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☆ Israel’s democracy is at a crossroads as its top court debates a law limiting its power. Here’s what to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Hadas Gold | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“The Supreme Court and the government alike possess a credible nuclear threat against the other side … if both sides are rational actors, they will … disarm themselves. That leaves the Supreme Court as the only check on the executive and legislative branches of government. Striking down a Basic Law would be uncharted territory for the Supreme Court, although it has examined and commented on Basic Laws before. Thousands of military reservists and even some active duty soldiers have vowed not to serve if the judicial overhaul went into effect. Or for the Supreme Court that might say we have a right to demonstrate, the right to strike by our so to speak legal system,” Tomer said.

Persons: Jerusalem CNN —, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, –, Netanyahu, “, ”, Amit Segal, Netanyahu’s, Biden, Israel doesn’t, Esther Hayut, Aryeh Deri, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Ohad, Yariv Levin, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben Gvir, ” Segal, it’s, Banks, Haim Tomer, Hassan Nasrallah, ‘, ’ ” Tomer, Joe Biden, Tomer, ” Tomer, he’s, Isaac Herzog’s, Isaac Herzog, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ronen Zvulun, Ben Gvir Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Jerusalem CNN — Israel’s, Israel’s, Supreme, CNN, of Defense, United, National Security, United Nations General Assembly Locations: Jerusalem, Israel, United Kingdom, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia

☆ US Says Hanoi Ties Upgrade Is Not a 'Cold War' Move Against China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

HANOI (Reuters) - The United States' move to upgrade relation with Hanoi is not a Cold War move against China, a U.S. National Security Council official said on Wednesday. Vietnam and the United States on Sunday upgraded their relationship to the highest diplomatic status during a visit to Hanoi by U.S. President Joe Biden. On Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called on the U.S. to "abandon hegemony and Cold War thinking," in her response to the Vietnam-U.S. relation upgrade. "We demand that the United States, when dealing with relations with Asian countries, must respect the common aspiration of regional countries for stability, cooperation, and development, abide by the basic norms of international relations," Ning said. Vietnam and China have for years been embroiled in a dispute over the potentially energy-rich stretch of water, called the East Sea by Vietnam.

Persons: Mira Rapp, Hooper, Joe Biden, Mao Ning, Ning, Rapp, Khanh Vu, Francesco Guarascio, Lincoln Organizations: United, U.S . National Security, National Security, Sunday Locations: HANOI, United States, Hanoi, China, U.S, Vietnam, Sea

CNN —Russia on Sunday deemed the G20 Summit in India’s capital New Delhi an “unconditional success,” a day after the meeting’s final declaration stopped short of explicitly condemning its invasion of Ukraine. “At the same time, the G20 has nothing to be proud of in the part about Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shake hands ahead of the G20 summit. Earlier this month, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said Russia would block the final declaration of the G20 summit unless it reflects Moscow’s position on Ukraine and other crises. The summit had some high-profile absentees, with both Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin staying away.

Persons: ”, Sergei Lavrov, Narendra Modi, Oleg Nikolenko, “, Antony Blinken, Ukraine “, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Ludovic Marin, Lavrov, ‘, ” Lavrov, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin Organizations: CNN, Sunday, Russian, ” Diplomats, Indian, Ukraine’s Foreign, Facebook, Meanwhile U.S, India's, Summit, Moscow State Institute of International Relations Locations: Russia, India’s, New Delhi, Ukraine, India, United States, Ukrainian, Meanwhile, Russian, AFP, Brazil, South Africa, Union

