxi, Hong Kong, EVs, Nanjing

CNN —Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday unexpectedly skipped a business forum of the BRICS economic group in South Africa, sending his commerce minister instead to deliver a fiery speech in his name that decried US hegemony. Xi, who arrived in Johannesburg on Monday for the annual BRICS summit of major emerging economies, was scheduled to deliver a speech at its business forum on Tuesday afternoon alongside leaders from India, Brazil and South Africa. Xi was the only BRICS leader who did not attend the business forum. At a regular news briefing Wednesday, Wang Wenbin, another spokesperson for the ministry, sidestepped a question about Xi’s absence at the BRICS business forum. “The (Chinese Communist Party) feels no obligation to provide explanations about why its foreign minister was replaced or its top leader was a no show at the BRICS Business Forum.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Xi, –, Wang Wentao, Vladimir Putin, ”, Bonnie Glaser, Marshall Fund’s, Brian Hart, Cyril Ramaphosa, ” Hart, Wang, Hua Chunying, Wang Wenbin, sidestepped, Xi’s, “ I’ve, Glaser, Qin, Wang Yi, Hart Organizations: CNN, Chinese Commerce, China Power, Center for Strategic, International Studies, South, Ramaphosa, Xinhua, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Communist Party, German Marshall Fund, CSIS Locations: South Africa, Johannesburg, India, Brazil, Beijing, United States, Ukraine, China, ”

☆ 'Neutral' China is supplying Putin's forces with helicopters, drones, and crucial raw materials, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

China is providing Russia with helicopters, drones, and crucial raw materials. China claims it has remained neutral and has repeatedly denied sending military equipment to Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But The Telegraph's investigation found that the country has delivered tens of thousands of shipments to Russian military equipment manufacturers. With the outbreak of the war, the aid ramped up, with Chinese firms Hems999 and Tianjin Huarong Aviation dispatching helicopters to Russia. China's actions provide Putin with a vital lifelineChina has also utilized loopholes to send non-lethal but militarily useful equipment to Russia.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Xie Huanchi, Samson, Qin Gang, Sergey Radchenko, Putin Organizations: Telegraph, Service, Privacy, George's, Getty, Russia, The Telegraph, Tianjin Huarong Aviation, PBS, Politico, New York Times Locations: China, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, St, Kremlin, Xinhua, Tianjin, Yiwu, Shanghai

☆ Why it matters that this year’s Women’s World Cup teams ditched white shorts
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —When England take the field at Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final, the team won’t look the same as the one that won the European championship last July. No white shorts. The number of nations whose uniforms feature white shorts decreased from 2019’s tournament, despite the number of participants expanding from 24 to 32. Melton noted that the historical prevalence of white shorts in women’s sports suggests that little to no consideration was given to how women’s bodies differ from men’s. Eugenie Le Sommer of France, one of several teams to switch from white shorts to dark-colored ones at this year's World Cup.

Persons: —, Ireland’s, Lauren Hemp, ”, “, Zealand’s Hannah Wilkinson, Qin Lang, Nicole Melton, ” Allison Smith, meanwhile, ” Smith, — we’re, ‘, “ It’s, Melton, haven’t, ” Melton, she’s, Aryna, Patrick Smith, Clare Hanlon, Hanlon, ” Hanlon, Smith, “ Young, Eugenie Le Sommer, France, Justin Setterfield Organizations: CNN, England, Wimbledon, League, Manchester City, Manchester, Getty, University of Massachusetts Amherst, FIFA, University of Massachusetts, Sports outfitters, “, Victoria University’s Institute of Health, Sport, Nike, “ Nike Locations: England, Zambia, Philippines, Canada, France, Nigeria, South Korea, Xinhua, United States, Europe, South America, University of Massachusetts Boston

Image The Pioneer Inn in Lahaina, Hawaii, last year. Image Shops and dining destinations along the sidewalks and streets in Lahaina, Maui. Mr. Hedani said the fabled beach areas on Oahu that Hawaii is best known for held nothing on Lahaina. “The sunset looks fake every time I see it.”Image Sunset in Lahaina, Hawaii. “What happens when you take away the most important street on Maui?” he said.

Persons: George Alan Freeland, Freeland’s, ”, Theo Morrison, Daejas, Baldwin, Ephraim Spaulding, Dwight Baldwin, Morrison, Mark Twain, “, —, Kiha Kaina, Patrick T, Kaina, Lee Anne Wong, Wong, Tony Novak, Clifford, Ronald Williams, Williams, it’s, Jared Hedani, Tommy Bahama, Hedani, “ You’re, Jim Wilson, Kamehameha the, Kaniela Ing, Ing, “ I’d, Amy Qin, David W, Chen, Mitch Smith Organizations: Lahaina Restoration Foundation, The New York Times, East Coast, ., Fallon, Agence France, French Culinary Institute, Hawaii State Archives, New York Times, Green New Deal Network Locations: Lahaina, British, Maui, Hawaii, “, United States, Lahaina , Hawaii, Massachusetts, East, Berkeley, Calif, ”, Papa’aina, New York City, Maui . Credit, Mexico City, Shaw, Paradise, Oahu, Waikiki