Hanoi, Vietnam CNN —President Joe Biden will arrive at Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s doorstep on Sunday with a deal in hand to draw yet another one of China’s neighbors closer to the United States. “It’s not going to be easy for Vietnam, because they’re under enormous pressure from China,” the official went on. In Vietnam, it’s not only China whose influence Biden is competing with. On Monday, Biden plans to announce steps to help Vietnam diversify away from an over-reliance on Russian arms, a senior administration official said. “I think that’s a deliberate design by the Biden administration,” said Yun Sun, the China program director at the Stimson Center.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping’s, Biden, ”, It’s, playbook, Xi Jinping, Evelyn Hockstein, ” Biden, Modi, Xi, States ’, it’s, ratchets, aggressions, Didier Marti, “ We’re, “, Biden’s, Mao Ning, Vietnam’s, Antony J, Blinken, Trung, Patricia Kim, Le Hoai, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, ” –, General Secreatary Nguyen, Trong, Yun Sun, ’ Organizations: Vietnam CNN, White House, Korean, Getty, Saturday, Communist Party, Xinhua, China’s, Monday, Communist Party of Vietnam's, Department of State . US Department of State, Biden, Brookings Institution, Communist, NATO, Wing, Stimson Locations: Hanoi, Vietnam, United States, Philippines, China, Beijing, New Delhi, AFP, Asia, States, Russia, Moscow, India, Brazil, South Africa, –, That’s, South China, Washington, South Korea, Helsinki, Japan, Korea, Australia, United Kingdom

☆ Talal Ansari — Reporter at The Wall Street Journal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Talal Ansari | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +2 min

Talal AnsariTalal Ansari is a reporter at The Wall Street Journal, covering U.S. news. He covers the news of the day while also working on exclusives and deeply reported stories. Prior to joining the Journal, Talal was a reporter for BuzzFeed News in New York City for four years, working on the investigative reporting team before moving to breaking news, covering everything from hate crimes to hurricanes. After leaving, Talal went into journalism and has worked at organizations such as Al Jazeera, the Los Angeles Daily News, and The Indian Express. Talal has a master's degree in long-form investigative journalism from the University of California Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.

Persons: Talal Ansari Talal Ansari, Talal, Adnan Syed’s, Jameis Winston, Al Jazeera Organizations: Wall Street, BuzzFeed News, NFL, FBI, U.S . Citizenship, Immigration Services, American Mosaic Journalism, Knight Media, American, Los Angeles Daily News, Indian, University of California Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University Locations: Baltimore, America, Covid, New York City, U.S, Los Angeles

☆ China think tank says India is 'sabotaging' G20 for its own agenda
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A man walks past a model of the G20 logo outside a metro station ahead of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, September 4, 2023. The think tank accused India of bringing geopolitical "private goods" onto the global stage, which it said would not only help the country to fulfill its responsibility as the host of G20 but also create further problems. India held two earlier G20 meetings in disputed territories -- one in Arunachal Pradesh that China also claims, and another in Kashmir, contested by Pakistan. the think tank said in a commentary published on its Wechat account. Last Sunday, reacting to news that Xi would not attend the G20 summit, U.S. President Biden said he was "disappointed" but would "get to see him".

Persons: Anushree, Xi Jinping, Narendra Modi, Li Qiang, Xi, Biden, Kevin Yao, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, Ministry of State Security, Pakistan, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, Rights BEIJING, India's, Arunachal Pradesh, China, Kashmir, U.S, United States, Beijing, Heilongjiang

☆ Analysis: China's Xi Jinping skipping G20 may be part of his plan to reshape global governance
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Since its first leaders’ summit in 2008, China’s top leader has always attended the gathering – including by video link during the Covid pandemic. Now, “China sees the G20 space as increasingly oriented toward the US and its agenda, which Xi Jinping regards as hostile to China,” Werner said. Alternative governance structureXi last attended the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, in November last year, when he emerged from China’s Covid isolation and declared his return to the world stage. All the while, Xi has only made two trips abroad this year – and both are central to his attempt to reshape the global world order. Next month, the Chinese leader is expected to host the Belt and Road Forum to mark the 10th anniversary of his global infrastructure and trade initiative – a key element in Beijing’s new global governance structure.

Persons: Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, Beijing’s reticence, Xi, ”, George Magnus, I’m, I’ve, Jake Werner, ” Werner, Biden, Werner, Happymon Jacob, China’s, Shi Yinhong, Joe Biden –, Antony Blinken, Vladimir Putin –, Magnus, they’re, ” Magnus, –, “ It’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Premier, China Center, Oxford University, “, Quincy Institute in, Quincy Institute in Washington DC, Pacific NATO, ”, India, New, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Divisions, Renmin University, EU, Beijing, Global Security Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Civilization Initiative, Forum, Shanghai Cooperation Organization – Locations: Hong Kong, New Delhi, China, Xi’s, India, United States, Quincy Institute in Washington, Beijing, New, Washington, Pacific, Ukraine, Moscow, Bali , Indonesia, Germany, France, Brazil, Indonesia, Johannesburg, South Africa, BRICS

☆ Professor Hillary Clinton Goes Back to School
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Katherine Rosman | More About Katherine Rosman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The class is offered through Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, a graduate school where tuition is more than $65,000 per year. The spokeswoman declined to share details of Mrs. Clinton’s compensation or how it compared to that of other faculty members. More than 800 students applied to take the class, submitting essays for consideration; about 370 graduate and undergraduate students were accepted. Lectures will focus on topics like whether groups make better decisions than individuals and how public opinion influences foreign policy. Among the assigned readings: “How to Stand Up to a Dictator” by Maria Ressa, and sections from Mrs. Clinton’s 2014 memoir “Hard Choices,” in which she recounted her years as secretary of state during the Obama administration.

Persons: Clinton, Yarhi, Milo, Marie Yovanovitch, Stacey Abrams, Eric Schmidt, Madeleine Albright, Maria Ressa, Clinton’s, Obama Organizations: Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, of Global, Google, White, Secret Service Locations: Ukraine, Georgia

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — It took more than a day of flying, including two refueling stops, for Vice President Kamala Harris to reach this year’s summit of Southeast Asian countries. Political Cartoons on World Leaders View All 226 ImagesPolitical Cartoons View All 1146 ImagesThis was her third trip to Southeast Asia since taking office — Harris heads back to Washington on Thursday — and she's visited more countries here than any other region. Harris' approval ratings remain underwater, and her announcements in Southeast Asia tend to be counted in the millions of dollars rather than the billions. “Everybody works their own way.”Harris' travel to Southeast Asia began in her first year in office, when she visited Singapore and Vietnam, but the trip almost didn't happen. But she’s put in the work," said Gregory B. Poling, who directs the Southeast Asia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Harris, ”, ” Harris, — Harris, she's, “, Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden’s, she’s, Sullivan, Dinna Prapto, Phil Gordon, ” Gordon, Gregory B, Poling, David Rothkopf, Bill Clinton, there’s “, Biden didn't, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, it’s, Edna Tarigan Organizations: United, Associated Press, Lowy Institute, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, U.S, ”, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Economic Cooperation, AP Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, United States, Washington, Southeast Asia, China, Central America, Asia, Australia, Beijing, Jakarta, Singapore, Vietnam, Afghanistan, South China, Thailand, Philippines, U.S, Philippine, Palawan

Executive Producer Reese Witherspoon attends a premiere for the television series "The Last Thing He Told Me" in Los Angeles, U.S, April 13, 2023. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni Acquire Licensing RightsTORONTO, Sept 7 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Reese Witherspoon is putting her star power – and business acumen – to the takeover test again. Private equity firm Consortium Brand Partners said on Wednesday it had bought 70% of Witherspoon’s “steeped in Southern charm” apparel company for an undisclosed sum. For all the attention A-listers now command in deal-making, however, the financial stars often don’t align. Follow @sharonlam_ on XCONTEXT NEWSPrivate equity firm Consortium Brand Partners said on Sept. 6 that it had acquired a 70% stake in Draper James, the fashion and lifestyle brand started by Hollywood actor Reese Witherspoon.

Persons: Reese Witherspoon, Mario Anzuoni, –, Blackstone, Draper James, George Clooney’s, Dre’s, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, Jessica Alba, ”, Jeffrey Goldfarb, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Sunshine, Brand Partners, Diageo, Apple, Bloomberg, Honest Company, Jay, Hollywood, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles, U.S, North America, Coty, Delaware, Draper

NEW DELHI/BEIJING, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping's decision to skip the G20 summit is being seen in host India as a snub to New Delhi and a new setback to the already frozen relations between the nuclear-armed Asian giants. Asked if Xi's decision reflects China-India tensions, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Beijing had supported India's hosting of the summit. China did not refer to any agreement and said Xi stressed improving ties helps both countries and global peace and stability. Shyam Saran, formerly India's top diplomat, said Xi's decision to skip the summit was "unusual". Happymon Jacob, who teaches international relations at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University, said Xi skipping the G20 summit "doesn't bode well" for India-China relations.