☆ China assures Russia it remains ‘impartial’ on Ukraine war after attending Saudi peace talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Lavrov “appreciates and welcomes the constructive role played by China” toward a political resolution of the “Ukraine crisis,” China’s Foreign Ministry said in their readout of Monday’s call. China has continued to bolster its economic, diplomatic, and security ties with Russia, despite Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which Beijing has never condemned. It did not send a delegation to previous international talks in Denmark in June, despite attempting to position itself as a potential peace broker on the conflict in recent months. That proposal, which Beijing put forward earlier this year, calls for peace talks to end the conflict. Ukraine and Russia remain publicly committed to prerequisites for direct negotiations that the other side finds unacceptable.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Wang Yi, Wang, Sergei Lavrov, ”, ” Wang, Lavrov “, Dmytro Kuleba, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Xi, Putin, China’s, Affairs Li Hui, “, …, Lavrov, Russia “, ” “, Qin Gang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Russian, China’s Foreign Ministry, Saudi, Ukraine’s, ”, Affairs, Reuters, CNN, Tass, Communist Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Ukraine, Kyiv, Moscow, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United States, Britain, Germany, India, Jeddah, ” Ukraine, American, Denmark, Europe, Washington

BEIJING, Aug 6 (Reuters) - China's decision to join international talks in Saudi Arabia this weekend seeking to end Russia's war in Ukraine signals possible shifts in Beijing's approach but not a U-turn in its support for Moscow, analysts say. "Beijing will not want to be absent from other credible peace initiatives that are led by non-Western countries." China did not attend the talks in Copenhagen in late June, despite being invited and having proposed its own 12-point plan for peace. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called Li's involvement a "considerable breakthrough", according to Ukrainian media. While China's move was good for its image, Singapore-based analyst Li Mingjiang said Beijing would be looking to fine-tune its positions.

Persons: Yun Sun, Li Hui, Xi Jinping, Qin, Vladimir Putin, Dmytro Kuleba, Shen Dingli, Shen, China's, Li Mingjiang, Li, Geng Shuang, Moritz Rudolf, Yale Law School's Paul Tsai, Laurie Chen, Martin Quin Pollard, Greg Torode, William Mallard Organizations: NATO, Stimson, Qin Gang, People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, U.S, Ukrainian, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, United Nations, Security, Yale Law, Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Moscow, Beijing, Denmark, Russia, China, Washington, Jeddah, Copenhagen, Shanghai, Singapore

☆ Archaeologists are too scared to open the tomb of China's first emperor because they fear booby traps
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Archaeologists worry that the tomb of China's first emperor contains deadly booby traps. An ancient Chinese historian wrote that the tomb is filled with mercury and crossbows ready to fire. A 2020 study found that mercury concentrations around the tomb are higher than to be expected. Ancient Chinese historian Sima Qian wrote an account around 100 years after the emperor's death about possible booby traps inside the tomb. The terracotta army and Qin Shi Huang's tomb complex are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and remain some of the most significant archaeological discoveries in history.

Persons: China's, Qin Shi Huang, Sima Qian, Craftsmen, Qin Shi Organizations: Service, UNESCO, Heritage Locations: Wall, Silicon, Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China

☆ Trump’s Jury Pool for Jan. 6 Trial: A City That Remembers the Attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Amy Qin | More About Amy Qin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

All of this could add up to an enormous challenge for Mr. Trump and his lawyers. Lawyers for several Jan. 6 rioters have petitioned to have their trials transferred out of D.C., without success. Selecting a jury will mean sifting through a jury pool in a city where many residents have some type of connection to politics. The jury selection process to find the 12 district residents who will ultimately decide whether Mr. Trump is guilty could be lengthy. Finding people who don’t have a strong opinion of Mr. Trump or haven’t followed the Jan. 6 case could prove difficult.

Persons: Ms, Henderson, Trump, Ron DeSantis, Steve Bannon, Claire McCaskill, Bannon, haven’t Organizations: Twitter, Mr, Republican, Boston Marathon, Democratic Locations: Washington, West Virginia, Florida, Boston

The announcement was the first time either of the two – who had both been in military positions outside the Rocket Force – were named as the force’s leadership. Beijing gave no reason for the change, making the case yet another example of the lack of transparency in China’s political system. The newly appointed Rocket Force leadership both previously held deputy positions in other parts of the military. New missile silosThe leadership change comes as evidence points to an expanding Chinese nuclear force – creating an even more important role for the Rocket Force, which until 2016 was known as the PLA Second Artillery Force. They are responsible for handling and delivering China’s nuclear weapons,” said Drew Thompson, a senior research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Wang Houbin, Xu Xisheng, Li Yuchao, Qin Gang, Li, Xu Zhongbo, Xu, China’s, ”, Yun Sun, Li Gang, Xi, “, Qin, Wang Yi, Carl Schuster, “ Xi, ” Schuster, Wang, Neil Thomas, Roderick Lee, Drew Thompson, Lee, ” Thompson Organizations: CNN, Liberation Army Rocket Force, Rocket Force, Xinhua, Communist Party, Stimson, Communist Party’s, Military Commission, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, PLA Navy, Southern Theater Command, Asia Society, Center for, USAF Air University China Aerospace Studies, ” CNN, China’s Ministry of Defense, PLA Second Artillery Force, US Defense Department, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public, National University of Singapore, “ Locations: China, Suzhou, Taiwan, Washington, Beijing, Xinhua, Hawaii, Center for China, United States

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