Persons: Xi Jinping's, Xi, Li Qiang, Mao Ning, Mao, Narendra Modi's, Baijayant Jay Panda, ”, China nosedived, Modi, Shi Yinhong, Shi, Shyam Saran, Saran, Happymon Jacob, bode, Jacob, Liz Lee Organizations: NEW, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, riling, China's Renmin University, Reuters, New, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Thomson Locations: NEW DELHI, BEIJING, India, New Delhi, China, Beijing, Johannesburg, Delhi, United States, riling Beijing, Japan, Australia, South China

☆ Russia's massive brain drain is ravaging the economy - these stunning figures show why it will soon be smaller than Indonesia's
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia's war on Ukraine has fueled a massive brain drain that will hobble Putin's economy. Russia's GDP, as measured by purchasing power parity, will fall behind Indonesia's in 2026. "But Russia's slide and Indonesia's ascent are both driven in large part by the same thing: people. Russia is suffering from acute brain drain while Indonesia's labor force is growing," the Council wrote. Not only is Indonesia's labor force increasing, but the influx of highly skilled workers has helped boost private consumption standards in the country, it added.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, That's, would've, Putin, Indonesia's Organizations: Service, Workers, French Institute of International Relations, Kremlin, Atlantic Council Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Indonesia's, Wall, Silicon, Russian, Soviet, Indonesia, China, Beijing

☆ Russia to block G20 declaration if its views are ignored, Lavrov says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MOSCOW, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Russia will block the final declaration of this month's G20 summit unless it reflects Moscow's position on Ukraine and other crises, leaving participants to issue a non-binding or partial communique, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday. "There will be no general declaration on behalf of all members if our position is not reflected," Lavrov told students at the prestigious Moscow State Institute of International Relations. The West denies any such intentions but says it wants Ukraine to defeat Russia on the battlefield and has imposed several rounds of sweeping economic sanctions in response to the invasion, which Russia calls a "special military operation". Lavrov said the West had raised Ukraine in meetings preparing for the summit, to which Russia had replied that "the issue is closed for us". "Another option is to adopt a document that focuses on specific decisions in the sphere of G20 competences, and let everyone say the rest on their own behalf," Lavrov said.

Persons: Sergei Lavrov, Lavrov, Vladimir Putin's, Putin, West, Guy Faulconbridge, Felix Light, Kevin Liffey Organizations: Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Thomson Locations: MOSCOW, Russia, Ukraine, New Delhi, China, India, Brazil, Moscow

☆ Swedish EV maker Polestar's loss narrows as supply chain snags ease
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Marie Mannes | Thomson Reuters | Stockholm-Based Company News Correspondent Who Mainly Covers Anything To Do With Retail | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

STOCKHOLM, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Swedish electric vehicle (EV) maker Polestar's operating loss narrowed in the second quarter as the auto industry slowly recovers from pandemic-related supply chain bottlenecks. Delayed production starts, job cuts and mounting competition from new Chinese rivals have meant a tough year for the company. While some have cut prices to boost demand from consumers grappling with higher living costs, Polestar has maintained its premium pricing. The company posted a net loss per share of $0.14 in the quarter, compared with $0.12 a year ago. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter were $1.06 billion, compared with $884.3 million in the preceding three-month period.

Persons: China's Geely, Polestar, Thomas Peter Acquire, Thomas Ingenlath, Marie, Arsheeya, Alexander Smith, Mark Potter Organizations: Volvo, Beijing International Automotive, Auto, REUTERS, Reuters, U.S, Marie Mannes, Thomson Locations: STOCKHOLM, Swedish, Auto China, Beijing, China, Stockholm, Bangalore

In the second quarter ended July 30, Lululemon's North America sales rose 11% as its affluent customer base picked up more of its workout gear and crossbody bags. Sales in China, which accounted for roughly 12% of overall revenue, increased 61% thanks to resilient demand following the easing of pandemic curbs. Lululemon said inventories increased 14% in the second quarter, below the roughly 20% growth forecast in June. The company's gross margins increased 230 basis points to 58.8% in the second quarter. It expects annual profit between $12.02 and $12.17 per share.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Lululemon, Calvin McDonald, Rachel Wolff, Granth, Maju Samuel Organizations: REUTERS, North, Lululemon's, Nike, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York, U.S, Lululemon's North America, United States, China, Bengaluru

☆ For Migrating Birds, It’s the Flight of Their Lives
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Emily Anthes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +17 min

Simone NoronhaFor Migrating Birds, It’s the Flight of Their Lives Leer en españolAmerica’s birds are in trouble. If migrating birds lose their winter refuges, the consequences will ripple across the hemisphere. MissouriMissouri provides breeding habitats for many grassland bird species, which have been faring especially poorly in recent decades. “This is a classic Pacific Northwest to west Mexico species,” Mr. Jiang said. The birds breed at marshes and wetlands across the Western United States and Canada.

Persons: Simone Noronha, “, ”, Viviana Ruiz, Gutierrez, Jeremy Radachowsky, Ken Rosenberg, Deb Hahn, Hahn, Anna Lello, Smith, Sarah Kendrick, Nick Bayly, That’s, Andrew Stillman, Archie Jiang, Mr, Jiang, Dr, Stillman, Camila Gómez, ” Dr, Ruiz Organizations: Center, Avian, Cornell, of Ornithology, Wildlife Conservation Society, Partners, New, New York Metro Area, UNITED STATES, BERMUDA BAHAMAS MEXICO Maya, PERU Moderate, Forest, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Southern Wings, The, Central, Mesoamerican Alliance for People, Forests Initiative, Forests Initiative . Missouri, CANADA UNITED STATES, BERMUDA CUBA MEXICO VENEZUELA COSTA RICA BRAZIL, U.S . Fish, Wildlife Service, Missouri Department of Conservation, Colorado Colorado, CANADA, ARGENTINA CANADA Colo, U.S, Bird Conservancy, Rockies, , Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, UNITED STATES Calif, Western Locations: North America, United States, Canada, Costa Rican, Caribbean, U.S, eBird, New York, BERMUDA BAHAMAS MEXICO, BRAZIL, PERU, CHILE, ARGENTINA, PERU Moderate CHILE, Forest BRAZIL, CHILE ARGENTINA, Forest BRAZIL PERU, New York City, Bahamas, The New York, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Central America, Central American, Forests Initiative ., Forests Initiative . Missouri Missouri, South America, BERMUDA MEXICO VENEZUELA COSTA RICA, Missouri, BERMUDA MEXICO VENEZUELA COSTA RICA BRAZIL, BERMUDA CUBA MEXICO VENEZUELA COSTA RICA, BERMUDA CUBA MEXICO VENEZUELA COSTA RICA BRAZIL PERU, Venezuela, Argentina, Cuba, Central, South, SELVA, Colombia, Costa Rica, Plains, UNITED STATES MEXICO ECUADOR, Colorado, UNITED STATES Colo, MEXICO ECUADOR BRAZIL, Northern Mexico, Texas, California, West Coast, Alaska, Pacific, MEXICO, URUGUAY ARGENTINA Alaska, Salt, CHILE URUGUAY ARGENTINA Alaska, BRAZIL PERU BOLIVIA, URUGUAY ARGENTINA, Sierra Nevada, Chile, Western United States

☆ Republican debate: Many saw Vivek Ramaswamy as 'the one to go after,' professor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRepublican debate: Many saw Vivek Ramaswamy as 'the one to go after,' professor saysJulie Norman, professor of U.S. politics and international relations at UCL, discusses the first Republican presidential debate and how the candidates fared, saying Vivek Ramaswamy "has been the one with traction, has been the one with momentum."

Persons: Vivek Ramaswamy, Julie Norman Organizations: UCL

☆ The GPT college classroom is almost here, but professors say AI isn't the real threat
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But some educators say the real threat isn't AI, but a "lagging and outdated approach to education." Rebecca Tan, a political science lecturer at the National University of Singapore, told Insider AI detection tools can be "notoriously inaccurate." Instead of relying on AI detection tools, educators need to get innovative as AI tools become ubiquitous — through ideas like having students submit the introductions to their essays first, Tan said. AdvertisementAdvertisementJonas said the key is to embrace AI tools in the classroom and teach students how to fact-check ChatGPT's responses. The real threat to education isn't AI, it's boring lessonsWhen asked about threats to education, Nanyang Technological University's Ang said: "AI tools are not the threat — a lagging and outdated approach to education is."

Persons: Madison White, Ian Chong, Rebecca Tan, OpenAI, Tan, Chong, Michael Rivera, Shannon Ang, Kai Jonas, Jonas, We've, Joana Cook, Ang, National University of Singapore's Tan, Hong Kong University's Rivera Organizations: Stetson University, Wall Street, National University of Singapore, Schools, Hong, Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, shouldn't, Maastricht University, Leiden University, Johns Hopkins University, Nanyang Technological, National University of Singapore's Locations: Florida, Singapore, Netherlands, Hong Kong, United States, Nanyang, Hong

☆ Over 40 countries sick and tired of the Western-led world order are clamoring to join a group where China and Russia are members
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Over 40 countries are interested in joining Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa in the BRICS bloc, Reuters reported. However, the BRICS bloc faces challenges from rivalry between China and India, and Russia's war in Ukraine. South Africa is hosting the 15th summit of the BRICS bloc in Johannesburg from Tuesday to Thursday. Still, the BRICS group does face challenges, including the long-standing rivalry between China and India, China's economic slowdown, and Russia's war in Ukraine. The bloc was formed in 2009 with its first summit, and South Africa joined in 2011, making the grouping BRICS.

Persons: South Africa hasn't, Rob Davies, South, It's, Evan Freidin, Vladimir Putin, Putin —, Goldman Sachs, Jim O'Neill, dollarization Organizations: Reuters, Service, South, United, Australian Institute of International Affairs, Criminal, South Africa, New Development Bank Locations: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Johannesburg, Iran, Venezuela, Southeast, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Russian, Shanghai, Africa's

☆ BRICS Summit: Who stands to benefit from Russia-friendly bloc's expansion?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa has never been more prominent on the world stage. Russia’s leader can’t attend the summit because host country South Africa would be obliged to arrest him for alleged war crimes. But nonetheless that family is now entertaining formal bids from nearly two dozen countries to join their bloc of major emerging economies. It held its first summit in 2009 with four members and then added South Africa the following year. An expansion, instead of making the group more potent, could also make it “more unwieldy and ineffective” with more contrasting positions between members, he added.

Persons: can’t, It’s, Russia’s Vladimir Putin –, Putin, Cyril Ramaphosa, BRICS, ” “, Chen Xiaodong, Bhaso, “, China’s Xi, India’s Narendra Modi, Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, –, Goldman Sachs, Jim O’Neill, BRICS Anil Sooklal, Mihaela Papa, ”, Xi, Yun Sun, Putin –, Manoj Kewalramani, Kewalramani, Modi, Lula, Ramaphosa, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, Rubens Duarte Organizations: CNN, West, Washington, Sunday, University of Johannesburg, New Development Bank, United Arab, Tufts University, Western, China Program, Stimson, NATO, Takshashila, United Nations Locations: South Africa, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Beijing, United States, New Delhi, Ukraine, African, Argentina, Mexico, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Nigeria, Bangladesh, South, Washington, BRICS, Bangalore, Johannesburg, Russian, – China, Africa, Europe

☆ US trip pays off for Taiwan VP with China drills more 'thunder than rain'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

China has a particular dislike of Lai, the frontrunner in polls ahead of January's presidential election, due to his previous comments about being a "worker for Taiwan independence". In his public events he talked about peace and dialogue, though he also said that Taiwan would not back down in the face of threats. "These drills were a lot of thunder, but less rain." 'NO SURPRISES'Lo Chih-cheng, a senior lawmaker for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said Lai's trip was also about the broader process of showing him to the United States as a steady and trustworthy leader. China could take other, trade-related, steps to punish Taiwan, having previously stopped Taiwanese fruit and fish imports.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Ma Chen, Shen Dingli, Lai Ching, Lo Chih, cheng, Lo, Ko Wen, Xi Jinping, Ben Blanchard, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, U.S, Liberation Army, National Defence University, United States, Relations, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwanese Public, National Taiwan Normal University's Graduate, of Political, Thomson Locations: United States, New York, Paraguay, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, U.S, United, Shanghai, Taipei, Beijing, Washington, Asia

☆ A BRICS no-show speaks volumes about Putin's shrinking horizons
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Nathan Hodge | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But Putin will be notably absent from a key global forum this week, the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. His no-show speaks volumes about Russia’s isolation – and Putin’s shrinking horizons. Bolstering such support against the background of the war on Ukraine was a key aim of Putin’s recent Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg. The Kremlin, of course, bristles at any implication that Putin is ducking out of the BRICS summit because of an ICC warrant. Russia, after all, is waging a war on Ukraine that Putin has justified in starkly imperial terms.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, he’ll, Alexander Lukashenko, Cyril Ramaphosa, Xi Jinping, Luiz Lula da Silva, Narendra Modi –, Sergey Lavrov, Omar al, Bashir –, Darfur –, Dmitry Peskov, ”, Lavrov, “ Organizations: CNN, Kremlin, Putin, South, Indian, International Criminal, ICC, Hague, Russian, UN Security Council Locations: Ukraine, Moscow, Beijing, Central Asia, Iran, Minsk, Belarusian, Russia, Johannesburg, Russian, Africa, St . Petersburg, Latin America, Asia, South Africa, Darfur, BRICS, United States

Taiwan's constitution states that the Republic of China is a sovereign state, and that has been a consensus shared by all Taiwan's main political parties. The Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists, who set up the People's Republic. "It is because if he is elected as the leader of Taiwan, he may come to advance his goal of Taiwan independence, which will provoke a crisis across the Taiwan Strait." China's Taiwan Affairs Office said his comments were "weird" and "deceitful" given that his "Taiwan independence nature" had not changed. China has demanded Taiwan's government accept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to "one China," something Tsai and Lai have refused to do.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Tsai Ing, Mao Zedong's, Wu Xinbo, Joseph Wu, George Yin, Yin, Tsai's, Lai ., Xi Jinping, Taiwan's, Tsai, Meng Chih, cheng, Ben Blanchard, Sarah Wu, Martin Pollard, Casey, Sonali Paul Organizations: International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Shanghai's Fudan University, National Taiwan University, Taiwan Affairs Office, Cheng Kung University, Casey Hall, Thomson Locations: United States, New York, Paraguay, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, Taiwanese, Republic of China, People's Republic of China, The Republic of China, Republic, Republic of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai

☆ In Europe, Few Even Want to Talk About Trump Part 2
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Steven Erlanger | More About Steven Erlanger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Emmanuel Macron of France has made it clear that he believes a politically polarized United States, more focused on China, will inevitably reduce its commitments to Europe. He has been pushing Europeans to do more for their own defense and interests, which are not perfectly aligned with Washington’s. So far he has largely failed in that ambition and, given the war in Ukraine, has instead embraced a stronger European pillar within NATO. But even Mr. Macron would not welcome an American withdrawal from the alliance. “It’s absolutely clear that Putin intends to continue the war, at least until the American elections, and hopes for Trump,” as does China’s leader, Xi Jinping, said Thomas Gomart, the director of the French Institute of International Relations.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Macron, “, Putin, Xi Jinping, Thomas Gomart, ” Organizations: Trump, French Institute of International Relations Locations: France, Britain, Washington, States, China, Europe, Ukraine

Aug 18 (Reuters) - Estee Lauder (EL.N) forecast annual sales and profit below estimates on Friday, indicating a slower-than-expected rebound in its travel retail business, mainly in Asia, and waning demand in the United States, sending its shares down about 3%. Analysts note that the drop in consumer demand in China and a slow recovery in Asia travel retail - sales made at airports or travel destinations like Korea and China's Hainan - could impact luxury companies like Estee, which makes about 30% of its annual revenue from the Asia Pacific region. "De-stocking and inventory levels in Asian Travel Retail… likely to remain the biggest headwind to growth over the next few quarters," said Bernstein analyst Callum Elliott. Estee expects full-year sales to rise between 5% and 7%, compared with an estimated 8.8% increase, according to Refinitiv data. It sees annual adjusted profit to be between $3.50 and $3.75 per share, compared with an expectation of $4.83.

Persons: Estee Lauder, It's, Tracey Travis, Lauder, Shannon Stapleton, Bernstein, Callum Elliott, Estee, Granth Vanaik, Ananya Mariam Rajesh, Pooja Desai Organizations: Reuters, Nordstrom, REUTERS, L'Oreal, U.S ., Asia Pacific, Thomson Locations: Asia, United States, China, Korea, Hainan, Asia Pacific, New York, U.S, Americas, Mainland China, Bengaluru

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